Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N is one of the Humminbird fish finders released at the end of 2020. It’s basically the same as the HELIX 8 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N, but has a larger display and uses SD cards, not microSD. It’s a chartplotter as well, equipped with the Humminbird Basemap and AutoChart Live. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411420-1.

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 Side Imaging+, MEGA Down Imaging+
• Frequencies supported: 50/83/200/455/800/1200 kHz
• Transducer: Transom XM 9 HW MSI T
• Beam coverage:
  Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 25°, 42°
  Down Imaging: 45°, 75°
  Side Imaging: 800 ft. (244 m), 250 ft. (76 m), 400 ft. (122 m)
• Max. Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 1,200 ft. (365 m)
  Down Imaging: 400 ft. (122 m)
  Side Imaging: 125 ft. (38 m)
• Power Output: 1,000 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20V DC
• Power Draw: 1.2 Amps
• GPS: 10 Hz, internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)

Sonar and transducer

The HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N has offers three sonar technologies. These are Dual Spectrum CHIRP, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging. As its name suggests, it has the MEGA Imaging+ modes for the SI and DI, which provides superior detail and range. Also, the unit supports MEGA 360+ Imaging sonar.

The unit supports multiple frequencies, including 50/83/200 kHz for the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, and 455/800/1,200 kHz for MEGA SI+ and MEGA DI+. However, the included XM 9 HW MSI T transducer does not support 50/83 kHz. For the standard CHIRP sonar, it operates in the 200 kHz range. It uses conical beams with a coverage of 25° for the unit’s Narrow Mode (180-240 kHz), and 42° for the Wide Mode (140-200 kHz). Its maximum depth range is 1,200 ft. (365 m).

For Down Imaging, the transducer uses oval beams. Their coverage is 75° for the 435-535 kHz and 1,100-1,200 kHz CHIRP ranges, and 45° @ 800-860 kHz. The beams’ depth capabilities are 400 ft. (122 m) @ 455 kHz, 125 ft. (38 m) @ 800 kHz, and 200 ft. (61 m) for the MEGA DI+ mode.

For Side Imaging, the included transducer can also use three frequency ranges. The side-to-side range is 800 ft. (244 m) for 455 kHz, 250 ft. (76 m) for 800 kHz, and 400 ft. (122 m) for the MEGA SI+ mode, at 1.2 MHz.

The included XM 9 HW MSI T transducer comes with a metallic transom mount. It has 20 ft. (6 m) of cable and integrates a temperature sensor. The unit not only can show the temperature of the top water layer (where the transducer is normally placed), it also has a Temperature Graph function.

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar functions and applications. The list includes Amplitude Scope, Selective Fish ID, Circular Flasher, Bottom Lock, Structure ID, SwitchFire, Depth Alarm, Fish Alarm, Sonar SnapShot, Sonar Recording, and more.

Navigation features

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N is equipped with a 10 Hz internal GPS receiver. This means that it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It supports WAAS, MSAS, and EGNOS for position augmentation. It can save up to 2,750 waypoints in its memory, 47 routes, and 50 tracks. Each route can contain up to 50 waypoints, and each track can have up to 20,000 points.

Just like the other HELIX units, the Humminbird 411420-1 is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap. These charts cover more than 10,000 lakes and coastal coverage for the continental U.S. They show data such as day markers, buoys, hazards, marinas, and other points of interest. Plus, the unit supports various premium charts such as Navionics Gold/HotMaps, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, SmartStrike fishing maps, LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, and the new CoastMaster charts.

The AutoChart Live feature is also available. This application uses the GPS and 2D sonar data to reveal and record the depth contours of the lake that you are scanning. Therefore, if the included maps do not offer satisfying detail for your favorite lake, you can always craft your own custom fishing charts with the most up-to-date contours. The unit can save up to 8 hours of AC Live recordings, but you can always expand its memory with a Zero Lines special SD card.

Since the unit is a G4N, 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 HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N features a 10.1″ diagonal, WVGA color display, with a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V and LED backlight. It doesn’t have touchscreen technology like the Solix models, only the side keypad. Its interface is fairly easy to use and highly intuitive. Also, the unit is IPX7 waterproof which means it can withstand incidental water exposure with no problem.

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.

Two SD card slots are available on this Humminbird unit. This is a plus because you can use two SD cards simultaneously, such as a Navionics card and a blank data card, without the need to continuously swap them.

Last but not least, the unit comes with a screen cover and the standard gimbal mounting bracket. A flush mount is available for it, but not included.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP;
• MEGA Down Imaging+;
• MEGA Side Imaging+;
• XM 9 HW MSI 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 chart platform built-in;
• AutoChart Live included;
• Supports Navionics+, 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;
• RC2 remote control is not included;
• A trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N is a fish finder and chartplotter featuring Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, MEGA DI+ sonar, MEGA SI+ sonar GPS, Humminbird Basemaps, AutoChart Live, superior networking features such as Ethernet and NMEA 2000, as well as wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and Wi-Fi). It also includes the XM 9 HW MSI T for both 2D CHIRP and structure scanning. It’s a pretty complete unit, great for a wide range of boats, for both off-shore and inland fishing.