This was a good video. I used to have a helix 8 MDI. Went to trade it in for a MSI but learned I want buttons on the left hand side and not the right and the speed of touchscreen. So the Solix 10 MSI G3 was my option. The helix was incredible but I LOVE my Solix. Humminbirds autochart contour color is way better than garmin quickdraw. Gamin looks like a childs coloring book.
Thanks for the compliment on the video! Means a lot!! And yeah the solix’s are next level just much more expensive. Otherwise yeah 100% the touchscreen factor and image quality is so much better. The autochart live is super nice to use. Ive messed with it a little on smaller lakes with not so good mapping and have had good success.
@@DomStromFishing I had a helix but I needed my right hand for the buttons and I use that for the trolling motor. There are also alot of stumps so I needed something faster to operate than buttons to avoid them easier. (That part didn't help. Lol) But the fact the I can use my left hand to operate it and see it fully at the same time is a game changer. I fish on the Coosa river and use auto chart. I haven't mapped out Alot yet, but I love it. It's kind of an OCD thing with me. I HAVE to use Autochart every inch of the water. It'll map over on land and look bad. Lol BUT I am gonna have to give in and get a lakemaster card cause I plan on upgrading from a 10' Jon boat to a 16' and it won't be very easy to maneuver a 16' boat in small pockets like I can my 10'.
Thank you for a very honest review! I use a Porta-bote (folding boat) with a Minn Kota Powerdrive bow mount with built in transducer and GPS, etc. I do magnet fishing (removing metal from rivers) and want to upgrade my tiny Garmin to a Helix 9 MSI G4N to take full advantage of the motor/Helix. My unusual question is: will SI be detailed enough to find things like anchors, railroad spikes and other metal objects, or will it all appear like rocks and sticks? Any insight would be appreciated!
Excellent excellent presentation. I am struggling between the helix 12 and the helix 10 but leaning more towards the 10 and they have a $500 rebate on some of these units now. I have a question if you use a trolling motor. I plan on installing a bow mounted minnkota trolling motor on the BACK of my boat. I have a rail and other stuff in the way in the front. Obviously, if it’s mounted on the back when the trolling motor turns left the boat will go right and vice versa. But if you use ipilot and possibly a heading sensor for your tracks and waypoints, will the trolling motor steer the boat properly, even though it’s mounted in the back?
Ive personally never tried doing what you are saying but i feel it would work similar to up front. The only thing about on the back is boat control wont be as good due to the trolling motor either pushing the boat forward or trying to pull against the transom which is more drag due to it being such a flat surface
Most dont reply to questions and comments on their feeds, I am hoping that you will. I am in British Columbia Canada and I cannot find any maping for BC, there are maps for Ontario but it seems that the whole of Western Canada have been treated as dead, lol. Are there maps that we can get for the HUMMINBIRD HELIX 9 MEGA SI+ GPS G4N? Love your tutorials on these units. I dont have my first one yet, been studying for months now to make sure I get the right one. Once again your presentations are the best I have seen.
Thanks for the view and great comments. Means a lot to hear you enjoyed the video. As far as the mapping it is possible they just have not got out there yet to map any of those lakes. I do know the units have autochart though which you can make maps as you fish. Which i know isnt perfect but for now it may be the best you can do. Maybe there is some way to request mapping somewhere on their website?
Have a helix 9 msi but not a plus. Looking to add another screen and possibly a bigger one. Should I get the lowest option unit, or should I invest in a msi+? Guess Im not sure how much the plus helps. thanks
Thanks for the review. I just bought the Helix 7 MEGA SI GPS G4N at Fleet Farm yesterday and was on the water with it today. My previous unit was a Lowrance 2nd Gen HDS7. I use the contour maps quite a bit to follow the lake structure, and don't like them as much as the HDS7 standard maps. It sounds like I should buy the Lakemaster maps for more detailed contouring information? I did notice the screen on the Helix 7 is much crisper. And side imaging is much better on this unit. I also don't want the red charting lines being drawn all over the screen while I am trolling. I need to figure out how to disable them. I had to buy the Helix 7 because of space limitations on my instrument console. Otherwise, time will tell how I settle into this unit. I will say the Helix 7 is just loaded with options and features. They have come a long way both with features and value in the last decade!
Thanks for the view and comment! Yes i would 100% reccomend the lakemaster maps. I assume you are in the northland as you mentioned fleet farm, which humminbird is also based out of so their mapping of up here is very good. As far as your red charting lines, i would assume there is a way to turn those off. Hopefully you were able to find that out, ive never tried so im not sure on that but im sure a google search could help point you in the right direction. Goodluck this year fishing!
@@DomStromFishing You can hide the tracking in the Nav menu. I bought the Lakemaster Premium maps for MN and set them up today. They are fantastic! It really made this fish locator great! I added the color overlays to the depths I fish and it worked great! I also added the arial view for the land overlay. Thanks for the info about Humminbird. It didn't know they were in our neck of the woods. I live on a lake about 20 min North of Little Falls and have fished here for over 20yrs. Having good mapping added a lot to my fishing experience today. I"ll be fishing a number of Central and northern lakes around Brainerd/Baxter on up. The maps have all the detail I need. I may add the Smartstrike maps also.
You can get rid of the lines. And if you want REALLY detailed contour, use Autochart live and create your own map. It's better than lakemaster but very slow and not as efficient.
Hey Max! I am not the video author, but I just called Humminbird today on this topic. I have a Helix 7 MDI GPS G3N paired with a MK Terrova MDI. Agent advised me that I can network a new Helix 9 MSI GPS G4N (CHO) with my existing system and obtain the MSI features on both units. If you go to the HB website there is a compatibility feature that allows you to ID whether your current transducer will work with the control head you want to purchase. I entered MK built in MDI and Helix 9 MSI GPS G4N and it came back as compatible. The result indicated that it will supply resolution to the max capability of the MK built in, but I got the distinct impression that the transducer that comes with the 9 might give a better image. I also thought I would share with you the other connection info that the agent shared with me. First, she said that to network the Helix 7 and 9, I would need to purchase (2) ethernet adapter cables (product number 720 074-1), and (1) ethernet cable in a length of my choice. These are available in 5,10,15,20, and 30 foot lengths. I have an 18 ft boat, so I asked her for the first four. Product numbers follow: 5 ft.) 720 073-6 10 ft.) 720 073-2 15 ft.) 720 073-5 20 ft.) 720 073-3 I was also pleased to find out that being that I am only connecting two Helix units, I will not need to purchase the separate networking unit (as I understand this is needed for 3 or more units). Finally, when I was out looking at the compatibility tool, I got a message that I would also need an adapter to connect my Minn Kota to the Helix 9. Product number they gave for this was MKR-MI-1. I plan to look at all of the code numbers on the wires connected to my existing system before purchasing all of these in hopes that some are duplicated, but this is what they provided me. Hope it helps you bud! Tight lines.
I have a new Helix 9. I was not able to change screens for some reason. It was like it was frozen. The map was not moving although the boat was moving. What can cause that? I tried "exit" "menu" and all sorts of things. Nothing worked. Your thoughts?
I dont know, ive never had that issue. Id say the only thing i would think to do is the good ile fashioned turn it off then on again. And if that doesnt work, unplug and plug back in to power. Goodluck! Hope you’re able to figure it out!!!
I dont believe so. I may be wrong in saying this but the way i understand it minn kotas can only run with humminbird, garmin trolling motors with garmin mapping and lowrance trolling motors with lowrance mapping. You may want to do research to see if there is a way but i do not think so. One of their ways to get you to keep buying their products
Honestly can barely tell there is more sediment in the water. Obviously you have to adjust your settings a little but otherwise you are still able to get a good picture. I had the same concern with mine when i first got it
Hold down View button for quicker access to all the screen options.
Oh thank you for the tip and comment!!! Ill have to put this to use in the future.
You help me out a lot. I going to buy one this weekend. i’m going to get the helix nine side and down image thank you.
Im glad i could help in your devision!
Just got 2 helix 9s, only used once briefly. Thanks for the tips, I have not even got them adjusted yet.
Glad i could help! I hope you enjoy them as much as ive enjoyed mine so far this year!!
Great video❤ what transducer would be best for this unit? Great work again, cheers
great video..... so this model only do SI. If i want DI , i have to get differnt model. Does humminbird has both SI and DI combined in one unit?
This was a good video. I used to have a helix 8 MDI. Went to trade it in for a MSI but learned I want buttons on the left hand side and not the right and the speed of touchscreen. So the Solix 10 MSI G3 was my option. The helix was incredible but I LOVE my Solix.
Humminbirds autochart contour color is way better than garmin quickdraw. Gamin looks like a childs coloring book.
Thanks for the compliment on the video! Means a lot!! And yeah the solix’s are next level just much more expensive. Otherwise yeah 100% the touchscreen factor and image quality is so much better.
The autochart live is super nice to use. Ive messed with it a little on smaller lakes with not so good mapping and have had good success.
@@DomStromFishing I had a helix but I needed my right hand for the buttons and I use that for the trolling motor. There are also alot of stumps so I needed something faster to operate than buttons to avoid them easier. (That part didn't help. Lol)
But the fact the I can use my left hand to operate it and see it fully at the same time is a game changer.
I fish on the Coosa river and use auto chart. I haven't mapped out Alot yet, but I love it.
It's kind of an OCD thing with me. I HAVE to use Autochart every inch of the water. It'll map over on land and look bad. Lol BUT I am gonna have to give in and get a lakemaster card cause I plan on upgrading from a 10' Jon boat to a 16' and it won't be very easy to maneuver a 16' boat in small pockets like I can my 10'.
Thank you for a very honest review! I use a Porta-bote (folding boat) with a Minn Kota Powerdrive bow mount with built in transducer and GPS, etc. I do magnet fishing (removing metal from rivers) and want to upgrade my tiny Garmin to a Helix 9 MSI G4N to take full advantage of the motor/Helix. My unusual question is: will SI be detailed enough to find things like anchors, railroad spikes and other metal objects, or will it all appear like rocks and sticks? Any insight would be appreciated!
Excellent excellent presentation. I am struggling between the helix 12 and the helix 10 but leaning more towards the 10 and they have a $500 rebate on some of these units now. I have a question if you use a trolling motor. I plan on installing a bow mounted minnkota trolling motor on the BACK of my boat. I have a rail and other stuff in the way in the front. Obviously, if it’s mounted on the back when the trolling motor turns left the boat will go right and vice versa. But if you use ipilot and possibly a heading sensor for your tracks and waypoints, will the trolling motor steer the boat properly, even though it’s mounted in the back?
Ive personally never tried doing what you are saying but i feel it would work similar to up front. The only thing about on the back is boat control wont be as good due to the trolling motor either pushing the boat forward or trying to pull against the transom which is more drag due to it being such a flat surface
Most dont reply to questions and comments on their feeds, I am hoping that you will. I am in British Columbia Canada and I cannot find any maping for BC, there are maps for Ontario but it seems that the whole of Western Canada have been treated as dead, lol. Are there maps that we can get for the HUMMINBIRD HELIX 9 MEGA SI+ GPS G4N? Love your tutorials on these units. I dont have my first one yet, been studying for months now to make sure I get the right one. Once again your presentations are the best I have seen.
Thanks for the view and great comments. Means a lot to hear you enjoyed the video. As far as the mapping it is possible they just have not got out there yet to map any of those lakes. I do know the units have autochart though which you can make maps as you fish. Which i know isnt perfect but for now it may be the best you can do. Maybe there is some way to request mapping somewhere on their website?
Have a helix 9 msi but not a plus. Looking to add another screen and possibly a bigger one. Should I get the lowest option unit, or should I invest in a msi+? Guess Im not sure how much the plus helps. thanks
Thanks for the review. I just bought the Helix 7 MEGA SI GPS G4N at Fleet Farm yesterday and was on the water with it today. My previous unit was a Lowrance 2nd Gen HDS7. I use the contour maps quite a bit to follow the lake structure, and don't like them as much as the HDS7 standard maps. It sounds like I should buy the Lakemaster maps for more detailed contouring information? I did notice the screen on the Helix 7 is much crisper. And side imaging is much better on this unit. I also don't want the red charting lines being drawn all over the screen while I am trolling. I need to figure out how to disable them. I had to buy the Helix 7 because of space limitations on my instrument console. Otherwise, time will tell how I settle into this unit. I will say the Helix 7 is just loaded with options and features. They have come a long way both with features and value in the last decade!
Thanks for the view and comment! Yes i would 100% reccomend the lakemaster maps. I assume you are in the northland as you mentioned fleet farm, which humminbird is also based out of so their mapping of up here is very good. As far as your red charting lines, i would assume there is a way to turn those off. Hopefully you were able to find that out, ive never tried so im not sure on that but im sure a google search could help point you in the right direction. Goodluck this year fishing!
@@DomStromFishing You can hide the tracking in the Nav menu. I bought the Lakemaster Premium maps for MN and set them up today. They are fantastic! It really made this fish locator great! I added the color overlays to the depths I fish and it worked great! I also added the arial view for the land overlay. Thanks for the info about Humminbird. It didn't know they were in our neck of the woods. I live on a lake about 20 min North of Little Falls and have fished here for over 20yrs. Having good mapping added a lot to my fishing experience today. I"ll be fishing a number of Central and northern lakes around Brainerd/Baxter on up. The maps have all the detail I need. I may add the Smartstrike maps also.
You can get rid of the lines. And if you want REALLY detailed contour, use Autochart live and create your own map. It's better than lakemaster but very slow and not as efficient.
@@DomStromFishingHumminbird's HQ is here in Alabama.
Nice overview. Appreciate the content!
Of course! Thanks for the view and comment Steve!!!
Thanks for the video, I'm wanting to upgrade from a pair of Helix 7s, to the 9 MSI+...good tips
Of course thanks for the view and comment! I hope i was able to help a little in that decision for you
This items can use in any country like philippines?
Hey! I'm wondering if you have the minnkota terrorva with the mega down imaging do you still need a transducer
Hey Max! I am not the video author, but I just called Humminbird today on this topic. I have a Helix 7 MDI GPS G3N paired with a MK Terrova MDI. Agent advised me that I can network a new Helix 9 MSI GPS G4N (CHO) with my existing system and obtain the MSI features on both units. If you go to the HB website there is a compatibility feature that allows you to ID whether your current transducer will work with the control head you want to purchase. I entered MK built in MDI and Helix 9 MSI GPS G4N and it came back as compatible. The result indicated that it will supply resolution to the max capability of the MK built in, but I got the distinct impression that the transducer that comes with the 9 might give a better image.
I also thought I would share with you the other connection info that the agent shared with me. First, she said that to network the Helix 7 and 9, I would need to purchase (2) ethernet adapter cables (product number 720 074-1), and (1) ethernet cable in a length of my choice. These are available in 5,10,15,20, and 30 foot lengths. I have an 18 ft boat, so I asked her for the first four. Product numbers follow:
5 ft.) 720 073-6
10 ft.) 720 073-2
15 ft.) 720 073-5
20 ft.) 720 073-3
I was also pleased to find out that being that I am only connecting two Helix units, I will not need to purchase the separate networking unit (as I understand this is needed for 3 or more units).
Finally, when I was out looking at the compatibility tool, I got a message that I would also need an adapter to connect my Minn Kota to the Helix 9. Product number they gave for this was MKR-MI-1.
I plan to look at all of the code numbers on the wires connected to my existing system before purchasing all of these in hopes that some are duplicated, but this is what they provided me. Hope it helps you bud! Tight lines.
I have a new Helix 9. I was not able to change screens for some reason. It was like it was frozen. The map was not moving although the boat was moving. What can cause that? I tried "exit" "menu" and all sorts of things. Nothing worked. Your thoughts?
I dont know, ive never had that issue. Id say the only thing i would think to do is the good ile fashioned turn it off then on again. And if that doesnt work, unplug and plug back in to power. Goodluck! Hope you’re able to figure it out!!!
If i get an echomap, can it netowrk with my Terrova to run charts? Or is it just hummingbird?
I dont believe so. I may be wrong in saying this but the way i understand it minn kotas can only run with humminbird, garmin trolling motors with garmin mapping and lowrance trolling motors with lowrance mapping. You may want to do research to see if there is a way but i do not think so. One of their ways to get you to keep buying their products
How do these work in Murkey water? Thanks
Honestly can barely tell there is more sediment in the water. Obviously you have to adjust your settings a little but otherwise you are still able to get a good picture. I had the same concern with mine when i first got it
BLAH BLAH BLAH!