![]() ![]() Wide mode (140-200 kHz) provides the greatest range and depth penetration of the three options. There are three different modes of CHIRP Sonar with the HELIX 7. That slight decrease in accuracy is a bit of a knock against the model, but given its price point, you’re still getting top of the line precision, so it’s not something we’re too stressed over. In the case of the HELIX 7, the transducer is using the old high-Q CHIRP technology, so the readings are a bit less accurate than those of the higher end models. The Generation 3 HELIX models have different CHIRP technology depending on their size. In other words, CHIRP gives you clearer, more precise, better readouts – perfect for catching fish. The varying different frequencies that are all read add a lot of precision and target separation because there’s more information coming back to the transducer. CHIRP technology, on the other hand, sends out a number of different frequencies simultaneously, say, from 140-200 kHz. That frequency bounces off of objects and back to the transducer, and is then interpreted and displayed. The HELIX 7 is not an expensive ornament it comes with an incredibly sophisticated transducer, featuring CHIRP Sonar.ĬHIRP (Compressed High-Intensity Radiated Pulse) Sonar is an incredible technology! Most transducers send out a frequency, say, 200 kHz. You could have a gorgeous, crystal-clear display with a million easy-to-navigate options, but if your transducer compatibility is garbage, then the finder is just an expensive ornament. CHIRP Sonarįish finders live and die by how well they can interpret information from transducers. Learning how to use the shortcuts to transition between views is important, and once you figure out the layout of all the menus, moving around them is a breeze. Once you’ve figured out how you want the display to read, it can be a bit easier, but things like brightness and contrast will have to be modified on the fly, depending on glare. This is a powerful unit, so there’s a lot of different options and menus. A touch screen might be nice for those who really want a touchscreen, a hybrid option like Garmin’s ECHOMAP might be an interesting place to start, but we don’t like those models quite as much for a number of reasons that relate to their Imaging Technology (we may run a blog post on that in the near future). The interface is incredibly easy to use, a classic navigation-with-arrow-buttons system. You can, of course, zoom in and out of targets, making them easier to distinguish from other noise. This feature can also be incredibly useful if you have colour deficiency. You can also change the colours on your Down and Side Imaging (more on those later), so you can find something that’s pleasing to the eye. There are a ton of different settings you can change in your display options, from brightness to contrast. ![]() Shortcut keys allow you to rapidly toggle through these view combos, so it’s easy to switch what you’re seeing on the go. You can also create your own view combos making it easy to see the information that’s relevant to you. There are over 20 different view combos that come standard with the HELIX &. For example, you can find your location on the map and use the sonar and imaging features of the finder at the same time. This means that you can use your finder to get a lot of relevant information simultaneously. Though the screen is somewhat smaller than some of its cousins, it still comes with what we consider to be one of the most important features in GPS/Fish Finder combos: split screen. The size of the display also means this fish finder is going to work in boats where a larger fish finder couldn’t fit and it also operates wonderfully as a secondary finder in large setups. The pixel grid is quite good for a unit of this size: 800H x 480V is going to provide you with the clarity you need to discern between targets. The display is backlit, meaning you can use it in all kinds of conditions – day or night, rain or shine. It can be a very worthwhile add-on if you have an elaborate setup.Ģ,750 (45 routes, 50 tracks/20,000 points) We’ll elaborate on that in the networking section of the review. You can add networking to any one of them for a small fee. You should know that the HELIX 7 is a bit different than its larger cousins because networking does not come standard with these models. In the comparison chart below, we’ll look at the difference between three versions: the CHIRP, the Down Imaging+, and the Side Imaging+. In this review, we will be looking at the third generation model. There are quite a few different members of the HELIX 7 club. ![]()
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