Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP GPS G2N

The HELIX 12 CHIRP GPS G2N is one of the discontinued Humminbird fish finders. It’s also a chartplotter pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap charts and has a built-in GPS receiver. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 410360-1, the one that includes the XNT 9 20 T transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 12.1 diagonal, 16-bit color TFT, 1280H x 800V pixel resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio, glass bonded, with LED backlight
• Sonar: CHIRP DualBeam Plus
• Depth Capability: 1500 feet (457 m)
• Frequency and Coverage: 200 kHz / 20° and 83 kHz / 60°
• Transducer: Transom XNT 9 20 T
• Power Output: 1000 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20 VDC
• Power Draw: 1.75 Amps
• GPS: 10 Hz, internal
• Maps: Humminbird Basemap, AutoChart Live
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,500; 50 (20,000 points each)

Sonar and transducer

The Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP GPS G2N includes the classic XNT 9 20 T transducer, which is capable of 83 kHz with a CHIRP pulse modulation of 75-95 kHz, and respectively 200 kHz with a modulation of 175-225 kHz. The unit itself can also operate in a 50 kHz CHIRP interval, and you can pair it with a 50/200 kHz transducer if you want to benefit from a depth penetration up to 3,500 ft (1,066 m).

The transducer integrates a temperature sensor, has a transom mount, and 20′ (6m) of cable. It uses two conical beams with a coverage of 60° at 83 kHz, and 20° at 200 kHz. Its maximum depth capability is 1,500 ft (457 m) in freshwater when using the 83 kHz beam. For saltwater, its depth capability isn’t specified, but it should be considerably less than 1,500 ft.

The included XNT 9 20 T transducer should be able to maintain an optimal bottom reading at speeds up to 35 MPH. However, the recommended boat speed for the best imaging and a maximum of detected targets is between 3-7 MPH.

The unit’s sonar application is DualBeam Plus. This means it can use both frequencies simultaneously, and you can view the returns from both beams in split screen.

This Humminbird fish finder does not support Side Imaging or Down Imaging, but it is compatible with the Humminbird 360 Imaging Sonar. Therefore, you can pair it with a 360 Imaging deployable transducer (not included).

There are many other sonar features and applications available with this unit. Among them, we can count SwitchFire, Real Time Sonar (RTS), Selective Fish ID+, Circular Flasher, Bottom Lock, Sonar Recording, and more.

Navigation features

As we’ve mentioned above, this Humminbird HELIX unit comes preloaded with the Humminbird Basemap. This is the new standard Humminbird chart base which offers much better detail and more information than the previous ContourXD. It covers more than 10,000 lakes and also offers coverage for the U.S. coastal waters. It also shows hazards, marinas, buoys, daymakers, depth markers, and much more.

The unit is compatible with various premium charts. The compatibility list includes LakeMaster charts, Navionics Gold, Navionics Platinum+, and SmartStrike fishing charts.

The AutoChart Live feature is also included with this Humminbird unit. This feature uses the 2D and GPS sonar information giving you the possibility to reveal the depth contours of your lake and draw them on the map. This way, you can create personalized maps with the most up to date depth contours. Also, since this is a G2N unit, the AC Live has the vegetation and bottom hardness features.

AutoChart Live offers a span of 8 hours of record time. However, you can always upgrade the unit’s recording possibilities by using a Zero Lines SD card. Zero Lines SD cards are specifically designed for the AC Live feature; they basically offer an adequate foundation for you to create accurate charts with the AutoChart Live feature.

The unit is equipped with a 10 Hz internal GPS/GLONASS receiver which provides 10 position updates per second. The unit is also capable of providing enhanced position fixes via WAAS, EGNOS, or MSAS.

The HELIX 12 CHIRP GPS G2N offers a waypoint creation feature with a nice palette of icons, so you can personalize your waypoints better. It can save up to 2,500 waypoints within its internal memory, and up to 47 routes (50 waypoints per route). It can also record tracks, being able to hold up to 50 trails (20,000 points per trail). You can convert trails to routes if you want to retrace them, and you can also add waypoints to them.

Last but not least, this Humminbird fish finder and chartplotter can support various external tools via Ethernet and an NMEA network. For example, it can support external GPS modules, AIS units, Radar, it’s compatible with Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, and more.

Control unit features

As its name suggests, the HELIX 12 CHIRP GPS G2N features a 12.1″ diagonal display. It has a 16-bit color range and a pixel resolution of 1280 x 800, providing crisp imaging for the sonar, maps, and other applications. It has adjustable LED backlight, offering an excellent readability in direct sunlight. It’s also IPX7 waterproof.

The unit is keypad operated. It doesn’t have cross-touch technology and its display is not responsive. However, the navigation through its menus and the usage of functions is done with ease via the keypad on the right. Also, its interface is very straightforward.

In terms of networking, the unit supports Ethernet and NMEA 2000. This being said, it can easily be integrated into a boat’s network in order to communicate with various other connected instruments.

Bluetooth connectivity is also included. Therefore, you can sync this Humminbird unit with your phone or tablet for data streaming. This way, you can view smart notifications from your phone on your unit. Also, the Bluetooth connection allows it to be operated from the distance with the RC2 remote control (not included).

A dual SD card reader is another useful feature. This being said, you can use two chart cards simultaneously, without the need to continuously swap them. Or you can use a data card and the chart card at the same time.

Finally, the standard Gimbal mounting kit and a unit cover are included. There is also the option of an in-dash mounting kit.

The Pros

• CHIRP DualBeam Plus sonar;
• XNT 9 20 T standard transducer included;
• Supports 50/83/200 kHz frequencies;
• 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, ENGOS, and WAAS enhancing;
• Humminbird Basemap charts;
• Supports LakeMaster, Navionics, and SmartStrike charts;
• AutoChart Live with Bottom Hardness and Vegetation features;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• Large, 12.1″ display, with a 1280 x 800 pixel matrix, and LED backlight for a better reading in direct sunlight or at night;
• AIS, i-Pilot Link, and Radar capable;
• Bluetooth wireless control capable;
• You can sync the unit with your phone as well via Bluetooth, in order to view smart notifications;
• Ethernet and NMEA 2000 capable;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• Dual SD card reader;
• Upgradeable internal software;
• Unit cover included;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• In-dash mount not included;
• RC2 Bluetooth remote control is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 12 CHIRP GPS G2N is a fish finder and chartplotter unit, featuring CHIRP DualBeam Plus sonar, internal GPS, Humminbird Basemaps, and AutoChart Live. It includes the standard XNT 9 20 T transducer. It’s Bluetooth control capable, offers superior networking possibilities (NMEA 2000, Ethernet) and is compatible with various external modules such as Radar, AIS or i-Pilot Link systems. In all, it’s a highly versatile unit, fitting to a wide array of boats, offering an excellent price/value ratio.