advice on Humminbird setup/install/buying

[TNReb]

I recently bought have an 2004 Triton TR186 and it has a Humminbird 788ci (transducer is in the hull), as well as the two original Lowrance units at the helm and bow.

 

I'm going to pull the 788ci and put new Humminbirds on the boat.  One at the helm, one at the bow.  I am going to put a Solix Mega at the helm - either a 9, 10, or 12.  

 

I may put a smaller unit at the bow to save money.  I know some people prefer larger units up front, but I want a large unit at the helm - just my preference.

 

Questions....

 

1.  Two transducers for Solix at helm?

I talked to another guy today who has a similar set up as what I'm describing.  He has the Mega transducer attached to the unit at the helm, and said he loses information (depth, etc) over 5mph.  He said he doesn't care because he uses the maps to watch depth and doesn't use any sort of imaging except when idling.  That may work for him, but I want to be able to always see my depth.  I don't care about side imaging running 30mph, but I want to know how deep the water is - always.  I could keep the old Lowrance unit in the dash turned on if I had to.  It just seems silly to me to have a nice unit like the Solix and not be able to get depth readings while running about.

 

What are the odds I can plug the old 2D transducer (from the hull) in to the Solix along with the Mega to keep my depth readings?
If that's possible, will I need to purchase a separate "splitter" or something of that nature?

 

2.  Networking Solix with Helix

If I chose a Helix 9 Mega/Side for the bow, it looks like I can't network that with the Solix 12 at the helm and share imaging.  Is that correct?  
If it's not possible, I have two options:

A.)  Put a Solix at the helm like I want and put my old Garmin 7SV at the bow.

B.)  Put a Solix at the helm and a Helix up front, and understand they won't bet networked.  I'm not too concerned about sharing waypoints and such from one to the other - so I don't really know why I would need them networked.  If they aren't networked, I assume I'd have to purchase two separate map cards?  That'd stink.

 

 

Appreciate any input & advice!

 

[Way north bass guy]

Not sure about the networking because I have two helix’s, but the best route for transducers is to get the high speed 2d transducer and the splitter cable. Make sure you get the splitter for mega units, then you can install the mega ducer up above the hull bottom and have the 2d for high speed running. Either mount it on the transom or if it’s a fiberglass boat, you could mount it inside the hull to shoot through. 

[All about da bass]

Got two helix 12s. They work great.

[Further North]

On 3/29/2018 at 4:04 PM, TNReb said:

I am going to put a Solix Mega at the helm - either a 9, 10, or 12.  

Pretty cool unit...I went with a Helix 12 Mega, because other than touch screen and a couple other minor things that don't matter to me, I went with Helix over Solix to save $$$.

 

On 3/29/2018 at 4:04 PM, TNReb said:

I know some people prefer larger units up front, but I want a large unit at the helm - just my preference.

That's how I prefer it too...that said, my "small unit" at the bow is a 10" G2N.

 

On 3/29/2018 at 4:04 PM, TNReb said:

I talked to another guy today who has a similar set up as what I'm describing.  He has the Mega transducer attached to the unit at the helm, and said he loses information (depth, etc) over 5mph.

He's got his transducer set wrong.  I get some SI at 30 MPH+, and all 2D at max speed.

 

 

 

...that said, there is some benefit to running a separate 2D transducer, and I do that.  Call it $90 and the time to run the extra wires, drill the holes and mount the high speed transducer.

 

On 3/29/2018 at 4:04 PM, TNReb said:

What are the odds I can plug the old 2D transducer (from the hull) in to the Solix along with the Mega to keep my depth readings?

Pretty good.

 

On 3/29/2018 at 4:04 PM, TNReb said:

If that's possible, will I need to purchase a separate "splitter" or something of that nature?

Yes.

 

On 3/29/2018 at 4:04 PM, TNReb said:

If I chose a Helix 9 Mega/Side for the bow, it looks like I can't network that with the Solix 12 at the helm and share imaging.  Is that correct?  
If it's not possible, I have two options:

A.)  Put a Solix at the helm like I want and put my old Garmin 7SV at the bow.

B.)  Put a Solix at the helm and a Helix up front, and understand they won't bet networked.  I'm not too concerned about sharing waypoints and such from one to the other - so I don't really know why I would need them networked.  If they aren't networked, I assume I'd have to purchase two separate map cards?  That'd stink.

It'd be odd that you can't share imaging as that works with networked Helix units, but I've not looked into it.  Solis units can share maps, Helix units cannot.  A Helix 12 G2N + a Helix 10 G2N  cost a lot less than the extra map card...and they work just great sharing everything else, in my case that's Humminbird 360°, all the waypoints and other data, a MEGA SI transducer, the DI signal from the MEGA transducer, temperature and depth data from front and back transducer and control of the Minn Kota Ultera through iPilot Link.

 

With all that in place...I couldn't talk myself into the extra $$$ for a Solix, as screen resolution is the same...if I really felt the need, I could swap in the longer Solix MEGA transducer...but I just don't see the need as I can see individual fish just fine in SI with the transducer that comes with the Helix 12 MEGA G2N.

 

I hope all that helps...