Solix to Helix

[InseineFishing]

So considering selling my boat and getting a new ZXR or FXR. Either way, the new Skeeters come with Helix. I currently have Solix 15 and 12. Big difference that I am going to notice other than touch screen?

[AndrewM-Fishing]

A Lot of guys will state that the image quality is the same. Personally I disagree. I have 2 Helix 12 G3N and 1 Solix 12 G2. The solix image quality is noticeably better on side imaging and m360. If the stars align for me financially I'll be replacing my helix with solix this season. Just my opinion for my experience.

[SLYDoggie]

Here is a detailed list of the advantages for each which I put together with the assistance of several Solix and Helix users on BBC:

Solix & Helix Advantages:


Solix Advantages:
1) Touch Screen as well as button/dial/joystick operation. You can access virtually anything either way... Your choice.
2) Ability to share map cards among networked Solix and Apex units. No need to buy a Lakemaster or Navionics card for each unit.
3) Ability to separately define GPS and Heading if you have a Heading Puck or Link Heading Sensor. On Helix, these are defined together so you couldn't get GPS from one device (including the internal GPS of any unit) and Heading from the Puck or Link Heading Sensor.
4) Better Nav Data structure with the ability to import/export Waypoints and Tracks via GPX files which is better than the Helix Matrix folder structure.
5) Nav Data is totally shared and saved locally on each networked unit rather than just "seeing" the data on each of the Helix networked units. Helix users have lost Waypoints due to not understanding this nuance.
6) Ability to scroll backwards through 2D, SI, and DI history and even mark waypoints on areas that had already disappeared from the screen.
7) No dongle required for Ethernet cables.
8) Ability to define custom views with 1, 2, 3, or 4 sections... put things where you want them rather than having to live with the few combo views Humminbird provides on the Helix. For example, on the Solix you can set up a side by side custom view with Mega Live and Mega 360 where the Helix does not support this view.
9) Ability to individually turn on/off 2D, DI, SI, Mega Live, and Mega 360 sonar pinging rather than all or nothing on Helix. This can be helpful when trying to resolve sonar crosstalk issues with Mega Live or Mega 360.
10) Can easily make a partial screen view go to full screen with a simple touch of that section with 2 fingers then easily return to the previous multi image screen with another 2 finger touch on the full screen view. You will have a yellow outline around the full screen view so you know you can return to the combo view.
11) Quick access to up to 10 favorite Standard and/or Custom views using the Sidebar... Two sidebar tabs with 5 each.
12) Smoother and more seamless integration with Minn Kota iPilot Link to access Trolling Motor remote operations via the control head.
13) Easier/Quicker to put Solix in Standby Mode.
14) Quicker access to Bluetooth paired accessories like Talon, Minn Kota iPilot Link, Cannon Downriggers, and etc. via the Sidebar.
15) There are extra ground wires in the Solix Transducer cable which are used to ground each of the sonar signal piezos which can reduce Interference and provide a cleaner signal.
16) Although the resolution of the 12 & 15 inch Solix models is the same as the 12 &15 inch Helix Models , the 10" Solix has a higher resolution than the 10" and smaller Helix models.
17) Many settings and preferences can be shared among units on the network... no need to make the same settings changes individually on multiple units. Changes on any one unit on the network will be propagated to the others. You also have the option to turn off the "Global" settings on individual items on individual units if you don't want specific items automatically propagated to or from a unit.


Helix Advantages:
1) Easier transition from Humminbird legacy units since Helix has the same menu & button structure.
2) Simpler to operate which could translate to a more reliable system.
3) Ability to define a custom screen split percentage to the Humminbird provided combo views.
4) No Dongle required for the AS GRP or AS GPS HS external "pucks".
5) Faster boot times.
6) Compatible with the Humminbird PC Windows application for Waypoint Management.
7) Uses less power than the same size Solix systems.
8) On some Helix models, you can assign your most used views to the Favorite Buttons but this is limited to 3 or 6 buttons depending on the model. The smaller Helix models don't have these buttons.


Bottom line... It comes down to much more than touch screen vs non touch screen. It comes down to what advantages are more important to you as well as the cost difference of the 2 lines. The Solix is definitely more capable but also more expensive and complex in its operations. If you aren't willing to invest time in reading the manual (maybe even twice) and truly learning the touch interface and menus, then the simpler Helix may be the better choice for you.


Also, I wouldn't recommend mixing Solix and Helix as you loose networking functions and having two very different menu systems can be frustrating to some people. You are better off with all Solix or all Helix on your network. Here is a link to the Humminbird information on network sharing... https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdo...-to-Humminbird


NOTE: As of the 4.020 Solix & Apex software release, you have the ability to do a 30/70 screen split as well as the standard 50/50 screen split on side by side views. This works great for Mega 360 and Mega Live. You can also quickly change back and forth between 50/50 and 30/70 while on a view... A definite improvement for Solix but still not as flexible as Helix which allows you to change the actual screen split percentage itself.

[LittleGazoo]

Great review SLYDoggie!!!

Do like the Solix Navdata GPX files vs. Helix MATRIX folders. Do like HumminbirdPC, but like you say, not Solix compatible.

Do not like fact that Solix has faulty "data-scrubbing" on large tracks which corrupts the track-path (making the track wrong).
If you use or plan to import large tracks, avoid the Solix.

[SLYDoggie]

Great review SLYDoggie!!!

Do like the Solix Navdata GPX files vs. Helix MATRIX folders. Do like HumminbirdPC, but like you say, not Solix compatible.

Do not like fact that Solix has faulty "data-scrubbing" on large tracks which corrupts the track-path (making the track wrong).
If you use or plan to import large tracks, avoid the Solix.

The main thing that isn't compatible between the Solix/Apex and Humminbird PC are the Solix/Apex Waypoint Icons. The libraries differ and you may loose the waypoint symbols if you save, edit, and then return the Waypoints to the Solix.

I don't do any track importing so don't have any experience with that but have seen your posts on BBC about this issue.