Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4N

The HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4N is one of the Humminbird fish finders released in 2021. It offers a similar range of features to the HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G4 model that we’ve already covered here. However, it offers extra networking features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Ethernet. It also supports MEGA Live Imaging. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411640-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, WSVGA 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: 10 Hz, internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)
• Networking: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, NMEA 2000

Sonar and transducer

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MDI GPS G4N offers two sonar technologies. These are Dual Spectrum CHIRP and Down Imaging with the Mega mode. The unit does not support Side Imaging but does support Mega Live sonar. It supports multiple base frequencies, including 50/83/200 kHz for standard, and 455/800/1000 kHz for Down Imaging.

The transducer included with the unit is the XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T. This transducer features a durable thermoplastic construction and comes with a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and a 4-pin connector. It is also temperature-capable and the unit can show the water temperature as well as a Temperature Graph.

The transducer can use three conical beams for the standard Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar. Their coverage is 25° @ 180-240 kHz for the Narrow Mode, 42° @ 140-200 kHz for the Wide Mode, and 42° @ 150-220 kHz for the Full Mode. The maximum depth range that can be achieved with this transducer is 1,200 ft. (365 m), when using the Wide Mode. Of course, you can also pair the unit with a 50 kHz transducer for deep water fishing, which would give your fish finder a depth range up to 3,500 ft. (1,066 m).

For the Down Imaging sonar, the transducer casts oval beams. The 440-500 kHz beam offers a wide coverage of 75° and a depth range of 350 ft. (106 m). The MEGA Down Imaging beam offers the same coverage (75°) but its maximum depth range is only 125 ft. (38 m). However, it offers clearer imaging than the regular Down Imaging, which makes it ideal for shallow water fishing.

Of course, the unit offers the full range of standard sonar features and functions. To begin with, it has the Selective Fish ID function, a Circular Flasher mode, Amplitude Scope, Bottom Lock, various alarms, Structure ID, WhiteLine, and more. The unit can also record sonar and offers the possibility to scroll back through the sonar history in case you want to have a second look at a certain spot that you have already scanned.

Navigation features

Similar to all other HELIX units, the Humminbird 411640-1 is a chartplotter and comes pre-loaded with the standard Humminbird Basemap. This chart platform covers more than 10,000 U.S. lakes with high detail contours and a lot of useful data. They also offer coastal coverage for the continental U.S. showing day markers, marinas, hazards, buoys, depth markers, and more.

Of course, the unit also supports various other charts. For example, you can upgrade its chart base to LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, Navionics Gold/HotMaps, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, CoastMaster charts, as well as SmartStrike fishing charts. Plus, the unit has the AutoChart Live feature which gives you the possibility to create your own bathymetric maps.

The unit’s GPS can operate at 10 Hz which means that it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It supports WAAS, MSAS, and EGNOS for position augmentation. The unit also offers the possibility to save up to 2,750 waypoints in its memory, 47 routes, and record up to 50 tracks. Each track can have 20,000 points.

Since it’s G4N unit, the HELIX 411640-1 supports Radar, as well as other useful navigation tools. The list includes AIS, external GPS, Minn Kota Talon / Raptor, Minn i-Pilot Link, and more.

Control unit features

The HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4N features a 16-bit color display with a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V, and LED backlight. It does not have touchscreen technology, just the keypad on the right. It offers quick keys for MENU, GO TO, Mark (waypoints), Zoom, (+/-), View, Exit, and Power. It also has the large cursor control key. Its interface is highly intuitive and easy to use.

The unit is IPX 7 waterproof. This means it can withstand incidental water exposure such as rain or splashes, and even immersions in fresh water up to 1 m. The mount included with it is the classic Gimbal model. A flush mount and a unit cover are not included.

Since it’s a G4N unit, it offers superior networking features. To begin with, it has both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Therefore, you can pair it with a remote control via Bluetooth or control your Talon or Raptor shallow water anchors. The Wi-Fi connection allows easy software updates or various downloads via the Humminbird FishSmart app.

Ethernet and NMEA ports are also available. These offer the possibility to connect your HELIX chartplotter to various other instruments such as i-Pilot link, GPS heading sensors, AIS units, as well as Radar. Plus, the unit is One-Boat Network compatible. And finally, the unit has a dual microSD card slot for Navionics, LakeMaster, CoastMaster, SmartStrike, or AC Zero Line Contours.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• Mega Down Imaging sonar;
• XNT 9 HW MDI 75 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 7″ 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, and Cannon Downriggers;
• One-Boat Network compatible;
• Supports AIS and GPS heading sensors;
• Two microSD card slots;
• Upgradeable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

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

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4N is a fish finder and chartplotter. It comes with the XNT 9 HW MDI 75 T transducer and offers Dual Spectrum CHIRP, MEGA Down Imaging, GPS, Humminbird Basemaps, as well as a wide array of networking features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NMEA 2000, Ethernet, and One-Boat Network compatibility. It’s a versatile fish finder, great for a wide array of boats, for both inland and off-shore fishing.