ElIte-9 TI or Helix 7 GPS CHIRP SI G2N

[XF15-Loader]

Finally in the market for an SI finder and saw these 2 on sale on BPS $599 AND $549 respectively.  

 

Any thoughts on which one I shouldd shoot for?  I like the idea of a 9" touch screen but other than that, I'm clueless. 

 

Thanks,

 

-J

[12poundbass]

I'm not familiar with Lowrance at all or their terminology, but that price seems too cheap for Lowrance. Does this indeed have the Totalscan transducer? Does it have basemaps or able to create your own? 

 

The Helix 7SI G2 you get all of that. You won't be able to network a second unit If you decide to get another in the future but not a deal breaker for me anyways. 

 

If the Lowrance has the Totalscan transducer, and at least able to create your own maps I'd go that route, because bigger is always better. If it doesn't (which it could the Elite ti has been out a couple years and they could be moving product to make room for a new unit) then the Helix unit is the one for you. 

[XF15-Loader]

@12poundbassOh, hell...just realized that I didn't list the finders.  The Lowrance is an Elite-9 Ti with total Scan.  The Helix is a CHIRP SI G2N.  I'll be putting it on a kayak.

 

The Lowrance goes on sale Wed and the Helix is a Black Friday sale.  

Edited November 14, 2018 by XF15-Loader
Additional information

[Logan S]

Since you're putting on a kayak, no need to network...Which is the biggest advantage for the HB G2N since Elite units don't have ethernet.  I'd pick the Elite 9Ti in your specific situation for the screen size and touch screen.  Either is a good choice though.  

[12poundbass]

1 minute ago, XF15-Loader said:

@12poundbassOh, hell...just realized that I didn't list the finders.  The Lowrance is an Elite-9 Ti with total Scan.  The Helix is a CHIRP SI G2N.  

 

The Lowrance goes on sale Wed and the Helix is a Black Friday sale.  

Does the Lowrance have the capability to draw it's own maps, or at least have basemaps? 

 

If it has both I'd go with it. If it only has basemaps I'd see if you can get a map card for it and IF your lakes have 1' contours. If it has basemaps but you can't get 1' contours then I'd go with the Helix.

[XF15-Loader]

@12poundbass both come with a Nav+ card.  

[Arcs&sparks]

Can you please link this sale on the Helix G2N?  Im not seeing it.  I’m waiting for the perfect time to get this.  

 

Edit;  I missed the part where you said it was a Black Friday sale

[12poundbass]

2 minutes ago, XF15-Loader said:

@12poundbass both come with a Nav+ card.  

I'm kind of torn. I'm pretty sure the Lowrance Elite can't draw it's own maps but the Helix can. That being said the Helix can but only has an 8 hour memory so if you want to create your own 1' contour maps you'll need to cough up another $80-100 for a Zero Line card in order to create more maps. 

 

So if mapping especially 1' contours isn't a deal breaker  (maybe your lakes have 1' contours) the Lowrance is your winner.

 

 

 

[12poundbass]

19 minutes ago, Arcs&sparks said:

Can you please link this sale on the Helix G2N?  Im not seeing it.  I’m waiting for the perfect time to get this.  

 

Edit;  I missed the part where you said it was a Black Friday sale

If you can swing it, it's a perfect time. That's a pretty good deal for either of these units.

[FishyGuy]

Who is it that is selling that Lowrance elite 9 unit? 

I suspect that it does not include the Totalscan transducer which is usually ~$180.  Still a good deal but maybe humminbird includes the ducer?

[XF15-Loader]

@Fishguy it's t BPS.  The add says originally $1069.99 on sale for $599.97.  Save $470.  I posted it above.  

[FishyGuy]

Anyway you can tell if it includes the transducer?

wednesday means next week, or today?

[12poundbass]

2 minutes ago, FishyGuy said:

Anyway you can tell if it includes the transducer?

It says on the add he posted above that it has the total scan transducer. 

[FishyGuy]

Looking close at the ad it says totalscan which usually means the unit is capable of totalscan but you have to buy the ducer separate.  I don't see where it says includes transducer.  Lowrance advertises lots of stuff that way.

[12poundbass]

24 minutes ago, FishyGuy said:

Looking close at the ad it says totalscan which usually means the unit is capable of totalscan but you have to buy the ducer separate.  I don't see where it says includes transducer.  Lowrance advertises lots of stuff that way.

I did a search and I found that Cabelas is advertising the new Elite 9 ti2 with the Totalscan transducer for $1069 which if you look closely on the above ad that the everyday price shown. Then I looked on Tackle warehouse and their Elite 9ti (the first gen) with Totalscan and it for $950 or close to that. So I have to assume the one in the above add does indeed have the Totalscan transducer. 

 

I agree with you though, the way Lowrance advertises or offers their units is very confusing.

[XF15-Loader]

@Fishguy  I believe the sale starts next Wed for the Lowrance.the whole flyer was kind of confusing.  Some sections show the Black Friday sale while others indicate that there's a sale starting Wed.  I'll send the wife Wed and if it's a no go, I'll be at BPS at 0200 for a 0500 opening on Friday morn. ?

@12poundbass I went to Lowrance site and looked at the Elite-9 Ti w total Scan ducer and the Nav+ card and it did, indeed total out to $1069.

[FishyGuy]

yeah, if its included its a bargain.  I've said no more black Friday lines but if  its Wednesday then its worth a trip.  Was the ad on a flyer at the store?  

I wonder if Cabelas will have the same thing?

[XF15-Loader]

@Fishguy I received the ad in the mail yesterday.

[FishyGuy]

and the deal is for Wednesday?  It may be local to your area deal.

[iabass8]

1 hour ago, FishyGuy said:

and the deal is for Wednesday?  It may be local to your area deal.

No, it's not local. I got the ad as well. It's or Nov 21-25 It's for every BPS/Cabela's store. The Lowrance Elite9 TI /w Totalscan transducer is 599. The elite TI2 units are coming out. Cabela's/BPS frequently blow out electronics when new ones are coming out. 

 

For SI, always buy the largest screen you can afford. Get the 9 TI. It's a great unit and has sonar chart live capability /w the right map card. 

[FishyGuy]

24 minutes ago, iabass8 said:

No, it's not local. I got the ad as well. It's or Nov 21-25 It's for every BPS/Cabela's store. The Lowrance Elite9 TI /w Totalscan transducer is 599. The elite TI2 units are coming out. Cabela's/BPS frequently blow out electronics when new ones are coming out. 

 

For SI, always buy the largest screen you can afford. Get the 9 TI. It's a great unit and has sonar chart live capability /w the right map card. 

tks for info, I found the ad, I think you are correct that the ducer comes with it.  Now I wonder how many they will have, at least its not on black Friday. 

[XF15-Loader]

Did you get one @Fishguy?  My BPS had 30+ when we did the recon on Sunday. 

[mtsaz]

I have lowrance carbon 3d- but in this case I would get the humminbird.  Its got a transducer, and will do everything and more that you would need in a kayak- PLUS- if you ever move it to another boat- it will allow you to tap into another unit- so you could put it on the bow (resale).  

 

Lowrance is very very good- like I say I have 2 of them but I would be very careful about making sure it has the transducer -totalscan and not just the skimmer.  The total scan transducer alone is like 300$ so I would be very cautious to make sure its complete (the way you want it).  I know why they do it- (sell without transducer) but its also very confusing at times.  Humminbird always includes transducers---which is nice- because you can sell them if you have extras.  I've seen the lowrance units cost the same without transducer as those with- so its never a certainty.