Author Topic: Helix 7 Problems  (Read 6408 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Big John

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Jul 2017
  • Location: Colorado
  • Posts: 6
  • Unit(s): Helix7
Helix 7 Problems
« on: July 19, 2017, 06:58:53 AM »
I've had my Helix 7 for about a year now.  It has never worked anywhere near what the demo shows.  I've used both the supplied transom mount transducer, as well as the recommended (by HB) trolling motor transducer.  Both yield the same imaging.  I sent it to HB to have it checked out and they said it was fine.  As of right now, I have nothing more than a very expensive thermometer.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Notice in the first pic a submerged dock and nothing on the finder.

« Last Edit: July 19, 2017, 07:00:38 AM by Big John »


Offline rnvinc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Nov 2009
  • Location: Western KY
  • Posts: 4329
  • Unit(s): 1197c SI Combo, SOLIX G2 MSI
  • Software: Dependent on whim
  • Accessories: AS GRHA, MEGA 360, LowBird LSS 1 & 2
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #1 on: July 19, 2017, 10:45:48 PM »
Are you matching Chart Speed to boat speed? (your SI looks "stretched" like too high a Chart Speed)  ...

Rickie

Offline Big John

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Jul 2017
  • Location: Colorado
  • Posts: 6
  • Unit(s): Helix7
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2017, 06:20:44 AM »
Are you matching Chart Speed to boat speed? (your SI looks "stretched" like too high a Chart Speed)  ...

Rickie
Yes sir, it is...

Offline rnvinc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Nov 2009
  • Location: Western KY
  • Posts: 4329
  • Unit(s): 1197c SI Combo, SOLIX G2 MSI
  • Software: Dependent on whim
  • Accessories: AS GRHA, MEGA 360, LowBird LSS 1 & 2
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2017, 09:52:20 AM »
I notice your SI shots are all at less than 0.5mph which is challenging for imaging because the boat is not moving fast enough to capture a new slice of bottom detail which each individual ping (even with a Chart speed of 1)  ...

Try speeding up to about 3-4mph with the Chart speed at 3 and capture some screenshots for diagnosis  ...

Rickie

Offline Big John

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Jul 2017
  • Location: Colorado
  • Posts: 6
  • Unit(s): Helix7
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #4 on: July 28, 2017, 08:47:24 PM »
I notice your SI shots are all at less than 0.5mph which is challenging for imaging because the boat is not moving fast enough to capture a new slice of bottom detail which each individual ping (even with a Chart speed of 1)  ...

Try speeding up to about 3-4mph with the Chart speed at 3 and capture some screenshots for diagnosis  ...

Rickie
I'm going out in the morning.  I'll give this a shot and post the results.  Thanks Rickie!

Offline 35wailin

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Mar 2017
  • Location: Canada
  • Posts: 15
  • Unit(s): Helix 7 SI
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2017, 06:42:16 PM »
Is there some sort of guideline for matching chart to boat speed?  I usually troll between 1.5 & 2.5mph, depending on wind direction and speed as well as any current.  What speed should I set the chart speed to for best results?

Offline Whistler

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Joined: May 2011
  • Location: Roswell, GA
  • Posts: 125
  • Unit(s): 1198c SI, 1199ci, Helix 12 SI G2N
  • Software: 7.510,7.460,1.460
  • Accessories: Heading Sensor, NMEA
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #6 on: August 01, 2017, 10:58:03 AM »
Is there some sort of guideline for matching chart to boat speed?  I usually troll between 1.5 & 2.5mph, depending on wind direction and speed as well as any current.  What speed should I set the chart speed to for best results?

Short answer is "Yes".  The general rule-of-thumb is that the chart speed should match the boat speed in mph.  So in your case with a boat speed of 1.5 and 2.5 mph then the chart speed should typically be 2 or 3.  I'd generally recommend erroring on the side of slightly faster chart speed but that is just my preference.

Offline Big John

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Jul 2017
  • Location: Colorado
  • Posts: 6
  • Unit(s): Helix7
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #7 on: August 03, 2017, 06:50:15 AM »
Still no love...  I see tons of things that look like fish jumping out of the water with my own eyes.  This thing see's no fish.  Uggghhhh...

Offline rnvinc

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Joined: Nov 2009
  • Location: Western KY
  • Posts: 4329
  • Unit(s): 1197c SI Combo, SOLIX G2 MSI
  • Software: Dependent on whim
  • Accessories: AS GRHA, MEGA 360, LowBird LSS 1 & 2
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #8 on: August 04, 2017, 12:27:53 AM »
Your unit seems to be working  ... There is a distinct target and target shadow in your 4th Pic  ...



Do you have a known target to scan somewhere like a concrete boat ramp or riprap jetty  ...??

Rickie

Offline Big John

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Joined: Jul 2017
  • Location: Colorado
  • Posts: 6
  • Unit(s): Helix7
Re: Helix 7 Problems
« Reply #9 on: August 04, 2017, 06:01:50 PM »
Thanks for taking the time to help so far rnvinc

I saw that in the 4th pic as well.  That day, I was also able to pick up rocks next to a bank of rocks.  It seems to be few and far between though.  I also haven't seen anything that resembles a fish in quite some time.  All the while there's movement all around me and a Lowrance unit I have on the rear of the boat is picking up all sorts of activity.

I'd be happy as hell if I just didn't know how to use the damn thing.  But after resetting defaults and updating, one would think that out of the box, with zero tweaking, I would see more than I am.  I don't see anything anywhere near some of the screen shots I've seen on this site.

I'ts got a clean bill of health from HB, maybe I'll just sell it and move on to something simpler.


Share me

Digg  Facebook  SlashDot  Delicious  Technorati  Twitter  Google  Yahoo

 

Related Topics

  Subject / Started by Replies Last post
5 Replies
5497 Views
Last post March 18, 2011, 09:02:06 AM
by maxflia
1 Replies
9133 Views
Last post November 25, 2015, 07:43:38 PM
by Bob B
1 Replies
6686 Views
Last post February 15, 2016, 10:13:11 PM
by rnvinc
1 Replies
7262 Views
Last post January 17, 2017, 11:45:29 AM
by rnvinc
3 Replies
3105 Views
Last post April 09, 2017, 07:55:05 PM
by rnvinc
3 Replies
3466 Views
Last post September 28, 2017, 09:50:26 PM
by rnvinc
8 Replies
7669 Views
Last post August 03, 2020, 12:27:59 PM
by ezfishn
1 Replies
2224 Views
Last post March 07, 2020, 01:01:12 AM
by rnvinc


SimplePortal 2.3.3 © 2008-2010, SimplePortal