Hi All,
Seems like we’re probably due for the next generation of Humminbird electronics to be released soon if they continue on their roughly every 2 year schedule.
Has anyone heard any rumblings on when that G5N release date might be?
Thanks!
Was wondering as well . They need an affordable touch screen unit to compete with lowrance and Garmin.
They do need an affordable touchscreen and something better than the Helix units. My experience with them was not good
I’ve had the Helix 7 G2SI for a few years now. Used it for both summer and winter and haven’t had any issues with it. For the couple hundred bucks I paid for it it’s been excellent in my opinion.
What kinds of problems have you had with yours? I typically prefer buttons vs. touch screens, but ALWAYS prefer the better of the two products.
I typically prefer buttons vs. touch screens, but ALWAYS prefer the better of the two products.
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I’ve had the Helix 7 G2SI for a few years now. Used it for both summer and winter and haven’t had any issues with it. For the couple hundred bucks I paid for it it’s been excellent in my opinion.
That’s been my experience with Helix units also. I have two of them, a Helix 12 on the dash of my boat for 2D, DI and SI and a Helix 7 that I use mainly for ice fishing. They’ve both been bulletproof, they’re easy to use and they’ve been excellent for me. I’d buy a Helix again in a heartbeat if I needed another display.
Fingers too much fish slime for touchscreen 
You should share the settings on your unit that I set, for best picture.
Buttons are are a simple, reliable, proven tech which is something that usually gets a +1 in my evaluation of a product. I can use them with gloves on and the presence of water(rain/snow/ice/sleet) on the screen doesn’t interfere with my operation of the unit. My screen also stays clean for longer without my grubby hands swiping all over it.
I could also see the touchscreen being a, “lipstick on a pig” type of scenario as well where the outside looks slick and space age but the design team ended up putting too much money into the screen instead of the guts. (Not saying that I know this to be true or untrue of any models). The Helix7 G2 doesn’t have them, but I know a lot of people also really liked the programmable hot key buttons on the side of the units as well, so buttons aren’t all bad!
If you like the touchscreen then that’s awesome. I’d bet they’ll soon be the industry standard for multiple reasons as tech progresses. That’s what’s so great about having multiple companies competing for our dollars, we get to vote who’s doing the best job and what features we really like!
Flip phones weren’t so bad either to be honest. People sure texted me a lot less when it was t-9, which gave me more time to fish! 
What exactly are you expecting to be an upgrade from your g2?
I have an 1199 and helix 12 (gen 1)… there isn’t anything with the gen whatever I’m missing out on.
Mega? Nope, I turn that off to see fish.
If it were me, spend money on used, bigger screen.
I’m finding the less I care about my helix 7 the better I like it. I now relegate it to bow duty running SI on the trolling motor (I don’t fish much in the bow), and as a winter spare for whoever didn’t bring a vexilar. it fills these roles very well. I did not care for it one bit on the dash as my primary.
@FishBlood&RiverMud I suppose I’m making the assumption that as the generations have progressed, the internal tech has been improving both from a hardware and software perspective.
Whether or not I’m correct, I would think that progression in tech would also translate to things like improved sonar reception / interpretation, clearer pictures for side imaging, improved user interfaces, better auto-charting capabilities, and other things like that.
I don’t know what they’ve been working on for Gen 5, you know? Maybe it’s the next big leap in depth finders, maybe it’s not. The point is that if all I have to do is wait till Fall to find out, then maybe I will continue to use my existing unit until then. That’s all I really was considering.
Just wanted to ask around the group since I know there’s plenty of people on here that are really dialed into the industry in ways that I’m not!
I have a g4n helix 10 and have had FBRM play with all the settings and it looks just as good as his 1199 . Hell his might even look better to me . I can post the settings that work for P4 if anyone wants them .
His 1199 with a bigger screen looks way better than my 10 for sure too .
Attached is his 1199 . There was one for 200 dollars on FB marketplace a week ago.
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I’ve definitely seen the side imaging on a larger screen look much more clear than my Helix7 as well. I thought at the time it must be because it was a newer model in addition to the larger screen, but based on your experience, perhaps the larger screen is making the biggest difference?
If anyone has any knowledge around that I’d love to hear your thoughts!
I’d say 100 percent screen size makes the biggest difference out of everything I’ve seen in side imaging. Here are my settings .
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I wouldn’t under estimate changing the color pallet too .
I had issues with it constantly shutting off like it was overheating. Randomly showing 20’ deeper than it actually is. Constantly having to reset it. My Garmin 93sv UHDs have been worlds better. I really enjoy the touchscreen but it also has shortcut buttons. See something on sidevu and I can pause the screen then mark a waypoint on what I want, rather than using the curser to scroll around. Just my experience
I had issues with it constantly shutting off like it was overheating. Randomly showing 20’ deeper than it actually is. Constantly having to reset it. My Garmin 93sv UHDs have been worlds better. I really enjoy the touchscreen but it also has shortcut buttons. See something on sidevu and I can pause the screen then mark a waypoint on what I want, rather than using the curser to scroll around. Just my experience
Any screen shots of fish on side imaging like the one I posted above .
Don’t have any idea what’s up their sleeve next, but if they wanted to entice me, put in a lower kHz like 235 for more range. I love 455. While I now have a H12 G1 on the bow with a SI transducer on the Terrova and a S12 G1 MSI on the console, I’d be perfectly happy with my previous units which were a 1197 and 1198.
This screen capture is from my 1198 on the bow
Let me find a higher resolution of the screen capture
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I’m still using a Gen1 12 and a Gen2 9 that have been bulletproof.
It’s to expensive to chase the latest and greatest. I’m with fbrm on bigger screen less care on newest tech. I’m loving my gen 2 touch hds 12 and 9. Got them dialed in pretty great.
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Every time I look at my ten , I’m glad I didn’t get a 9 , and sad I didn’t get a 12 lol
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