I am planning to put a Helix 10 SI Mega G2N and a Helix 7 GPS/Sonar G2N on my new boat. I am getting a Ulterra with standard ipilot as well. What is the benefit of linking the two Helix units if there is one?
Sharing waypoints is the biggest for me. Being able to mark a spot on the side imager and see it on the map of the 7 is worth the cost of the cable.
Will I need lakemaster cards for each unit or can they share one card?
Will I need lakemaster cards for each unit or can they share one card?
If you want to view maps on each, yes. If one is strictly for mapping and the other for sonar then no, just the mapping unit needs a chip.
There’s a few big ones.
Share a transducer through network and then you don’t have the interference from trying to run two separate units on your transom.
Waypoints shared
Your GPS in the bigger unit is better than the 7. So you’ll want to network that assuming you’ll be mapping with the smaller unit. Oh then there is live mapping. I’m not sure if the 7 is capable.
You can get the solix 10 for a couple more bucks. If You have two solix units, they will share map chips
This is a great question, thanks for starting.
Is there a function disadvantage to running the two units independent? Networking is not that important to me but I have a concern with interference.
I am planning to put a Helix 10 SI Mega G2N and a Helix 7 GPS/Sonar G2N on my new boat. I am getting a Ulterra with standard ipilot as well. What is the benefit of linking the two Helix units if there is one?
Networking is one of the best benefits of the Humminbird/MinnKota/Lakemaster family of products.
– share waypoints
– share sonar/SI views (ex., I like to put the trolling motor in the water when forward trolling and view that return on my console; gives me the information 20′ sooner)
– share GPS antenna locations for more accurate waypoints (ie., mark the waypoint from the bow if marking something on trolling motor sonar, etc.) both units are equally accurate.
– deploy/stow Ulterra from the remote or your Humminbirds
– control iPilot Link features from your Humminbirds
keep in mind that if you network more than two items, you’ll need a network hub. ie., you can network your Ulterra to one unit, or the two units to each other using just a network cable; however, if you want all three of them connected on a single network you’ll need to use the hub.
Networking is not that important to me but I have a concern with interference.
You will get interference.
Thus… Networking.
I have a question, you guys seem to know these units very well!
If 2 Humminbird units that support networking are on the same network can they both display the signal from the same transducer simultaneously?
You will get interference. Thus… Networking.
I’ll offer a friendly amendment to have this to say, “You can get interference sometimes.”
I have two dual-beam transducers within a few feet of each other towards the back of my boat, a thru-hull and a hi-speed external. (As well as a separate SI transducer.) Those two transducers get along just fine without interference almost all of the time. I notice some cross-talk or loss of depth when I’m in deeper water, say 30′ or more.
I almost never get interference between a transom transducer and the one up front in the trolling motor as they’re farther apart.
It has everything to do with cone angle from the transducers…as the cones spread out, they are more likely to cross, thus more likely to get some interference in deeper water where the cones are larger. Also, for the typical dual-beam transducers, the 80kHz cones are wider than the 200kHz cones and more likely to cross. Most interference people experience is because they’re units are set on 80/200kHz for a combined view and it’s the wider cones of the 80kHz signals that are bumping into each other. The 200kHz signal is always on, as the units use if for digital depth but the 80kHz signal is only sent out if it’s turned on at your head unit. Occasionally when I get some interference I put one unit on 80kHz and the other on 200kHz, giving me a different look on each screen and it typically gets rid of the interference when the 80kHz signal is shut down on one of the units.
If 2 Humminbird units that support networking are on the same network can they both display the signal from the same transducer simultaneously?
Yep!
Can you network the Helix 9 Chirp SI GPS G2N to a Helix 7 DI G2N?
If so can you purchase the 7 without a transducer since your going to simplify this by using 1 transducer? I thought you couldn’t because one unit is SI and the other is not? Thanks for your help
Can you network the Helix 9 Chirp SI GPS G2N to a Helix 7 DI G2N?
If so can you purchase the 7 without a transducer since your going to simplify this by using 1 transducer? I thought you couldn’t because one unit is SI and the other is not? Thanks for your help
They will network, and they will share the transducer. You can even save a few more bucks by just getting the Helix 7 G2N with just chirp and gps and they will be able to share sonar, DI, and SI from the 9.
Don’t know if you can purchase without the transducer however you can purchase everything and attempt to resell it on eBay or somewhere.
It looks like that particular ducer (XNT 9 20 T) is selling in the $50-60 range on eBay.
Thanks everyone!
This is awesome, I have an Alaskan tiller, I like to have the display unit in front of me, so I don’t have to look sideways all the time when I’m scouting or navigating.
People in my boat always want to see the screen as well, We call it Fish TV HAHAHA!
I’m getting a boat with the helix 9 si on the console but also want to have a helix 7 si up front going off a terrova. Can the 9 ducer be shut off so both units are using the terrova and both units using the 9 ducer on the transom when the terrova is not down?
I’m getting a boat with the helix 9 si on the console but also want to have a helix 7 si up front going off a terrova. Can the 9 ducer be shut off so both units are using the terrova and both units using the 9 ducer on the transom when the terrova is not down?
Yes they can as long as everything is networked you can choose which transducer that is hooked into the network you want displayed on either graph at any time.
Can the 9 ducer be shut off so both units are using the terrova and both units using the 9 ducer on the transom when the terrova is not down?
You can choose to display from either transducer on either unit. However, unless you actually select to “turn off sonar” the transducer connected to a powered-on unit will always be pinging at 200kHz, even if you are displaying the readout from a different unit on the network. you won’t see it on your screen, but it’s worth knowing that it is going on if you run into a sonar interference issue.
Thanks everyone for your help. I hope my last question. I purchased and installed the 9 G2N and side image transducer, 7 G2N with no transducer and the Ethernet ports. Ran wires and the 9 works perfectly. The 7 indicates no transducer connect and only operates in display mode. What did I do wrong?
I have the 9 transducer connect direct to the unit and the Ethernet cable from the 9 to the port and the cable from the 7 to the port along with the minkota to the port.
DO they need to be put into a special order in the port? Is this a setting thing on the 7?
Thanks,
Hi, did you go into the networking tab on the 7 and does 7 recognize the SI ducer? If so make sure to select by checking the box. I believe the 9 will need to be powered on. Enjoy your Ulterra. Is you Ulterra showing up on the 9 so that you can deploy from console?
Use your SI to find the spot, way point the spot, then while at the console deploy the Ulterra, and using the go to way point function on the remote, select the way point, let the Ulterra take you to the way point while you pull out your fish pole and get ready. There should now be a big smile on your face and the $$ spent well worth it.
Thanks everyone for your help. I hope my last question. I purchased and installed the 9 G2N and side image transducer, 7 G2N with no transducer and the Ethernet ports. Ran wires and the 9 works perfectly. The 7 indicates no transducer connect and only operates in display mode. What did I do wrong?
When you turn one on with no transducer it automatically goes into simulator mode. When it’s starting up, one of the first screens should tell you to hit “Menu” for start up options. Do that, and select Normal at the option box. Should take care of it…
Thank you to all!!!
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