Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G4N

The HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G4N is pretty similar to the HELIX 7 CHIRP MSI G4 that we’ve already covered here, and comes with the same transducer. However, since it’s a G4N unit, it has superior networking features such as built-in NMEA 2000, Ethernet, and wireless connectivity. It also has a dual microSD card slot and three extra shortcut buttons on its side keypad. For reference, this is the Humminbird fish finder part number 411650-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 7-inch diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, WVGA 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP, CHIRP Mega Side Imaging, CHIRP Mega Down Imaging
• Transducer: Transom XNT 9 HW MSI 150 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°
  Side Imaging: 440-500 kHz / 86°
  Mega Side Imaging: 1075-1150 kHz / 86°
• Beam range (with the included transducer):
  Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 1,200 ft. (365 m)
  Down Imaging: 400 ft. (122 m)
  Mega Down Imaging: 75 ft. (23 m)
  Side Imaging: 800 ft. (244 m)
  Mega Side Imaging: 250 ft. (76 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: 45; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)
• Networking: Ethernet, NMEA 2000, WiFi, Bluetooth

Sonar and transducer

The HELIX 7 CHIRP MSI GPS G4N comes with the same transducer as the G4 unit – the XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T. This transducer has a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and an internal temperature sensor. It’s a High CHIRP transducer, so for the standard CHIRP sonar, it only supports the high range (140-240 kHz). For the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, it casts conical beams with a coverage of 42° for the Wide Mode, and 25° for the Narrow Mode. The maximum depth range that can be reached with this transducer for the CHIRP sonar is 1,200 ft. (365 m).

 

For Side Imaging and Down Imaging, the transducer casts oval beams. The side range of the Side Imaging beams is 400 ft. (122 m) @ 440-500 kHz (800 ft. in total), and 125 ft. (38 m) @ 1075-1150 kHz (250 ft. total). The depth range of the side beams is not too great. The Side Imaging sonar is basically made for shallow water. For Down Imaging, the beams have a coverage of 75° and a depth range of 400 ft. (122 m) @ 440-500 kHz, and 75 ft. (23 m) in MEGA DI mode.

Of course, the unit also supports the 50 kHz and 83 kHz CHIRP ranges, but you’ll need a different transducer for these. With a 50 kHz transducer, this Humminbird fish finder should be able to scan depths up to 3,500 ft. (1,066 m). Also, since this is a G4N unit, it supports MEGA Live Imaging. However, it’s not on the list of supporting units for MEGA 360 Imaging.

For the standard CHIRP sonar, the unit pretty much offers the full range of features and functions. The list includes A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Split Zoom, Circular Flasher for ice fishing, Selective Fish ID, SwitchFire, WhiteLine, various alarms, and more. It also has Sonar Recording and a Temperature Graph feature.

Navigation features

The Humminbird HELIX 7 411650-1 has a 10 Hz built-in GPS receiver. It also has a GPS speed function and supports WAAS, MSAS, and EGNOS for position augmentation. You can save up to 2,750 waypoints in its memory, up to 50 tracks, and up to 47 routes. Each track can have up to 20,000 points, and each route can have up to 50 points.

The unit is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap charts. This chart platform covers more than 10,000 U.S. lakes and also offers coastal coverage for the continental U.S. The charts show depth contours, marinas, day markers, depth markers, buoys, and more. Plus, you can always upgrade the unit’s chart base to one of the supported premium charts. The unit is compatible with Navionics Gold/HotMaps, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, SmartStrike, LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, and CoastMaster.

The AutoChart Live feature is also available with this unit. This is a bathymetric mapping application that gives you the possibility to reveal and record the depth contours of your favorite lake. Therefore, you can always map your own lake and create your own custom fishing charts with the most recent depth contours. The unit can hold up to 8 hours of AC Live recording, and you can expand its mapping possibilities with an AC Live Zero Line Contours card.

Like all the other G4N units, the HELIX 7 411650-1 supports radar. It also supports AIS, GPS heading sensors, i-Pilot Link, Minn Kota Talon and Raptor shallow anchors, Cannon Optimum downriggers, and more.

Control unit features

Similar to the HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA DI GPS G4N, the HELIX 7 411650-1 features a 7-inch display with a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V. Needless to say, it’s a color display, with LED backlight, that offers excellent visibility from all angles. It is also IPX7 waterproof which essentially means that the unit should be able to withstand incidental water exposure and even complete immersions in freshwater.

The unit is keypad-operated; it does not have touchscreen technology. Its keypad includes buttons for cursor control, MENU, GO TO, Mark (waypoint), +/- for zoom control, View (shortcut), Exit, Power, and three buttons for custom shortcuts. The unit’s interface is easy-to-use and offers split-screen possibilities with up to four panels.

Since it’s a G4N unit, it has an Ethernet port and an NMEA 2000 port along with the COMs port. These offer plug-and-play possibilities for various boating instruments such as radars, i-Pilot Link, etc. Plus, the unit is One-Boat Network compatible.

The unit also has Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. The Bluetooth connection allows you to pair devices like Talon or Raptor shallow anchors with the unit. The WiFi connection allows the unit to connect to a WiFi hotspot for easy software updates, chart downloads, or data backup. The unit is also equipped with a dual microSD card slot. The unit is also compatible with the FishSmart app. This app allows trip planning, depth contour modifications, etc., and then syncs the app data with your chartplotter. Plus, you can also get software updates through the app, via Bluetooth.

Last but not least, the unit comes with the standard Gimbal mount. The box does not include a unit cover and an in-dash mount.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• Mega Down Imaging sonar;
• XNT 9 HW MSI 150 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;
• Richer pixel resolution (1024 x 600) than the older G3N model (800 x 480);
• IPX7 waterproof;
• Built-in NMEA 2000 and Ethernet ports;
• 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

• Unit cover is not included;
• In-dash mounting kit is not included;
• Trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 7 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G4N is a fish finder and chartplotter. It comes with the XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T transducer and offers Dual Spectrum CHIRP, MEGA SI and MEGA DI sonar, 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.