360 questions

[Halffast61]

Hello. New guy here. I am an inshore saltwater guy and I found this forum to be the best resource on Humminbirds of anywhere (including Humminbirds own site) I've looked. My son and I both run Helix 9's on our bay boats (me a G2 and him a G3N) and I just bought one of the BPS Helix 10 SI G2N's on Black Friday. I've already used it and although I still have a ton to learn, I am very impressed so far. Some of the threads on here have helped me tremendously already. Thanks so much to all of you.

I have a couple of questions about 360. I know I can't use the new 360 MEGA with my new unit but can use the older 360. I realize that no one here has one of the new units yet, but do you think that the improvements in the MEGA units will make it worth the higher cost and needing at least a G3N DI+ control head? We fish artificials only working shorelines and other structure with our Ulterras on about 90% of the time. Pretty much like saltwater bass fishing. Should I jump on one of the older 360's before they're gone or save my money for the MEGA?

Also, has anyone seen or have experience with this mount for the Ulterra? http://www.cumberlandcrappie.com/accessories.html It's looks like it's this or use the retractable mount on the back of the boat and I really would prefer to have the 360 on the front. Are there any other options?

Thanks again for such a great HB resource!

David

[Wayne P.]

This mount looks to be more refined:

https://www.fishntech.com/corn_field_crappie_gear.html

This one is separate from the trolling motor:

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/side...s-360-install/

Both 360's provide the best images when sitting still with the 360 doing the scanning. If you are moving all the time Side Imaging is better.
A 360 is a Side Imaging transducer that rotates AND can be used as a Side Imaging transducer.

[Halffast61]

Wayne,

Thanks for the quick response! That mount does look significantly better.

When we are moving it's usually at around 7/10ths of a MPH. Does that make any difference?

Thanks again,

David

[Wayne P.]

Wayne,

Thanks for the quick response! That mount does look significantly better.

When we are moving it's usually at around 7/10ths of a MPH. Does that make any difference?

Thanks again,

David

It will do somewhat OK at that speed for left and right.
It's the stuff forward and rearward changing distances from the transducer during the scan that makes the image more blurry.

[Halffast61]

Understood. Thanks so much.

[Wallace]

I love my 360 . With use you will be fine at that slow of a speed. I’m sure mega will be way better of a pic but unless I’m missing something the one I have works just fine. Now I’m not saying I won’t get a new one when this one dies because I will!:-) I’m mega ready! To me once you learn how to use it and trust what it’s telling you it works like a champ.

[Treeguyus]

2nd the https://www.podunkideas.com/360-model.htmlThe heading sensor mounts nicely on top. The shaft fits the 360 perfectly and it is rock solid. Really like the bracket and my 360. After one season am glad I made the investment, thanks Wayne. Mega looks outstanding, for me it a $3000-$4000 investment to upgrade. Down the road

[cevans]

Love my da ducer too!

[Halffast61]

Thanks for all the help!

[bk626]

I have new solix 12 mega si on my bow now. Do I need 2 screens if I want to run mega 360 and still have a choice of side imaging or down imaging from the same unit?

[Wayne P.]

I have new solix 12 mega si on my bow now. Do I need 2 screens if I want to run mega 360 and still have a choice of side imaging or down imaging from the same unit?

No you do not "need" a separate unit. You can make your own custom view with 360 and SI or 360 with DI. The discontinued ONIX units that the SOLIX replaced can do that also with the current 360.

[Wayne P.]

I have new solix 12 mega si on my bow now. Do I need 2 screens if I want to run mega 360 and still have a choice of side imaging or down imaging from the same unit?

Also your SOLIX units would have to be the G2 current models to support the MEGA 360 when that comes out.

[bk626]

Great thanks! So the 360 transducer does down imaging too?

[Wayne P.]

Great thanks! So the 360 transducer does down imaging too?

No, DI has to come from another source.

[bk626]

OK. Sorry for all the questions. I have the mega di / side imaging transducer on my trolling motor now. So I would need a splitter right because there is only one input on the back of the unit.

[Wayne P.]

OK. Sorry for all the questions. I have the mega di / side imaging transducer on my trolling motor now. So I would need a splitter right because there is only one input on the back of the unit.

The MEGA 360 has a transducer connection. To connect it and another transducer takes a MEGA 360 Y cable--not available yet.
You would need the 14 M360 2DDI Y cable.
Both transducers would connect to the Y cable and then the Y cable connects to the unit's transducer port.

[Lexz521]

Wayne the HB manual shows you need ver 2.13 or higher to run Mega 360 on a Helix but the latest ver listed is ver 2.11.
Any thoughts?

[Wayne P.]

Wayne the HB manual shows you need ver 2.13 or higher to run Mega 360 on a Helix but the latest ver listed is ver 2.11.
Any thoughts?

Yes, it means what it states. You can't run a MEGA 360 without a higher version software update than 2.110. That ain't happened yet.

[Topwater All Day]

Hey Wayne, are the connections the same for the MEGA 360 as the original? Meaning if I want to upgrade, can I just swap the MEGA for the old one using my existing power and Ethernet connections? I have Helix 9 MDI G3N that it can connect to, but my Ethernet connection goes through the hub...

[Wayne P.]

Hey Wayne, are the connections the same for the MEGA 360 as the original? Meaning if I want to upgrade, can I just swap the MEGA for the old one using my existing power and Ethernet connections? I have Helix 9 MDI G3N that it can connect to, but my Ethernet connection goes through the hub...

No
The 360 is an Ethernet accessory.
The MEGA 360 connects to the unit's transducer port and replaces Side Imaging.

The power connection is the same.

If you want to keep your DI and 2D functions, you need the Helix 360 Y cable.