Helix 7 all season

I’m having a hard time figuring out the best configuration to start from that will allow me to do the most for both ice and open water fishing. I know I do want CHIRP and GPS, and I would eventually like to have SI for open water.
The all season package has a bag, the ice transducer, and a suction cup style transducer for open water, as well as CHIRP and GPS.
I was thinking the all season package was the best deal, but I can’t determine exactly what the capabilities of that package are, and how much it can be upgraded. If I want side imaging, do I just need to add an SI transducer?
How about DI? Do I even want DI, if I get SI? or is the standard open water transducer sufficient if I have SI?
I see many people suggesting the MEGA units for open water fishing, what exactly is that?
I would like to spend the least amount of money in the end, so is it better to buy a MEGA unit with SI already included and then just purchase an ice transducer, caddy and suction cup standard transducer afterwards?
Sorry for all the questions, but this search became way more difficult than I anticipated. I appreciate the help.

If you want side imaging you need a side imaging head,all side imaging heads have down imaging, you need a side imaging ducer for side imaging and it will also have down imaging, and regular two d . A Mega is better than non maga it’s a more powerful and clearer image and requires a mega ducer.the mega is the most expensive and the best one but may not really be needed depending on what your really after but if you get the mega you have the best of everything for open water but you would need to get a ice ducer for winter, and a caddy. All open water units come with the required ducer and a optional suction cup ( not sure on the suction cup on the mega, my fives did but not sure on my mega 9)I think that’s covering it

mojo wrote:

I would like to spend the least amount of money in the end, so is it better to buy a MEGA unit with SI already included and then just purchase an ice transducer, caddy and suction cup standard transducer afterwards?
Sorry for all the questions, but this search became way more difficult than I anticipated. I appreciate the help.

Did this research for a friend earlier this week. He will use it for both boat(primary) and ice(important but less so). He wanted SI, DI, 2d, and networking. not sure you want/need networking. Here’s the email I sent him.

Here’s what you want for all the initials and designators for stand alone G3: note it has the “N” for networking and “SI”
https://www.cabelas.com/product/boating/marine-electronics/sonars-sonar-gps-combos/pc/104794380/c/104707080/sc/104588280/humminbird-msi-gps-g-n-helix-chirp/3083295.uts?slotId=12

on sale, G2 version of the same thing. Ice ducer is the same for both generations so maybe no difference on hard water
https://www.cabelas.com/product/boating/marine-electronics/sonars-sonar-gps-combos/pc/104794380/c/104707080/sc/104588280/null/2418290.uts?slotId=9

Found the G2 to G3 differences: All open water and probably matter for you. Wouldn’t be enough to upgrade if I already had a G2 but out of the gate why get the older tech?
https://www.technologicalangler.com/new-for-helix-2019

DIY make your own all season pack. Will require the 1521 ice ducer, $85 at Marine General. Probably require one additional power cord to make swapping from the boat easier, $20. Rest of the stuff is up to your imagination and sounded like you already had spare parts. You can buy the all season kit for $250 but probably not worth it.

Let's see your DIY Helix Shuttle!!!

Beware, I don’t believe any of the All Season packs have SI/DI. There wasn’t one listed on Bird’s site. Cabela’s didn’t have any All Season packs online but did see them in mid-December in the store. Didn’t bother to look close enough to see they were “N” and “SI” since I already have the head unit.

Thanks patk, that is exactly the information I need. I appreciate your research, it all sounds spot on.
I agree 100% on old technology. As James pointed out in another thread, this stuff gets obsolete way too fast already, no point in starting out with old stuff to begin with.
I think I am also going to go with the Mega SI/DI unit as well. It looks like I can get the Helix 7 CHIRP MSI MDI GPS G3N – Humminbird 410950-1 and then just add the XI 9 1521 transducer and be ready for everything except the shuttle and battery? I intend to use Milwaukee M18 batteries, I have multiple 5 ah and two 9 ah, and I think a 12 ah is in my future.

Do those units come with a single transducer that does SI DI and 2D? The Hbird website is not very detailed at all, I would sure expect it does, but I’ve been burned plenty of times in the past when I assume something.

Thanks everyone

If you want to cut $ do not get the all season kit or whatever they call it. that zip up bag I have heard is too small for the 7 and when you zip it up, the power button can accidently get triggered and you would never know it. they make a really nice silicone cover that prevents this……at least makes it harder to push. not cheap but its nice to have.

I only put my shuttle together this year but it took me months to customize it to my liking. lots of great ideas on here from some good folks. mix up a cocktail and read up.

If you get a deal on just the head unit, I got a brand new open water G3 chirp mega transducer I will be selling this spring. I bought a trolling motor with the mega built in so no need for it. this is the mega di no side imaging.

Only used the mega one season but it is a lot clearer. Is it worth the extra $. sure…why not right! I only have it on my bow mount and if I find interesting structure i can motor around it spot lock and jig. if you like casting or trolling, the SI is pretty cool but just because you see a fish off to the side, doesn’t always equate to bites. with the DI and mega DI at least you can drive up on em and “bomb” them as you go by. they still have to bite but they are in closer proximity.

anyway by the time you get used to running something, they will put out a new tech and you have to re learn everything you spent years tuning. good luck!

I looked into this same thing before ice season I ended up getting my unit off of the Hummingbird Factory Outlet Store. I bought the Helix 7 G3 Mega SI DI unit and then added the ice package. I am not sure if this was the cheapest way to go but I think all in I was about $800 I thought that was fair.

This will give you the best of both worlds on and off the ice. I really like the ice unit so far other than shorter battery life, I am contemplating a lithium battery… But open water I am really pumped to have the mega imaging along with capability of creating my own lake maps.

I know in a couple years it may be old news but I think it is a sizeable jump in technology that will make me happy for quite some time.

I bought the Helix 7 G2N DI last winter and purchase the ice transducer separately. I run this on by boat during open water as well. One thing to note on the open water transducer is where you plan to mount it. My Helix is on the bow of my boat and the transducer is mounted to the bottom or the trolling motor. The open water DI transducer that came with it is not made to be mounted to a trolling motor (interference issues from the trolling motor). If you call humminbird service you can ask to exchange your transducer for an upgraded trolling motor style DI transducer that has better interference capability. You send them back your unopened/unmounted transducer you got with the unit and they send you back the upgraded one and you pay the difference.

I also have an older 998 SI unit on my boat. That graph has a dedicated SI transducer and a second normal high speed 2D transducer on the rear of my boat. The technology might be a lot better now and this might all be in one transducer. Back then is was the best way to get the most out of your SI unit.