Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N

Although the HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N is not on the list of Humminbird discontinued units (yet), there is a newer and more inclusive version, the HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3N. Nonetheless, in this post, we’re going to address the older version, the Humminbird part number 410320-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V 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: 10-20V DC
• Power Draw: 900 mA
• GPS: Internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 50; 2,500; 50 (20,000 points each)

GPS and other navigation functions

This Humminbird HELIX unit is equipped with a powerful internal GPS, which provides quick locks with an accuracy of 2.5 meters. It uses the GPS system to determine and display the speed of your boat. The unit’s internal memory can store up to 2,500 waypoints, and 50 routes, with up to 50 waypoints per route. It also has a trackplotting function, being able to record up to 50 tracks, with up to 20,000 points per track.

In terms of charts, the HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N comes with the standard Humminbird Basemap. This chart platform offers coverage for more than 10,000 U.S. lakes, as well as the U.S. East Coast, and West Coast showing a wide array of points of interest such as marinas, hazards, buoys, nav-aids, spot sounding, piers, etc. Although they don’t offer the detail of Navionics+ charts, they’re pretty close.

This unit also comes with the AutoChart Live application, which can use the 2D sonar information and charts, in order to map the contours of a certain body of water. For the G2N units, AC Live also includes two extra features, these being Bottom Hardness and Vegetation. Differently put, via AC Live you can scan a certain area, and enhance your maps with the bottom contours, also color-coding bottom hardness and areas with vegetation.

The Bird’s Eye view function is available with this unit. It offers a 3D view of your location, with a point of view above and behind the boat. This evidently enhances situational awareness. Drift Alarm and Man-Over-Board functions are also included.

As opposed to the G2 units, the G2N models, including the 410320-1 one presented here are AIS, i-Pilot Link, and Radar capable. These applications require optional accessories, though, such as an AIS module, radar antenna, or the i-Pilot Link setup. Needless to say, the unit supports charts from LakeMaster and Navionics, including the SonarChart application.

Sonar and transducer

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N has only DualBeam Plus sonar, without Side Imaging or Down Imaging. Also, its sonar cannot be upgraded with SI or DI. However, it does use CHIRP technology, which allows the sonar pulse modulation over a range of frequencies, rather than just one frequency. Therefore, the system can supply clearer images, with a superior target separation.

The unit can use the 50/83/200 kHz frequencies, but with the included XNT 9 20 T transducer it can only use the 83/200 kHz frequencies. The CHIRP modulation intervals are between 75-95 kHz (Mid Range CHIRP) and 175-225 kHz (High Range CHIRP). Also, with the supplied transducer, the system can scan depths up to 1,500 ft. (457 m), but if equipped with a 50 kHz capable transducer, or Low CHIRP (28-75 kHz), it should be able to provide a bottom reading at depths up to 2,500 ft (762 m). This unit is also 360 Imaging sonar capable, compatible with the Humminbird 360 Imaging deployable transducer.

In terms of coverage, the transducer uses conical beams, 20° wide for 200 kHz, and 60° wide for 83 kHz. Also, since the sonar application of the unit is DualBeam Plus, it can use both beams simultaneously, and you can view them in split-screen for comparisons.

Selective Fish ID+, Real-Time Sonar, SwitchFire, Sonar Recording, Flasher, Fish Alarms and others, are also functions included with this unit.

Control unit features

One of the features that tell the G2N units from the G2, is the wireless control capability. The HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N is compatible with the Humminbird Bluetooth remote control, which features 7 keys with dual action. This remote allows you to use various functions on the unit, such as mark waypoints, create an i-Pilot Link Spot-Lock etc., without touching the unit, which can be quite convenient in many cases. This accessory is not included, though.

The unit features a 7-inch diagonal display, with an 800H x 480V pixel matrix, and LED backlight. Just as for all the other HELIX 7 units, this unit’s display is WVGA, TFT color, with a 16-bit color range.

The control unit does not have touchscreen or cross-touch technology, such as the ONIX8ci SI Combo. Navigation through the menus and functions is done exclusively from the keypad on the right of the unit.

This HELIX model does not have touchscreen technology. The unit is also IPX7 waterproof, which means it’s built to endure incidental water exposure or even immersions in freshwater, up to 1m.

In terms of networking, this unit is NMEA 2000 ready and also features an Ethernet port. However, it only has one card slot for its microSD card reader, for chart upgrades or sonar recording.

Last but not least, the unit comes with a standard gimbal mount, but an in-dash mounting kit 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;
• UniMap charts included;
• AutoChart Live with Bottom Hardness and Vegetation features;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• 800 x 480 pixel matrix, 16-bit color display, with LED backlight, providing clear images, easy to read even in direct sunlight;
• 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 (1 slot);
• Upgradeable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• No unit cover;
• No temperature graph function.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G2N is a mid-range fish finder and chartplotter system, featuring DualBeam Plus sonar, GPS, UniMap charts, and the AC Live software, with Vegetation and Bottom Hardness functions. The unit also comes with the transom XNT 9 20 T transducer. Its internal charts may not be the best, but the good news is they’re upgradable. This unit is also opened to various other navigations and sonar options, such as i-Pilot Link, Radar AIS, or 360 Imaging sonar, with the apposite accessories.

It’s a system great for boats of all sizes, for both saltwater and freshwater. Therefore, considering that it’s a CHIRP capable unit, comes with a transducer that covers all its sonar functions, has GPS and excellent charting capabilities, we can safely say it offers a decent price/value ratio.