Trying to understand heading sensor

[SkeeterStew]

Not real sure about this

Me either, so I asked. From Humminbird:

Thank you for contacting Humminbird Customer Service.
No, the unit has internal GPS that processes the heading, it would be your personal preference if you want to add the external GPS heading module.

[ntslam]

Me either, so I asked. From Humminbird:

Well SOB, I just disconnected my heading sensor and it appears it does process the heading internally. My bad... Thanks for sharing... So it does seem the Solix does not need a heading sensor

[ntslam]

Solix without external heading sensor connected

[sfw1960]

Maybe so...

What does it do when you're OTW and drifting at an angle though Carl?

[ntslam]

Maybe so...

What does it do when you're OTW and drifting at an angle though Carl?

yessir, not sure if it is gonna replace the external heading sensor mounted to the boat,

[Bob B]

Unless there is a compass in the Solix, the heading info is based on GPS data...is there a calibration procedure that would indicate that? I would think you would have issues going very slow or sitting still just as it has always been without the compass in the HS GPS.

[ntslam]

When you're ready for the ultimate fishfinder experience, you're ready for the Humminbird® SOLIX 12 CHIRP GPS Chartplotter Internal Combo. This ultra-premium fishfinder/GPS combo features a massive 12.1" display with ultra-crisp 1,280x800 HD resolution, LED backlighting, and 16-bit TFT color—and it needs that visual power to present all the technology under the hood. This incredible Humminbird combo brings support for Broadband CHIRP Sonar, Extreme Depth Sonar, 360 Imaging, SwitchFire Sonar, and DualBeam Plus Sonar (transducers sold separately), as well as ​built-in gps with heading sensor. An intuitive button layout puts all the options at your fingertips. Plot your course with ease, thanks to Humminbird AutoPilot, compatibility with Minn Kota i-Pilot Link on select trolling motors, and storage for 10,000 waypoints, 50 routes, 50 tracks, and 20,000 points. Plus, the Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP GPS Chartplotter Internal Combo boasts an upgradeable design to be ready for future updates. Dual microSD card slots accept optional cartography upgrades like Humminbird Mapping, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, and more; and the 5-port Ethernet switch allows optional NMEA 2000® or other networking expansions to put you in control of the most powerful fishfinder on the market. Includes unit cover.
Manufacturer model #: 410390-1.

• 12.1" display
• Ultra-crisp 1,280x800 HD resolution
• 16-bit TFT color
• LED backlighting
• Broadband CHIRP Sonar
• Extreme Depth Sonar
• 360 Imaging
• SwitchFire Sonar
• DualBeam Plus Sonar
• Intuitive button layout
• Internal high-precision GPS with heading sensor
• Storage for 10,000 waypoints, 50 routes, 50 tracks, and 20,000 points
• Upgradeable
• Dual microSD card slots
• Speed and temperature readings
• Autopilot
• 5-port Ethernet switch for optional NMEA 2000 and other networking expansions
• Ready for optional cartography upgrades like Humminbird Mapping, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, and more

Web

[Bob B]

When you're ready for the ultimate fishfinder experience, you're ready for the Humminbird® SOLIX 12 CHIRP GPS Chartplotter Internal Combo. This ultra-premium fishfinder/GPS combo features a massive 12.1" display with ultra-crisp 1,280x800 HD resolution, LED backlighting, and 16-bit TFT color—and it needs that visual power to present all the technology under the hood. This incredible Humminbird combo brings support for Broadband CHIRP Sonar, Extreme Depth Sonar, 360 Imaging, SwitchFire Sonar, and DualBeam Plus Sonar (transducers sold separately), as well as ​built-in gps with heading sensor. An intuitive button layout puts all the options at your fingertips. Plot your course with ease, thanks to Humminbird AutoPilot, compatibility with Minn Kota i-Pilot Link on select trolling motors, and storage for 10,000 waypoints, 50 routes, 50 tracks, and 20,000 points. Plus, the Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP GPS Chartplotter Internal Combo boasts an upgradeable design to be ready for future updates. Dual microSD card slots accept optional cartography upgrades like Humminbird Mapping, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, and more; and the 5-port Ethernet switch allows optional NMEA 2000® or other networking expansions to put you in control of the most powerful fishfinder on the market. Includes unit cover.
Manufacturer model #: 410390-1.

• 12.1" display
• Ultra-crisp 1,280x800 HD resolution
• 16-bit TFT color
• LED backlighting
• Broadband CHIRP Sonar
• Extreme Depth Sonar
• 360 Imaging
• SwitchFire Sonar
• DualBeam Plus Sonar
• Intuitive button layout
• Internal high-precision GPS with heading sensor
• Storage for 10,000 waypoints, 50 routes, 50 tracks, and 20,000 points
• Upgradeable
• Dual microSD card slots
• Speed and temperature readings
• Autopilot
• 5-port Ethernet switch for optional NMEA 2000 and other networking expansions
• Ready for optional cartography upgrades like Humminbird Mapping, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, and more

Web

Ahhh .....good to know it has the HS built in. Is it somehow self calibrating?

[sfw1960]

That's cool.

I'm surprised Wayne hasn't chimed in...lol

[TroyBoy30]

there is no choice in the menus to use any internal heading, only internal gps

[SkeeterStew]

Honestly for over $3000 it better have a heading sensor built in, and tell me what species it's seeing & weight/length too!

[Wayne P.]

Set the SOLIX for Head Up and see what the two views show.

Solix without external heading sensor connected

[TroyBoy30]

pretty sure it does not have heading built in.

[Wayne P.]

pretty sure it does not have heading built in.

Just checked with and without the AS GPS HS antenna connected.

My bow is pointed Southwest in my garage.
With the back of the unit pointed Northeast (sitting on the deck) and Head Up selected, the map is oriented North most of the time and rotates as the satellites move with the internal antenna.
The map is oriented Southwest with the AS GPS HS antenna connected and does not change.

[SkeeterStew]

Just checked with and without the AS GPS HS antenna connected.

My bow is pointed Southwest in my garage.
With the back of the unit pointed Northeast (sitting on the deck) and Head Up selected, the map is oriented North most of the time and rotates as the satellites move with the internal antenna.
The map is oriented Southwest with the AS GPS HS antenna connected and does not change.

Interesting to see if it does the same outside the garage with full satellite availability. Heck, I might have to just go plug mine in for a minute. Grumble grumble.

[Wayne P.]

Interesting to see if it does the same outside the garage with full satellite availability. Heck, I might have to just go plug mine in for a minute. Grumble grumble.

A compass is not satellite based, its that magnetic thing.

[SkeeterStew]

A compass is not satellite based, its that magnetic thing.

GPS based heading is also a thing, based on the orientation of the screen.


Ok, just tried it and fiddled with it myself. It DOES have a heading sensor that orientates you based on your screen position. It did NOT work for about 5 minutes after powering up, and just showed me pointing north. However, thinking it was like the heading sensors I dismounted mine and turned it around twice, then remounted it.

After the 5 mins I pulled up the map screen and it had me pointing the right direction, minus a slight deviation due to mount direction being catty-corner to my seat. That ticked me off a bit, but then I went into the chart options and you can set an offset to allow for how the mount is, or you can just set your boat to be pointing to whatever your direction your boat is moving. That's handy if you're drifting or have your Solix on a swiveling mount.

So yeah, it has a heading sensor and the dang thing works!


I keep looking for a reason to hate this monster, but so far (other than the huge transducer that I'm sure I'll bust a few times on the trailer...) it's just impressing me over and over again.

[ntslam]

Apparently The heading sensor is not generated from a compass but through the GPS itself as indicated by the email above from Humminbird

[sfw1960]

A compass is not satellite based, its that magnetic thing.

THIS is what I was figuring, and that's why I asked about a quartering drift.

IF there's no compass inside - it can only give you a heading reading, not sense it and maintain it IMO.

[ezfishn]

If it is changing based on screen position or orientation then I can't understand how just a GPS does that without compass input especially when boat is sitting on the trailer not moving...LOL.