Wayne P.

ONLY the ONIX, ION, and SOLIX will share map data. Any other model has to have its own map card.

The Helix 5 SI GPS and Helix 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2 come with the Compact SI transducer XNT 9 SI 180 T. That is standard for that model and the Helix 7 SI models and the Helix 9 SI non-MEGA SI model. The XHS 9 HDSI 180 T is standard for the Helix 10 SI model and Helix 12 CHIRP SI models that are not MEGA SI. Any non-MEGA SI model that has a standard Compact SI transducer can use the HDSI transducer to get sharper images due to the longer length.

Typically bridges will be recorded as more of an arch shape than they really are:

Yes, the unit has a single microSD card reader.-- any size 32 GB or less. Check the software version in the SYSTEM STATUS view and see if there is a higher version number in your account. If so download that to the card and fully start the unit up in Norman or Simulator, do a RESTORE DEFAULTS then put the card in and tell it to load--- two messages--first answer YES, second answer NO. Then WAIT until it updates and restarts. Remove the card and do another RESTORE DEFAULTS. That's it.

Just choose one of the DI views and it's there. You may have to choose a DI color that you can see the best according to the ambient light. Additionally have you registered it on the Humminbird website and checked for a software update?

You won't get perfect images with a tilted imaging pulse, but it will be mostly OK. The depth and 2D sonar will record as slightly deeper.

Exactly to what are the unit power cords connected to?

No unit comes with an Auto Chart chip. Auto Chart Live is built into the unit's memory.

Vexilar Sonarphone. This is the iOS version and I have the Android version also:

Yea when it is very shallow and lots of stuff to get hung up on, the swimjig does better than a spinnerbait. Been doing that for over a month with my trolling motor stuck in the bottom mud. Has nothing to do with "natural", it's effective presentation.

You can already have sonar on your mobile device with several wireless transducers. You can also create contour mapping in real time on your device. Then you have to deal with sunlight viewability and waterproofness.

http://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-9-CHIRP-MEGA--SI-GPS-G2N/ It has Auto Chart Live which is 8 hours of built-in real time contour map creation. You need nothing else to use it up to that 8 hours. After that you have to DELETE or transfer the data to a Zero Line Card to get 8 more hours or you can leave the Zero Line Card in the unit and get a few lifetimes of contour map creation. The Zero Line Card has millions of zero lines (shorelines). You can also RECORD to a blank formatted regular memory card and use that data with Auto Chart or Auto Chart Pro computer software to create Auto Chart contour maps that are read like Lakemaster digital mapping.

You did not state the whole name of that model---- Helix 9 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N. There is only one MEGA SI transducer for the Helix models, and the G2N SI units H9, H10, and H12 units come with it. The SOLIX MEGA SI transducer is the same size with the same mount, just a different cable--I have one of those. Simply physics: To get high speed depth readings, the temp sensor end has to be lower than the mount end so it deflects the water some to get a smooth water flow across it. It is shown in the installation instructions. To get the best Imaging, the transducer face has to be parallel with the water's surface so the Imaging pulses are vertical at idle speed when scanning. You can't have both. What most do is use two transducers and place the lot more expensive Imaging transducer above the hull bottom some so it is not exposed to possible impact damage. Then they use a 2D transducer, either shoot-thru or transom mounted, for Depth/2D. That is what Humminbird is advising. BUT it will provide depth on plane at 50+ mph IF you do the correct install for it and your hull will allow it.

IF you attach the transducer to the transom so it can give you depth at speed, it will. It comes with a transom skimmer transducer. It has more surface area than the tiny Eagle transducer. Do you have the MEGA SI transducer, Compact SI transducer or the HDSI transducer? You have to choose between image quality and high speed depth/2D, you can't do both. You must not have the temp sensor end low enough to get good water flow across the face of the transducer and are getting cavitation. Either that or your hull has rivets or dents in the bottom creating aerated water to prevent proper operation.

If you intend to use the US2 in the Minnkota, you cannot get Down Imaging with that--it is Sonar ONLY. If want to use DI at the bow with a trolling motor transducer, it has to be a DI transducer. Get the proper one for the trolling motor application---a DI trolling motor puck. Exchange the included transom DI transducer for the PUCK by contacting Humminbird Customer Service.

It is installed

Looks to be close to the proper height, can't tell for sure with the picture angle. Did they install the rooster tail plug?

With the imaging technology, you have to be moving so the imaging pulse can scan. That is how it creates the picture-like images.

Caught a few bass Sunday that were with fry. Saw the fry scatter when using a Chatterbait, then used my avatar to catch the adult.

No the mount holes will not match. Put a mount plate on the hull and attach the transducer to that. It will have a jack plate effect to give clearence past the live well intake. Basically same thing as Robert stated on the other forum where you posted.

Follow the contour works only with Humminbird Lakemaster digital maps or Auto Chart, Auto Chart Pro, or Auto Chart Live. It takes the iPilot LINK version motor and that is an Ethernet connection. No G2 models have Ethernet capability as they are either Helix 5 or Helix 7 models. Any Helix 9, 10, or 12 model as well as the Helix 7 G2N models are Ethernet capable.

The "spot lock" with a Minnkota or Motor Guide is a GPS waypoint created with the motor's built-in GPS. It can also remember a track that you can retrace and can maintain a particular direction you want to go. Don't need any electronic equipment to use it. Not familiar with the Motor Guide version, but Minnkota has two versions. iPilot is not linkable to a sonar unit--it does its own thing. iPilot LINK is linkable to a Humminbird unit and allows more "spot locks", more iTracks, and can be used with Lakemaster or Auto Chart contour mapping to "Follow the Contour".

Humminbirds read Lakemaster and Navionics digital mapping cards. The best for you is the one that has the most detail for all the waters you fish. You don't have to guess what Navionics maps look like, you can see the current maps on the Navionics website's Web App. For Lakemaster's coverage you can download the coverage list from the Humminbird Lakemaster web site. The best maps are the ones listed as Lakemaster High Definition Survey.

You have lots of choices in current models and discontinued models. Just sticking to that series, there are two 998c models. 998c SI Combo 998c HD SI Combo The HD version has a brighter display with LED backlighting. The 998 was replaced by the 999ci HD SI Combo. The 999ci HD SI Combo was replaced by the Helix 10 SI GPS This year a updated version of the Helix 10 came out as Helix 10 MEGA SI GPS G2N In the 900 series there are also 2D and DI versions with 95 as the first two digits instead of 99. You cannot purchase a unit with a trolling motor specific transducer, but can exchange or purchase one or an adapter for trolling motor use. What sonar technology do you want at the bow? In addition to the above models, there are the 700 series in the HD version, the 800 series and the 1100 series, plus the Helix 7 in the G2N versions plus the Helix 9, and Helix 12 models. The 800 series has the identical models as the 900 series once you get to the ones that end in 8- like 898c SI Combo, they are the same size cabinet with a 1" smaller display.

Some assume the fish are in a particular pattern based on the calendar (have to be deep if it is March) rather that the actual conditions. They ain't deep this March. I caught 39 bass today and every one was in less than 3' of water. I saw several boats this morning out of the middle of the lake where it is 30'+, they were going by the calendar rather than the water temp.