Something we may need to discuss ... if it hasn’t already been brought up ...

[rnvinc]

http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/in...?topic=10327.0

Note: I’m not saying it won’t work - I’m saying HB seems to be saying “better not hook a 9 HW with 9 M SIDB Y cable to a G2N ...

Rickie

[Spinnerb8]

Well that is news. I just knocked the 9 20 transducer out of my bilge and received the 9 HW transducer in the mail today. I hope this isn't the case but I'm glad I haven't installed it yet. Can't wait to read these responses.

[bobcoy]

Rickie, They did not tell you what it would do to the unit? I have a solix with that setup and certainly looks like the software has options to that affect. I was sure Helix had settings for the HW transducer also. If anybody gets the whole story please post it. There will be many anxiously waiting. Thanks for the warning Rickie

http://forums.sideimagingsoft.com/in...?topic=10327.0

Note: I’m not saying it won’t work - I’m saying HB seems to be saying “better not hook a 9 HW with 9 M SIDB Y cable to a G2N ...

Rickie

[bobcoy]

Seems like this is a big secret! I find absolutely no mention anywhere on the site. Descriptions or manuals. They have (HW)transducer made for Helix as shoot through that all show compatible with g2 and g3. No notes saying caution about anything. To void a warranty will take more that some help desk employee telling a couple people will not serve as legal notice. Something smells fishy here. Bob

[Bob B]

HMMM .... I thought sure there were people on here who had successfully used the HW transducer and Y cable that way. Hope we can find the reason they are recommending against this.

[bobcoy]

There are but not sure if anyone did on a g2 helix. We also don't know what the problem might look like or if this, I will call it a rumor at this point affects any other models or generations. Bob

[rnvinc]

This is the answer I received from my contact at HB ... (after the post on sideimagingsoft was entered and I didn’t have an answer for the poster) ...

QUOTE: My apologies for the delay in response as I wanted to ensure that I was getting the correct information.

In general, the G3N models can use either the 9 20 or the 9 HW transducer with the y-cable in conjunction with their MSI+ transducer. This will not cause any issues but when they are using the 9 20 transducer, it may not give them the clarity they would expect with the original HW application.

With the G2N models, they will not be able to use the HW transducer via the y-cable in conjunction with the MSI transducer included. The unit is not programmed to accommodate this application so will need to continue to use only the 9 20 transducer for high speed readings. The HW can only be connected to the G2N models if they are going direct without the y-cable and is chosen as the connected transducer. UNQUOTE

Notice the 1st line that my contact was delayed in answering until confirming the info to be given ...(my contact usually knows all the answers - it’s unusual my contact needs confirmation) ...

I realize that some may have already set up this scenario with no ill effects ... and I have no intention of my personal recommendation either way ... (I can’t reason this in my mind either because the Y cable is just wires) ... (Remember - any transmit signal can be pushed thru any piezo - but that doesn’t mean it’s good for the transmitter or the piezo - so there may be issues we are not aware of) ...

I’m simply bringing this info up I received (from a reliable source at HB) to start a discussion ... to see if we can determine more information from sources ... before we (as HB helpers on the forums) get into a situation where we are giving advice to users that may damage their units or void their warranty ...

Rickie

[Bob B]

I think there was a problem with one of the DI units using the US2 transducer .... that we never fully understood either. Must be something similar .... some sort of impedance mis-match or some such.

[akaslyguy]

Interesting.... just thinking out loud here.... but could this have anything to do with why those Bass Pro/ Cabelas black Friday units came with a different (updated) si transducer than the original gen2's came with? Wonder if this same warning applies to those units?

Like I said... just thinking out loud. I did actually add a 9 hw to my bilge to use with my gen2 helix si unit, but ended up changing to a gen 3 si unit before I ever got to test it out. Maybe glad I didn't use that combo after reading this.

[rnvinc]

I think there was a problem with one of the DI units using the US2 transducer .... that we never fully understood either. Must be something similar .... some sort of impedance mis-match or some such.

Minn Kota still does not list any numbered core series DI nor HELIX 5&7 DI G1 as compatible with US2 ...

https://www.minnkotamotors.com/learn...sal-sonar-2#HB

Rickie

[rnvinc]

I encourage anyone with HB contacts to search for more information until we get a better understanding of why HB may be recommending not to use the 9 HW in a Y cable scenario with HELIX G2N ...

Rickie

[Mipasadyn]

I just joined this forum this morning after purchasing my 1st Humminbird product yesterday (Helix 10 SI g2n). I came across this post and thought maybe I could offer my thoughts.

I am most familiar with Garmin and Lowrance. I spent 2 hours at cabelas yesterday before finally pulling the trigger. I was originally going in with the intention to purchase the Solix 10 after about 20 hrs of online research over the past few weeks. Cabelas had a great price (Black Friday deal) on the Helix 10 g2n, so after playing with the Helix 10 (g2n & g3n) and Solix 10 units side by side, and reviewing all the specification differences and making my final comparisons, I just COULD NOT justify spending $1,500 more for the Solix 10, and got the Helix 10 Mega g2n.

On to my opinion about the "y cable" and running two ducers on the Helix 10 g2n... During my time in the store yesterday, I chatted with Humminbird to confirm this very question. Could I run two transducers with the y cable thru the g2n? Their answer was, yes. By the way, when I opened the box last night and pulled out the upgraded 9 HW MSI+ ducer, that was a big surprise. But, here is where I think the confusion is... The original message that started this post referred to running a 9 HW thru hull and 9 HW MSI transducer. The only way the y cable works is with one CHIRP/9 HW transducer. In my application, I will be using the y cable with the 9 HW MSI+ ducer included with the package, with a "dual beam/freq (50/200)" airmar thru hull, Not DUAL SPECTRUM Chirp 9 HW thru hull like the user stated in the original post. As previously mentioned, the y cable splits the dual freq from the 9 HW MSI +, therefore only allowing it to run a dual beam/freq 50/200 thru hull while running the 9 HW MSI+ on the other end of the Y cable.

The HB rep confirmed with me yesterday this would work. So, my conclusion is, don't try to run two Chirp ducers off the Y cable. Run one 9 HW MSI+ and one non-chirp dual beam/freq. 50/200 thru hull.

Thoughts?

I encourage anyone with HB contacts to search for more information until we get a better understanding of why HB may be recommending not to use the 9 HW in a Y cable scenario with HELIX G2N ...

Rickie

[Wayne P.]

Minn Kota still does not list any numbered core series DI nor HELIX 5&7 DI G1 as compatible with US2 ...

https://www.minnkotamotors.com/learn...sal-sonar-2#HB

Rickie

Default 2D for those units is 200/455 kHz. The US2 is 83/200 kHz.

[cards21]

It's been discussed, here is one. http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1004225

I have still only tried it briefly, just to see if it worked and it did. Helix 10 SI MEGA G2N with HW 2D connected with Y cable.

[JDP]

cards 21 at what post # does the discussion get to this topic?

It's been discussed, here is one. http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1004225

I have still only tried it briefly, just to see if it worked and it did. Helix 10 SI MEGA G2N with HW 2D connected with Y cable.

[cards21]

cards 21 at what post # does the discussion get to this topic?

post 67 or so.

[Royt]

I have my Helix 10 G2N unit connected to the si/di/2d transducer that comes with this unit. I also have a Mega DI transducer with lowQ 2d connected via y cable to this same unit. I've been using it now since the latest update. The 2d is much improved over the standard 2d. So far no issues for me and I've used my allot in this time period. Not sure what the issue could be.

[Mipasadyn]

Can you hold bottom reading and mark fish at 25 mph?

I have my Helix 10 G2N unit connected to the si/di/2d transducer that comes with this unit. I also have a Mega DI transducer with lowQ 2d connected via y cable to this same unit. I've been using it now since the latest update. The 2d is much improved over the standard 2d. So far no issues for me and I've used my allot in this time period. Not sure what the issue could be.

[Royt]

Can you hold bottom reading and mark fish at 25 mph?

Yes! I usually run my boat in the low 30's and have no problem reading depth at that speed. I have even marked some brush piles on the ends of points while running twenty something.

[Spinnerb8]

Well I've read through all the responses and I'm still not sure what I'm reading. So I just bought the 9 HW thru hull to put on my new Helix 12 G2N that came from BPS with the new HW transducer. So am I good to install it with the Y cable or no?