Helix 10 G2N and Auto Chart

I did test map using auto chart on my helix 10 G2N mega this weekend. I can see the generated chart on my graph screen, when I put in my Zero Line Card unit prompts me saying data will be moved to my zero line card. The only files that show up are .dat files and AutoChart Pro won’t open them.

I tried exporting the track, says it exports it but I can’t see it on the SD card.

I’m a little confused as to what settings I need to set so when building maps the data is written to the zero line card not the internal memory, so I can build the map using AutoChart Pro.

I’m pretty sure I follow the steps from the manual, just thinking I’m missing some setting and hoping somebody ran into the same challenge and is willing to share their solution.

Thanks!

I think you are mixing apples and oranges. Auto Chart Live is on the Helix 10 G2N. The Helix can record for about 8 hours before it starts over writing data. A Zero Line Card allows you to record many hours of Auto Chart Live. You can take the Zero Line Card with recorded data and place it in any Helix and it will display the Auto Chart Live. I was told at the sports show by a rep you could have several boats recording to a Zero Line Card and compile the data and copy on to everyone’s card and all would be able to see the compiled data.

Auto Chart Pro uses a computer and software to convert recorded sonar to maps and then output from the computer to a specific type of card (I think they called this a Zero Lines Card also) and then from the card to the Locator.

It is my understanding that these are 2 different things and they are not compatible with each other.

I used Auto Chart Pro with my 1198 by recording sonar. I thought I read somewhere you couldn’t record sonar with the Helix, but I could be wrong about this.

Thanks arcticm1000,

What card did you record your sonar to, I clicked record Auto Chart Live with my zero lines card in but it never put it on the card. Then I tried export tracks to the zero lines card like some suggest and I got sonar data file with the extension .dat but no acl files and AutoChart Pro would not open the sonar dat files.

On my 1198 I just recorded on a blank generic SD card.

If you turned on Auto Chart Live with a zero line card in it should have recorded and been able to display the map Live on the Helix. It is my understanding that Auto Chart Live (Live on Helix) and Auto Chart Pro (Computer software) are not compatible.

Oh that would suck, I paid like $200 for this piece of software because their website states you can

AutoChart™ uses your Humminbird sonar returns and GPS to build customized charts. Simply record that information onto an AutoChart Zero Lines map card (included), import that data into the AutoChart PC program, and convert it into a lake map. Once completed, transfer your custom map back onto the AutoChart Zero Lines map card for display on any compatible Humminbird, including select SOLIX, HELIX, ONIX, ION, 1100, 900, 800, 700 and 600 Series models.

Read pages 19 thru 25 in the

https://humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com/sites/johnsonoutdoors-store/files/assets/misc/HU/H/HUM_productmanual_IG_OPS_ACPC_532257E/HUM_productmanual_IG_OPS_ACPC_532257E.pdf

It looks like you can record sonar data with the Helix, you just have to go thru some extra steps.

I’ve used auto chart live created contour maps and then downloaded them to my laptop & modified the map with the computer based program. I don’t recall the exact steps right now, but I assure you you can do it.

Anyone know how to make “record ON” the default? Now that I have a Zero Line Card, I would like to always record. It’s a pain to go to the menu and turn it on every time I turn the unit on.

I don’t think that’s an option unfortunately…

That said, there are some downfalls to that.. ie – I map a lake last year at the lake level the lake was at.. I come back the following year & am mapping and don’t adjust the locator to the lake level offset & now I have conflicting data.

I asked Hummingbird Tech support. This was their reply, so it seams I have either 2 bad zero line cards (HIGHLY DOUBTFUL BOTH ARE BAD) or I did something wrong!!

Are these cards like another sd card where it’s unlocked if the little lock switch is push up?

We would like to first confirm that you do have the ZeroLines card unlocked when inserted into the HELIX system. If so, we would also like to confirm the setting under the AutoChart Live menu within the unit for Storage Location is set to card when the card is inserted.

On the AutoChart Pro PC program we would like to confirm that you have selected Import as well as changed the Files of Type to AutoChart Live .ACU to access the .ACU files within the acdata folder on the ZeroLines card.

Was just curious if you got AutoChart PC working to your satisfaction? I went through many hours of trial and error, and several chats with HB customer support (which were of extremely limited help, btw), and finally have it figured out. There are a few pitfalls to watch for, and a few quick tips that might help. I only offer, because the beginner stuff is still fairly fresh in my mind and I might be able to assist….

Cheers!

Chip

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Hi Chip,

I haven’t been able to get back to this since our holidays in Sept. I have a bunch of recorded data from the week. Once duck season is done, I’ll be able to get back to figuring this stuff out!

So your units recorded successfully to the Zero Line cards?

Yes, I recorded maps to my card. The image in my previous post is a screenshot of my finder with the created map displayed. Learning AutoChart PC was a very frustrating experience, but it is fairly simple once you understand the concepts and the workflow. I spent a long time at a point where I could create a map on the computer, but could not update the card. Switching the Lakemaster map setting from “local” to “require Lakemaster card” was the cure for that particular little glitch…
There are a few quirks in the program that I know, I expect there are several that I don’t…