Topic: Helix 7 Problems

[Big John]

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.

[rnvinc]

Are you matching Chart Speed to boat speed? (your SI looks "stretched" like too high a Chart Speed)  ...

Rickie

[Big John]

Are you matching Chart Speed to boat speed? (your SI looks "stretched" like too high a Chart Speed)  ...

Rickie

Yes sir, it is...

[rnvinc]

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

[Big John]

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!

[35wailin]

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?

[Whistler]

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.

[Big John]

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...

[rnvinc]

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

[Big John]

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.