Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G2N

The HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G2N is one of the Humminbird fish finders released in 2017 and discontinued in 2019 (?). It’s a combo unit, featuring GPS and charts as well. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 410100-1. Also, in case you’re wondering, the model that replaced it is the HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G3N.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 10.1″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: CHIRP DualBeam Plus with SwitchFire
• Depth Capability: 1500 feet (457 m)
• Frequency and Coverage:
  200 kHz (175-225 kHz) / 20°
  83 kHz (75-95 kHz) / 60°
• Transducer: Transom XNT 9 20 T
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20V DC
• Power Draw: 1.5 Amps
• GPS: Internal
• Cartography: ContourXD
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)

Sonar and transducer

The included transducer with this unit is the XNT 9 20 T, a transducer that comes with a transom mount, 20 ft (6 m) of cable, also integrating a temperature sensor. Therefore, not only that the unit can display the temperature of the top water layer, it can show the temperature variation over a scanned area in a graph.

The unit itself only has DualBeam Plus (2D) sonar, being able to use 50/83/200 kHz frequencies to scan for fish. With the supplied transducer, the unit can only use the 83/200 kHz frequencies. But since it’s a dual-frequency unit, it can use them both at the same time, and you can view the returns from both beams in split-screen, to compare them.

The unit is also 360 Imaging capable, but the appropriate transducer for using this type of sonar is not included.

The unit cannot be upgraded with Side Imaging or Down Imaging, but its 2D sonar is CHIRP enhanced. This means the system can modulate the sonar pulse in order to deliver clearer images and a better separation between fish targets. The modulation intervals are 175-225 kHz and respectively 75-95 kHz. Also, if the unit is equipped with a 50 kHz capable transducer, the modulation interval for the Low CHIRP mode will be 28-75 kHz.

With the XNT 9 20 T transducer, this Humminbird fish finder can reach depths of 1,500 ft (457 m). However, if equipped with a 50 kHz transducer, its depth capabilities can increase to 3,500 ft (1,066 m).

The transducer uses conical beams with angles of 60° for 83 kHz and 20° for 200 kHz. Therefore, it’s best to use the 83 kHz (75-95 kHz) mode if you want better coverage, and the 200 kHz (175-225 kHz) beam if you want better detail. But nonetheless, the unit’s sonar application is dual-frequency capable. In other words, you can scan by using both frequencies simultaneously, and compare the two sonar views in split-screen.

The unit offers several other useful fish finding functions, among which we can count Selective Fish ID+, Sonar Recording, Sonar Snap Shot, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, SwitchFire, RTS, Bottom Lock and more.

GPS and charts

The built-in charts of the Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G2N are the ContourXD pack. These charts offer superior detail and depth contours for more than 3,000 U.S. lakes, along with channels, boat accesses, interstates and major roads, and various markers. Differently put, these charts offer much more information that the UniMap charts available with the HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N, for example.

The navigation functions also include several other functions, such as Drift Alarm, Man over Board, Off Course Alarm, and a Bird’s Eye, 3D view for the maps. The unit’s charts can also be upgraded. It’s actually compatible with Navionics Platinum+, Navionics+, LakeMaster Charts, and SmartStrike fishing charts.

Just as the old HELIX 10 Sonar GPS unit, this one has the AutoChart Live feature, which can use the GPS and 2D sonar information in order to reveal the depth contours of the lake or river where you’re fishing. The unit’s internal memory can store up to 8 hours of contours recording. However, if the unit is equipped with a Zero Lines microSD card, which is specifically designed to serve as support for AC Live, the unit’s recording possibilities will considerably increase. Also, just like the other G2N units, the AutoChart Live feature of this particular unit has two extra capabilities, these being vegetation and bottom-hardness mapping. In other words, it gives you the possibility to color code various parts of the lake or reservoir where you’re fishing, depending on the vegetation density or the structure of the bottom.

This Humminbird HELIX 10 unit has a fast and accurate internal GPS system that delivers quick and accurate fixes within 2.5 meters. It can offer corrections via MSAS, WAAS and EGNOS. Also, the unit can use the GPS data to calculate and display the speed of your boat.

The unit’s memory can stock up to 2,750 waypoints, 47 routes, and 50 tracks, with up to 20,000 points per track. And finally, it can support various external modules, including i-Pilot Link, HD RADAR, and AIS.

Control unit features

This HELIX unit has a 10.1″ diagonal display, with a pixel matrix of 1024 x 600, TFT color, and LED backlight. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, which means it can withstand incidental water exposure, such as splashes, rain, or even immersion in freshwater, up to 1 meter.

The unit is wireless control ready, being compatible with the Humminbird Bluetooth remote control. This remote control has 7 dual-action buttons, offering the possibility to use various functions on the unit from distance, such as marking a waypoint, taking a snapshot, navigating through menus, etc. The remote is not included, though.

This unit features an Ethernet port and an NMEA 0183 output, also being capable of NMEA 2000. Its microSD card reader has two card slots, an aspect that is quite a plus, as you can use two cards simultaneously, without swapping between them.

Finally, this unit includes a gimbal mount, but an in-dash mount is also optionally available.

The Pros

• CHIRP DualBeam Plus Sonar;
• Powerful transducer (XNT 9 20 T), CHIRP capable and temperature capable, with transom mount;
• Depth capability up to 1,500 ft with the included transducer, great for inland fishing or off-shore fishing;
• Multiple sonar functions available, such as SwitchFire, Selective Fish ID+, Bottom Lock, Mark Structure, Real Time Sonar etc;
• Sonar Recording and Screen Snapshot functions;
• Precision GPS with MSAS, ENGONS, and WAAS enhancing;
• ContourXD charts included;
• AutoChart Live with Bottom Hardness and Vegetation features;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• Wide, 10.1″ display, with a 1024 x 600 pixel matrix, 16-bit color range, and LED backlight;
• AIS, i-Pilot Link and Radar capable;
• Bluetooth wireless control capable;
• LakeMaster, Navionics, and SmartStrike capable;
• Ethernet and NMEA 2000 ready;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• MicroSD card reader (2 slots);
• Upgradeable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• Bluetooth remote control not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G2N is a GPS and chartplotter system, featuring a large, color display, CHIRP DualBeam Plus Sonar, GPS, ContourXD charts, and AutoChart Live. The unit comes with the XNT 9 20 T transducer for the 83/200 kHz frequencies. It’s a great unit for both fresh and saltwater, with depth capabilities up to 1,500 ft with the included transducer. It may be a bit of an overkill for a small boat, but for medium to large boats, it can be an extremely useful tool for navigation not just a fish finder. It’s not one of the cheapest units, but since it doesn’t have Side Imaging or Down Imaging, it’s considerably less expensive than SI and DI units.