Humminbird HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N

The HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N is one of the Humminbird fish finders released in 2020. It’s essentially similar to the HELIX 9 CHIRP MSI+ GPS G3N unit but comes with several extra features including WiFi connectivity and CoastMaster chart support. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 411380-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Display: 9″ diagonal, 1024H x 600V pixel resolution, WSVGA 16-bit color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP, CHIRP MEGA Side Imaging+, MEGA Down Imaging+
• Transducer: Transom XM 9 HW MSI T
• Supported Frequencies: 50/83/200/455/800 kHz & 1.2 MHz
• Beam Coverage:
  Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 42°/42°/25°
  Down Imaging: 75°/45°/75°
  Side Imaging: 86°/86°/86°
• Max. Beam Range:
  Dual Spectrum CHIRP: 1,000 ft. (305 m)
  Down Imaging: 400 ft. (122 m)
  Side Imaging: 800 ft. (244 m)
• Power Output: 1,000 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10.8-20V DC
• Power Draw: 2.4 Amps
• GPS: 10 Hz, internal
• Cartography: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 45; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)
• Networking: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Ethernet, NMEA 2000

Sonar and transducer

The Humminbird HELIX 9 CHIRP MSI+ GPS G4N offers three sonar technologies including Dual Spectrum CHIRP, Down Imaging, and Side Imaging. It has the MEGA modes for the DI and SI sonar. It supports MEGA Live Imaging and MEGA 360 imaging. Also, in terms of base frequencies, it supports 50/83/200 kHz for Dual Spectrum CHIRP, and 455/800/1200 kHz for structure scanning.

The unit comes with the XM 9 HW MSI T transducer which supports all three sonar technologies built-in the unit including the MEGA modes for the Side Imaging and Down Imaging sonar. It’s a plastic transducer featuring a transom mount, 20 ft. (6 m) of cable, and an internal temperature sensor.

For the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, the transducer only supports the high-frequency ranges. It casts conical beams with a coverage of 42° in Wide and Full modes, and 25° in Narrow Mode. The maximum depth range of the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar is 1,000 ft. (305 m)

For the Down Imaging and Side Imaging, the transducer casts thin oval beams. For Down Imaging, the beams offer a coverage of 75° @ 455 kHz, 45° @ 800 kHz, and 75° in Mega Mode. The maximum depth range of the Down Imaging sonar with the included transducer is 400 ft. when using the 455 kHz beam. The depth range of the 800 kHz beam is 125 ft. (38 m), while the depth range of the MEGA DI beam is 200 ft. (61 m).

For Side Imaging, the beams have a coverage of 86° for all frequencies. Their range varies, though. They’re 800 ft. (244 m) @ 455 kHz, 250 ft. (76 m) @ 800 kHz, and 400 ft. (122 m) @ 1200 kHz.

Of course, the unit offers the full range of standard sonar features. The list includes A-Scope, Bottom Lock, White Line, Selective Fish ID, Circular Flasher, Sonar Recording, various alarms, and more. A Temperature Graph is also available.

Navigation features

Like all the other HELIX units, the Humminbird 411380-1 is pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap. This is an enhanced basemap that provides both inland and coastal coverage. It covers more than 10,000 U.S. lakes and offers data regarding buoys, day markers, marinas, hazards, depth markers, and more.

The unit supports various premium charts as well. The list includes Navionics Gold/HotMaps, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, LakeMaster, LakeMaster+, CoastMaster, and SmartStrike fishing charts. Plus, it has the AutoChart Live feature. This is an application that allows you to create your own bathymetric maps. It uses the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar and GPS data to reveal and record the depth contours of a lake or any other body of water. So, in case the unit’s charts don’t offer satisfying detail for your favorite lake, you can actually map it yourself.

The unit’s internal GPS operates at 10 Hz. This means it can provide position updates 10 times per second. A GPS speed function is also available and the unit supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS for position augmentation. Also, it can save up to 2,750 waypoints in its memory, up to 45 routes, and 50 tracks. Each track can have 20,000 points and you can convert it into a route at any time.

Since it’s a G4N unit, this Humminbird chartplotter also supports CHIRP 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

The HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N unit features a 9-inch diagonal WSVGA display, TFT color, with a pixel resolution of 1024H x 600V. It has LED backlight and offers excellent readability from all angles even if you’re wearing polarized sunglasses. It is also IPX7 waterproof which should render it resistant to incidental water exposure.

The unit does not have touchscreen technology. Its side keypad includes +/- Zoom keys, the View key, the Check/Info key, the Menu Key, the Mark Waypoint key, the Go-To / MOB key, the Exit Key, the 4-direction cursor key, and the On/Off key, just like the HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G4 All-Season. However, it also has three extra shortcut keys.

Since it’s a G4N unit, it offers an extensive range of networking features. First of all, it has Ethernet and NMEA 2000 ports, so you can easily connect various peripherals to it, or integrate it into an already existing boat grid. It also has two microSD card slots which you can load with various charts or with a Zero Lines card for AutoChart Live. It does not have a USB port, though.

The unit also has wireless connectivity (Bluetooth and WiFi). Via Bluetooth, you can pair it with various devices, like shallow water anchors or downriggers. The WiFi connectivity offers you the possibility to connect your Humminbird chartplotter online for easy software updates or other downloads. Plus, you can even get smart notifications from your phone.

Last but not least, the unit comes with the standard gimbal mount. A screen cover is also included. The box does not include an in-dash mounting kit.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• Mega Down Imaging sonar;
• Mega Side Imaging sonar;
• XM 9 HW MSI T transducer included;
• Depth capability up to 1,000 ft. with the included transducer;
• Supports 50 kHz;
• Supports Mega Live Imaging sonar;
• Supports Mega 360 Imaging sonar;
• 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 9″ display with a resolution of 1024 x 600 for crisp imaging;
• IPX7 waterproof;
• Built-in NMEA 2000 and Ethernet;
• WiFi 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;
• Unit cover is included.

The Cons

• The in-dash mounting kit is not included;
• A trolling mount for the transducer is not included.

Summary

The Humminbird HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N is a fish finder and chartplotter offering Dual Spectrum CHIRP, MEGA DI+, and MEGA SI+ sonar and comes with the XM 9 HW MSI T transducer. It has built-in GPS, it’s pre-loaded with the Humminbird Basemap charts, and also offers excellent networking features including NMEA 2000, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and WiFi. It’s a versatile unit, great for a wide array of boats, for both off-shore and in-land fishing.