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

[BassTracker175]

Wayne, For Helix G2.5N and G3 owners, if we randomly changed the transducer model in the headunit’s UI, we could potentially damage our HW MSI transducers? Even without any warnings???!!!

[201pro]

Well, I’ve read it all and am freaking lost.
I have a Helix 10 G3N and I have the Y cable connected to the 2D transducer that I used for my 998. It’s too old to know what ducer number it was. Been too lazy to pull stuff out to install the new 2D ducer.
Is there an issue with this and what setting would I choose to have the MSI and old 2D ‘ducer work properly?

[Wayne P.]

Well, I’ve read it all and am freaking lost.
I have a Helix 10 G3N and I have the Y cable connected to the 2D transducer that I used for my 998. It’s too old to know what ducer number it was. Been too lazy to pull stuff out to install the new 2D ducer.
Is there an issue with this and what setting would I choose to have the MSI and old 2D ‘ducer work properly?

The issue discussed in this thread concerns connecting a HW piezo like is in the G3N to a unit that uses 83/200 kHz. You want to do just the opposite. It's a mismatch what you are doing.

HW CHIRP is 140-240 kHz called Dual Spectrum and the piezo is CHIRP tuned and Low-Q---look up those terms.
Your shoot-thru is Dual Beam 83/200 kHz.

Additionally unless you got the current Y cable 9 M SIDB Y, you don't have a connection for the DI element in the MEGA SI transducer=no DI.
The old Y cable is AS SIDB Y=no DI circuit.

You can dumb down the G3N to the 1198 level with the High Definition Side Imaging setting. It will use 83/200 kHz and blend the two SI pulses to create the DI view.

If you have the correct Y cable you can dumb the unit down to the G2N level by choosing MEGA Imaging and still use 83/200 kHz.

[lauzon4]

The issue discussed in this thread concerns connecting a HW piezo like is in the G3N to a unit that uses 83/200 kHz. You want to do just the opposite. It's a mismatch what you are doing.

HW CHIRP is 140-240 kHz called Dual Spectrum and the piezo is CHIRP tuned and Low-Q---look up those terms.
Your shoot-thru is Dual Beam 83/200 kHz.

Additionally unless you got the current Y cable 9 M SIDB Y, you don't have a connection for the DI element in the MEGA SI transducer=no DI.
The old Y cable is AS SIDB Y=no DI circuit.

You can dumb down the G3N to the 1198 level with the High Definition Side Imaging setting. It will use 83/200 kHz and blend the two SI pulses to create the DI view.

If you have the correct Y cable you can dumb the unit down to the G2N level by choosing MEGA Imaging and still use 83/200 kHz.

Wayne this is similar to a question I had the other day about temporarily using an old puck... So if I were to use the new 9M SIDB Y cable and one of my old shoot-thru transducers with my Helix 12 HW MSI GPS G2N. I can choose Mega Imaging and the only thing that would be affected is the 2D quality?

[Wayne P.]

Wayne this is similar to a question I had the other day about temporarily using an old puck... So if I were to use the new 9M SIDB Y cable and one of my old shoot-thru transducers with my Helix 12 HW MSI GPS G2N. I can choose Mega Imaging and the only thing that would be affected is the 2D quality?

Probably, write down the Imaging frequencies for SI and DI as discussed here and check if those are changed with the setting change.

[Wayne P.]

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[Wayne P.]

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[BassTracker175]

Why doesn’t HB engineers put the “ Built-in HW+MSI” as the default option for old G2 units? ??
I think This will solve most issues. For 83/200 transducer users, they will lose 83 by default (after a software update) but it won’t hurt anything.

For 83/200 transducer users with OLD software, yes, HB needs to “advertise” people not to use HW 2D until the latest software is installed. If broken, I doubt HB knows how users broke it if users didn’t say anything.

HB just lacks some full thoughts!

No is it not "no".

G2N's got software to add support for the Minnkota Built-in HW+MDI and Built-in HW+MSI transducers. THAT is what adds the HW CHIRP 2D frequency and turns off the 83/200 kHz 2D frequency that destroys the HW transducer you added to your bilge.

That was done when Minnkota came out with the built-in MDI transducer--that software version was over a year ago, maybe two. The current software version for your unit has that version included.

If you have kept your unit up-to-date, you already have it. LOOK in the Connected Transducer settings for the Built-in HW-MDI and Built in HW-MSI setting.

You HAVE to remember to re-select the Built-in transducer setting when doing software updates as the Restore Defaults puts the unit back to 83/200 kHz 2D sonar.

[BassTracker175]

HB, how about this please? A new unit could potentially get itself damaged by selecting an option wrong????!!!!!!!

Come on, HB!

Wayne, For Helix G2.5N and G3 owners, if we randomly changed the transducer model in the headunit’s UI, we could potentially damage our HW MSI transducers? Even without any warnings???!!!

[exx1976]

HB, how about this please? A new unit could potentially get itself damaged by selecting an option wrong????!!!!!!!

Come on, HB!

Yes, and you can also get a speeding ticket for driving 30mph in a 25mph zone. Should auto manufacturers limit cars to only be able to go 25mph to save you from yourself?

It's called personal responsibility. If you want the flexibility to do more with a product, you are responsible for understanding how to work it. Much like 90% of the complaints in this subforum could be resolved simply by reading the manual, so too, could this be prevented by understanding what you're doing - which is the entire purpose of this thread. So, either read it and put the knowledge to use, or don't - but do not sit there and complain and wish the units were dumber, because there are other brands available that you may better agree with. Those of us who spend the time to understand what we own enjoy the flexibility offered, even if it does, at times, come with a certain degree of frustration and perhaps even a dash of peril.

[Wayne P.]

Yes, and you can also get a speeding ticket for driving 30mph in a 25mph zone. Should auto manufacturers limit cars to only be able to go 25mph to save you from yourself?

It's called personal responsibility. If you want the flexibility to do more with a product, you are responsible for understanding how to work it. Much like 90% of the complaints in this subforum could be resolved simply by reading the manual, so too, could this be prevented by understanding what you're doing - which is the entire purpose of this thread. So, either read it and put the knowledge to use, or don't - but do not sit there and complain and wish the units were dumber, because there are other brands available that you may better agree with. Those of us who spend the time to understand what we own enjoy the flexibility offered, even if it does, at times, come with a certain degree of frustration and perhaps even a dash of peril.

[BassTracker175]

Ok, enjoy your freedom! Have fun!

Yes, and you can also get a speeding ticket for driving 30mph in a 25mph zone. Should auto manufacturers limit cars to only be able to go 25mph to save you from yourself?

It's called personal responsibility. If you want the flexibility to do more with a product, you are responsible for understanding how to work it. Much like 90% of the complaints in this subforum could be resolved simply by reading the manual, so too, could this be prevented by understanding what you're doing - which is the entire purpose of this thread. So, either read it and put the knowledge to use, or don't - but do not sit there and complain and wish the units were dumber, because there are other brands available that you may better agree with. Those of us who spend the time to understand what we own enjoy the flexibility offered, even if it does, at times, come with a certain degree of frustration and perhaps even a dash of peril.

[exx1976]

Ok, enjoy your freedom! Have fun!

Thank you! I hope you find units that better meet your needs so you can enjoy your time on the water.

[Wayne P.]

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