Wayne P.

No simple answer since you did not state what sonar technology or which version. There are 2D Helix models, there are DI Helix models, and there are SI Helix models. The Helix 9, 10, and 12 G2N SI models have a different transducer than the other versions. There is nothing to exchange to. Those are the Mega imaging units with a dedicated DI crystal like the ONIX SI transducer. The Helix 5, 7 and 9 G2 SI models come with the Compact SI transducer and that is what is exchanged for the HDSI transducer that the Helix 10 and 12 current SI models have. If you get a DI model and want the transducer on the trolling motor, then you exchange the transom version for the trolling motor PUCK.

If you want the simplest version of the Helix and at a close-out sale price that would be your choice. If you want the lastest technology with more bells and whistles at MSRP plus $100 for the G2N that would be your choice. Going by what I have seen, I would choose the new stuff. The G2 models in the 5 and 7 series have more capabilities than current Helix models. The G2N's do even more. There have been requests for the Helix 7 series to have Ethernet capabilities (good flush mount size) and that will happen with the G2N version. The first version and G2 do not. I have the Helix 12 CHIRP SI GPS and the new units are more powerful. The first issue of the Helix units are now legacy models. That happens when the new stuff is announced. Not everything has been announced from what I have seen implied. That is supposed to happen tomorrow.

I only know what has been posted for G2N SI range between 455 kHz and 1200 kHz 400' for each side with 455 kHz and 125' for each side with 1200 kHz and both were for 180 degrees of coverage. All the new specs have not been posted.

From what I have seen, the G2N models will be $100 more than current models or the G2 models. SI Range has been increased also.

It is a Helix G2N model that produced those screen shots.

Lots of myths and superstitions in the sport of fishing.

If you look at the posted SI images with the 1200 kHz CHIRP you may be surprised.

I agree. It that was the case no one would be catching any fish with vertical presentations while watching their lure and fish on the sonar screen.

You already have the setup for that, just push the Mark button. Snapshots are written to the memory card just like Recordings are. The snapshots will be .png picture files with a pixel count that is the screen pixel count. Snaphots will be in a Snapshot folder on the memory card.

You won't get good images with HumViewer since a recording is raw data unfiltered by unit settings. Learn how to take unit screen snapshots to show what you are seeing on the unit.

Google Earth satellite pictures. Turn on Satellite overlay on your phone app under Chart Options You can do the same thing with the Navionics Web App. Click Menu and choose Satellite. When I was checking that, the main canal has contours with the Sonar Charts map layer. If you don't want all the color clutter, turn on Terrain instead of Satellite, the canals are easier to see.

Lakemaster Plus for the Southeast region may if it has the coverage you need. Plus has the satellite overlay. Regular Lakemaster does not. Same as the difference between Navionics Platinum and Premium/Navionics+.

What would suit your needs is the Navionics Hotmaps Platinum South map card. Where there is no contour mapping, you would have satellite imagery overlay to use as a guide. Use the unit GPS Tracks as a guide to return to your launch point. No mapping company is going to spend the time to survey canals. You may find that some have added sonar logs to the Sonar Charts program to have some contour mapping where no professional data has been collected. What you see on the mobile app is what you would get with the Platinum card with Sonar Charts added.

No, attach the transducer to the bottom of the motor. If you do DI at the bow exchange for the correct transducer for that application--- a trolling motor PUCK. Either the XTM 9 DI 25 T or XTM 9 WIDE DI 20 T depending on the coverage you want. If you do SI at the bow do the exchange for the HDSI transducer and get the trolling motor version with a 5' shorter cable XTM 9 HDSI 180 T.

Yes to all of that, BUT to have SI displayed on the console unit, the trolling motor would have to be deployed. You may want to reverse the unit positions for more efficient searching/scanning.

For a transom mount transducer to function when the hull is on the water's surface, it has to be at or just below the bottom of the hull. The mount would be on the transom step where the hull drain is. It is as simple as that.

Yes, it is called cross-sharing. A DI model does 2D sonar and dedicated Down Imaging. A SI model does 2D sonar, Side Imaging, and a Down Imaging view created by blending the two SI pulses.

When you get those vertical lines with the motor operating, that is RFI. Something you have to deal with when putting a transducer on a trolling motor if your motor is broadcasting on the same frequency/s as the sonar unit. There are numerous possible remedies for that issue with installation being the first thing to check. Transducer cable not attached to the cable from the foot pedal to the motor top is one of the most common installation errors. Do a web search for trolling motor RFI to see what to do and what not to do with an installation.

Matching brands allows sharing sonar and GPS data. With Humminbird you can share SI/DI from a Side Imaging unit to a Humminbird DI or 2D model via Ethernet. No such thing as too much information. Additionally sharing sonar data avoids cross-talk between units and both units display the same data from the same transducer.

IPilot needs no matching sonar unit. It does its own thing with no unit connected. You can adapt the built-in US2 transducer to any brand for 2D sonar including both Sonar versions of the Helix 7. Helix 7 Sonar and Helix 7 Sonar GPS If you want the Ulterra to benefit from control from a sonar/GPS unit it will have to be the iPilot LINK version and a Humminbird unit that is Ethernet capable. That will give you more waypoint memory and "follow the contour" with Lakemaster digital mapping. There are no current Helix 7 models that have Ethernet capability. According to the Bass Pro on-line catalog, there will be an Ethernet version at some point designated as G2N. It has not been officially announced by Humminbird.

Tackle Warehouse is OK, did not get the *** when posted.

According to the Bass Pro Shops on-line catalog, there will be two Helix 7 SI G2 models. One will be G2N that is networkable and Bluetooth for $100 more. Refer to their list. The Humminbird website shows the G2 version now.

What unit do you have? How to use it depends on the unit adjustments available. I can give you detailed setup/operating instructions if it is Humminbird Side Imaging, I know a little about them. Have five SI units at this particular time. There is a new Humminbird Helix DVD just out by Doctor Sonar. You can do a web search for the brand you have, there are lots of instructional videos via youtube.

If you do a sonar channel profile like this small creek, the fish would most likely relate to the ledge side with the most vertical shape (the right side):

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