Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3

The Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3 shares many features with the older G2 unit, but it does come with several new improvements. Among them, we can count the new AutoChart Live Ice, updated internal software, jig charge mode, and a superior target separation for the sonar. For reference, this is the Humminbird ice fish finder part number 411200-1, one of the newest models released in 2019.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 7″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, 256 color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP
• Depth Capability: 400 ft. (122 m)
• Frequency and Coverage: 130-250 kHz, 15°-21°
• Transducer: Xi 9 1521
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Draw: 850 mA
• Power Input: 10.8-20 VDC
• GPS: Internal
• Maps: Humminbird Basemap
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 47; 2,750; 50 (20,000 points each)
• Portable kit: Included

Sonar and transducer

The Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3 comes with the older Xi 9 1521 transducer which is only compatible with the ICE HELIX CHIRP units. It offers a CHIRP range between 130-250 kHz, a beamwidth between 15°-21°, and a maximum depth capability of 400 ft (122 m). It has 8 ft (2.4 m) of cable and the foam floater for improved stability. This transducer does not have an internal temperature sensor, but the unit can indicate the water temperature if paired with a different transducer. And speaking of other transducers, the unit is compatible with all the other 2D transducers for the HELIX series, including the XNT 9 HW T, and due to the new software, it can run the Dual Spectrum CHIRP modes and offers a superior target separation of 3/4″ (up from 1.5″).

The unit supports the 50/83/200 kHz sonar channels. The CHIRP frequency ranges supported are 50/200 (28-75/130-250 kHz), 83/200 (75-155/130-250 kHz). Also, if you opt for the XNT 9 HW T transducer, you will be able to use Full Mode (150-220 kHz), Narrow Mode (180-240 kHz), and Wide Mode (140-200 kHz).

Since it’s an ice fish finder, the Humminbird HELIX 411200-1 has a built-in 1024-segment flasher application which indicates Gain, Depth, Range, the diameter of the sonar beam based on depth, Battery Status, Zoom Range, and more. Plus, it has a new Jig Charge Mode that allows you to quickly and easily light up your ICE HELIX screen to charge glow-painted lures, a feature that can be quite useful during an overcast day, or if fishing at night. SwitchFire and Interference Rejection (with 6 settings) are also available.

Of course, the unit has the traditional (2D) sonar view which you can use in split-screen with the ice flasher. Also, it makes available all the standard 2D sonar features like Real-Time Sonar, Selective Fish ID, etc.

Navigation features

In 2019, Humminbird has released the new AutoChart Live Ice specifically designed for the ICE HELIX units. Since it’s one of the new units released in 2019, the ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3 comes with these features. AC Live ICE basically works as the original AC Live, but it’s set to fit ice fishing. This application creates real-time one-foot contour maps for each ice hole giving you the possibility to benefit from a better view of the underwater environment also making available LakeMaster features such as Depth Highlight, Shallow Water Highlight, and Water Level Offset.

In terms of navigation charts, the unit is preloaded with the Humminbird Basemap platform which offers considerably more detail than the previous UniMap or ContourXD base charts. It covers more than 10,000 U.S lakes with 1′ depth contours, and also provides coverage for coastal waters, showing depth markers, buoys, hazards, marinas, nav-aids, and various other points of interest. Plus, the unit is compatible with the Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, LakeMaster, LakeMaster Plus, and SmartStrike fishing charts. However, it does not support the older Navionics Gold & HotMaps.

The ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3 has built-in precision GPS which supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS satellites for position augmentation. It has a GPS speed function and can save up to 2,750 waypoints in its memory. Route creation and trackplotting functions are also available. You can save in the unit’s memory up to 47 routes and 50 plotted tracks (20,000 points per track).

Last but not least, it is important to mention that the ICE HELIX 411200-1 does not support AIS units or GPS heading sensors. It also does not support Radar or other external fishing or navigation instruments as it does not have an Ethernet connection or NMEA.

Control unit features and accessories

To begin with, the Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3 is equipped with an ultra-bright color TFT LCD display. It has a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V and is also IPX7 waterproof.

The unit is keypad-operated; it does not have touchscreen technology, so the navigation through its menus and the usage of its applications can only be done via the keypad on the right. Since it’s an ice fish finder, its flasher sonar view offers several extra readings over the older HELIX units, including Gain, Depth, Range, the diameter of the sonar beam based on depth, Battery Status, Zoom Range, and more. Also, the flasher can be viewed on split-screen with the 2D sonar and the RTS feature.

As we’ve mentioned above, this Humminbird fish finder does not have Ethernet or NMEA ports, so it is not networkable. However, it does have a microSD card reader which you can use to upgrade its internal software if necessary, upgrade its chart base or backup your waypoints and other data.

Finally, the ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3 includes the portable case which has a built-in cable wrap that allows you to easily select the correct length for the transducer cable. The hard mounting bracket, a 12V-9Amp battery, and its charger are also included. Users have reported that the battery should last for at least 24 hours if the unit is set on a brightness setting of 4-5.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• Supports 50/83/200 base frequencies, and High, Med, and Low CHIRP;
• Supports Narrow, Wide, and Full Mode Dual Spectrum CHIRP;
• Ice transducer Xi 9 1521 included;
• Compatible with other Dual Spectrum CHIRP transducers from Humminbird;
• 1024-segment flasher view and 2D view for the sonar;
• Interference Rejection function – 6 settings;
• Superior target separation 3/4″ (up for 1.5″);
• Jig charge function;
• Internal GPS;
• Humminbird Basemaps;
• AutoChart Live Ice;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• Compatible with LakeMaster, Navionics, and SmartStrike charts;
• 800 x 480 resolution, 256 color display, with LED backlight, providing clear images, easy to read even in direct sunlight;
• MicroSD card reader;
• Upgradable internal software;
• Carrying case and mount included;
• 12V-9AMP battery included;
• Charger included.

The Cons

• Not compatible with Navionics Gold & HotMaps;
• No temperature graph function;
• No view preset keys function.

Summary

The Humminbird ICE HELIX 7 CHIRP GPS G3 is an ice fish finder and chartplotter featuring Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, an advanced 1024-segment flasher, GPS, AutoChart Live Ice, Humminbird Basemaps and more. It includes the Xi 9 1521 ice transducer but it is also compatible with other Dual Spectrum CHIRP transducers from Humminbird, and due to this fact, it can be a year-round fish finder. It’s not exactly one of the most affordable ice fish finders but definitely offers exceptional versatility and an excellent value for the price.