About to embark on first software update in 3+ years...questions

[JSev1]

Hi,

I have a Helix 12 MEGA SI/DI and a Helix 10 MEGA DI (both Gen 3), and linked to my Ulterra. It's performed great over the last 5 years, and it's probably been 3 years since I've updated. But I'm ready to do a system update as I want to upgrade some mapping to the Lakemaster VX versions and know I need the latest software to do so. I have some questions as I am nervous as heck that I'm going to mess up a pretty good thing (ie, everything working fine, but in older formats).

My questions:

- If I am reading correctly, do I need to FIRST update both units software to V. 2.28 BEFORE udpating both units to 2.93? I may have already be running 2.28, I'm not sure as the units are at my cabin, but if not running 2.28, want to confirm I need to update to this, then 2.93.
- In order to link both units to my Ulterra after updating to 2.93, do I then update the I-pilot link update to version 1.44?
- Should I update the base maps to version 1.031? Is it worthwhile? If reading correctly, I install this AFTER getting both units updated to v. 2.93.
- After installing all the updates, will I need to reset anything for the units to "re-network" to my Ulterra I-pilot link or should it do that automatically?
- I will be downloading all of the software updates onto a single 16mg or 32mg SSD card. Is it okay to install them all on one chip or should I use multiple chips?

Lastly, I will be downloading the software updates onto the SSD cards, via my Mac. I've read of some formatting issues in the past with Macs and need to unzip files before transferring. Any tips/tricks on things to do would be most appreciated.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just nervous about this big step (for me, haha) and screwing up what has been working pretty good to this point. Thanks for any help and insight!
Jeff

[SLYDoggie]

I'm not a Helix guy so I won't comment about most of your questions but I do know about the Mac and Formatting question. The SD card definitely needs to be formatted in FAT32 (Windows format) and not the Mac native format. If you card is formatted for the Mac it will not work but the Mac will read and write to FAT32 SD cards.

Also, the Helix updates are individual .bin files and are not zipped. That was the Solix and Apex that did the Zip files, but on the last update, even the Solix and Apex were individual .upd files and weren't zipped.

[Wayne P.]

The 1.031 basemap download is about 5 1/2 GB zipped and has to be unzipped. It has 6 files that have to be copied to a memory card.

[JSev1]

SLYDoggie - is a FAT32 SD card a particular formatted kind of card that I need to use? I've never heard that before but will make sure to buy one. Also - do you (or Wayne) know if I can put all of the files (Helix 12 and 10 updates, 1.031 Basemap, I-pilot 1.44 update) all together and on the same FAT32 card? Or should I use different cards, or delete a file before downloading and installing a new one?

Thanks!

[SLYDoggie]

SLYDoggie - is a FAT32 SD card a particular formatted kind of card that I need to use? I've never heard that before but will make sure to buy one. Also - do you (or Wayne) know if I can put all of the files (Helix 12 and 10 updates, 1.031 Basemap, I-pilot 1.44 update) all together and on the same FAT32 card? Or should I use different cards, or delete a file before downloading and installing a new one?

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure FAT32 is the format that all SD cards have when you buy them. In Windows, you have format options when you format a SD card. I haven't a clue about the Mac.

[Mahomee]

Hi,

I have a Helix 12 MEGA SI/DI and a Helix 10 MEGA DI (both Gen 3), and linked to my Ulterra. It's performed great over the last 5 years, and it's probably been 3 years since I've updated. But I'm ready to do a system update as I want to upgrade some mapping to the Lakemaster VX versions and know I need the latest software to do so. I have some questions as I am nervous as heck that I'm going to mess up a pretty good thing (ie, everything working fine, but in older formats).

My questions:

- If I am reading correctly, do I need to FIRST update both units software to V. 2.28 BEFORE udpating both units to 2.93? I may have already be running 2.28, I'm not sure as the units are at my cabin, but if not running 2.28, want to confirm I need to update to this, then 2.93.
- In order to link both units to my Ulterra after updating to 2.93, do I then update the I-pilot link update to version 1.44?
- Should I update the base maps to version 1.031? Is it worthwhile? If reading correctly, I install this AFTER getting both units updated to v. 2.93.
- After installing all the updates, will I need to reset anything for the units to "re-network" to my Ulterra I-pilot link or should it do that automatically?
- I will be downloading all of the software updates onto a single 16mg or 32mg SSD card. Is it okay to install them all on one chip or should I use multiple chips?

Lastly, I will be downloading the software updates onto the SSD cards, via my Mac. I've read of some formatting issues in the past with Macs and need to unzip files before transferring. Any tips/tricks on things to do would be most appreciated.

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just nervous about this big step (for me, haha) and screwing up what has been working pretty good to this point. Thanks for any help and insight!
Jeff

As far as I know humminbird pc doesnt work on a mac. I use my old old old laptop not my mac.

[Wayne P.]

As far as I know humminbird pc doesnt work on a mac. I use my old old old laptop not my mac.

PC software will work on a MAC if it has an PC emulator like Parallels