Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N is one of the Humminbird fish finders released in the second part of 2020. It’s similar to the HELIX 9 CHIRP MDI+ GPS G4N, but evidently, it has a wider 10.1″ display. It also takes SD cards, not microSD cards. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411410-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 10.1″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, WVGA 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP, CHIRP Mega DI+
• Transducer: Transom XM 9 HW MDI 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°
  DI+: 435-535 kHz / 75°, 800-860 kHz / 45°
  MDI+: 1100-1200 kHz / 75°
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 1,200 ft.(365 m)
  Down Imaging: 400 ft. (122 m)
  Mega Down Imaging+: 200 ft. (61 m)
• Power Output: 1,000 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20V DC
• Power Draw: 2.7 Amp
• GPS: Internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)
• Networking: NMEA 2000, Ethernet, Bluetooth, WiFi

Sonar and transducer

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N makes available two sonar technologies. These are Dual Spectrum CHIRP and Down Imaging. The unit supports multiple base frequencies, including 50/83/200 kHz for the standard CHIRP sonar, and 455/800/1200 kHz for Down Imaging. It also supports Mega 360 Imaging if paired with a corresponding transducer.

The unit comes with the XM 9 HW MDI T transducer which has a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and a four-pin connector. It also integrates a temperature sensor and the unit has a Temperature Graph feature which can be useful especially if you’re looking for certain water currents.

The transducer supports both types of sonar built-in the unit. For Dual Spectrum CHIRP is casts conical beams with a coverage of 25° for the Narrow Mode (180-240 kHz), 42° for the Wide Mode (140-200 kHz), and 42° for the Full Mode (150-220 kHz). The maximum depth range for the Dual Spectrum CHIRP that can be achieved with this transducer is 1,200 ft. (365 m) when using the Wide Mode (140-200 kHz).

For Down Imaging, the transducer uses oval beams with angles of 45° @ 800 kHz (800-860 kHz), and 75° @ 455 kHz (435-535 kHz). The MEGA DI+ beam is also 75° wide. The maximum depth range for the 455 kHz beam is 400 ft. (122 m) while the maximum depth that can be achieved with the MEGA DI+ beam is 200 ft. (61 m).

Needless to say, the unit offers the full range of standard sonar functions. Among them, we can count Selective Fish ID, SwitchFire, WhiteLine, Bottom Lock, A-Scope, Structure ID, Circular Flasher, and more. Sonar Snapshot and Sonar Recording functions are available as well.

Navigation features

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MDI+ GPS G4N is also a chartplotter. It is equipped with the standard Humminbird Basemap. These charts offer coverage for both coastal continental U.S. and for more than 10,000 U.S. lakes. They offer data with regards to day markers, hazards, buoys, marinas, and other important points of interest.

The unit also supports various other charts. The list includes Navionics+ Gold/HotMaps, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, LakeMaster, LakeMaster+, CoastMaster, and SmartStrike fishing charts. Plus, it has the AutoChart Live feature which gives you the possibility to reveal and record the depth contours of any body of water. Thus, you can create your own custom bathymetric fishing maps.

The unit’s internal GPS operates at 10 Hz; this means it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It can use WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS for position augmentation. It also has a GPS speed function, so it can calculate and indicate the speed of your boat based on the GPS input. Also, the unit can save up to 2,750 waypoints in its memory, 47 routes, and 50 tracks. Each track can have up to 20,000 points.

Since the unit is part of the G4N series, it offers superior networking features. Therefore, it can communicate with various other boating instruments. It supports CHIRP Radar, Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, and can communicate with Minn Kota motors and Cannon Optimum downriggers. It also supports AIS data, external GPS sensors, and more.

Control unit features

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N features a color display, 10.1″ in diagonal, with a pixel matrix of 1024H x 600V. It also has adjustable LED backlight for improved readability in direct sunlight or at night.

The unit is keypad-operated and does not have cross-touch technology. It is also IPX7 waterproof. It comes with the standard Gimbal mount and also includes a unit cover. The flush mount is optional (not included).

The unit offers superior networking features. To begin with, it has Ethernet and NMEA 2000 ports which makes it easy to integrate in an already existent boat network and/or communicate with other boating instruments. It also has WiFi and Bluetooth, so you can sync it with your smartphone or tablet via the FishSmart app. This way, you can easily download software updates, maps, control Raptor or Talon anchors, or control your unit remotely with an RC2 remote control.

As we’ve mentioned above, the unit has a dual SD card reader, as opposed to the smaller units that use microSD cards. Therefore, you can use a Navionics or CoastMaster card in parallel with a Zero Lines contour card for the AC Live feature without the need to swap cards.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• Mega Down Imaging+ sonar;
• XM 9 HW MDI T transducer included;
• Depth capability up to 1,200 ft. with the included transducer;
• Supports 50 kHz;
• Multiple sonar functions available, such as A-Scope, Bottom Lock, WhiteLine, Fish ID+, Alarms, SwitchFire, etc;
• Sonar Recording and Screen Snapshot functions;
• 10 Hz internal GPS;
• Humminbird Basemap;
• AutoChart Live;
• Supports Navionics+, Navionics Gold/HotMaps, Navionics Platinum+, LakeMaster Plus, CoastMaster, and SmartStrike charts;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• Large 10.1″ display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 for crisp imaging;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• Built-in NMEA 2000 and Ethernet;
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity;
• Compatible with the FishSmart App and the RC Bluetooth remote controls;
• Supports Radar, I-Pilot Link, Talon and Raptor anchors, Cannon Downriggers, and One-Boat Networks;
• Supports AIS and GPS heading sensors;
• Dual SD card reader;
• Upgradeable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• Flush mount is not included;
• A trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MDI+ GPS G4N is a fish finder and chartplotter offering Mega DI+ sonar, Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, GPS, and the Humminbird Basemap charts. It includes the XM 9 HW MDI T transducer as well. It also offers superior networking features such as Ethernet and NMEA 2000, as well as Bluetooth and WiFi. It is a versatile unit, great for off-shore and inland fishing, and for a wide variety of boats.