Hummingbird install

[Tin Man]

New Lowe Stinger. Upgraded the Sonar. Main unit a Humminbird Helix 9 SI GPS, the Bow unit is a Humminbird Helix 7 Chirp DI GPS G2. Understand that I want these installed on their own power hookup, not run through the fuse box. Anyone have an idea as to how much this is likely to run ? BTW Hummingbird is running a promotion on their chirp models. A free remote. 

[Angry John]

i am trying to consider your question and looking for cash value or cost to install?????  My one suggestion would be to mount the 9 up front and the 7 at the console.  The ability to see while standing is a lot more than while seated at the console.  Did you get the networkable units????

[Wayne P.]

The Helix 7 G2 is not networkable. The G2N is

[Tin Man]

Yep. Found that out the hardway. Sux. I probably would not have bought it anyway since what their askiing for the G2N is not that much less than what I paid for the 9 SI.  I needed to save some cash though for a few other upgrades. I did find out though that I'm looking at around $500.00 for a pro install. 2.5 hours for labor at $90.00 per hour and about $230.00 in parts.

[LoweStinger]

14 hours ago, Craig Sellers said:

though that I'm looking at around $500.00 for a pro install. 2.5 hours for labor at $90.00 per hour and about $230.00 in parts.

 $230 in parts ?????  what are the parts ?

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, LoweStinger said:

 $230 in parts ?????  what are the parts ?

I was wondering the same thing

[Tin Man]

Two Ram mounts, two in line fuse blocks, and two lighted switches.

[BigTerp]

If your comfortable with DIY, I would think you can install both of these with tinned marine wire, tinned heat shrink posts for the battery, in-line fuse holders and quality switches for around $150-$200. Most of that cost would be the ram mounts. 2 lighted switches would be around $30 bucks, in-line fuse holder $7 for a pack of 5, 25' of 16 AWG tinned marine wire (if you even need this) $5 and 3/8" heat shrink ring terminals $6 for a pack of 3.  

[J Francho]

What are the lighted switches for?

[BigTerp]

1 minute ago, J Francho said:

What are the lighted switches for?

 

Agreed. These units have their own internal switch, so no need for them to be switched again.

[J Francho]

I think he's getting dragged over the coals by an installer.  I bought water proof crimper and connection kit for around $40.  Had everything and anything I've needed for installing graphs.  The only thing I've had to buy are the inline fuses. I think I got it at West Marine, or something similar.  I put them in kayaks, rowboats, bass boats, even made a portable "to go" unit for rental boats.  It's actually easier to install an upgrade than a new one from stick - you can use the old wires to snake the new ones through the hull.

[12poundbass]

When I get my new boat and units I was thinking about paying to have it in stalled but $90/hr is steep! I can't imagine it's too difficult is it besides snaking the wires? I've hooked up several CD players,speakers,and amps back in my younger dumber days and never managed to burn any vehicles down so it shouldn't be any harder would it?

[J Francho]

Way easier than a car stereo system.  You only need to put the fuses and connectors on the power supply.  the transducer and cable are plug and play.  You do not alter it at all.

[WIGuide]

$500 to have them installed?? Wow that's steep for how easy it is to do yourself. Personally I wouldn't be paying to have it done, it's pretty simple to install just take your time, do your research and it'll be a piece of cake. 

[12poundbass]

53 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Way easier than a car stereo system.  You only need to put the fuses and connectors on the power supply.  the transducer and cable are plug and play.  You do not alter it at all.

That's what I figured but thought I'd ask. Thanks!

[A-Jay]

Looks like I'm on the opposite side of this discussion.

Clearly, this can be & in many, many cases, is a DIY install.

Conversely, for a first timer, this can seem & be a bit of a daunting task. 

One that can be done, but how many of us can say the that very first time we do anything, it's the best work possible ?

I'm not one for hack work, especially on my boat, and after already shelling out a sizeable lump of $$$ on the equipment,  paying for a professional install may be the other way to come closer to "perfect', which is what I want & need.  If I'm not confident in my own ability to achieve that, I have no problem with using funds to pay for quality, guaranteed work done by experienced humans with a favorable track record & reputation.  And I'm willing to pay the $$ to get the top notch work. 

I am at least average when it comes to DIY projects however when it comes to in-dash mounts, heading sensors, linking & networking 2 or more units, etc, I know my own limitations. 

So to the OP -  While it definitely helps to know & understand as much about your boat, motor & trailer as you can,  there's nothing wrong with paying the people who know what they are doing to install your gear.

A-Jay

 

[12poundbass]

35 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Looks like I'm on the opposite side of this discussion.

Clearly, this can be & in many, many cases, is a DIY install.

Conversely, for a first timer, this can seem & be a bit of a daunting task. 

One that can be done, but how many of us can say the that very first time we do anything, it's the best work possible ?

I'm not one for hack work, especially on my boat, and after already shelling out a sizeable lump of $$$ on the equipment,  paying for a professional install may be the other way to come closer to "perfect', which is what I want & need.  If I'm not confident in my own ability to achieve that, I have no problem with using funds to pay for quality, guaranteed work done by experienced humans with a favorable track record & reputation.  And I'm willing to pay the $$ to get the top notch work. 

I am at least average when it comes to DIY projects however when it comes to in-dash mounts, heading sensors, linking & networking 2 or more units, etc, I know my own limitations. 

So to the OP -  While it definitely helps to know & understand as much about your boat, motor & trailer as you can,  there's nothing wrong with paying the people who know what they are doing to install your gear.

A-Jay

 

When it comes to what you're referring to, I agree 100%. I would pay to have that done, I wouldn't attempt it. For a simple install I would do that and probably will. 

[A-Jay]

Sometimes what might be considered a simple install, one can run into problems.

A-Jay

[Tin Man]

If the boat was open I would definitely diy. The thing is, it is not open, it is filled with foam below decks which makes it a huge hassle without the right equipment. I tried to upgrade the boat while it was being made but it had already gone too far. I was told it would take 3 months but they finished it in half the time. If the lines are not laid out correctly then you have to pull them out and redo the mess. The $90.00 per hour is steep but it's standard. Then there is the the issue of wanting a clean install. Not sure I could do it without screwing something up. I researched the cost with another marina for a ballpark figure but I think I can get a break from the dealer when I go pick it up. Cabelas has a pretty good shop and does good work. Will see. A new boat with a professional install will be worth it in the end though. Just wish I could have upgraded while the boat was on the line though. 

[Wayne P.]

The key thing is the knowledge of the actual person doing the install. Do they know how to properly install imaging sonar units so they perform like they should.

 

You should ask what their experience is for that project. I have seen enough dealer installs that were done by the clueless.