New false depth settings

[tweakjr]

That excerpt is for a 2D/DI unit ... that unit won't even have 83 Khz unless the transducer has been swapped for the DI wide transducer.

It's pretty much the same for an SI unit as well.

[Bob B]

This must be something that has changed with the Mega units that have a dedicated DI element .... With the previous SI units there was no DI element that could be used to get depth readings and we were always told the depth always came from 200Khz....except in VERY deep water.

I personally wouldn't want to ever get the depth readings from the DI beam due to the width of the beam. If you are going parallel to any kind of a drop it would be nearly impossible to get any kind of reliable depth reading with DI....it is hard enough to get good depth readings on a drop with a more narrow 2D signal.

If the unit is now trying to automatically use DI for digital depth when in shallower water .... maybe that is part of the problem with the new units ereratic depth reading.

[Bob B]

I think that someone who is having the erratic depth reading needs to experiment with this setting and try setting it to so the depth is always from 2D.

[CSF]

I think that someone who is having the erratic depth reading needs to experiment with this setting and try setting it to so the depth is always from 2D.

HB has already sent a memo out to change from the default setting of 2D element to AUTO to correct the erratic depth issues.

[Bob B]

Getting the digital depth reading from DI sounds like a whacky idea to me. Sounds like they tried to fix something that wasn't broke ... and now it's broke.

[tweakjr]

I can attest to the possibility that although you choose 2D instead of Auto, the DI beam is still active for depth.
In other words I suspect the latest software to be glitched.
The other day on the water I witnessed my Helix 10 SI G2N still showing digital depth while the subscribed 2D source(other Helix 10 GPS G2N) was in sonar OFF.
I double-checked the correct 2D source was selected & grayed out under "Network Sources" on the Helix SI unit and that 2D was chosen as the Digital Depth Source option. Incidentally, changing it to Auto made no difference.

For the double bottom issue, I suspect DI is drawing one bottom and the 2D cone is drawing another.
Another reason I suspect this is happening is because when my 360 is being viewed on the bow unit, I get the spokes and hurricane looking interference which could be 455kHz DI.

What's more intriguing is I don't get 360 interference in deeper water (>50ft) but when I move to more shallow water, <10 ft, the spokes on the 360 show right up. This is with the 2D source being sonar ON for the Helix 10 GPS unit, no DI or SI views selected on any other unit.

Clear as mud, I know. :laugh:

[Diesel Pro]

I have been having erratic double bottom issues myself and will try the digital depth to auto.

I have separate 2D and SI transducers with a Y cable.

Weekend warrior so no word until next weekend.

[Wallace]

Auto helped a lot but the biggest to me was not running 83 kHz shallow

[Diesel Pro]

I am only running High chirp already.

[cevans]

Awesome read guys and I hope all this information on changing the settings on my Helix Mega 9 will stop the erratic depth readings in shallow water. Can’t wait to get back on the water to check it out. Keep the info coming.

[ezfishn]

Thought the Auto setting is what was causing the problem....LOL Using Auto would allow frequencies other than 200khz to be used for depth.

[Wallace]

Thought the Auto setting is what was causing the problem....LOL Using Auto would allow frequencies other than 200khz to be used for depth.

Yeah I noticed once I reset defaults upon last update . I still get number jumping in shallow water if I run 83khz

[Corkpuller]

So has EVERYONE here agreed upon the SAME settings to completely alleviate the digital depth going nuts in less than 10' of water ?

And has EVERYONE CONFIRMED THESE SAME SETTINGS work for them ?

[sfw1960]

Auto helped a lot but the biggest to me was not running 83 kHz shallow

As much as some guys have disagreed with me, I found that AMAZING!

It works for me too - I stopped using 83 kHz in shallow water a long time ago & for the most part you just get more gook to filter...

The viewing area with nearly ANY 2D frequency isn't "big" or worth a lot, except to see the depth...

[TroyBoy30]

I believed you. Of course I stopped using 83kzh back with the 1198

[Capw]

So has EVERYONE here agreed upon the SAME settings to completely alleviate the digital depth going nuts in less than 10' of water ?

And has EVERYONE CONFIRMED THESE SAME SETTINGS work for them ?

Surface clutter at 5 or higher solves my issue with any frequency.

[tweakjr]

Surface clutter at 5 or higher solves my issue with any frequency.

I'll try messing with surface clutter. I have mine down to 3 to get rid of the crud across the top.
This video illustrates what I'm getting when choosing between 2D and AUTO for digital depth source.

[Corkpuller]

I'll try messing with surface clutter. I have mine down to 3 to get rid of the crud across the top.
This video illustrates what I'm getting when choosing between 2D and AUTO for digital depth source.

There ya go, just what i'm getting at. Obviously Auto is not for you. Troyboy stays in Auto with no problems.

No set standard to make them work right.

[Bob B]

I'll try messing with surface clutter. I have mine down to 3 to get rid of the crud across the top.
This video illustrates what I'm getting when choosing between 2D and AUTO for digital depth source.

Seems like your outcome is the opposite of what is recommended in post # 104

[Corkpuller]

Just seeing how everyone is coming along.