Helix Setup

I just bought a new Voyageur 175 tiller and I’m struggling with how I should set it up. I generally do most of my fishing from the back end. I was planning on putting a Helix 9 SI G2N in the rear and a Helix 5 G2 Sonar up front. I started reading about the benefits of networking the two units and it seems to be the way to go. To do that, I would need to trade out the 5 for a 7 G2N model I believe.

My questions are:

1. Is it worth the additional cost for a bow unit that will generally be used only by a passenger?
2. Would the bow unit require a separate chip? If so, do they need to be the same chip? I’m thinking that I will go with a Smartstrike.
3. Am I correct in thinking that there is no way to network any of the Helix 5 models because they are all G2 vs. G2N units?

Thanks in advance!

1. Only you can decide that based on how you fish and who your passenger is. By the rest of your questions, I think you answered “Yes” to this question.

2. Yes it requires a separate chip. No, they don’t need to be the same chip.

3. Yes, that is correct thinking. However, there are some legacy units that are network compatible. Click the “Attached” tab on the link to see the chart.
https://www.humminbird.com/Category/Support/FAQ/NetworkingChart/

1. Your call. Would be appreciated though.
2. Yes, seperate chip required. Map data is not shared on Helix network. Does not need to be same chip.
3. G2N is required if you want to network units. The Helix 7 is the smallest helix unit to offer networking.