HB Helix MSI G3N Clarity

[Stratos92]

I have a question about image clarity. When I am looking at my side imaging I can tell that something is there (rock, fish crib, etc) but the image is not very defined. I see images and videos of very clear precise images online but mine is not like that. What would be my first step in clearing things up?  Clear water and set to 100’ both sides. I am guessing transducer placement but just not sure ? .  Any tips would be great. 

[casts_by_fly]

Couple things.  I don’t know your setup so I might mention things you’ve done already.

 

scroll speed for one. It’s related to your boat speed and how fast you want the image to cross the screen. Slow boat and fast scroll means a stretched image. Fast boat and slow scroll means a compressed image with little detail.  In the kayak I am normally moving 1-4mph and I’ve settled on 4-6 scroll speed regardless. 
 

image sharpening.  I like low.  It adds just a touch of definition with out going over the top.

 

imaging range.  Not sure what size unit you have but especially if you’re running a 7” or smaller unit don’t set the imaging range to be too far if you’re looking for definition and detail. There are only so many pixels on a screen. 
 

related, if you have a small screen then go to contour mode and eliminate the water column black portion on side imaging. More pixels on the target areas.

 

you don’t mention the size, but if you have a 5” or 7” unit then you have the compact transducer. It takes good images, but the images you see online will be from the larger units and bigger transducer. It’s twice the power and gives better imaging. I just moved 7” to 9” and it’s a big difference. 
 

also, if you’re looking to get detail then what you should do is find things with side scan and mark a waypoint. Then come back over with downscan for the details. You’ll get a lot more sonar beams and pixels on the interesting thing and see it better on screen. 

[Stratos92]

Thank you for the information. I have a Helix 7 MSI at the the console and 7 MDI at the bow. I will try what you mention above. Is there a benefit to the black portion in the middle for SI?  I have the black portion now but will try contour mode and pulling in the width to 60-75’ instead of 100’. I never thought about running over the waypoint with DI. Thanks again. 

[casts_by_fly]

Some people like to see what’s in the water column.  I do at times. Most times now I’ve swapped. 
 

with a 7, I’d say DI will be your best solution. 

[txchaser]

I have a 7MSI, not going to be able to see much on 100' - that's 200 total feet so probably 4" per horizontal pixel. If you need to get out that far you can have it show just one side on the screen. 

 

 

[12poundbass]

The further you go out each side your image quality goes down. 

[Bruce424]

On 5/22/2023 at 10:01 PM, Stratos92 said:

Thank you for the information. I have a Helix 7 MSI at the the console and 7 MDI at the bow. I will try what you mention above. Is there a benefit to the black portion in the middle for SI?  I have the black portion now but will try contour mode and pulling in the width to 60-75’ instead of 100’. I never thought about running over the waypoint with DI. Thanks again. 

i keep my width at 40 ft. i wanna say also it depends how much sediment u havr in the water too