The Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP G2 is the second generation of Humminbird Helix fishfinders/chartplotters and employs multi-frequency CHIRP technology for better target separation, deep water penetration, and decreased water column clutter. The head unit features a brilliant 7″ diagonal 16-bit grayscale color TFT display with 800H x 480V pixel resolution that provides crystal-clear viewing in harsh sunlight and works perfectly for split-screen imaging. Selectable color palettes that represent the relative strength of returned sonar signals optimize the identification of bottom structure, hard and soft bottoms, and fish targets. The available sonar options for the Humminbird Helix series include sonar only (first generation), and down-imaging and side-imaging CHIRP as second generation sonar technologies, including G2N networking enhanced data sharing through Ethernet.
Dual Beam
The Helix 7 Sonar units offer the first generation DualBeam PLUS Sonar and SwitchFire Sonar features. In DualBeam PLUS, the two frequencies available are the traditional 200kHZ for shallower depths less than 800 feet, and 83 kHz for depths greater than 800. 2D Sonar can be used at either 83 kHz or 200 kHz, or both 83/200 frequencies melded into one display. The narrow 200 kHz beam extends out to 20 degrees and is optimized for excellent bottom detail to reveal fish hidden in bottom clutter. The wider 83 kHz beam extends out to 60 degrees for greater coverage of target fish and bait fish. The 83/200 DualBeam allows you to discover fish and structure in an area as wide as your depth for the most complete picture viewed as split screens. You can also zoom the 2D sonar view between selectable upper and lower depths, viewable as split screens. The SwitchFire Sonar feature adjusts the signal filtering, allowing you to view sonar returns in either Clear mode where clutter is filtered and the reflected sonar provides more object details with greater fish size accuracy, or else in Max mode where all the raw sonar data from the reflected transducer beam is displayed for more fish arches and better jig tracking.
CHIRP
CHIRP technology, originally developed by the Navy, stands for Compressed High Intensity Radar Pulse, and uses rapid fire pulses in a range of frequencies. Different objects such as fish, brush piles, or plankton reflect differently at different frequencies. Sonar units with CHIRP technology can then compensate for the differences in the reflectivity of objects and materials as they reflect pulses. With CHIRP it’s possible to get target separation as small as 2″, which is important for vertical fishing. Image clarity as well is important for ledge fishermen, where the improved clarity enables you to distinguish a school of perch from a school of white bass, or differentiate large shad from small shad. Lastly, CHIRP sonar used in offshore fishing allows you to distinguish predatory fish such as bass or stripers from inside balls of surrounding bait fish, or beneath the bait fish. Five additional CHIRP frequency modes are available with the purchase of an optional transducer: Low (28-75 kHz), Med (75-155 kHz), High (130-250 kHz), 83/200 (75-155/130-250 kHz), and 50/200 (28-75/130-250 kHz), operating to a maximum depth of 2500 feet.
Down Imaging
The Helix 7 CHIRP DI G2 units offer CHIRP Down Imaging and DualBeam PLUS sonar with 4000 pk-pk power output. The standard transom-mount transducer included offers two CHIRP frequencies: 455 kHz (420-520 kHz), and 800 kHz (790-850 kHz) to a maximum depth of 600 feet. Down Imaging shows the total sonar echoes received by the transducer from the bottom contour, structure and fish, illuminated by a thin front/back transducer beam that extends far out to each side.
Side Imaging
The Helix 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2 unit offers the full arsenal of sonar technologies — Side Imaging, Down Imaging, and SwitchFire Sonar. Side Imaging differs from Down Imaging in distinguishing between bottom contour, structure and fish on right and left sides of the boat. The included transducer supplies three CHIRP frequencies: 83 kHz CHIRP (75-96 kHz), 200 kHz CHIRP (175-225 kHz), and 455 kHz CHIRP (420-520 kHz) for a maximum depth of 1500 feet.
Networking and GPS
The G2N networking option works with the GPS feature used in navigation and chartplotting. The GPS chartplotting has built-in Bluetooth, and with the purchase of Ethernet adapter cables, Ethernet networking capabilities allows users to share waypoints, tracks, routes, GPS position information, and sonar information, but not maps. The built-in GPS and chartplotting capabilities include 2500 waypoints, 50 routes, and 50 tracks with 20,000 points. Humminbird Mapping, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, and PC Connect are optional features with GPS units. You can get a great deal on Humminbird Helix 7 CHIRP G2 here.
| Lowrance Elite 7 Ti | Humminbird Helix 7 SI GPS | Simrad GO7 XSE | |
|---|---|---|---|
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| Screen Size | 7 in | 7 in | 7 in |
| Screen Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels |
| Display Type | WVGA color TFT LCD | 256 Color TFT display | WVGA Color TFT LCD |
| Touchscreen | Yes | No | Yes |
| Imaging | 2D, Down Imaging, Side Imaging | CHIRP Side Imaging CHIRP Down Imaging CHIRP Digital Sonar DualBeam PLUS | 2D, Down Imaging, Side Imaging |
| Transducer Type | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor |
| Transmit Power | 500 W (RMS) 4,000 W (peak to peak) | 500W RMS 4000W Peak-to-Peak | 500 W (RMS) |
| Sonar Frequency | (50/200 or 83/200 kHz) + 455/800 kHz | 83/200 kHz 2D 455 kHz Side Imaging and Down Imaging | Traditional: 83/200 kHz CHIRP (mid and high) DownScan: 455/800 kHz StructureScan: 455/800 kHz |
| Maximum Depth | 1000 ft | 1500 ft (out of box transducer) 2500 ft (optional purchase transducer) | 1000 ft |
| GPS Antenna Type | 10 Hz Internal high-sensitivity WAAS/EGNOS/MSAS | Internal | 10 Hz Internal |
| Waypoint Storage | 3000 | 4500 | 10,000 points total combined waypoints / route points |
| Routes | 100 | 45 | |
| Plot Trails | 100 trails with up to 10,000 points per trail | 50 w/20,000 points each | |
| Preloaded Maps | Insight USA | Humminbird ContourXD | N/A |
| MSRP | $799 | $699 | $749 |
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