New boat guy here with more annoying questions... I have a stock Lowrance 3x Elite that came with my boat, but want something with side imaging...  After looking around and weighing what I want against what I can afford, I think the best option for me is the Humminbird Helix 7 SI w/GPS.

I see the SI/DI transducer is one piece. Will the DI portion of the transducer be able to function while I am using the motor at speeds to be able to gauge my depth?

Or do I need to keep the old unit for when running the motor and throw the Helix up front on the bow?

 

Sorry for the newbie question, there's a ton of conflicting info and I know you guys will cut through the BS...

The SI transducer has three sonar crystals, left side Side Imaging, right side Side Imaging and traditional 2D sonar.

The unit does not have true Down Imaging. There is a Down Imaging view that is created by blending the two SI pulses.

Installed properly the transducer will do Depth and 2D sonar when on plane just like your Lowrance.

In this screen shot, the upper left is the Down Imaging view, the lower left is 2D sonar and the right side is Side Imaging:

Separately, this is traditional 2D sonar:

This is Side Imaging:

 

This is Down Imaging:

Depending on how you fish you may want to put the Lowrance at the bow and the Helix at the console. That way you can search with Imaging and fish with 2D sonar.

After you learn how to use the Side Imaging, you may want that at the bow to search and fish at the same time, that is what I do. 

I have Humminbird Side Imaging units at the console and bow with transducers on the transom and trolling motor.

Thanks Wayne, I was hoping you'd answer, you've got an amazing reservoir of info on the subject.

One more thing, if you get the Helix 7 SI GPS, exchange the included transducer for the

XHS 9 HDSI 180 T which is longer and has longer SI crystals. Those longer SI crystals produce a thinner SI pulse which generates sharper images.

Do not open the transducer mount package. Call Humminbird Customer Service to arrange for the exchange. The HDSI is more expensive so there is a cost difference that you have to pay. The transducer plus shipping is about $85.

Last I heard there was a backlog of orders for those transducers so it may take a couple of weeks or more. That transducer improves any model's performance that is shipped with the smaller Compact SI transducer.

 

 

Quote

 

One more thing, if you get the Helix 7 SI GPS, exchange the included transducer for the

XHS 9 HDSI 180 T

 

 

@#!@$!, crap, gonna have to save up for that now, too.  I'm running out of money quick!