Humminbird helix 5 si using si transducer

So I had my helix 5 out on the ice for the first time today and wasn’t that impressed but I’m guessing it’s because I don’t have it set right.

I’ve seen a couple posts detailing setting up using the ice transducer and the di model but none that are specific to the si transducer.

I tried using the sonar screen but would loose my jig every time I worked it. I turned the chart speed to max and that helped but it is no where near as responsive as my lx6.

Im lost on how to set this thing and really want it to be more than just a GPS in the winter.

Oh and just so that whoever tries to help knows please don’t use acronyms and what not or explain them as I’m very new to the unit and sonar in general.

Thanks in advance.

You’re using the si transducer? If so, that’s your first problem. Even if using jigging mode, the unit still pings the si elements in the si ducer. This equates to half the 2D sonar ping rate versus the lx6. Less ping rate = slower refresh = less sensitivity.

What Im not certain of is whether or not the Helix series software will ping just 2D frequencies if you select a transducer other than Compact sidescan from the menu or if it just skips the si signals leaving you with same 2D ping rate.

The older x98 and x99 series had the dual beam transducer option that was 2d signal only. Not sure if the helix has this as an option.

I did see the options in there to select a different transducer. Which one should I select? And thank you for the reply. I just learned something new.

You can try dual beam, but i cant gaurantee it will work with the si transducer. Usually selecting dual beam in the transducer menu eliminates the di and si views. So no way to know for sure if the unit is still pinging the si elements.

OK………Here’s the Humminbird description of what Jigging Mode does in the new 7.460 software for SI units:

On the SI unit Jiggin Mode is a selection in the 2D Sonar Express Menu. It allows the user to select the sonar ping pattern for use while vertical jigging. When turned ON the ping pattern will be: 200 kHz, Left SI Beam, Right SI Beam, 83 kHz, repeat. With this mode turned OFF the ping pattern will be: 200 kHz, Left SI Beam, Right SI Beam, 83 kHz, Left SI Beam, Right SI Beam, repeat. Basically this feature prioritizes the 2D beam over the SI beam.

Deborah @ Humminbird

Here’s my summary and some other info from Doug V:

Me….With the Jigging Mode on and HDSI transducer selected, the 2D is given equal priority to SI in the ping sequence…….When Jigging Mode is off and HDSI transducer is selected, the SI is pinged 2 times for every cycle and the 2D is pinged once, giving SI top priority……..If Dual Beam is selected, the 2D is the ONLY thing pinged, so 2D is given top priority.

(This statement was copied from another forum and pertains to older units and software. However, i believe it will still pertain to your current software.)

Thanks so much that’s a great place to start. I’ll try it out today and report back.

So I just realized I had an update for my head unit. I updated to the latest version and then switched it to ice fishing mode. I’m pretty sure this completely disabled the si and di elements as they no longer show up in the sonar menu. It now says I have the xl 9 1521 transducer.

I’ll give it a go and report back later.

Thanks for helping gixxer

We’ll I got back out on the ice today and all I can say is wow!

This thing is unreal. With the new software update and putting it in ice fishing mode its a whole new world. Unbelievably fast response. I saw 0 interference which I assume is because I’m in 2d chirp mode and nobody else is running on the same frequencies. I got my GPS and all my waypoints with me and the chart and rts window is where its at.

All in all I’m stoked with how this thing performs. I didn’t even turn on my Marcum today.

Thanks again gixxwr for trying to help.