Humminbird ONIX10ci SI Combo

The ONIX10ci SI Combo is one of the discontinued Humminbird fish finders. It’s a fish finder and chartplotter offering Side Imaging, Down Imaging, and DualBeam Plus Sonar, along with the older Humminbird TriFuel maps. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 408810-1 model, the one that includes the HDSI transducer.

Technical Details and Specifications

• Screen: 10.4″ diagonal, 16.7 mm Colors TFT, 1024H x 768V pixel resolution, with backlight
• Sonar: Side Imaging, Down Imaging, DualBeam Plus with SwitchFire/Digital Signal Processing
• Depth Capability:
  • 150 feet (45 m) for Side Imaging
  • 350 feet (107 m) for Down Imaging
  • 1,500 feet (457 m) on DualBeam Plus
• Frequency and Coverage:
  • DualBeam Plus: 200 kHz / 20° and 83 kHz / 60°
  • Down Imaging: 455 kHz / 75° and 800 kHz / 45°
  • Side Imaging: 455 kHz / 86° (x2), and 800 kHz / 55°, 480 ft. side-to-side coverage
• Transducer: XT 14 20 HDSI T (transom)
• Max. Power Output: 1000 Watts (RMS)
• Power Input: 10-20 VDC
• GPS: Internal, Precision
• Maps: Humminbird TriFuel
• Routes, Waypoints, Tracks: 200; 5,000; 50 (20,000 points each)

Sonar and transducer

First of all, the transducer supplied with the ONIX10ci SI Combo, is an HD one, the XT 14 20 HDSI T. It comes with a transom mount and integrates a temperature sensor. This transducer covers all the unit’s sonar technologies, which are 2D (traditional), HD Side Imaging, and HD Down Imaging. It’s also CHIRP capable but does not integrate a CHIRP module. In order to use CHIRP with this ONIX unit, you will have to order an external Humminbird CHIRP sonar module, which connects to it via Ethernet cable.

The unit is capable of 5 frequencies: 200/83/455/800/50 kHz. The supplied transducer covers the 200/83 kHz for 2D, and 455/800 kHz for SI and DI, but it’s not capable of 50/200 kHz. In order to scan deeper waters using the 50 kHz frequency, you will need a deep water transducer.

For 2D, with the given transducer, the unit can use 200/83 kHz. The sonar beams used are conical. For 200 kHz, it uses a narrow beam, of 20° for a more focused view, while for 83 kHz the beam is wider, of 60°, offering better coverage. The 2D sonar technology is DualBeam PLUS, which means it can use both 2D frequency modes simultaneously, and even blend the views together, on screen. In 2D mode, with the supplied transducer, this fish finder can scan depths up to 1,500 ft (457 m).

For Side Imaging, the transducer two frequencies as well, 455/800 kHz, but the sonar beams are not conical, but razor thin. Their angles differ depending on the frequency used. For example, for 455 kHz the beam angles are 86°, while for 800 kHz are 55°. Evidently, Side Imaging uses two beams simultaneously, covering up to 240 ft (73 m) of water on each side (a total of 480 ft). The maximum depth that can be reached by the Side Imaging scanning is 150 ft. (45 m), similar to the HELIX 9 SI GPS.

For Down Imaging, the unit can also use both 455/800 kHz frequencies, sonar beams being similar to the ones used in Side Imaging, razor-thin, but with different angles. For 455 kHz the beam has an angle of 75°, while for 800 kHz is 45°. Down Imaging can scan depths up to 350 ft (107 m).

There are several other functions to mention regarding sonar. The first one is the Sonar Recording. This unit gives you the possibility to record the sonar log, and even rewind it back to mark waypoints. This feature can be quite useful on the water, as by rewinding sonar, you don’t have to turn your boat around and re-scan a certain area if you want a second look. Snapshot and Freeze Frame functions are also included.

Selective Fish ID+, Real-Time Sonar (A-Scope), Bottom Lock, Split Zoom, SwitchFire are also functions included with this unit. The Fish ID+ function replaces the fish arches with actual fish symbols, giving you a better idea of which returns are fish and which aren’t. Real-Time Sonar (RTS or A-Scope) it’s a vertical flasher that puts into view the most recent sonar echo. Split-Zoom gives you the possibility to zoom in and out from a certain sonar view while keeping on the other side of the screen the same view at a given dimension. Bottom Lock is a useful feature for detecting bottom feeders, or in general, to have a better look at the targets near the bottom. And finally, SwitchFire is a filter function that gives you quick access to full sonar information on-screen, and minimum clutter on-screen.

In terms of sonar, this unit is also capable of 360 Imaging. But in order to use this sonar technology, you will need the specific 360 Imaging transducer, which is not included.

Navigation features

First of all, this is a “combo” unit, which means it integrates both sonar and GPS/cartography. It’s equipped with the internal Humminbird Precision GPS, which offers fast and accurate locks, within 2.5 m. It is capable of storing 5,000 waypoints within its internal memory, and up to 200 routes (50 waypoints per route). It also features a trail recording function, being able to record and save up to 50 tracks with up to 20,000 points per each track. Trails can be converted to routes though, and you also get the possibility to add waypoints to them if necessary.

The Humminbird ONIX10ci SI GPS comes with integrated TriFuel cartography, which delivers exclusive access to Navionics, C-MAP, and Humminbird world-base charts. Humminbird base mapping offers accurate, highly detailed lake cartography solutions. The base C-MAP by Jeppesen offers maps in 2D and 3D charts in both raster and vector formats. Navionics offers detailed cartography and global coverage, including Nautical Chart and SonarChart, the 1 ft HD bathymetry map improved with sonar logs.

This Humminbird ONIX unit also features AutoChart Live, function that gives you the possibility to map a certain body of water, using the sonar data, and determine the contours of that particular body of water. You can overlay data from the Side Imaging sonar as you go, and you can also overlay maps created with AutoChart Live, with various other charts, such as from LakeMaster or Navionics, to reveal new details. AutoChart Live maps are compatible with i-Pilot Link. In other words, you can set up a course for a certain depth contour, and i-Pilot link will tell your Minn Kota motor to follow that particular contour, great function to have especially for trolling.

When it comes to navigation, this Humminbird unit features both i-Pilot Link and AutoPilot. This means it can communicate with Minn Kota Ulterra, Terrova, and PowerDrive V2 motors, for autopilot functions. Also, it’s compatible with the Humminbird Autopilot SC110 unit, evidently enabling a set of autopilot and navigation functions.

This unit is also AIS and HD RADAR capable, however, in order to use these functions you will need an AIS module and an external RADAR antenna.

Last but not least, this unit is compatible with various superior charts, such as Navionics Platinum, Navionics+, C-Map 4D, and SmartStrike.

Control unit features

This particular Humminbird ONIX unit features cross-touch technology, which means navigation through the menus and functions can be done both via touchscreen or via buttons, whichever suits you best. It’s a unit with a 10.4″ display, full color, with a pixel matrix of 1024 x 768. It also features LED backlight, offering excellent readability in direct sunlight, or at night.

The unit integrates two micro SD card slots, for various map chips or for data chips. It also features Ethernet, NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 connection possibilities.

As opposed to the HELIX units, this ONIX unit features camera control, offering the possibility to display the video feed from one camera source. You can connect it to an IP Video Camera in order to watch the streaming video in a full-screen view, or in split-screen with other functions, such as sonar or charts.

This unit is FUSION-Link capable, being compatible with FUSION MS-RA205 and 700 Series, offering the possibility of integrated control of select audio functions from the unit’s touchscreen.

Finally, the ONIX10ci SI Combo comes with the Gimbal type mount, but there’s also the option of an in-dash mounting kit. The box also includes a unit cover.

The Pros

• Side Imaging;
• Down Imaging;
• DualBeam Plus sonar with SwitchFire;
• Powerful transducer (XT 14 20 HDSI T), temperature capable and with transom mount, included;
• 3,000 ft depth capability (1,500 ft with the included transducer);
• Multiple sonar functions available, such as Bottom Lock, RTS, Fish ID+ etc;
• Sonar recording and screen snapshot functions;
• Precision GPS with a wide array of channels;
• TriFuel charts as base for the GPS;
• AutoChart Live;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• Wide 10.4″ display,
• IPX7 waterproof;
• Cross-Touch technology, allowing navigation via touchscreen and/or buttons;
• NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 ports;
• Ethernet connection;
• Dual microSD card reader;
• Upgradable internal software;
• Gimbal mount and unit cover included;
• HD Radar, i-Pilot Link and AIS capable;
• Fusion-Link capable;
• 360 Imaging capable;
• IP Video Camera capable;
• Fairly easy to install.

The Cons

• Does not integrate CHIRP sonar, but it is compatible with the external Humminbird CHIRP sonar module;
• Not that easy for everyone to master completely. It’s after all a high-tech unit.

Summary

The Humminbird ONIX10ci SI Combo is a fish finder and chartplotter unit, offering a wide array of features and functions. Although it’s an older model and does not integrate CHIRP sonar, it does offer 2D, Side Imaging and Down Imaging sonar technologies, also including a powerful HD transducer. It offers an impressive amount of navigation features, including high precision GPS and TriFuel cartography, which combines charts from Navion, cs, C-MAP and Humminbird. It’s not exactly an affordable unit, but considering the consistent range of features, this Humminbird fish finder and GPS combo definitely stands up to the price.