Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N

The HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N is one of the discontinued Humminbird units. That’s because ever since its release, several other better models were launched. One of the newest models is the HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G3N. But nonetheless, the older unit may still be available. So, in this post, we’re going to address the Humminbird part number 410340-1, which is a fish finder and chartplotter system, including GPS, the UniMap Charts, AC Live, CHIRP enhanced SI and DI sonar, and also includes a transducer.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, color TFT, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, 16-bit color, with backlight
• Sonar: CHIRP Side Imaging, CHIRP Down Imaging, CHIRP DualBeam Plus with SwitchFire
• Depth Capability:
  • 150 feet (46 m) for Side Imaging and Down Imaging
  • 1500 feet (457 m) for DualBeam Plus (2D)
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • DualBeam Plus: 200 kHz (175-225 kHz) / 20° and 83 kHz (75-95 kHz) / 60°
  • Down Imaging: 455 kHz (420-520 kHz) / Narrow, Medium and Wide fan-shaped cone
  • Side Imaging: 455 kHz (420-520 kHz) / 85° (x2), 240 ft. on each side of the boat
• Transducer: Transom XNT 9 SI 180 T
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20 VDC
• Power Draw: 900 mA
• GPS: Internal
• Maps: Humminbird UniMap (built-in)
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 50, 2,500, 50 (20,000 points each)

Navigation functions

Just as the other HELIX units released for 2017, the HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N features the AutoChart Live software, which gives you the possibility to reveal the depth contours of basically any body of water. It uses the 2D sonar and GPS information, in order to draw the depth contours of your lake so that you can benefit from the most up to date depth contours. Also, since this is a G2N unit, the AC Live feature comes with two extra capabilities, these being vegetation and bottom hardness mapping. In other words, it gives you the possibility to color code various parts of the lake or reservoir where you’re fishing, depending on the vegetation density or the structure of the bottom. Your unit can record up to 8 hours of mapping in its internal memory, or more, in case you use a Zero Lines card chip. Also, note that the AC Live feature requires a LakeMaster or Navionics charts chip as a map source.

The unit itself comes with the UniMap charts, which are the most basic Humminbird charts. They reveal boundaries between water and land at 30 m per pixel. However, the unit is compatible with various other charts, such as LakeMaster Plus, Navionics Plus, and Navionics Platinum. Also, this unit is compatible with SmartStrike chips, which are basically fishing charts, which point out the areas where the fish are biting, depending on various parameters, such as time of day, season, temperature, etc.

This HELIX unit features a fast and accurate internal GPS system, which can offer fixes in 2.5 meters, enhanced by EGNOS and WAAS. The unit is also capable of displaying the vessel’s speed, by using the GPS data. It can store up to 2,500 waypoints, 50 routes, and 50 tracks, with up to 20,000 points per track.

The system’s navigation capabilities don’t end here. This unit is also AIS, i-Pilot Link, and RADAR compatible. These applications require optional accessories, though, such as an AIS module, radar antenna, or the i-Pilot Link setup.

Sonar and transducer

This HELIX 7 unit comes with the XNT 9 SI 180 T transom transducer, which is also temperature capable. This transducer supports all the unit’s sonar types, Side Imaging, Down Imaging and DualBeam Plus. The unit can use the 83/200 kHz sonar frequencies for its DualBeam Plus sonar, and 455 kHz for SI and DI. Also, since it’s a CHIRP unit, the system can modulate the sonar pulse on a range of frequencies rather than using only one frequency, in order to provide superior clarity for the images, less clutter, and a better target separation. The pulse is modulated over 75-95 kHz, and respectively 175-225 kHz for 2D, while for SI and DI over 420-520 kHz.

The sonar beams used by the transducer for DualBeam Plus sonar are conical. They offer a coverage of 60° for the 83 kHz frequency, and 20° for 200 kHz. However, for Side Imaging and Down Imaging the transducer uses thin beams fore-to-aft wise, but wider side-to-side. For example, the SI beams are 86° wide. They can also extend up to 240 ft on each side of a boat, for a total coverage of 480 ft.

With the supplied XNT 9 SI 180 T transducer, the unit’s depth capabilities are 150 ft (45 m) for Side Imaging and Down Imaging, and up to 1,500 ft (457 m) for DualBeam Plus. However, the unit can use 50 kHz capable transducers, in order to scan depths up to 2,500 ft. Also, since it’s a G2N unit, the Humminbird HELIX 410340-1 is 360 Imaging capable. The 360 Imaging transducer is optional, though.

The unit makes available several useful functions in its 2D mode. For example, SwitchFire is a quick noise filter, which gives you the possibility to quickly swap between a view showing all the information caught by the transducer, and a “clear mode” view, which eliminates most of the clutter focusing on the biggest targets only. This unit has Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind functions, which can be very useful on the water if you want to re-view a certain area without re-scanning it.

Selective Fish ID+ is another function available with this unit. It replaces the fish arches (or at least the sonar returns that are considered fish) with fish symbols. The depth of each fish symbol is displayed above it. The color of the fish symbols indicates the sonar beam that has caught them. For example, the fish detected by the 200 kHz beam will appear orange, while the ones in the 83 kHz beam will appear green. A Fish Alarm is also available with the Fish ID+ mode. This fish alarm has 3 settings. You can enable it to sound for Large, Large/Medium and All fish targets detected.

Other functions are also available, including the Circular Flasher view for ice or stationary fishing, Bottom Lock, Real-Time Sonar, Depth Alarm, Mark Structure on Sonar, etc.

Control unit features

Since it’s a G2N unit, the HELIX 410340-1 is wireless control ready. It’s compatible with the Humminbird Bluetooth remote control, which features 7 dual-action keys. This remote control can operate several functions of the unit, such as marking waypoints, taking screen snapshots, create i-Pilot Link spot locks, and others. The remote control is not included with the unit, though.

This HELIX unit features a 7-inch display, full color, with a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It also has LED backlight. Thus, it offers excellent readability if the sunlight hits the display directly, or when fishing during night time. It has a gimbal standard mount, but there’s the option of an in-dash mounting kit. The unit is also IPX7 waterproof, meaning that it can resist incidental water exposure or rain. However, it’s still recommended to be thoroughly wiped if it is reached by saltwater droplets.

Last but not least, 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.

The Pros

• CHIRP DualBeam Plus Sonar, CHIRP Side Imaging and CHIRP Down Imaging Sonar;
• XNT 9 SI 180 T transducer included;
• Depth capability up to 1,500 ft with the included transducer, great for inland fishing, and even for shallow 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 resolution, 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;
• Bluetooth remote control not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2N is mid-range fish finder and chartplotter system, including 2D, Side Imaging and Down Imaging sonar, an accurate internal GPS, AutoChart Live with extra features, also being able to support various add-ons, such as AIS, HD Radar, i-Pilot Link, or 360 Imaging. It’s a system great for both freshwater and saltwater, suitable for boats of all sizes. It’s not exactly the most affordable, but considering its vast array of features and available options, it’s pretty safe to say it comes with an excellent price/value ratio.