360 and graph questions before I buy

[Fisher Man]

Hey guys,

So last year I bought the Helix 10 Mega SI and mounted it at my console, then moved my 798 Si up on the bow.
This year I want to add the 360 onto my fortrex but I know the screen is too small on my 798 to see it well standing up. So here is the question. I think having an SI unit would be wasted as I would be using the 360 most of the time. So would it be smart just to buy the Helix 10 G2N and not worry about SI and DI? I would still have gps and switch fire. And what’s the proper way to hook this all up? I have the 2 sharing waypoints now just by cable. Not using the hub atm.

Thanks for all your input, I appreciate it!

Jess

[akaslyguy]

I would at LEAST get a DI unit, but honestly I use SI at the bow pretty often too. I have just installed a 360, haven't even used it yet, but I'm sure it will be a tool I am using often. But I still like the fact that I have SI as another tool to use if I need/want it. I have to use the 5 port hub because I share my trolling motor, 360, and graphs.

[4Kboater]

I'm installing a new Helix up front and purchased the Mega DI version. I believe you'll need some type of transducer up front to get depth on the 360 screen. If your Fortrex has the US2 tranducer you can use that. Sorry, I can't respond to your hook up configuration. Since I only have one bird unit so far my 360 will go directly to the Helix

[mn_bowhunter]

You'll need the ethernet hub to add the 360 if you want the two units to talk to each other. Depending on your budget you may want to wait a little bit - Mega 360 will be coming out this year.

[Wackyjig]

Unless you fish <10' year round I'd get a di unit. I never saw a big advantage to having si on the bow and its really not necessary with 360.

[Wayne P.]

Hey guys,

So last year I bought the Helix 10 Mega SI and mounted it at my console, then moved my 798 Si up on the bow.
This year I want to add the 360 onto my fortrex but I know the screen is too small on my 798 to see it well standing up. So here is the question. I think having an SI unit would be wasted as I would be using the 360 most of the time. So would it be smart just to buy the Helix 10 G2N and not worry about SI and DI? I would still have gps and switch fire. And what’s the proper way to hook this all up? I have the 2 sharing waypoints now just by cable. Not using the hub atm.

Thanks for all your input, I appreciate it!

Jess

The 360 will do SI if you choose to use it that way. The SI crystals in the 360 are about what the Compact SI transducer has.

Sooooo, with a Sonar model or DI model, you can have SI also. Just choose the 360 as the source for SI in the Ethernet menu.

[Fisher Man]

Thanks Guys, So on this Mega 360... anyone know when that is coming out? Cuz then yea I could get the Mega DI, buy the hub and have it all ready to go.

[akaslyguy]

... you may want to wait a little bit - Mega 360 will be coming out this year.

You sound pretty confident. But of course it will because I finally jumped off the fence and bought the 360. I will actually be surprised if it is out this year though.

[mn_bowhunter]

I have the regular 360 and won't be upgrading right away as it still serves my purpose. I don't have a date when it will be released.

[Chris1978]

I put the helix 12 sonar only model. No DI or SI cause I use it for 360 only 100% of the time.

I have a helix 10 on the bow as well for mapping and DI/sonar and I'll tell you the truth. When the 10 & 12 are both set to display 360 the 12 just looks 200% better. No clue why but comparing them side by side the 12 is that much better for 360 view.

Just my 2cents.

[suvowner]

I put the helix 12 sonar only model. No DI or SI cause I use it for 360 only 100% of the time.

I have a helix 10 on the bow as well for mapping and DI/sonar and I'll tell you the truth. When the 10 & 12 are both set to display 360 the 12 just looks 200% better. No clue why but comparing them side by side the 12 is that much better for 360 view.

Just my 2cents.

damn you for saying this, now I want a 12 on my bow that much more my 10 seemed just fine until I took a closer look at a 12

[2boatjoe]

I have a solix 15 and if I split screen my 360 it seems so small. For what you want I think the 12 gen 1 for the price would be your best bet.

[Chris1978]

damn you for saying this, now I want a 12 on my bow that much more my 10 seemed just fine until I took a closer look at a 12

Sorry man. I it trying to cost you more just wanted to give you my 100% honest feed back.

If it's any conselation, I put a Solix side by side with the the helix 12 in 360 view and I couldn't find a reason to spend the extra $$$ to upgrade. The helix 13 really looks as if it was built specially for 360 viewing. Again just my 2 cents.

[Fisher Man]

Now the other question is the Mega's which only come in SI & DI have better 360 graphics than a non Mega? If Humminbird does come out with a Mega 360, then I assume it would need a Mega to reap the rewards of the "Mega"? That sound correct?

[Wayne P.]

Now the other question is the Mega's which only come in SI & DI have better 360 graphics than a non Mega? If Humminbird does come out with a Mega 360, then I assume it would need a Mega to reap the rewards of the "Mega"? That sound correct?

360 is 455 kHz so a MEGA SI or DI unit makes no difference. "IF"

[Fisher Man]

Thanks Wayne, Yea I am thinking of going with the Helix 12 chirp g2n, since I do not think I would use SI or DI, just 360 on the troller. Always have switch-fire to use which I use a lot now.
Could always leave my 798 on the bow for SI of needed.
If I went that route, would the Helix 12 g2n read switch-fire off of the 798 transducer?

[Wayne P.]

Thanks Wayne, Yea I am thinking of going with the Helix 12 chirp g2n, since I do not think I would use SI or DI, just 360 on the troller. Always have switch-fire to use which I use a lot now.
Could always leave my 798 on the bow for SI of needed.
If I went that route, would the Helix 12 g2n read switch-fire off of the 798 transducer?

Yes, Switchfire 2D sonar if the 798 is a HD model and only if CHIRP is turned off on the Helix.
Switchfire is either MAX or CLEAR.

[railey]

I put the helix 12 sonar only model. No DI or SI cause I use it for 360 only 100% of the time.

I have a helix 10 on the bow as well for mapping and DI/sonar and I'll tell you the truth. When the 10 & 12 are both set to display 360 the 12 just looks 200% better. No clue why but comparing them side by side the 12 is that much better for 360 view.

Just my 2cents.

This is the same thing I did.

[Fisher Man]

Ok I just pulled the trigger on a Helix 12 Chirp SI GPS. Cabelas has that on sale for $1499 and it retails for $2299 today only.