I fish mostly for Musky, walleye, and smallies. Right now I’m running a Lowrance HDS Carbon SI. Would it be worth me upgrading to Mega SI+ on a Humminbird? Everything I read and hear say it’s changed the way people fish. Is that upgrade a game changer from what I already run? Any feedback would be appreciated!
I have no experience with Lowrance HDS but am running a Helix 7 GI GN2 on the bow with DI transducer on a Minnkota Terrova and Helix 9 SI GN2 on the console. All three are networked together. It is a pretty sweet setup for chasing muskie, walleye and crappies. Bonus is the Helix 7 is also great for ice fishing.
IMO,
No. Not an upgrade.
I’ve had SI last ten years. I have no interest in Mega… I’d turn it off personally I’d I did have it. Too much power.
IMO,
I have no interest in Mega… I’d turn it off personally I’d I did have it. Too much power.
Well thats a new one……..
I’ve heard someone compare normal SI to watching an 80’s TV set and mega SI plus to today’s TV sets…
Pat,
If i use minimum power on the 1199 & helix 12 ‘old’ SI for optimum performance. Why would i want to buy more power yet? This is why I would turn it off.
Same reason why i have Chirp and do not use it either. Huh.
Don’t run DI either – information already available on 2D and SI.
You can find supporting information on the web. You won’t find it on IDO where most folk cannot read manual or install transducer. Many will admit they don’t even know how to interpret the image.
More power does not compensate for a lack of image interpretation capability.
Pat,
If i use minimum power on the 1199 & helix 12 ‘old’ SI for optimum performance. Why would i want to buy more power yet? This is why I would turn it off.Same reason why i have Chirp and do not use it either. Huh.
Don’t run DI either – information already available on 2D and SI.You can find supporting information on the web. You won’t find it on IDO where most folk cannot read manual or install transducer. Many will admit they don’t even know how to interpret the image.
More power does not compensate for a lack of image interpretation capability.
First off, he asked if MEGA Imaging would be an upgrade over Lowrance SI. I’m not going to entertain your mentality that no one on IDO knows how to interpret side imaging or knows how the frequencies work.
455kHz is a great side imaging frequency. I’m in no way shape or form telling anyone that they can’t interpret fish and structure using that frequency.
I do know that I can more accurately distinguish fish that are tight to structure and weeds using 1.2MHz. It offers a higher resolution image.
To answer the OP’s question, I have not used Lowrance side imaging since the HDS gen 1’s. I haven’t been able to compare them. I sure love my Helix units with Mega imaging though!
I would take a serious look at the new lowrance live 3 in 1 active imaging transducer instead. It is 300 bucks and the side imaging is way more clear on my carbon than the si ducer that came with the carbon. Very close to mega imaging.
Thanks Pat and Ripjiggin! I wasn’t aware there was a 3 in one upgrade. I’ll check it out.
Hey fishbloodrivermud.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:</div>
Pat,
If i use minimum power on the 1199 & helix 12 ‘old’ SI for optimum performance. Why would i want to buy more power yet? This is why I would turn it off.Same reason why i have Chirp and do not use it either. Huh.
Don’t run DI either – information already available on 2D and SI.You can find supporting information on the web. You won’t find it on IDO where most folk cannot read manual or install transducer. Many will admit they don’t even know how to interpret the image.
More power does not compensate for a lack of image interpretation capability.
First off, he asked if MEGA Imaging would be an upgrade over Lowrance SI. I’m not going to entertain your mentality that no one on IDO knows how to interpret side imaging or knows how the frequencies work.
455kHz is a great side imaging frequency. I’m in no way shape or form telling anyone that they can’t interpret fish and structure using that frequency.
I do know that I can more accurately distinguish fish that are tight to structure and weeds using 1.2MHz. It offers a higher resolution image.
And you can actually tell exactly what species your looking at. Why anyone wouldn’t want something that’s better is beyond me ????
5E8AE7DA-FF07-4E8D-8D6D-FEE4184B7FE5.png
2F40E2B9-97EA-40D4-AA25-426BD8782BEF.png
Id never buy it.As long as I have a depth reading thats all I care about and all I need.All the fancy si,di,panoptix garbage would take the sport out of fishing for me.
I fish mostly for Musky, walleye, and smallies. Right now I’m running a Lowrance HDS Carbon SI. Would it be worth me upgrading to Mega SI+ on a Humminbird? Everything I read and hear say it’s changed the way people fish. Is that upgrade a game changer from what I already run? Any feedback would be appreciated!
The last lowrance I viewed side imaging on was a HD’s 12 gen 2. I’m not sure if there is a difference in side imaging between an hds 12 gen 2 and the carbon units?
Mega SI is much better than the gen 2 lowrance units. Sure you can spot rocks and fish occasional but the detail doesn’t even come close.
The biggest thing people need to do with these units is learn how to use them. Watch videos, read manuals and spend lots of time on the water testing. Get your transducer perfectly level.
My .02
I installed a Helix 10 Mega a couple years ago and took these shots.
8F1035F5-5587-48C9-8462-352F8CE5F08B.jpeg
B08F3690-2900-477C-9C1C-8B163C20827F.jpeg
Size is very relative on this topic.
I also would take a 12″ screen old tech than new tech chirp mega with a 5 or 7″ split.
I work with old helix units quite a bit, the 2d/si is brutal compared to my chirp garmin of the same size 7″ unit.
Chirp is the real deal and have accounted for more fish in my boat not even an argument due to seeing STRUCTURE on a 7″ unit. Perhaps if I could blow up lower kh on a larger screen it would suffice.
I’m a very big fan of keeping it simple myself, and cheap. But chirp/mega/whatever u call it, is very fine detail, especially for us guys who think it’s ridiculous to spend 4 figures on graphs.
2 cents.
Not a bone in my body wants a mega.
But if you guys wanted to pool money together to get me two 15″ Garmins with another 4k in ducers. I’m on board!
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