Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N is one of the first Mega Imaging fish finders from Humminbird. It’s also a chartplotter pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap platform, and has AutoChart Live. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number unit 410120-1. Also, one of the newer models is the HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3N.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 10.1″ diagonal, color TFT, 16-bit color range, 1024H x 600V pixel matrix, with LED backlight
• Sonar: MEGA Side Imaging, MEGA Down Imaging, CHIRP Digital Sonar DualBeam Plus
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • DualBeam Plus: 200 kHz / 20° and 83 kHz / 60°
  • Side Imaging: 86°x2, 800 ft side-to-side coverage at 455 kHz, and 500 ft side-to-side coverage at 1.2 MHz
  • Down Imaging: 45° at 1.2 MHz, 75° at 455 kHz
• Depth Capabilities:
  • DualBeam Plus: 1500 ft (457 m);
  • Side Imaging: 400 ft (122 m) at 455 kHz and 125 ft (38 m) at 1.2 MHz;
  • Down Imaging: 400 ft (122 m) at 455 kHz and 125 ft (38 m) at 1.2 MHz;
• Transducer: Transom XM 9 20 MSI T
• Power Output: 1,000 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20 VDC
• Power Draw: 1.2 Amps
• GPS: Internal
• Charts: Humminbird Mapping
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,500; 50

Sonar and transducer

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N supports several CHIRP (2D) sonar frequencies, these being 83/200 (75-155/130-250 kHz), 50/200 (28-75/130-250 kHz), Low (28-75 kHz), Med (75-155 kHz), High (130-250 kHz), while for the SI/DI sonar, it supports 455 kHz (420-520 kHz), 800 kHz (790-850 kHz), and MEGA 1.2 MHz (1.125-1.300 MHz).

The unit comes with the XM 9 20 MSI T transducer which supports 83/200 base frequencies for 2D, being capable of Mid-Band CHIRP and High CHIRP, while for structure scanning, it covers all the three frequency ranges, 455 kHz, 800 kHz, and 1.2 MHz, evidently being capable of MEGA SI and MEGA DI. This transducer has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable. It features a transom mount and integrates a temperature sensor. The unit can display the water temperature detected by the transducer’s sensor, and also has a Temperature Graph feature, which can be quite useful if, for example, you’re looking for water currents of different temperatures.

The unit’s 2D sonar is DualBeam Plus, which means it can use both the 83 kHz and 200 kHz channels simultaneously, and you can observe the returns in split-screen. As we’ve mentioned above, the CHIRP modulation for these frequencies is 75-155 kHz, and respectively 130-250 kHz. For these frequencies, the transducer uses conical beams with a coverage of approx. 60° @ 83 kHz, and 20° @ 200 kHz, while the max. depth capability is 1,500 ft (457 m). Of course, with a 50/200 kHz capable transducer, this Humminbird fish finder system should be capable of scanning depths up to 3,500 ft. (1066 m).

For Side Imaging, as the name suggests, the unit (with the included transducer) can use MEGA SI, at 1.2 MHz (1150-1275 kHz), which provides extra high-resolution sonar images with super detail. The side sonar beams extend up to 250 ft (76 m) on each side while the depth capability is approx. 125 ft (38 m) for MEGA SI. However, you can also use regular Side Imaging, at 455 kHz (420-520 kHz) or 800 kHz (790-850 kHz) for a greater depth capability, and a side beam extension of up to 400 ft (122 m).

For Down Imaging, MEGA DI and regular DI modes are also available. Regular DI uses the 455 kHz channel, with a thin, 75° that has a depth capability of 400 ft (122 m). MEGA DI uses the 1.2 MHz channel, with a coverage of 45° and a depth capability of 125 ft (38 m). The CHIRP modulation intervals are 420-520 kHz, and 1150 – 1275 kHz.

In terms of standard sonar features, the unit offers the full range. This features and functions list includes Selective Fish ID+, SwitchFire, Real Time Sonar, Circular Flasher Mode, Sonar Recording, Sonar Rewind, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, Bottom Lock, Structure ID, and many more. Also, in terms of structure scanning capabilities, the unit supports 360 Imaging, but this requires the 360 Imaging transducer.

Navigation features

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N is equipped with a high-precision internal GPS which can provide ten position updates per second. It can enhance the position fixes via EGNOS, MSAS, or WAAS. Needless to say, it shows coordinates for any point on the map and can calculate the speed of your vessel.

The unit comes with the new Humminbird Basemap charts, which are a considerable upgrade over the older ContourXD chart database. The Humminbird Basemap includes charts based on LakeMaster, NOAA and other trusted chart sources. As a general idea, they provide depth contours, nav-aids, points of interest, spot-soundings, for the entire US coastline. This chart database also covers more than 10,000 lakes.

One of the main pluses of this unit is its compatibility with various other charts. The compatibility list includes Navionics Gold, Navionics Platinum+, LakeMasterPlus, and SmartStrike fishing charts. Future updates also have on the list the compatibility with C-MAP charts.

One of the features available with all the G2 and G2N units is AutoChart Live, and this unit has it as well. AC Live is a built-in mapping software that gives you the possibility to create your own personalized charts. It uses the 2D sonar and the GPS information to reveal and draw the depth contours on the map. Therefore, if the included charts don’t offer satisfying depth contours for your favorite lake, you can always use AC Live in order to reveal the most up to date depth contours.

Since it’s a G2N unit, the AutoChart Live is updated with Vegetation and Bottom Hardness features. These color-code your depth contours, providing extra info on what’s under the boat.

AC Live can record up to 8 hours of contours. However, you can always use a Zero Lines contour SD card, which offers specifically designed support for AutoChart Live and considerably increases its recording time.

As opposed to the SOLIX 10 unit, this one can only record up to 2,500 waypoints and 47 routes. The number of recorded tracks is the same. It can save up to 50 recorded tracks with up to 20,000 points per track. Each track can be converted into a route; you can add waypoints to it, etc.

In terms of navigation, this Humminbird HELIX unit also supports external modules, including AIS, HD RADAR, Autopilot or i-Pilot Link.

Control unit features

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N features 10.1″ diagonal LCD display, with a 16-bit color range and adjustable LED backlight. Thus, the angle of visibility is great even in direct sunlight. The pixel resolution is slightly lower than for the SOLIX 10 units; it’s 1024 x 600, but it’s rich enough to provide very sharp images and contours. The unit is also IPX7 waterproof, which basically means that it resists any type of incidental water exposure, even immersions in freshwater.

The unit doesn’t have touchscreen technology. Its usage is done exclusively through the keypad on the right. However, it’s also Bluetooth enabled and compatible with the RC2 remote control (not included). This remote allows you to use various commands without touching the unit, such as marking waypoints, change views etc. The Bluetooth connection also allows you to interconnect your smartphone to the Humminbird unit, in order to view smart notifications on the unit’s display.

Several networking features are also available with this unit. For example, it has High-speed Ethernet which allows you to connect multiple fish finders or other modules to your unit, such as 360 Imaging, Minn Kota Talon, Radar or AIS units. It’s also NMEA 2000 capable, but the adapter is not included.

The unit features a Dual SD Card reader. Therefore, you can use up to two SD cards for chart upgrades, system updates, sonar recording, waypoints, and other information.

Finally, the unit comes with the classic Gimbal mount. The in-dash mounting kit is not included.

The Pros

• • • MEGA Side Imaging and regular Side Imaging;
    • MEGA Down Imaging and regular Down Imaging;
    • CHIRP DualBeam Plus Sonar;
    • XM 9 20 MSI T transom transducer included;
    • Depth capability up to 1,500 ft with the included transducer;
    • 50/200 kHz capable;
    • 360 Imaging capable;
    • 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, EGNOS, and WAAS enhancing;
    • Built-in Humminbird Basemaps;
    • Compatible with LakeMaster Plus, Navionics Gold/HotMaps, Navionics Platinum+, and SmartStrike charts;
    • AutoChart Live with Bottom Hardness and Vegetation features;
    • AIS, i-Pilot Link, Autopilot and Radar capable;
    • Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
    • Wide, 10.1″ display, with a 1024H x 600V pixel matrix, 16-bit color range, and LED backlight;
    • Bluetooth wireless control capable;
    • Ethernet and NMEA 2000 support;
    • IPX7 waterproof;
    • Dual SD card reader;
    • Upgradeable internal software;
    • Gimbal mount included;
    • Unit cover included;
    • Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• • • Does not support weather;
    • Does not support C-MAP charts;
    • Bluetooth remote control is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N is fish finder and chart plotter unit, featuring MEGA SI, MEGA DI, DualBeam Plus CHIRP sonar, GPS, Humminbird Basemap charts, and AC Live. It offers superior networkability, featuring Ethernet, Bluetooth connectivity, also providing NMEA 2000 support. It comes with the XM 9 20 MSI T transducer but it is also compatible with 50/200 kHz transducers and 360 Imaging. It supports many external addons, including Radar, i-Pilot Link, external GPS, AIS and more. It’s an excellent unit for both inland and off-shore fishing, perfect for a wide array of boats.