Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N CHO

The HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G3N CHO is one of the Humminbird fish finder and chartplotter units sold without a transducer. As a general idea, all the “CHO” units do not include a transducer. But nonetheless, this unit does have the MEGA DI sonar built-in, as well as the 2D CHIRP sonar, GPS, and the base charts. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411070-1CHO.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, WVGA 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP, CHIRP Mega Down Imaging
• Transducer: Not included
• Frequency and Coverage: Depends on transducer
• Depth Capability: Depends on transducer
• Power Input: 10.8-20V DC
• Power Draw: 800 mA
• GPS: Internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 45; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)

Sonar features

This Humminbird fish finder has built-in MEGA Down Imaging sonar but also has Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar. It supports a wide range of frequencies, including 50/83/200/455 kHz and 1.2 MHz. Since it’s a Down Imaging unit, it does not support Side Imaging. However, it is a G3N unit and supports 360 Imaging sonar.

Like all the other “CHO” units, the HELIX 411070-1CHO does not include a transducer. It does support several transducers from Humminbird. The standard transducer option that supports all the sonar technologies of this unit is the XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T. You can also opt for the XTM 9 HW MDI 75 T trolling transducer, or for XPT 9 HW T if you don’t need/want to use the Down Imaging sonar.

In case you will opt for the standard XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T transducer, your fish finder system will be able to use both Dual Spectrum CHIRP and MEGA DI, offering depth capabilities up to 1,200 ft (365 m) for 2D, and 350 ft (106 m) in Down Imaging.

Needless to say, the unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. To begin with, it has the SwitchFire feature which allows you to quickly swap between a Max. Mode for viewing all the sonar information on the display, and Clear Mode, for viewing only the biggest targets. Selective Fish ID assigns fish icons to the targets interpreted as fish by the unit, also displaying the depth next to each target – a great tool to have if you’re using only the 2D sonar. The list also includes Real-Time Sonar, Circular Flasher, Bottom Lock, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, Sonar Recording and more.

Navigation features

The HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G3N CHO includes the Humminbird Basemap chart platform. These charts are considerably better than the ContourXD charts offered by the previous HELIX 7 units. They cover both US inland and coastal waters. Over 10,000 US lakes are covered with 1′ depth contours, while for saltwater, they offer precise charting data for the whole U.S. coast, pointing out buoys, hazards, hotels, marinas, daymarkers, spot soundings, and more.

Like most other Humminbird combos, this HELIX 7 CHO unit is compatible with various other premium charts. It supports LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, and also supports the SmartStrike fishing charts.

The unit has its own built-in sonar mapping feature. This is the AutoChart Live. This application is similar to the SonarChart feature offered by the Navionics charts. It uses the 2D sonar and the GPS data to reveal and draw the depth contours of the body of water that you are scanning on the map. Differently put, if the basemap charts do not offer satisfying detail for your favorite lake, you can always map it yourself with the most up-to-date depth contours.

Of course, the unit has internal GPS. Its exact operating frequency is not specified, but it is at least a 5 Hz GPS, which means it can provide position updates of at least 5 times per second. It also has a GPS speed function and can provide position augmentation via EGNOS, MSAS, and WAAS.

The unit can save up to 2,750 waypoints in its memory. You can select various icons for each waypoint to make them more suggestive. Route creation and track plotting functions are also available. The unit can save up to 45 routes and up to 50 tracks with up to 20,000 points for each track.

Since it’s a G3N unit, the 411070-1CHO offers Ethernet support. Therefore, not only that it can support GPS heading sensors and provide AIS data, but it also supports Radar and Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, and Minn Kota Talon Shallow Water Anchor.

Control unit features

The HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G3N CHO has a 7-inch display, with a 16-bit color range with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It has LED backlight and provides excellent readability even in direct sunlight. It’s also IPX7 waterproof.

This HELIX G3N unit comes with the standard Gimbal mount. An in-dash mounting kit is also available, but not included. A unit cover is also not included.

The unit does not have touchscreen technology; it can only be operated via the side keypad. However, it does have integrated Bluetooth, so it can be operated from distance via a RC2 Bluetooth remote control. Plus, you can sync it with your smartphone via the FishSmart App in order to view notifications from your phone on the unit’s display.

In terms of networking, the unit is Ethernet and NMEA 2000 capable. This gives you the possibility to connect multiple fish finders in order to transfer data or share transducers, upgrade to add-on technologies such as Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, 360 Imaging, or CHIRP Radar.

Last but not least, the unit is equipped with a single microSD card reader. Therefore, you can load it with a Navionics or LakeMaster microSD card for additional chart features and detail. You can also use a blank card for data backup, sonar recording, or even for software updates.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• CHIRP Mega Down Imaging and regular CHIRP Down Imaging sonar;
• 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;
• 7″ display, 800 x 480 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;
• MicroSD card reader (1 slot);
• Upgradeable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• Transducer is not included;
• Unit cover is not included;
• In-dash mounting kit is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G3N CHO is a fish finder and chartplotter combo, offering Dual Spectrum CHIRP, Mega DI sonar, GPS, the Humminbird Basemap charts, and AutoChart Live. It does not include a transducer but can be used with several transducers from Humminbird. It also supports Ethernet, NMEA 2000 and various add-ons via such networks, including CHIRP Radar and i-Pilot Link. The unit also has Bluetooth connectivity. In all, it’s a pretty versatile unit, great for a wide range of boats, for both in-land and off-shore fishing.