I too use the 65′ range but my Gen 1 does not pop like that. those mega shots are really smooth and feathered compared to the khertz units. Slough, do you have good luck casting and catching eyes on those sand flats once you graph them?
Look at a lowrance elite fs 9. 1300$ for a 9 inch side/down imaging with a touch screen and it provides an amazing image for the price tag. I’m running a mix of hds live units and elite fs units. I’ll be adding another elite fs this spring!
I too use the 65′ range but my Gen 1 does not pop like that. those mega shots are really smooth and feathered compared to the khertz units. Slough, do you have good luck casting and catching eyes on those sand flats once you graph them?
Typically yeah. Like anything they don’t always cooperate
I’ve got mega side imaging on my helix dash unit and also just picked up a Garmin uhd93sv to run livescope. The Garmin side imaging isnt even close to mega si from hummingbird. The Garmin is running the gt54 transducer, so maybe the new gt56 is better? Side imaging is absolutely worth it. I would take side imaging over livescope if I could only have one. It makes finding structure and bottom transitions sooooo easy. Seeing fish is more difficult depending on bottom composition (rocky areas are very difficult to decipher fish from rocks)but in the right situations it is killer (sand and mud).
I had a 93UHD with GT54 but now I run the 10″ Ultra with a GT36 which is the equivalent to the GT56 but without the 2d sonar. The GT36 is a big improvement for side and down imagine over the 54 IMO. I’ve never run Bird though so I can’t compare. Screenshots I’ve seen of Mega imaging look great. I’ve had comparable images on my system. I dont think you can go wrong with either brand
Thanks for all the replies . Now I just need to find a good deal on Helix 10 … damn they are expensive vs the 9 .
Thanks for all the replies . Now I just need to find a good deal on Helix 10 … damn they are expensive vs the 9 .
Cabela’s has Helix 9 G3N’s for 1199…I wouldn’t hesitate at that deal.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>isu22andy wrote:</div>
Thanks for all the replies . Now I just need to find a good deal on Helix 10 … damn they are expensive vs the 9 .Cabela’s has Helix 9 G3N’s for 1199…I wouldn’t hesitate at that deal.
Yeah , from my research the 9 and 10s share the same housing . I would like to find a 10 if I could. G3N is fine from what I see but doesnt look like much is available in the 10s at a reasonable price. Any input on 9s vs 10 s ?
1 inch.
If price is a big factor then get the 9″. I’ve got a 12″ but I frequently use it split 3 ways with si as one of the splits. It’s still big enough. My dad’s helix 7 is still decent as far as I’m concerned…but definitely wouldn’t go any smaller.
If this question was to me, I had the UHD SI and fished a tournament with a friend that had Mega, and I went out the next week and added a Mega Solix. After that I figured having the UHD on the garmin was a waste of money so I sold that tranducer and black box, and added a standard SI transducer just in case I wanted to use that while using the Solix lakemaster mapping. That all being said I have compared the UHD and the mega side by side and for me the mega has a much clearer image. The other thing I didn’t like is that I couldn’t remove the center image on the garmin SI and pull the right and left sides together like you can on the Humminbird. Maybe you can on the garmin. If anyone knows how let me know how you do it.
Is the Garmin a UHD unit vs the Mega unit?
If this question was to me, I had the UHD SI and fished a tournament with a friend that had Mega, and I went out the next week and added a Mega Solix. After that I figured having the UHD on the garmin was a waste of money so I sold that tranducer and black box, and added a standard SI transducer just in case I wanted to use that while using the Solix lakemaster mapping. That all being said I have compared the UHD and the mega side by side and for me the mega has a much clearer image. The other thing I didn’t like is that I couldn’t remove the center image on the garmin SI and pull the right and left sides together like you can on the Humminbird. Maybe you can on the garmin. If anyone knows how let me know how you do it.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>isu22andy wrote:</div>
Is the Garmin a UHD unit vs the Mega unit?
Thank you again for a real world side by side . So many of these are biased it’s nice to see the guys that have used both units . Any more relies keep them coming !
One other thing I’ll add is, keep your eye out for a lightly used unit. G3N or better and you’ll have the option for live sonar in the future. You’ll have to act fast, but there are people that upgrade every year or two.
The new Gen9’s will have the “Pro Fisherman” pak included at no cost. This includes the stunner beam that when activated shoots out a electronic beam stunning the fish. The fish then floats to the top where a drone picks it up and transports it to a cleaning / packaging station. Angler needs only to scratch a check, pop the top on a cold beer and mark fish. One marked the angler voice commands the unit to activate the stunner. The weight lifting ability of the drone will dictate the price point.
All you buddy’s will bow and proclaim you the greatest fisherman on earth. 
Call me crazy, but I have no desire to ‘upgrade’ from my 1199 si technology.
Once you know how to interpret what you are seeing, the latest generations seem to add very little value.
If I can see a fish on 1199, identify a fish species, I’m not sure what I’d be buying additionally with any upgrade.
So, don’t pass up older generations. You must be willing to take the time to learn how to interpret, regardless of first gen or last gen.
Screen size matters!!!
You can watch Netflix on your big screen or on your phone. The same amount of information is on each screen. The scale drastically different. You want to scan big areas, that’s a lot of sq ft on a few inches of screen. More screen the more you’ll see within the scan area.
Met the neighbor yesterday, he got more gadgets on the boat and not a darn clue how to use any of the $5k of it.
Humminbird image interpretation, Google it and spend a few hours, days, reviewing.
I stopped fishing blind when I got my first SI unit many years ago, an 898si.
Eye opening!! It can be what you’re willing to put into it.
Shameless Post Derail:
I’ve been looking for another unit for the dash. If anyone has a G2 or newer Helix 10 with mega side imaging they’re looking to sell as they upgrade to the latest greatest…shoot me a PM
As far as screen size goes. Figure out what is the biggest unit you can afford. Then go one size up.
^^ 
How’s the warranty on a used unit ? I’m torn if I should drop big coin on a used unit with a big screen or stick with the 9 brand new .
How’s the warranty on a used unit ? I’m torn if I should drop big coin on a used unit with a big screen or stick with the 9 brand new .
They don’t transfer; at least for Humminbird.
<quote>
Yeah , from my research the 9 and 10s share the same housing . I would like to find a 10 if I could. G3N is fine from what I see but doesnt look like much is available in the 10s at a reasonable price. Any input on 9s vs 10 s ?
The difference between the 9″ and 10 ” isn’t just about the screen size. It’s about the resolution and pixel count. The 10’s resolution is hand down better than the due to the increased pixels (over and above the 1″ screen difference). I have both sizes on my Skeeter.
And SI is a must have in my boat whether it’s casting or trolling. Every unit I’ve bought since getting my first Helix 7 back in 2016 has been a SI unit.
Call me crazy, but I have no desire to ‘upgrade’ from my 1199 si technology.
Once you know how to interpret what you are seeing, the latest generations seem to add very little value.
If I can see a fish on 1199, identify a fish species, I’m not sure what I’d be buying additionally with any upgrade.
So, don’t pass up older generations. You must be willing to take the time to learn how to interpret, regardless of first gen or last gen.
Screen size matters!!!
You can watch Netflix on your big screen or on your phone. The same amount of information is on each screen. The scale drastically different. You want to scan big areas, that’s a lot of sq ft on a few inches of screen. More screen the more you’ll see within the scan area.
Met the neighbor yesterday, he got more gadgets on the boat and not a darn clue how to use any of the $5k of it.
Humminbird image interpretation, Google it and spend a few hours, days, reviewing.
I stopped fishing blind when I got my first SI unit many years ago, an 898si.
Eye opening!! It can be what you’re willing to put into it.
[/quote
I totally agree with this. While I did upgrade to a Helix 12 SI on my trolling motor, and a gen 1 Solix with mega, I never use the mega frequencies. I learned to interpret 455 and want the range that 455 gives me. Total game changer for me. It’s more like hunting now than fishing.
I still use a Matrix 37 and a HBird 897c with SI. About the only thing they can improve is the clarity. The Matrix has quadrabeam and the sidefinder has put me on fish. The 897C just has better definition and a bigger screen. I think I have been hunting fish ever since I got a Zercom LPG2000 back in the late 1990’s
How’s the warranty on a used unit ? I’m torn if I should drop big coin on a used unit with a big screen or stick with the 9 brand new .
My last two Helix 12 Gen 3`s I bought used for less then 2/3 retail price have no problem buying used, both units work great. With the money I saved picked up a used Mega 360, for chasing open water Crappies it is the cats meow. Fishing any flats or submerged trees picking out structure and fish it can be a great tool.
Nice . Facebook find ? I’m worried about inheriting someone else’s problem.
I found one last fall on FB marketplace. Helix 9 MSI G3N new in package. Guy had bought it for the boat he ordered, but he gave up waiting and cancelled the order. About $250 off new price. Saw other used ones at the time. They are out there.
Nice . Facebook find ? I’m worried about inheriting someone else’s problem.
I worry about this too, especially seeing the sheer number of posts that go like this “I have XXYY piece of gear and I hate it it breaks all the time, as soon as I get it fixed I’m selling it”
Too many people shove these problems onto the next guy.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>isu22andy wrote:</div>
Nice . Facebook find ? I’m worried about inheriting someone else’s problem.I worry about this too, especially seeing the sheer number of posts that go like this “I have XXYY piece of gear and I hate it it breaks all the time, as soon as I get it fixed I’m selling it”
Too many people shove these problems onto the next guy.
If the unit was sent in and refurbished I don`t have a problem that tells me that the issue it came with has been fixed. When I bought my Ulterra it was refurbished and saved over a grand on it, going on my third year and nary a hiccup.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>isu22andy wrote:</div>
Thanks for all the replies . Now I just need to find a good deal on Helix 10 … damn they are expensive vs the 9 .Cabela’s has Helix 9 G3N’s for 1199…I wouldn’t hesitate at that deal.
Hesitated on this deal – regret it ! Cant find em anywhere for that
Call me crazy, but I have no desire to ‘upgrade’ from my 1199 si technology.
Once you know how to interpret what you are seeing, the latest generations seem to add very little value.
If I can see a fish on 1199, identify a fish species, I’m not sure what I’d be buying additionally with any upgrade.
So, don’t pass up older generations. You must be willing to take the time to learn how to interpret, regardless of first gen or last gen.
Screen size matters!!!
You can watch Netflix on your big screen or on your phone. The same amount of information is on each screen. The scale drastically different. You want to scan big areas, that’s a lot of sq ft on a few inches of screen. More screen the more you’ll see within the scan area.
Met the neighbor yesterday, he got more gadgets on the boat and not a darn clue how to use any of the $5k of it.
Humminbird image interpretation, Google it and spend a few hours, days, reviewing.
I stopped fishing blind when I got my first SI unit many years ago, an 898si.
Eye opening!! It can be what you’re willing to put into it.
Just an update – bought a Helix and had FBRM do some work on the settings for me . It truely has put more fish in the boat without a doubt . If you’re on the fence it’s well worth it !
Side imaging is fantastic but starting to feel it’s old school technology now. Going to be an expensive upgrade coming to my boat.
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