I am looking to update my electronics probably Helix 7 and it appears they are either side imaging or down imaging. I have never used either but watching some videos side imaging seems more useful. With that the SI units are $200 more than DI. Any suggestions?
Side imaging is 100% better. The ability to see more than just below the boat is a true game changer. It will change how you fish.
I used SI much more than DI
I use SI much more than DI
If you have a helix 7 si gps, di is built in. If you have a di gps, si is not built in.
SI is far more useful imo.
My 2 cents, If you get SI get a bigger screen. 7″ is a little small to see SI when you have a split screen with 2D also.
I am looking to update my electronics probably Helix 7 and it appears they are either side imaging or down imaging. I have never used either but watching some videos side imaging seems more useful. With that the SI units are $200 more than DI. Any suggestions?
No product I use has increased my catch rate more than Mega SI. That includes all other types of sonar, rods, lures, line… etc.
Helix 7 and it appears they are either side imaging or down imaging
Not “or” The SI units at the higher price have all: 2d, DI, and SI. The DI units have 2D, DI, but do not have SI.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>scottaheller wrote:</div>
I am looking to update my electronics probably Helix 7 and it appears they are either side imaging or down imaging. I have never used either but watching some videos side imaging seems more useful. With that the SI units are $200 more than DI. Any suggestions?No product I use has increased my catch rate more than Mega SI. That includes all other types of sonar, rods, lures, line… etc.
James, Have you got to see the Mega 360 in person yet? If so, what are your thoughts.
BTW, To the OP’s question. I agree with James, Mega SI is impressive. And the bigger the screen the easier it is to interpret what it is showing you.
Side Imaging is incredible, makes open water fishing feel a lot less like being blindfolded throwing darts.
It takes a good, trained eye to spot fish on SI. I still cant with my Helix 7 Gen 1 (not MEGA). I use SI for changes in structure and it has directly resulted in WAY more fish caught in my boat. In most fishing videos they’ll talk about the “spot on the spot”. Where the boulders are on the rockpile are. The rockpile on a sandy point. Weed edges along a break. All possible to find with SI, not so much without.
If you’re curious about using SI or SI and DI together, especially for walleye, look up Tom Boley on Youtube.
I’ve had DI technology since 2008. I still don’t use it never found value in DI.
I use SI 95%, 2D 5%.
Fish stick out on si like a sore thumb.
It takes a good, trained eye to spot fish on SI. I still cant with my Helix 7 Gen 1 (not MEGA). I use SI for changes in structure and it has directly resulted in WAY more fish caught in my boat. In most fishing videos they’ll talk about the “spot on the spot”. Where the boulders are on the rockpile are. The rockpile on a sandy point. Weed edges along a break. All possible to find with SI, not so much without.
If you’re curious about using SI or SI and DI together, especially for walleye, look up Tom Boley on Youtube.
Meh. Sure structure fishing catches more than blind fishing…. but your missing 95% of your opportunity to catch fish if that’s your only focus.
Watch the Garmin 93 SVplus on sale for around $599, 9″ touchscreen and i think it has both, and comes with the lake maps pre-loaded
I see very little use for down imaging. It has a horrible scan area. Traditional 2d is way more affective. I’ll use 2d with SS.
Fish stick out on si like a sore thumb.
Meh. Sure structure fishing catches more than blind fishing…. but your missing 95% of your opportunity to catch fish if that’s your only focus.
Doesnt this really depend on the unit youre using? If you’ve got the Solix 12 mega si, or something similar, you’d probably have much better luck seeing a fish on rocks than if you’ve got a non-mega helix 7, right? At least in my experience with the gen 1 helix 7, I can see rock, I’ll catch fish, but I dont see fish (maybe I’m just missing them?). Fish sure sitck out like a sore thumb on sand and mud though.
Whichever you decide, here’s a heads up:
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As of 4am that deal was still good on Bass Pro’s website.
DT
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:</div>
Fish stick out on si like a sore thumb.<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:</div>
Meh. Sure structure fishing catches more than blind fishing…. but your missing 95% of your opportunity to catch fish if that’s your only focus.Doesnt this really depend on the unit youre using? If you’ve got the Solix 12 mega si, or something similar, you’d probably have much better luck seeing a fish on rocks than if you’ve got a non-mega helix 7, right? At least in my experience with the gen 1 helix 7, I can see rock, I’ll catch fish, but I dont see fish (maybe I’m just missing them?). Fish sure sitck out like a sore thumb on sand and mud though.
You might consider turning down your sensitivity so the rocks aren’t so bright you cannot see the fish. I run a sensitivity of 1. Pallet of green.
And yes, i do have dual big screens. What size is your TV at home? 7″?
SO here’s the deal. You want to run small screens, you must accept that seeing a tiny object on a small screen requires less coverage area. So, on my big screens i tend to set them to 70 feet. You may consider half that if you want a solution to your problem…not seeing fish on rocks.
Slower boat speed and higher graph speed along with lower sensitivity and in small screen cases, less width. You’ll see fish on rock.
I’m in the side imaging camp as well. I even go through my sonar options menus and turn off everything that I don’t find useful and Down Imaging is turned off.
To piggy back on FBRM’s last post about screen size correlating to distance you are scanning. In my last boat I had a 12″ screen and my starting scanning distance was 80′ each way, then I’d adjust based on some factors such as depth. New boat has a 10″ screen so I’ve cut the starting scanning distance down to 60′ each way. If I’m looking for structure then I’ll set it to scan much further out.
Just spent a week in Kansas crappie fishing one of the reservoirs, to find them we would side scan along in 10-20′ of water, they were relating to submerged trees and bushes but not every one of them. Scanning at 60′ each direction we could tell if the structure was holding fish or not.
Great, thank you for the explanation FBRM! I’m sure my rig is still set to its default factory settings. I will make the changes this spring to see if there are noticeable.
Thank you for all the great comments! To add on, is Mega SI on the 3G worth the extra $ over SI on 2G units?
Thank you for all the great comments! To add on, is Mega SI on the 3G worth the extra $ over SI on 2G units?
I now have the Mega SI and yes I think it makes a difference for me. It may not matter as much for guys that spend a ton of time on the water, since they already know what they are looking at.
James, Have you got to see the Mega 360 in person yet? If so, what are your thoughts.
Not yet, but I did put one on my boat so once things get back to business as usual I’ll be able to start putting it to work.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>arcticm1000 wrote:</div>
James, Have you got to see the Mega 360 in person yet? If so, what are your thoughts.Not yet, but I did put one on my boat so once things get back to business as usual I’ll be able to start putting it to work.
Good deal, I would like to know what you think about it when you get an chance to use it. I have a Mega 360 with the Universal Mount on order, but they have a target date for Mid April and who knows when it will show up with everything going on. I heard the ice went out on a “local” lake close to my house. I am looking forward to being able spend some time on the water soon.
Thanks again for all the comments! I just checked BassPro and got a 7 G2 SI for $400. Time to get the boat ready to go!
Thank you for all the great comments! To add on, is Mega SI on the 3G worth the extra $ over SI on 2G units?
Helix 9 and larger G2’s have Mega SI
Helix 9 and larger G3’s have Mega SI+
The SI+ has more range and probably some other improvements, but I don’t know what they are. As far as the extra $ you will have to way the options and decide.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>tbro16 wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:</div>
Fish stick out on si like a sore thumb.<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:</div>
Meh. Sure structure fishing catches more than blind fishing…. but your missing 95% of your opportunity to catch fish if that’s your only focus.Doesnt this really depend on the unit youre using? If you’ve got the Solix 12 mega si, or something similar, you’d probably have much better luck seeing a fish on rocks than if you’ve got a non-mega helix 7, right? At least in my experience with the gen 1 helix 7, I can see rock, I’ll catch fish, but I dont see fish (maybe I’m just missing them?). Fish sure sitck out like a sore thumb on sand and mud though.
You might consider turning down your sensitivity so the rocks aren’t so bright you cannot see the fish. I run a sensitivity of 1. Pallet of green.
And yes, i do have dual big screens. What size is your TV at home? 7″?SO here’s the deal. You want to run small screens, you must accept that seeing a tiny object on a small screen requires less coverage area. So, on my big screens i tend to set them to 70 feet. You may consider half that if you want a solution to your problem…not seeing fish on rocks.
Slower boat speed and higher graph speed along with lower sensitivity and in small screen cases, less width. You’ll see fish on rock.
FBRM, You and I have been on pretty much the same page as far as I can tell in regards to SI and its benefits. I wouldnt take a H12 DI unit for free, as it has no use to me and the way I use my Humminbirds. I agree on small screens, although, Im pretty sure you or I could use a H7 SI if the need should arise, and be able to utilize the info.
Doesnt this really depend on the unit youre using? If you’ve got the Solix 12 mega si, or something similar, you’d probably have much better luck seeing a fish on rocks than if you’ve got a non-mega helix 7, right? At least in my experience with the gen 1 helix 7, I can see rock, I’ll catch fish, but I dont see fish (maybe I’m just missing them?). Fish sure sitck out like a sore thumb on sand and mud though.
The bigger the screen the better Plus the more advanced the unit the better, both are true!
I’ve had bird units since the Bottomline HD unit then changed to a Lowrance Lc15mt and added the 987csi, switched them out for the 998 & 1198, now Solix 15 and 12 gen 2’s. I can stand by my above statement, and the currant units I have are incredible!!
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