Helix 7 Chirp/GPS G2

[Johnny5dime]

Anyone have it? Thoughts?

I just started looking into it and I'm interested in it for ice and my kayak.
I'm slightly confused by it. The link is below.

Does a person still need to buy the navionics cards or is the GPS model built in with that?


https://click.linksynergy.com/deeplink?id=0UfX6oQ/oCk&mid=38721&murl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.overtons.com%2Fmodperl%2Fproduct%2Fdetails.cgi%3Fpdesc%3DHumminbird-Ice-Helix-7-CHIRP-Sonar%2FGPS-G2-Combo%26i%3D253640

[Fishwacker1]

I first had the helix 5 chirp. Thought it was so good the FL-18 is backup now for when I take somebody with.
I decided after a couple trips out that most of the time I’m going to the same gps points and not drilling 30-50 holes to fish. Sold it on Craig’s and bought the 7. Screen is great in split view compared to the 5.
The gps basemap does not have the definition of lake contours that you will receive if you buy a lake map. I bought the smart strike card that highlights spots to try predicted where fish could be by inputting season / time of day / weather etc. Not all lakes will have that function but still have depths.
I pieced together the Helix 7 G2 GPS in a genz pack chirp transducer and 10ah battery for 480$ total.  The map card was extra not in that total. I love mine.  If you buy the regular kit you will have the 2D transducer for a boat.
The Chirp transducer works in an array of frequency so you can adjust which changes the cone angle and eliminate interference.
Good luck fishing.
Jesse

PS - I know Overtons gets flak on the forum for cancelling orders. But they mailed me the Helix 7 G2 GPS with the 20% coupon that was advertised.
Hodges Marine has the cheapest price on the Chirp ice transducer.

[fishEH]

I bought the Helix 5 with Navionics mapcard as a bundle. The 7 was too big for my purposes.

[Johnny5dime]

I first had the helix 5 chirp. Thought it was so good the FL-18 is backup now for when I take somebody with.
I decided after a couple trips out that most of the time I’m going to the same gps points and not drilling 30-50 holes to fish. Sold it on Craig’s and bought the 7. Screen is great in split view compared to the 5.
The gps basemap does not have the definition of lake contours that you will receive if you buy a lake map. I bought the smart strike card that highlights spots to try predicted where fish could be by inputting season / time of day / weather etc. Not all lakes will have that function but still have depths.
I pieced together the Helix 7 G2 GPS in a genz pack chirp transducer and 10ah battery for 480$ total.  The map card was extra not in that total. I love mine.  If you buy the regular kit you will have the 2D transducer for a boat.
The Chirp transducer works in an array of frequency so you can adjust which changes the cone angle and eliminate interference.
Good luck fishing.
Jesse

PS - I know Overtons gets flak on the forum for cancelling orders. But they mailed me the Helix 7 G2 GPS with the 20% coupon that was advertised.
Hodges Marine has the cheapest price on the Chirp ice transducer.

I think I might wait alittle bit.
I think the best option will be to to buy the Chirp G2 GPS helix 7 with the boat transducer/mount.

I found the Ice ducer for 79 bucks and the soft case for an additional 30. I think If i buy everything seperate I can get both ducers/mount/case for 550. Whats everyones thoughts? I feel like I'm missing something...

[Blue Tiger]

I think I might wait alittle bit.
I think the best option will be to to buy the Chirp G2 GPS helix 7 with the boat transducer/mount.

I found the Ice ducer for 79 bucks and the soft case for an additional 30. I think If i buy everything seperate I can get both ducers/mount/case for 550. Whats everyones thoughts? I feel like I'm missing something...

From what I read the boat ducer has a 60 degree cone angle,and the ice ducer a 20 degree.Wouldnt the boat one work better to cover more water column?

[eriksat1]

Most ducers made for boat travel will not have as much sensitivity to pick up tiny ice jigs like a made for ice fishing ducer, they are high speed transducers.

[Johnny5dime]

Anyone tried using the ultrapack vexilar case?

Heard the pro works..

[Fishwacker1]

I can see if the Helix 7 fits the Ultrapack once I get home from work later in the month.. Thats how I carry the FL-18.  It would be easy to do if you can wait for results.

[Johnny5dime]

I can see if the Helix 7 fits the Ultrapack once I get home from work later in the month.. Thats how I carry the FL-18.  It would be easy to do if you can wait for results.

That would be awesome! Thanks

[fishEH]

I think I might wait alittle bit.
I think the best option will be to to buy the Chirp G2 GPS helix 7 with the boat transducer/mount.

I found the Ice ducer for 79 bucks and the soft case for an additional 30. I think If i buy everything seperate I can get both ducers/mount/case for 550. Whats everyones thoughts? I feel like I'm missing something...

That's basically what I did but with the 5. Hodges Marine had the 1521 ice ducer for $73 shipped last time I looked.

[Fishwacker1]

That would be awesome! Thanks

It fits and can be done. The bird is just a little wider than the vex. The plastic mounts on the ultra pack flexes enough to mount it. Have to use the gimbals the bird came with. Only concern would be adding some rubber washers for friction adjustability because there will be no teeth. That will make sense when looking at bracket that came with the bird. Second concern is if over time the overflex of the plastic might crack. The Chirp transducer does not fit snug and nice in the holder because it’s engineered for vexilar. Any questions let me know.

[hays47]

Took mine out today for its maiden trip. Fished off of docks in 14 foot of water. Had trouble right off the bat. Kept telling me transducer not plugged in. Kept checking and sure enough transducer was plugged in. After about 5th attempt of plugging and re-plugging it finally started to operate.

Once it started to work it did a fantastic job. Separation was excellent and it was reading fish. After about 45 minutes and no action started to doubt a little. Finally figured out they wanted two maggots on a hook rigged drop shot style inches from bottom. Caught one cat about 8 pound and a few crappie between 8-10 inch ,1 tiny white bass and 3 small perch.

Must say the trouble at first has me a little concerned. It was tested at home prior to trip and worked fine.By the way switched over to ice fishing mode. Once the transducer was found by the unit. Just cannot imagine why it did this.

[hays47]

Emailed CS at Humminbird and they informed me. That transducer without temp reading will some times not register. Advised me to shut off demo. Forces machine to boot in normal mode and it discovers the transducer.

Since I followed those directions no more problems.

[Johnny5dime]

Thanks for checking on the ultra pack!

I ended up going with the pro pack and then found a soft pack.

Feel like I’m doing something wrong though.. people were saying the pro fit isn’t he soft pack, but mine won’t.