Humminbird Side Imaging Forums
General => General Discussion => Topic started by: John Coward on November 19, 2023, 08:17:02 AM
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Hi to all of you.
I've been a Humminbird user for over 15 years and have recently got the Helix 7 GPS GN4 unit which comes with the XTM 9 HW MSI 150 T Transducer. I was woundering if there is a better transducer to improve the side imaging as I operate in salt water in depths of 25metres (82ft) and my other unit which is a Hummingbird 798ci SI HD seems to give a better image.
I notice that the Helix 8 has what seems a bigger transducer( XNT 9 HW T) but according to Humminbird, it is not combatable with the Helix 7.
I would be interested in your ideas and comments.
Best wishes
John.
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The 150 transducer is unique to the HELIX 7’s because the DI circuit is in a different pin configuration than the other HB transducers ...
The listed transducer is the best available for SI and DI ...
Some opt for possible better 2d with the use of an 2d Airmar transducer and a Y cable
You would need to contact HB for compatible Airmar transducers with the HELIX 7 …
1-800-633-1468
Rickie
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Hi Ricky. Thanks for your reply. I have tried another tranducer from my Humminbird 798. Transducer model XTM 9 HDSI 180 which worked but didn't improve the image. This same transducer on my 798 on 200hz gives a slightly better image than the Helix. There seems to be better contrast and more definition to the image, so it left me thinking that there was a better transducer for the Helix. Don't get me wrong, the unit is great. The 798 came with the standard transducer which was disapointing and failed after only a few week, so i upgraded to the XTM 9 HDSI 180 which works really well. so my thinking was to do the same with the Helix.
Best wishes
John.
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What frequencies do you compare?
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I could only compare them on 200Hz as the 798 transducer would not operate on the higher freqency.
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Find the CHIRP Configuration Menu (I think it’s under the Setup tab) and play with the CHIRP sweep frequencies ... maybe even try setting the upper and lower sweep range to 1kHz (2d HW example of 205kHz-206kHz) ...
Lots of experimental options and still keep the same Transducer Selection choice ...
The default CHIRP sweep ranges are simply what HB engineers “think” is the best sweep range selection for “most” users ...
Rickie
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Hi Rickie.
That is one thing I haven't tried. So thank you for that infomation. The boat is now layed up for winter, so I can't try this out, but it's the first thing I'll be doing when we get back out on the water.
Best wishes
John.
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Hi to all of you.
I've been a Humminbird user for over 15 years and have recently got the Helix 7 GPS GN4 unit which comes with the XTM 9 HW MSI 150 T Transducer. I was woundering if there is a better transducer to improve the side imaging as I operate in salt water in depths of 25metres (82ft) and my other unit which is a Hummingbird 798ci SI HD seems to give a better image.
I notice that the Helix 8 has what seems a bigger transducer( XNT 9 HW T) but according to Humminbird, it is not combatable with the Helix 7.
I would be interested in your ideas and comments.
Best wishes
John.
Just thoughts. I hope you didn't forget to switch to salt water mode.
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Thanks for the water setting. That one I knew about. As I said before, I have had Humminbird sidescan units for over 10 years and I though I was fairly good at using them, but you never stop learning, and as we share our knowledge, we hopefully get the most out of our units.
Best wishes
John.