Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G3N

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G3N is one of the fish finder / chartplotter combos released at the beginning of 2019. It only has standard CHIRP sonar and does not support Side Imaging or Down Imaging. It basically offers the same range of features as the last year’s HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G2N, but instead of DualBeam Plus sonar, it has Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar and comes with the new CHIRP transducer. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 410870-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 10.1″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP
• Transducer: Transom XNT 9 HW T
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer): 1,200 feet (365 m)
• Frequency and Coverage:
• Narrow mode: 180-240 kHz / 25°
• Wide mode: 140-200 kHz / 42°
• Full mode: 150-220 kHz (adjustable) / 42°
• Power Output: 1000 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20V DC
• Power Draw: 1.2 Amps
• GPS: Internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,500; 50 (20,000 points each)

Sonar and transducer

As we’ve mentioned above, the HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G3N does not support Down Imaging or Side Imaging sonar; it only has Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar and the base frequencies supported by it are 50/83/200 kHz.

The unit offers three CHIRP sonar modes to work with. These are Full Mode (150-220 kHz), Wide Mode (140-200 kHz), and Narrow Mode (180-240 kHz). For the Wide Mode and the Narrow Mode, the CHIRP frequency intervals are fixed; however, for the Full Mode, the CHIRP interval is adjustable; the 150-220 kHz interval is the default setting, but it can be adjusted for the full range between 140-240 kHz,

The unit includes the XNT 9 HW T transducer which has a transom mount, an internal temperature sensor, and 20′ (6m) of cable. This transducer can work with all the CHIRP modes offered by the unit. It uses conical beams with a coverage of 42° for the Full Mode and Wide Mode, and 25° for the Narrow Mode.

This Humminbird fish finder has a max. depth capability of 1,200′ (365 m) with the included transducer. However, the unit supports 50 kHz, and if paired with a 50 kHz capable CHIRP transducer, it should be able to reach depths up to 3,500′ (1,066 m).

Although the unit’s sonar is not DualBeam Plus as for the older HELIX versions, the SwitchFire function is available. This is basically a quick filter that allows you to change between Max. Mode (for all the sonar information on screen) and Clear Mode (for eliminating all the clutter and focusing on the largest targets). The Selective Fish ID function is also available; this sonar mode assigns fish icons to the suspended targets and also shows the depth of each one of them. Other standard sonar features that can be mentioned here are Real Time Sonar, Circular Flasher, Bottom Lock, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, Split-Zoom, and more.

The unit also has Sonar Recording and offers the possibility to scroll through the recorded sonar history. The unit cannot save the recorded sonar into its memory, so in order to use this feature, you have to insert a blank SD card into the unit.

Navigation features

As its name suggests, the HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G3N is equipped with an internal GPS receiver. It can use WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS to provide fast and accurate position fixes within 2.5 meters. It also supports GPS heading sensors and has a GPS speed function.

The unit has waypoint creation, route creation, and trackplotting functions. It can save up to 47 routes and 50 tracks (with up to 20,000 points per track) in its memory. It can also save up to 2,500 waypoints for which you can personalize with a wide array of icons.

As opposed to the older HELIX units, the 410870-1 is preloaded with the Humminbird Basemap platform. These charts offer a lot of detail; they’re close to the Navionics+ charts. They are based on the NOAA official charts and cover more than 10,000 U.S. lakes with 1′ contours. They also provide coverage for the U.S. coastal waters, providing plenty of information with regards to marinas, hotels, camping sites, daymarkers, spot soundings, buoys, and more.

Of course, the unit is compatible with various other types of charts. The list includes LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, Navionics Platinum+, Navionics+, and SmartStrike fishing charts.

AutoChart Live feature is also available with this Humminbird unit. This is a depth contour recording application similar to SonarChart offered by Navionics mapping, or the Quickdraw Contours in most Garmin ECHOMAP units. The application uses the GPS and 2D sonar data to reveal and draw the depth contours of the lake you’re scanning on the map. The unit can save up to 8 hours of AutoChart Live recordings in its own memory.

Like all the other G3N units, this model supports Radar, Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, Minn Kota Talon Shallow Water Anchor, and information from AIS units.

Control unit features

As opposed to the SOLIX 10 CHIRP GPS, the Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G3N does not have CrossTouch technology. It can only be operated via the keypad on the right of the display. It does, however, have a very intuitive and easy to use interface.

The unit’s display is 10.1″ in diagonal; it has a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V, 16-bit color, with integrated LED backlight for superior readability even in direct sunlight. The unit is also IPX7 waterproof. This means it can support incidental water exposure, such as rain or water splashes, with no problem.

The box includes the standard Gimbal mount for the unit and a transom mount for the transducer. The in-dash mounting kit, the sun cover, and the trolling mount for the transducer are optional.

The unit has a dual SD card reader. Therefore, you can use a chart card and a data card at the same time, without the need to swap cards.

Since it’s a G3N unit, it offers superior networking capabilities compared to the G3 units. To begin with, it is Ethernet and NMEA 2000 compatible. This being said, you can connect it to the boat’s already existent grid so it can receive data from other boat instruments such as Radar, AIS, i-Pilot Link, etc.

Also, in terms of connectivity, this HELIX unit has built-in Bluetooth. Therefore, you can sync it with your smartphone and download software updates or even benefit from notifications from your phone, via the FishSmart app. Plus, the unit is compatible with the RC2 remote control which gives you the possibility to use most of the unit’s functions from the distance, without touching it.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• XNT 9 HW T transducer included;
• Metallic transom mount for the transducer;
• Depth capability up to 1,200 ft. with the included transducer;
• Multiple standard sonar features available, such as RTS, Bottom Lock, Selective Fish ID, Alarms, SwitchFire etc;
• Sonar Recording and Screen Snapshot functions;
• Precision internal GPS;
• Humminbird Basemap chart platform built-in;
• AutoChart Live;
• Supports Navionics+, Navionics Platinum, LakeMaster Plus, and SmartStrike charts;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• 10.1″ display, 1024 x 600 resolution, 16-bit color display, with LED backlight, providing clear images, easy to read even in direct sunlight;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• Supports Ethernet and NMEA 2000;
• Supports AIS and GPS heading sensors;
• Supports CHIRP Radar and Minn Kota i-Pilot Link;
• Bluetooth connectivity;
• Compatible with the FishSmart App and the RC2 Bluetooth remote control;
• Dual SD card reader;
• Upgradable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• The in-dash mounting kit is not included;
• A unit cover is not included;
• The trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Summary

The HELIX 10 CHIRP GPS G3N is a GPS and sonar combo, offering Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, GPS, Humminbird Basemap, and AC Live. It includes the XNT 9 HW T transducer which comes with a transom mount. It’s Ethernet and NMEA 2000 capable and thus it supports Radar, and i-Pilot Link. It also has wireless connectivity and a dual SD card reader. Although it does not have Side Imaging or Down Imaging, it’s a fairly decent unit, great for both freshwater and saltwater.