Humminbird HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N

The HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N is one of the Humminbird fish finders released at the end of 2020. As opposed to the older HELIX 9 CHIRP MDI+ GPS G3N, this newer model has several extra features. For example, it has built-in WiFi and is compatible with the CoastMaster charts. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411370-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, WVGA 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP, CHIRP Mega DI+
• Transducer: Transom XM 9 HW MDI 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°
  DI+: 435-535 kHz / 75°, 800-860 kHz / 45°
  MDI+: 1100-1200 kHz / 75°
• Depth Capability (with the included transducer):
  Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 1,200 ft.(365 m)
  Down Imaging: 400 ft. (122 m)
  Mega Down Imaging+: 200 ft. (61 m)
• Power Output: 1,000 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)
• Networking: NMEA 2000, Ethernet, Bluetooth, WiFi

Sonar and transducer

The HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N has two built-in sonar technologies. These are Dual Spectrum CHIRP and Down Imaging. As its name suggests, it also has the MEGA Imaging+ mode. It supports multiple frequencies, including 50/83/200 kHz for the 2D CHIRP sonar, and 455/800/1,200 kHz for Down Imaging. It also supports Mega Imaging 360 sonar, but in order to use this type of sonar, you will need the Mega 360 gear which evidently is not included.

Similar to the G3N model, the G4N comes with the XM 9 HW MDI T transducer. This is a plastic transducer, features a transom mount, has a built-in temperature probe, and 20 ft. (6 m) of cable. Needless to say, it supports all the sonar technologies provided by the unit.

For Down Imaging, the transducer uses thin oval beams. Their coverage is 75° for the 455 (435-535 kHz) channel and for the 1.2 MHz (1,100-1,200 kHz) channel, while for the 800 kHz (800-860 kHz) mode, the beam has a coverage of 45°. The maximum depth range for the system’s Down Imaging is 400 ft. (122 m) when using the 455 kHz mode. The Mega DI+ mode has a depth range of 200 ft. (61 m).

For the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, the transducer uses conical beams. The unit offers a Wide Mode (140-200 kHz), a Narrow Mode (180-240 kHz), and a Full Mode (150-220 kHz). The beam coverage is 42° for the Wide Mode, and 25° for the Narrow Mode. For the Full Mode, the frequency range is adjustable and the default beam coverage is 42° as well. The maximum depth range of the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar with the included transducer is 1,200 ft. (365 m). However, the unit also supports 50 kHz, and if paired with a 50 kHz CHIRP Airmar transducer, it can scan depths up to 3,500 ft. (1,066 m).

The unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. The list includes Circular Flasher, Selective Fish ID, Amplitude Scope, WhiteLine, Bottom Lock, Structure ID, SwitchFire, and more. It also has a Sonar Recording function and a Sonar Snapshot function, but in order to save the sonar recordings and snapshots, you will need to use a microSD data card as support.

Navigation features

The Humminbird 411370-1 fish finder is a chartplotter as well. It has a built-in 10 Hz GPS receiver so it can provide position updates 10 times per second. It supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS data for position augmentation. It has a GPS speed function. It also has track recording, route creation, and waypoint creation functions. You can save up to 50 tracks in its memory, with up to 20,000 points per track. The unit can also hold up to 47 routes (with up to 50 waypoints per route), and 2,750 waypoints.

Like all the other Humminbird HELIX chartplotters, the 411370-1 model is pre-loaded with the standard Humminbird Basemap. These charts cover more than 10,000 U.S. lakes with 1-foot contour detail. They also provide coastal coverage for the continental U.S. waters offering you the possibility to identify day markers, hazards, buoys, marinas, and more.

In case the pre-loaded maps don’t offer satisfying detail and contours for your favorite lake or lake area, you can create your own bathymetric maps with the AutoChart Live feature. This application uses the GPS data and the CHIRP sonar data for revealing and recording the depth contours of the body of water that you are scanning. Also, the unit supports various premium charts, such as Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, Navionics Gold/HotMaps, LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, and SmartStrike fishing charts. It also supports the new CoastMaster charts for off-shore fishing and navigation.

Since it’s a G4N unit, this Humminbird fish finder has superior networking features. Therefore, it supports CHIRP Radar and various other technologies such as Minn Kota i-Pilot link. It also supports AIS data, external GPS sensors, and more.

Control unit features

The HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N features a 9-inch color display with LED backlight for improved readability in direct sunlight or at night. It has a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V. It’s a keypad control unit (does not have touchscreen technology). It is also IPX7 waterproof, which means that it can withstand incidental water exposure with no problem.

The unit comes with the standard Gimbal mount, but a flush mount is also available. A screen cover is also included.

In terms of networking, the unit has built-in Ethernet and NMEA 2000 ports. Therefore, it is easy to connect it to an already existent boat grid in order to communicate with various other boating instruments. It is One-Boat Network compatible which means that it can communicate with Minn Kota and Cannon products, Radar units, and more.

The unit has both Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity. Therefore, not only that you can pair it with a Bluetooth remote control, you can also take control of the unit with your smartphone. You can also get software updates or download charts via the Humminbird FishSmart app, as well as control Talon and Raptor shallow water anchors or Cannon Optimum downriggers.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• CHIRP Mega Down Imaging+ sonar;
• XM 9 HW MDI T transducer included;
• Depth capability up to 1,200 ft. with the included transducer;
• Multiple standard sonar features available, such as RTS, Bottom Lock, Selective Fish ID+, Alarms, SwitchFire etc;
• Sonar Recording and Screen Snapshot functions;
• Precision internal GPS;
• Humminbird Basemap chart platform built-in;
• AutoChart Live;
• Supports Navionics+, Navionics Platinum, LakeMaster Plus, CoastMaster, and SmartStrike charts;
• Route and waypoint creation functions;
• Trackplotting function;
• 9″ display, 1024 x 600 resolution, 16-bit color display, with LED backlight, providing clear images, easy to read even in direct sunlight;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• Ethernet and NMEA 2000;
• Supports AIS and GPS heading sensors;
• One-Boat Network compatible;
• Supports CHIRP Radar and Minn Kota i-Pilot Link;
• Bluetooth connectivity;
• WiFi connectivity;
• Compatible with the FishSmart App and the RC2 Bluetooth remote control;
• Dual microSD card reader;
• Upgradable internal software;
• Gimbal mount included;
• Unit cover included;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• In-dash mounting kit not included;
• Bluetooth remote control not included;
• No trolling mount for the transducer;

Summary

The HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA DI+ GPS G4N offers Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, MEGA DI+, GPS, the Humminbird Basemap charts, and includes the XM 9 HW MDI T transducer. It’s a fish finder and chartplotter great for both in-land and off-shore fishing. It also offers superior connectivity features such as Ethernet, NMEA 2000, Bluetooth, and WiFi. It’s a versatile unit, great for a wide array of boats, and offers excellent value for the price.