hummingbird helix 5 si?

[dratharman]

Anyone have one? If so pros and cons on the unit. Got an old bottom line finder but time for an up grade been watching lots of video and reading articles about down imaging/ side imaging. Gets a little overwhelming thought I would ask the experts thanks guys
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[UT-Lund]

It seems like a decent unit for the money. It kinda looks like a tablet device in a Humminbird shell. The screen is very bright and has a wide screen format. The transducers and software are basically borrowed from the other HB series. You can get the GPS and side imaging features and a micro SD slot for maps and such. With the Helix you can also split the screens like the larger units.

What you miss out on with the Helix series that the 800, 900 and Onix provide are iPilot Link, Networking, etc...

If you are going to run a single unit with no iPilot Link then the Helix may be a great choice.
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[Fish-or-die]

I had been contemplating all the series for a month or so. Basically what I decided and from talking to people is that if you fish most the local waters which don't have as much structure as say The Gorge or Powell then it's not that worth my money. So I went with the Helix 5 2d sonar/gps and figured I could upgrade if I felt necessary. Only used it once so far but am excited and think its a great Finder for a good price. There's a lot of options that you have. Gps waypoints, split the dual beam into to seperate screens so you know what cone you're looking at. You can get the maps that they have and put it in a micro ad slot. I fished with a lower end model piranha 160 and this trumps it by far. My buddy has a older 787? Something or other and the helix is bigger snd clearer. I feel it's the besit finder for the price. That's counting all the series from 2d no gps to the Si gps combo. There's my opinion.

The other reason I didn't go with the Si is the few people I talked to me on how to read it. I'm pretty sure I'd figure it out, I'd rather fish then playing the finder.
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[dratharman]

Yeah I'm a little on how to read the side imaging so the down imaging seems like i will be able to understand what I'm looking at and being able to push one button and mark structure seems like a great option thanks for the info I may just have a new finder by this weekend gonna look at the garmin and lowrance models also but so far the hummingbird is the front runner
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[humpy]

this is my 3rd season with a 898si. I just barely got to the point of understanding the side imaging. Don't bother with the manual. Watch some UTube videos and it is easier than you think. Took me about 2 hours to figure out the settings and screens to use. At Willard I rarely see fish under the boat, but can see tons of them on side pictures.

humpy
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[UT-Lund]

I agree with this. Some youtube videos do a great job showing how to read it. In deep water, side imaging can be less important. But in shallow water, there are a lot of fish you just will not see without side imaging. I find myself using it more each year.
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[hooked4life]

I had one on my boat for about two months and I upgraded to the 899si only because I needed the link capability. I loved it! It is a great unit for the money, just like anything else....you will learn to use it ....just get out there and play with it.

[fishon][fishon]
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[dratharman]

So as far as willard goes the down imaging would not prove to do much but let's say the berry or the gorge fishing for kokes the side imaging in the deeper water wouldn't be as effective right? Or have I not understood side imaging for shallow waters or for casting working cranks and down imaging for trolling deeper water looking for structure?
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[UT-Lund]

Down imaging is handy anytime you are fishing structure. Even in 20' of water you can identify some brush or rocks that may be holding bass as an example.
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