Humminbird HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G4N

The HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G4N is one of the Humminbird fish finders released in 2020. In terms of features, it is similar to the HELIX 8 CHIRP GPS G4N, but as the number suggests, it has a slightly bigger display with a 9-inch diagonal. Also, as opposed to the older HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G3N, this newer model has a few extra features such as WiFi and compatibility with the new CoastMaster charts. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411360-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ 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: 10 Hz, Internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)
• Networking: NMEA 2000, Ethernet, WiFi, Bluetooth

Sonar and transducer

First of all, the Humminbird HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G4N only has Dual Spectrum 2D CHIRP sonar. It does support Down Imaging, Side Imaging, or 360 Imaging. It supports three base frequencies, these being 50 kHz, 83 kHz, and 200 kHz.

The unit comes with the XNT 9 HW T transducer which has an internal temperature sensor, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and a transom mount. It’s a High Wide beam transducer, so it only uses the 200 kHz CHIRP range.

With this transducer, the unit can use three sonar modes. These are Full Mode, Wide Mode, and Narrow Mode. The Full Mode is selected by default. It allows you to use the complete CHIRP frequency range which is 150-220 kHz. The beam cast by the transducer is conical and has a coverage of 42°.

For the Narrow Mode, the CHIRP frequency is 180-240 kHz while the beam coverage is 25°. The Wide Mode operates in a 140-200 kHz range with a 42° beam. Both Narrow and Wide beams are also conical. The greatest depth range that can be achieved with this fish finder unit and transducer is 1,200 ft (365 m). However, since the unit supports 50 kHz, it can be paired with a 50 kHz transducer for scanning depths up to 3,500 ft. (1,066 m). Also, if paired with a dual-frequency transducer, the unit should be able to use and show both 50/200 kHz or 83/200 kHz beams simultaneously.

The unit offers a fairly decent range of standard sonar features. The list includes Selective Fish ID, Amplitude Scope, Bottom Lock, WhiteLine, Sonar Zoom, Split Zoom, Circular Flasher, various alarms, and more. It can also record the sonar feed and you can either rewind it or review it later.

Navigation features

The HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G4N offers a pretty impressive range of navigation features. To begin with, it is equipped with a 10 Hz internal GPS receiver. This means that it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It also supports GLONASS, as well as WAAS, MSAS, and EGNOS for position augmentation.

The unit has waypoint creation, route creation, and track recording functions. It can save up to 2,750 waypoints in its memory and you can customize your maps with the best fishing spots or other points of interest. It can save up to 47 routes, and each route can contain up to 50 waypoints. You can also record and save up to 50 tracks into the unit’s memory; each track can have up to 20,000 plot points.

Like most other Humminbird fish finders with navigation features, the HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G4N is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap. 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. Of course, the unit also supports charts from Navionics, such as Navionics Gold/HotMaps, Navionics+, and Navionics Platinum+. It is also compatible with LakeMaster charts, LakeMaster Plus, and CoastMaster charts.

The AutoChart Live feature is also available with this Humminbird unit. The AC Live application uses the GPS and sonar data for revealing and recording the depth contours of the lake or body of water that you’re scanning. Therefore, if the included charts don’t cover your favorite lake, you can also map it yourself and create your own custom fishing map. The unit can save up to 8 hours of AutoChart recording, but you can always opt for a Zero Lines SD card for virtually limitless mapping.

The unit is One-Boat Network compatible. Therefore, it can communicate with various Minn Kota and Cannon products. It supports external GPS, AIS, as well as CHIRP Radar.

Control unit features

The Humminbird HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G4N features a 9-inch diagonal display with LED backlight for improved readability. It has a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V for sharp imaging. It is also IPX7 waterproof which essentially means that it can withstand incidental water exposure.

The unit does not have touchscreen technology (keypad only). Its interface is very easy to use and highly intuitive. It offers various split-screen possibilities. It also has a dual SD card slot, so you can work with two SD cards simultaneously.

Since it’s a G4N unit, it offers an impressive range of networking features. First of all, it has built-in Ethernet and NMEA 2000 so you can easily integrate it into an already existent boat network. It also has Bluetooth and WiFi. This being said, 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.

The unit comes with the classic Gimbal mount. The flush mount and the unit cover are not included.

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

• The flush mount is not included;
• Unit cover is not included;
• Remote control is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 9 CHIRP GPS G4N is a fish finder and chartplotter featuring Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, internal GPS, NMEA 2000, Ethernet, WiFi, and Bluetooth. It is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap and has the AutoChart Live feature. It also includes the XNT 9 HW T transducer. It’s a pretty versatile unit, great for a wide array of boats, for both inland and off-shore fishing and navigation.