Humminbird 360 Imaging Information Resource

[hambone56]

I am new to forum. I want to purchase a mega 360 bow unit. what humminbird unit do I need? I need to justify cost of smaller 8 inch vs 10 inch. any help would be appreciated.

[Wayne P.]

I am new to forum. I want to purchase a mega 360 bow unit. what humminbird unit do I need? I need to justify cost of smaller 8 inch vs 10 inch. any help would be appreciated.

Just one thing you have to remember, the unit HAS to have SI+ or DI+ in the model name.
It is a rotating Side Imaging transducer so it does 360 and Side Imaging, but not at the same time.

Every unit that is compatible is listed on the Humminbird website's Accessory list for the MEGA 360:

MEGA 360 Imaging - Ultrex | Humminbird (johnsonoutdoors.com)

Since the MEGA 360 REPLACES Side Imaging on a Side Imaging + unit and ADDS Side Imaging to a Down Imaging + unit, the economical choice would be a DI+ model.
There is no DI+ Helix 8 so again pay attention to the entire model names, then get the largest display that fits your budget.

Then there is another choice, units are available with a sonar transducer or without a sonar transducer (CHO)=Control Head Only.
The MEGA 360 will work with no other sonar technologies connected.

If you want Temp./2D sonar/Depth Readout/Down Imaging, that has to come from a source other than the MEGA 360.
You can do that on the same unit by connecting both the MEGA 360 and sonar transducer to the display with a MEGA 360 Y cable.
You can also get that by sharing from another unit via Ethernet.

For the Y cable deal, the actual unit model, and the actual transducer involved would determine which of the two Y cables is the best choice.

[hambone56]

Thanks Wayne. I hear you are the Humminbird guru! I am currently running Lowrance units that can with my Nitro Z20 which I am not that excited about since I've always had Humminbird. I will search for price comparisons on internet unless you know who has best prices

[Wayne P.]

Thanks Wayne. I hear you are the Humminbird guru! I am currently running Lowrance units that can with my Nitro Z20 which I am not that excited about since I've always had Humminbird. I will search for price comparisons on internet unless you know who has best prices

The current models are just getting on the market so prices are pretty much the same. Contact some of the site sponsors via phone for their best prices.

[hambone56]

Sorry to belabor the point. are any of the older models that support the 360 that I might find cheaper?

[Wayne P.]

Sorry to belabor the point. are any of the older models that support the 360 that I might find cheaper?

For the MEGA 360, there are none older than what is listed in the link in post #1442=no exceptions.
MUST be SI+ or DI+.

There is the discontinued 360 and any unit back as much as 10 years ago that has a Ethernet connection will run that.

You started asking about the MEGA 360 and now you ask about a 360.

[hambone56]

Sorry about that. Just shows how little I know about this newer technology. thanks for taking the time to educate me.

[hambone56]

Wayne. I got my meg 360 installed today. question: I currently have my hydro wave speaker mounted on the TM shaft. Will that be a problem? with any interference or should I move it? thanks

[Wayne P.]

Wayne. I got my meg 360 installed today. question: I currently have my hydro wave speaker mounted on the TM shaft. Will that be a problem? with any interference or should I move it? thanks

It will add a little more shadow to the one caused by the motor. Same area of the coverage so it’s not an issue.

[hambone56]

I am going to put in a fused power block to hook the helix 10 and the mega 360 and put an on/off switch on the 360. I had someone suggest I run power for the 360 straight to battery. should I do that or just connect it to the block? obviously I will run power for the block straight to the battery. again thanks for info.

[DC516]

I am going to put in a fused power block to hook the helix 10 and the mega 360 and put an on/off switch on the 360. I had someone suggest I run power for the 360 straight to battery. should I do that or just connect it to the block? obviously I will run power for the block straight to the battery. again thanks for info.

Whomever knows, a direct power line for the 360 would improve clarity right? I just purchased a sea clear wire harness for my planned dual bow units but wondering if I should have them run a direct line during install as I saw Sonar Pros has a 360 direct power line.

[Wayne P.]

I am going to put in a fused power block to hook the helix 10 and the mega 360 and put an on/off switch on the 360. I had someone suggest I run power for the 360 straight to battery. should I do that or just connect it to the block? obviously I will run power for the block straight to the battery. again thanks for info.

Both to a "power block" will do OK, IF the circuit to the battery doesn't have resistance enough to affect the voltage to the devices.

[Bulletracing]

Anybody help a guy out on shaft size on mega 360? Thanks not length but diameter? Thanks again

[Wayne P.]

Anybody help a guy out on shaft size on mega 360? Thanks not length but diameter? Thanks again

1.138"

[Phoenix Ed]

Okay new question for you guys.

Moving my Mega 360 and Helix 10 MDI+ over to a new boat. The new Ultrex has US2, can I get some help on the y-cable I need for this one?

I have the y-cable that connected the Mega 360 and MDI on my old boat, I believe it is the 720107-1 cable.

Thanks.

[Wayne P.]

Okay new question for you guys.

Moving my Mega 360 and Helix 10 MDI+ over to a new boat. The new Ultrex has US2, can I get some help on the y-cable I need for this one?

I have the y-cable that connected the Mega 360 and MDI on my old boat, I believe it is the 720107-1 cable.

Thanks.

You need the Humminbird MDI+ transducer on the trolling motor.
The US2 is not HW CHIRP and doesn't do Down Imaging, it is 83/200 kHz 2D sonar ONLY.

You use the same Y cable, but don't need the adapter to convert a Minnkota MDI to Helix 7-pin. Just connect the Humminbird transducer to the Y cable's 7-pin female plug.

[Phoenix Ed]

You need the Humminbird MDI+ transducer on the trolling motor.
The US2 is not HW CHIRP and doesn't do Down Imaging, it is 83/200 kHz 2D sonar ONLY.

You use the same Y cable, but don't need the adapter to convert a Minnkota MDI to Helix 7-pin. Just connect the Humminbird transducer to the Y cable's 7-pin female plug.

Hey Wayne thanks, I am not planning on running MDI at this time, I will have to buy a transducer.

Current plans are to run only the Mega 360 and if possible the US2 off of the Helix 10. If not feasible at least I can run my Mega 360!

[Wayne P.]

Hey Wayne thanks, I am not planning on running MDI at this time, I will have to buy a transducer.

Current plans are to run only the Mega 360 and if possible the US2 off of the Helix 10. If not feasible at least I can run my Mega 360!

The Connected Transducer choices for more than just the MEGA 360 include HW CHIRP 2D sonar.

Default is the MEGA 360 by itself. Refer to the list of settings when the MEGA 360 is connected.

[jasonG]

Based on what I read it sounds like I can use the helix y cable to connect my HW dual spectrum chirp transducer for 2d is this correct? I have no desire to run a mega imaging transducer at the bow.

[Wayne P.]

Based on what I read it sounds like I can use the helix y cable to connect my HW dual spectrum chirp transducer for 2d is this correct? I have no desire to run a mega imaging transducer at the bow.

What Y cable to what unit, with what 2D transducer where?