APEX - Anyone running one?

[caddyjoe77]

Hello everyone. Is anyone running an APEX 13 with a mega 360?

Curious, since the resolution is more in line with HD --> 1920 x 1080, theoretically the mega 360 image should be sharper versus the 1280 x 800 that Solix and Helix have been.

Cant really find any videos on youtube, so I figured I would ask here.

Interested in hearing experiences on the matter, if many people have taken the APEX plunge yet.

[bobcoy]

I have an Apex 13. The resolution is better than Solix ,but I do not have Mega 360. I would think it would be a sharper picture, but have no Idea if that makes much difference for 360 over the Solix 12(G1). The $500 for me is worth it if only for the chart clarity
Note: the processor speed is also noticeable and could also benefit the Mega 360. Some one has both I am sure.

[SLYDoggie]

I have an Apex 19 as well as an Apex 13. I came from a Solix 15 G3 and Solix 12 G3 so I have direct comparisons for both. Even though the 19 has much more screen real estate, it still has a more crisp image than the Solix 15. The Apex 13 blows the Solix 12 out of the water on clarity/crispness. As for the various imaging technologies, here are my thoughts on how Apex does:

2D - It doesn't really make a difference since 2D doesn't really have fine details anyway.

DI - There is a definite difference in picking out fine details.

SI - Apex really shines here. I can go with a wider range and still get great detail. It's easier to see the fine details.

Mega Live - There isn't really much difference here, since Mega Live isn't about fine detail.

Mega 360 - Like SI, Apex is really excellent here, since Mega 360 is basically spinning SI.

Bottom line... it does better in the imaging which has fine details. Also, I can put things like SI or Mega 360 in half a screen and still see the details.

[Cougar76]

Took the plunge and bought a Apex 16 for bow and new mega 360. Coming from solix units so I will be able to share once I get them installed in March if you want to hit me up then.

[JACQUART21]

I have an Apex 19 as well as an Apex 13. I came from a Solix 15 G3 and Solix 12 G3 so I have direct comparisons for both. Even though the 19 has much more screen real estate, it still has a more crisp image than the Solix 15. The Apex 13 blows the Solix 12 out of the water on clarity/crispness. As for the various imaging technologies, here are my thoughts on how Apex does:

2D - It doesn't really make a difference since 2D doesn't really have fine details anyway.

DI - There is a definite difference in picking out fine details.

SI - Apex really shines here. I can go with a wider range and still get great detail. It's easier to see the fine details.

Mega Live - There isn't really much difference here, since Mega Live isn't about fine detail.

Mega 360 - Like SI, Apex is really excellent here, since Mega 360 is basically spinning SI.

Bottom line... it does better in the imaging which has fine details. Also, I can put things like SI or Mega 360 in half a screen and still see the details.

Agree with this...

I'm running a 13 with M360 @ the bow and get much better images on the Apex. Also, the Apex responds and processes like a high end cell phone. My Solix units G2 and G3 have varying levels of delay when you touch/navigate through pages and menus on the unit.

[brnzbck7]

Is the Apex 19 big enough to run split screens for mega 360 and mega live and still see them clearly or are you using dedicated heads for each?

I have an Apex 19 as well as an Apex 13. I came from a Solix 15 G3 and Solix 12 G3 so I have direct comparisons for both. Even though the 19 has much more screen real estate, it still has a more crisp image than the Solix 15. The Apex 13 blows the Solix 12 out of the water on clarity/crispness. As for the various imaging technologies, here are my thoughts on how Apex does:

2D - It doesn't really make a difference since 2D doesn't really have fine details anyway.

DI - There is a definite difference in picking out fine details.

SI - Apex really shines here. I can go with a wider range and still get great detail. It's easier to see the fine details.

Mega Live - There isn't really much difference here, since Mega Live isn't about fine detail.

Mega 360 - Like SI, Apex is really excellent here, since Mega 360 is basically spinning SI.

Bottom line... it does better in the imaging which has fine details. Also, I can put things like SI or Mega 360 in half a screen and still see the details.

[SLYDoggie]

Is the Apex 19 big enough to run split screens for mega 360 and mega live and still see them clearly or are you using dedicated heads for each?

Definitely big enough for multiple things. I typically run Mega Live in half of the screen and in the other half run SI and DI... Each of them in 1/4 of the scren. On my Apex 13, I run Mega 360 in a 70% side and chart in the 30%. The attached image is a combined syncronized image from my Apex 13 on top and Apex 19 on bottom. The Mega 360 fits perfectly in the 70% panel. This image was taken from a video while trolling for Stripers in 51 ft of water and traveling at 2.2 MPH. I caught 7 fish out of this school on a combination of 2 A-Rigs and 2 U-Rigs.

[brnzbck7]

Awesome. I was going to order a 15" Solix and 12" Solix and upgrade from my Helix units but now I think I am just going to get the Apex 19 and actually save money by doing it. Down the road if I don't like sharing screens I can just use my Helix 12 GN4 unit for mega 360 or Mega live and save up money to buy another Apex later. I am also thinking about getting an Apex 13 for the console. By only having 2 Apex units can I just network them together with a single cable? Or do I still need to use my ethernet hub still?

[BoatBuggy]

By only having 2 Apex units can I just network them together with a single cable? Or do I still need to use my ethernet hub still?

Either or but the Apex has 2 ethernet ports so you could connect the units on one port and still have 2 ports for other ethernet accessories such as an iPilot Link, MEGA Live or Target Lock.

[SLYDoggie]

Awesome. I was going to order a 15" Solix and 12" Solix and upgrade from my Helix units but now I think I am just going to get the Apex 19 and actually save money by doing it. Down the road if I don't like sharing screens I can just use my Helix 12 GN4 unit for mega 360 or Mega live and save up money to buy another Apex later. I am also thinking about getting an Apex 13 for the console. By only having 2 Apex units can I just network them together with a single cable? Or do I still need to use my ethernet hub still?

I have 2 Apex Units with Mega Live and don't need a Humminbird 5 port switch. On my Apex 19, I have my Apex 13 connected to port 1 and my Mega Live connected to port 2. On my Apex 13 I have the direct cable from my Apex 19 connected to port 1 and port 2 is unused. I could connect a 3rd unit to that open port and would still have an open port on the 3rd unit as well.

[caddyjoe77]

Excellent thread, thank you for the responses.

Question: currently I have a LVS34 and Solix 12 up front, which is what is connected to the 360 and a G2 Helix at the console. Was thinking about getting the APEX13 for the bow and moving the solix to the console.

I shouldnt need any crazy Y adapters or anything going that route, right? And i could still ethernet back to the solix from the Apex so the other person could still see the 360 while I m up front? Or do i need something else to make that work?

[22RangerZ520R]

I have two Apex 16's at the bow (one dedicated to Live and the other dedicated to 360) and an Apex 19 at the console. I came from Solix units on my previous boat, pictures are clearer on the Apex units. Lots of good info already mentioned above. Good luck

[JACQUART21]

Excellent thread, thank you for the responses.

Question: currently I have a LVS34 and Solix 12 up front, which is what is connected to the 360 and a G2 Helix at the console. Was thinking about getting the APEX13 for the bow and moving the solix to the console.

I shouldnt need any crazy Y adapters or anything going that route, right? And i could still ethernet back to the solix from the Apex so the other person could still see the 360 while I m up front? Or do i need something else to make that work?

if you went Apex, then you are good to network 3 units without needing an Ethernet hub. The solix and helix would connect separately to each Ethernet port on the Apex. Any further additions like another unit, trolling motor or mega live and you would then need an Ethernet hub!

[SLYDoggie]

if you went Apex, then you are good to network 3 units without needing an Ethernet hub. The solix and helix would connect separately to each Ethernet port on the Apex. Any further additions like another unit, trolling motor or mega live and you would then need an Ethernet hub!

Actually, you can network 4 or 5 Apex units without a 5 port box and still have room for two more ethernet connections... one extra port on the first and last units, with both ports on the middle units being taken up by the daisy chaining.

Bottom line, if you have 2 or more Apex units networked, you will have 2 extra ports for other network devices... Mega Live or other ethernet devices. As long as you don't need more than two other network devices, you won't need the 5 port switch.

[brnzbck7]

I have two Apex 16's at the bow (one dedicated to Live and the other dedicated to 360) and an Apex 19 at the console. I came from Solix units on my previous boat, pictures are clearer on the Apex units. Lots of good info already mentioned above. Good luck

How does the Apex 19 fit on your console? I was afraid it would be too big to look over for safe driving. You have any pics of your setup and what mounts you used? I would be interested in looking at that.

[22RangerZ520R]

How does the Apex 19 fit on your console? I was afraid it would be too big to look over for safe driving. You have any pics of your setup and what mounts you used? I would be interested in looking at that.

Page 1 and 5 of this thread has some pics:

https://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=1162740

Also, here's a side view of it. It's just below to top of the windshield tip of the console. I can see over it just fine, but I'm 6'4". I have all my units on BBT mounts with the beefed up BBT gimbals.