Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G3N

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G3N offers essentially the same sonar and navigation features as the HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G3. However, it has extra networking capabilities, such as Ethernet and NMEA 2000. It also supports 360 Imaging sonar and CHIRP Radar. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411070-1. It is also referred to as the Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G3N.

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: Transom XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • 2D Narrow Mode: 180-240 kHz / 25°
  • 2D Wide mode: 140-200 kHz / 42°
  • 2D Full mode: 150-220 kHz (adjustable) / 42°
  • Down Imaging: 440-500 kHz / 75°
  • Mega Down Imaging: 1075-1150 kHz / 75°
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  • Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 1,200 ft (365 m)
  • Down Imaging: 350 ft (106 m)
  • Mega Down Imaging: 125 ft (38 m)
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• 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 and transducer

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G3N is capable of multiple base frequencies, including 50/83/200/455 kHz. It offers two sonar technologies, these being Dual Spectrum CHIRP and CHIRP Down Imaging. Of course, as its name suggests, it also offers the Mega Down Imaging mode.

The unit offers three main operation modes for Dual Spectrum CHIRP. These are Narrow (180-240 kHz), Wide (140-200 kHz), and Full Mode (150-220 kHz). The CHIRP intervals for Narrow and Wide mode are fixed; the Full Mode interval is adjustable, though.

For Down Imaging, you can use the regular mode at 455 kHz (440-500 kHz) for a better depth capability, or the Mega DI mode at 1075-1150 kHz for maximum imaging sharpness.

The unit includes the XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T transducer. This particular transducer features a rugged design, it comes with a transom mount, has 20′ (6m) of cable, and also incorporates a temperature sensor.

The XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T transducer backs all the unit’s sonar modes, except 50 kHz. For Dual Spectrum CHIRP it uses conical beams with a coverage of 42° when using Full or Wide mode, and 25° when using Narrow Mode. Its maximum depth capability is 1,200 ft (365 m). However, is you will be using a 50 kHz CHIRP transducer for this unit, the system should be able to reach depths up to 3,500 ft (1,066 m).

For Down Imaging, the transducer uses thin beams fore-to-aft, but a bit wider side-to-side than the 2D beams. When using the 455 kHz (440-500 kHz) mode, it offers a coverage of 75° and a depth capability of 350 ft (106 m), while when using the Mega DI mode, it can reach depths up to 125 ft (38 m). The Mega DI beam is also approx. 75°.

Although the unit’s 2D sonar is different than for the older unit, the HELIX 7 CHIRP DI GPS G2N, it still has the SwitchFire feature, which allows you to quickly swap between Max. Mode (for all the sonar information) and Clear Mode (for eliminating all the clutter and focusing on the biggest targets). Other 2D sonar features included are Selective Fish ID, Real Time Sonar (RTS), Bottom Lock, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, Screen Snapshot, and more. The unit also has Sonar Recording so you can look through the sonar history if needed.

Last but not least, this unit is capable of 360 Imaging. However, in order to use this sonar mode, you will need the deployable 360 Imaging transducer (not included).

Navigation features

As the unit’s name suggests, this Humminbird HELIX unit is a sonar and GPS combo. It is equipped with an internal GPS system, and also supports external GPS heading sensors. It can provide position enhancements via WAAS, MSAS, and EGNOS. It also offers a GPS Speed function, which means the unit can calculate the speed of your boat.

The unit offers track plotting, waypoint, and route creation functions. It can save up to 50 tracks in its memory and each track can have up to 20,000 points. You can save up to 2,750 waypoints and up to 45 routes in its memory. Each waypoint can be customized with a suggestive icon so that you can personalize your maps better. Also, each plotted track can be converted into a route to which you can add waypoints later on.

In terms of charts, the HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G3N has the Humminbird Basemap platform. These charts offer inland and coastal coverage. They include contours, points of interest, and navigation aids for more than 10,000 U.S. lakes. For saltwater, these charts are based on the NOAA charts; they offer precise charting data for the whole U.S. coast, pointing out buoys, hazards, hotels, marinas, daymarkers, spot soundings, and more.

The unit is also compatible with various premium charts such as Navionics Platinum+, Navionics Plus, LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, and SmartStrike fishing charts. It has a microSD card, so you can always opt for an additional chart base which you can use as an alternative to the already included Humminbird Basemap platform.

AutoChart Live is also an included feature. This feature is similar to the Navionics SonarChart feature. It gives you the possibility to map the water as you sail your boat, revealing depth contours, reefs, humps, holes, wrecks, and other structures, all in real-time, based on the 2D sonar and GPS information. This being said, if your current chart base doesn’t offer satisfying coverage for your lake or the body of water where you’re fishing, the AC Live feature always has you covered. The unit can store up to 8 hours of recording, but you can always opt for a Zero Lines microSD card in order to considerably expand the recording possibilities and to benefit from a specifically designed platform for the AC Live feature.

As opposed to the HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G3 that we’ve already covered here, the G3N unit not only can provide data from AIS units, it also supports Radar, Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, and Minn Kota Talon Shallow Water Anchor.

Control unit features

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

The unit’s interface is keypad operated. It does not have cross-touch technology like the SOLIX 10 CHIRP Mega SI GPS, though. It has integrated Bluetooth technology, which allows you to sync it with your smartphone via the FishSmart App, in order to get notifications and use other features. It’s also compatible with the RC2 Bluetooth remote control which allows you to control most of the fish finding and navigation features without touching the unit.

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.

As we’ve mentioned above, the unit has a microSD card reader with one slot. Therefore, you can opt for an extra microSD card with Navionics or LakeMaster charts. However, you can also use a microSD card for data transfer, software updates, or sonar recording.

Like most other Humminbird fish finders, 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 Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• CHIRP Mega Down Imaging and regular CHIRP Down Imaging sonar;
• XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T transducer included;
• 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;
• 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

• Bluetooth remote control not included;
• In-dash mounting kit not included;
• Unit cover not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP Mega DI GPS G3N is a fish finder and chartplotter combo, offering Dual Spectrum CHIRP, Mega Down Imaging, GPS, the Humminbird Basemap charts, and AutoChart Live. It includes the XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T transducer, and 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.