Explore vs Helix?

[Wayne P.]

I have a bunch of local map cards etc that are sold here. Mostly trails on timbered lakes etc.

The GPS data you have on the cards is not read from the card, the data is loaded to the unit's memory (waypoint library).
The memory space for Tracks in an Xplore is 50==same as a Helix.
The data has to be in a MATRIX folder to load to a Helix.
The data has to be GPX format to load to Xplore/SOLIX/APEX.

[Karpertje]

So are you thinking the Solix/Apex SI transducer might be better?

so the apex transducer fits on the xplore? If i upgrade my helix12 to an xplore 12 the image quality of SI must be the at least the same or better then my Helix. Otherwise there is no point in buying an xplore.

[SLYDoggie]

Many people have reported that Solix & Apex have better imaging than Helix because the Solix, Apex, and now Xplore transducer has separate ground wires for each imaging piezo, as opposed to the Helox single ground. That is the reason that the Solix, Apex, and Xplore transducers have the extra pins.

I haven't had Helix myself so haven't done a comparison, but people have reported better clarity because of this extra grounding.

[Fran87]

The Apex transducer connector will fit in the Xplore, right?

[Wayne P.]

The Apex transducer connector will fit in the Xplore, right?

Yes, any transducer that has 14 in the model name.

The compatibility tool has been updated to add the Xplore units---

Transducer Compatibility – Humminbird

[Fishing4dinner]

I picked up the Explore 10. Being that it uses the same transducer as the Solix, it doesn't have the nice quick connect plug for the sonar, power and ethernet that the Helix does. Instead, it's got the old school pined plugs. I bent a pin by mistake on first plug, and attempting to gently bend it back with a razor blade broke the pin off. I'm not a noob, have had a few boats and a bunch of different finders. Contacted Hummingbird immediately via chat on their web site and within 5 minutes they were sending me a new one at no cost and paid shipping for the existing one. Clearly, they get contacted a lot about this problem. If I had to buy again, I'd skip the Explore and go with a 12" Helix for the same money. I don't need the FFS Mega live 2 and I do go to resorts periodically where I like to take the head units off at night so that they don't get stolen. With the Explore, I wouldn't ever remove it once I get it installed, which is what I'm going to do once I get the replacement transducer.

Also, I was excited for the higher res screen vs the Helix, but the actual physical size of the screen seems a little smaller comparing model to model. Not sure entirely just a hunch. Overall, underwhelmed by the screen. The new UI, touch screen and controls are nice though.

[SLYDoggie]

I picked up the Explore 10. Being that it uses the same transducer as the Solix, it doesn't have the nice quick connect plug for the sonar, power and ethernet that the Helix does. Instead, it's got the old school pined plugs. I bent a pin by mistake on first plug, and attempting to gently bend it back with a razor blade broke the pin off. I'm not a noob, have had a few boats and a bunch of different finders. Contacted Hummingbird immediately via chat on their web site and within 5 minutes they were sending me a new one at no cost and paid shipping for the existing one. Clearly, they get contacted a lot about this problem. If I had to buy again, I'd skip the Explore and go with a 12" Helix for the same money. I don't need the FFS Mega live 2 and I do go to resorts periodically where I like to take the head units off at night so that they don't get stolen. With the Explore, I wouldn't ever remove it once I get it installed, which is what I'm going to do once I get the replacement transducer.

Also, I was excited for the higher res screen vs the Helix, but the actual physical size of the screen seems a little smaller comparing model to model. Not sure entirely just a hunch. Overall, underwhelmed by the screen. The new UI, touch screen and controls are nice though.

It's actually the Helix that has the problematic old school connectors which get loose over time. All of the newer units, including Solix, Apex, and Xplore use the more reliable screw-on connectors. I've never had any cable/pin issues with Solix, Apex, or Xplore, but I am careful to line up the notch properly.

[Fishing4dinner]

It's actually the Helix that has the problematic old school connectors which get loose over time. All of the newer units, including Solix, Apex, and Xplore use the more reliable screw-on connectors. I've never had any cable/pin issues with Solix, Apex, or Xplore, but I am careful to line up the notch properly.

Funny, I've owned 3 Helix's and never had a problem with their connectors. I took them off all the time at the end of the day. Either way, they need to improve the current situation.

[Wayne P.]

Funny, I've owned 3 Helix's and never had a problem with their connectors. I took them off all the time at the end of the day. Either way, they need to improve the current situation.

Helix units with cable collectors are discontinued. The Helix 5 and Helix 7 are the only two remaining and they don't have a cable collector. They are improving the current situation by eliminating the failure prone connector.

[Fishing4dinner]

Helix units with cable collectors are discontinued. The Helix 5 and Helix 7 are the only two remaining and they don't have a cable collector. They are improving the current situation by eliminating the failure prone connector.

Sure looks like the current Helix G4N's are available with the quick connect. Scheels has them all on sale. Wishing I would've bought one now, just installed the new transducer for the Explore and no bent pins, but was sketchy and felt like I could easily screw it up again.

[Wayne P.]

Sure looks like the current Helix G4N's are available with the quick connect. Scheels has them all on sale. Wishing I would've bought one now, just installed the new transducer for the Explore and no bent pins, but was sketchy and felt like I could easily screw it up again.

They are discontinued, there will be no more generations of Helix 8, 9, 10, 12, and 15's. G4N's are the last ones, that is why they are on close-out sale.

[SLYDoggie]

Sure looks like the current Helix G4N's are available with the quick connect. Scheels has them all on sale. Wishing I would've bought one now, just installed the new transducer for the Explore and no bent pins, but was sketchy and felt like I could easily screw it up again.

Yes, if you can find a discontinued Helix, they will have the "collector" as that is how the Helix was designed. Nothing else has this design.