Topic: ONIX 10SI and 858 compatibility (transducers)

[EZM]

I think it's common knowledge (unless things have changed) that the big transducers, like the one that comes with the ONIX 10SI does not do well in terms of detecting the bottom at high speed. It's not uncommon for the unit to loose bottom altogether OR give you inaccurate readings (which could be dangerous). This is why I currently run 2 transducers.

I currently have a 898SI and 2 858's and run the SI transducer AND the standard transducer from one of the 858's to give me accurate and reliable high speed readings as I'm cruising. Both transducers plug into a Y cable and go to my 898 for distribution, via Ethernet to the remaining 2 858's.

The plan is to replace the 898SI with the ONIX 10SI.

A couple assumptions / questions

1) I am told the old Y cable won't work. The ONIX has a completely different adapter and pin configuration so it needs to plug right into the ONIX unit.

2) The ONIX's SI transducer may have issues picking up and maintaining accurate depth reading at high speed - is this still true of the this new ONIX transducer or have thing improved?

so ....

My options are (seem to be) to simply plug the ONIX's transducer right into the ONIX and the 858's transducer (which is suitable at high speed) right into the 858 BUT .... which is no problem ...... HOWEVER..... can the ONIX use the 858's transducer if both units are on my Ethernet?

OR

Is there a specific Y cable so you can plug a 858's transducer AND the ONIX 10SI's transducer into one adapter going into the ONIX for distribution? If so, will the 858 be able to get a signal (via Ethernet hub) that it can use or does something happen in the "translation".

[Humminbird_Greg]

EZM,
The only reason one of the older HDSi (or even the ONIX’s HDSi) transducers will not read at high boat speeds is all due to it not being mounted in a location on the boat that will allow for this.  The location has to be able to provide a constant flow of air bubble free water across and around the transducer.  If that cannot be provided on your boat, while at the same time also allowing for unblocked Si sonar readings; than you would need to look at a two transducer setup as you have for your 858’s and 898 units.  Since the HDSi transducers are larger than most 2D sonar transducers used in freshwater, it is harder or less probable that your boat will have such a location.  This is especially true on any planning type of a boat hull.  You have to also consider that many install the HDSi transducers up higher on the transom to help protect it since it is so costly to replace one.  The ONIX’s HDSI transducer is no different.

The core products like your 858’s and 898 cannot communicate with an ONIX unit, even over Ethernet, so you won’t be able to use the 858’s transducer on the ONIX unit over the Ethernet connection.

There is an Si-DualBeam Y cable for the ONIX units that serves the same function as the AS-SI-DB-Y does for your 898 unit.  It is called the AS-14-Si-DB-Y, but you will need to use an adapter from your 858’s Dual Beam transducer to the AS-14-Si-DB-Y cable in the form of the AD-1429 Transducer Adapter Cable.

[EZM]

Thanks Greg - since the 858/898 can't share way points or use each other's transducers .... I think I will just sell the 858 and the 898 at the helm and remove all the hardware/wiring altogether. My fear is running the 858 by itself (although it's nice to have a back up unit) the 200/83 frequency would interfere with the ONIX's second transducer that I would purchase .... so .... here's my train f thought on how to set it up .....

HELM
ONIX 10 SI
The ONIX's factory side image transducer
I will purchase a XNT 14 20 T 200/83kHz transducer
and will need a
AS 14 SI DB Y Cable so both signals can go into the ONIX and I can be guaranteed to have a clean signal at high speed on my Lund Tyee (which makes great bubbles ...lol)


BOW
Keep one of my 858's and run it to the transducer on my i-pilot link motor

If I do that, can the bow 858 use the minnkota i-pilot link motors signal if I want to run the i-pilot link commands (like follow a contour/offset/spot lock etc...) or does that 858 become useless too?

[Humminbird_Greg]

The 858 units (all models) are i-Pilot Link capable as long as you are running a new enough version of the software, so your plan looks good!

[EZM]

Update ....

Installed the Onix 10SI NT at the helm and the new Ethernet hub. It is running the SI transducer only right now. I purchased the Y cable and a XNT1420T to ensure a quality high speed reading but I'm having some unrelated issues with the ONIX (software update, software patch for the NT and i-pilot link etc....) so I am forced to keep my 858's in place.

The Onix 10 SI NT units are not available in Canada at any retailer I could find so I had it ordered through a retailer direct from humminbird last week and got it yesterday.

On the dash I kept my 858 and it's wired to the XNT920T  (the standard 858 transducer is), it's own GPS antenna, etc... as a completely independent unit until I get the Onix working correctly (and all the trouble shooting, re-loading, telephone support, etc..) stuff behind me.

At that point I will connect up the y cable and run a 83/200 off the XNT1420T to give me reliable high speed signals.