Humminbird continually surveys product consumers for suggestions in order to make their line of fishfinders more in tune with the needs of anglers. In response, for November 2015, the company introduced a new series of Helix units that include the Humminbird Helix 9 DI GPS. Whether you enjoy an occasional day at the lake or are a professional angler, the new Humminbird Helix 9 was designed to make your efforts more productive.
General Profile
The Helix 9 measures a mere 13.44″W x 7.12″H x 4.20″D. The combined screen, frame and internal technology create a slender, lightweight and portable unit that offers anglers plug and play capability. While some may choose to install the device directly into a dashboard, others may prefer to ensure the safety of the unit. The quick release mount and cable system allows users to easily connect or disconnect the entire fishfinder via an advanced clamp mechanism.
The Helix 9 features two SD card doors that provide quick access to recorded data, software updates or additional mapping options. Each unit comes equipped with Humminbird’s AutoChart Live that provides real time surveillance of the water as the boat moves along. The digital program displays lake and surrounding area contours and includes up to eight hours of recording time. AutoChart Live can also be viewed in split-screen mode along with the DualBeam PLUS or Down Imaging functions.
Anglers easily operate the device using the array of buttons located on the right side of the unit. The X-Press Menu System features one-touch selection to the many different menu options. Simply move the selector button up or down and choose the desired function. Change views, zoom in or out, mark specific GPS settings, freeze the frame and take screen snap shots with the push of one button.
Overall Enhancements
The wider nine-inch 16:9 LCD backlit screen enables anglers to clearly view images from any position on the boat and the glass-bonded display reduces glare dramatically. Along with having an 800 x 480 resolution, Humminbird also increased the overall brightness to 1,500 nits, which produces sharp, clear images whether on the water in direct, bright sunshine or on an overcast day. The new devices are also equipped with upgraded processors that are designed to increase functional speed by 25 percent. The Helix 9 DI GPS additionally features precise internal GPS chartplotting, built-in ContourXD maps and has Ethernet network capabilities. Each unit comes standard with the Humminbird patented DualBeam PLUS and Down Imaging sonar.
DualBeam PLUS
The SwitchFire sonar provides water depth, temperature and turbulence. Users can also choose what data the screen displays. DualBeam PLUS combines two sonar beams, which transmit data over a wider area and with greater detail. The narrow 200 kHz beam ensures high accuracy when monitoring fish populations, terrain structures and bottom profiles. The wider 83kHz beam broadens the search area. Use DualBeam PLUS in clear mode when wanting to filter out agitation, background noise or particles in shallow water at depths of eight feet or less. Max mode is designed for surveying fish in deeper waters and also displays underwater structures, currents and thermoclines. The two-dimensional read-out also enables anglers to change the color presentation.
Down Imaging
Catching fish becomes much easier when able to see what lies under the water from the perspective of marine life. Down Imaging uses high-frequency sound waves sent out in extremely thin slices to create an unbelievably clear 3D view of what is happening beneath a boat at depths of up to 350 feet. The display provides an amazing underwater photograph of fish, brush, timber, reefs, rocks and anything else lying along the water’s bottom surface.
The Humminbird Helix 9 DI GPS was designed to be an affordable, comprehensive and effective tool to improve the likelihood of having a successful day on the water. The sleek design combined with the advanced internal technology make this fishfinder a must-buy for any angler looking for an affordable, large screen unit.
| Lowrance Elite 9 CHIRP | Humminbird Helix 9 DI GPS | |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Screen Size | 9 in | 9 in |
| Screen Resolution | 480 x 800 pixels | 480 x 800 pixels |
| Display Type | 16-bit color TFT | Color TFT |
| Imaging | 2D, DownScan, StructureScan, Downscan Overlay | 2D, Down Imaging |
| Transducer Type | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor | Transom Mount/Trolling Motor |
| Transmit Power | Max 250W RMS, 30000W Peak- to-Peak | 500W RMS 4,000W Peak-to-Peak |
| Sonar Frequency | 455/800 kHz Down Imaging 50 kHz / 83kHz / 200kHz CHIRP | 83/200 kHz 2D 455 kHz Down Imaging |
| Maximum Depth | 300 ft Down Imaging 1,000 ft at 83 kHz 3,000 ft at 50 kHz | 600 ft 2D 350 ft Side Imaging |
| GPS Antenna Type | Internal high-sensitivity WAAS | Internal |
| Waypoint Storage | 3000 | 2750 |
| Routes | 100 | 45 |
| Plot Trails | 100 trails, 10,000 points / trail | 50 tracks, 20,000 points |
| Default Maps | 3000 US lake maps US coastal maps | Humminbird ContourXD |
| MSRP | $899 | $799 |
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| Reviews | Reviews |