Humminbird HELIX 8 CHIRP GPS G4N

The HELIX 8 G4N series includes fish finder and chartplotter units released by Humminbird in the second part of 2020. The HELIX 8 CHIRP G4N is one of the most basic units of the series. As opposed to the older HELIX 8 CHIRP GPS G3N, this particular model has new features such as Wi-Fi, built-in NMEA 2000, and is compatible with the new CoastMaster charts. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411330-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 8″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP
• Transducer: Transom XNT 9 HW T
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer): 1,200 feet (365 m)
• Frequency and Coverage:
  Narrow mode: 180-240 kHz / 25°
  Wide mode: 140-200 kHz / 42°
  Full mode: 150-220 kHz (adjustable) / 42°
• Power Output: 1000 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20V DC
• Power Draw: 1 Amp
• GPS: Internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)

Sonar and transducer

The HELIX 8 CHIRP GPS G4N only has Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar. It does not support Down Imaging, Side Imaging, and 360 Imaging. It supports three base frequencies, these being 50/83/200 kHz.

The unit comes with the XNT 9 HW T transducer (710274-1) which has a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and a 3-pin connector. It also integrates a temperature sensor, while the unit has a temperature graph feature which can be handy if you’re looking for currents or topwater temperature variations.

The Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar has three modes: Full, Wide, and Narrow. The CHIRP frequency ranges are 180-240 kHz for the Narrow Mode, 140-200 kHz for the Wide Mode, and 150-220 kHz for the Full Mode. The Full Mode is adjustable; it offers the possibility to select a desired CHIRP interval within the maximum range 140-240 kHz. The 150-220 kHz is the default value.

This being said, with the included transducer, this Humminbird fish finder is only capable of High CHIRP. But nonetheless, you can always pair it with a 50 kHz transducer for deepwater scanning.

The included XNT 9 HW T transducer supports all three Dual Spectrum CHIRP modes. It uses conical beams for each mode. For the Wide and Full modes, the beam coverage is 42°. For the Narrow Mode, the beam coverage is 25°. The maximum depth capability that can be achieved with this transducer is 1,200 ft. (365 m). However, with a 50 kHz CHIRP transducer, this fish finder can reach depths up to 3,500 ft. (1,066 m).

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar functions. The list includes Fish ID+, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, Fish Alarm, Depth Alarm, Circular Flasher mode for ice fishing, Split Zoom, etc. It also has Sonar Recording and Sonar Rewind.

Navigation features

As its name suggests, the Humminbird HELIX 8 CHIRP GPS is equipped with an internal GPS receiver. Similar to the older models, you can select between 5 Hz and 10 Hz, for up to 5 position updates per second or up to 10 position updates per second. The unit supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS for position augmentation. It also has a GPS speed function for calculating the speed of your boat based on the GPS input. Of course, trackplotting, route creation, and waypoint functions are also included.

Just like the older HELIX G3N units, the HELIX 8 CHIRP GPS is equipped with the Humminbird Basemap. This is the standard chart platform that is included with most of the available Humminbird chartplotters. These charts offer inland water coverage for more than 10,000 lakes, and coastal coverage for the continental U.S. They offer information regarding buoys, marinas, day markers, hazards, and of course, depth contours.

The unit supports different premium charts. The list includes LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, CoastMaster, and SmartStrike fishing charts. It also supports charts from Navionics, including Navionics Gold & HotMaps, Navionics+, and Navionics Platinum+.

The unit also has the AutoChart Live feature. This application gives you the possibility to create your own custom fishing charts. It uses the GPS and CHIRP sonar data to reveal and draw the depth contours of the lake you’re scanning on the map. Therefore, if the current maps of the unit don’t offer satisfying detail for your lake, AC Live will always have you covered.

Since it’s a G4N unit, this Humminbird fish finder offers superior networking possibilities. Therefore, not only that it supports external GPS or AIS, you can also upgrade to add-on technologies like Minn Kota i-Pilot Link, Talon and Raptor shallow water anchors, and Humminbird CHIRP Radar.

Control unit features

The Humminbird HELIX 8 CHIRP GPS G4N features an 8-inch color display, with a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V, and LED backlight for improved readability at night and in direct sunlight. It has a keypad control interface, without touchscreen technology like the Solix units. It is also IPX7 waterproof, which essentially means that it can withstand rain and incidental water exposure.

Similar to the older G3N unit, this particular Humminbird fish finder has Ethernet connectivity which offers the possibility to connect it to various other boating instruments such as Radar or i-Pilot Link. All the HELIX G4N models have actually been designed to work seamlessly with the One-Boat Network. The unit also has built-in NMEA 2000 for easy integration to a NMEA boating grid.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are also available. Therefore, you can control Talon or Raptor anchors from your chartplotter, as well as Cannon Optimum downriggers. You can also sync it with your smartphone via the Humminbird FishSmart App for wireless software updates, downloads, and even notifications from your phone.

Similar to the older G3N unit, the Humminbird 411330-1 model also has a dual microSD card slot. Therefore, you can load it with charts from Navionics, or Lakemaster / CoastMaster charts. Since there are two card slots, you can use a chart card and a blank data card simultaneously without the need to swap cards all the time.

Last but not least, the unit comes with the standard Gimbal mount. A unit cover is not included, though.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• XNT 9 HW 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, Selective 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 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 microSD card reader;
• Upgradeable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• In-dash mount is not included;
• Unit cover is not included;
• Remote control is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 8 CHIRP GPS G4N is fish finder and chartplotter featuring Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, 10 Hz internal GPS, Humminbird Basemapping, AutoChart Live, as well as advanced networking features such as NMEA 2000, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. It comes with the standard XNT 9 HW T transducer and has a dual microSD card reader. Although it does not have Side Imaging and Down Imaging, it’s a pretty versatile boating instrument great for a wide array of boats, for both inland and off-shore fishing.