The HELIX 10 DI GPS model shares quite many similarities with the HELIX 10 SI GPS model. However, this model comes with dedicated Down Imaging sonar, a transducer specific for this type of sonar technology, and evidently does not have Side Imaging.
In terms of sonar, this unit offers both Down Imaging and DualBeam Plus sonar. For Down Imaging, is capable of 455/800 kHz, and the supplied transducer (XNT 9 DI T) does cover these frequencies, using thin, fan-shaped beams of 75° and 45° angles for DI scanning. The transducer is also temperature capable.
The 2D sonar is capable of 50/83/200 kHz, but the transducer that comes with the unit, covers only the 83/200 kHz frequencies. It can use 50/200 kHz transducers though. For 2D, the supplied transducer scans with conical beams of 16° for 200 kHz, and 28° for 83 kHz.
This unit does not use CHIRP sonar. However, even without this sonar technology, it still does offer a 2.5″ target separation. With the supplied transducer, it’s capable of scanning depths up to 350 ft. in Down Imaging, and up to 600 ft. in 2D.
Since it uses DualBeam Plus sonar, it means you can view the images provided by the two conical beams simultenously, and even combined. The 2D sonar, makes available several functions, such as Selective FishID+, A-Scope, Bottom Lock, SwitchFire etc. Also, this unit has sonar recording function.
In terms of navigation, maybe the best part about the HELIX 10 DI GPS is AutoChart Live. This function allows you to map the water as you go. Therefore, if the charts that you’re using don’t cover the lake where you’re fishing, with the push of a button you can map basically any portion of that particular lake, using the information from your sonar. The unit can hold up to 8 hours of recording. Also, the contours charted with AutoChart Live, can be followed by i-Pilot Link, in case you’re using a Minn Kota motor linked with the Humminbird unit.
The unit’s charts base is the Humminbird ContourXD, charts that cover more than 3,000 U.S. lakes and bodies of water with contours up to a certain depth. The unit is compatible though with LakeMaster and Navionics charts, like most other HELIX units.
As the name of the unit suggests, it does have GPS. It uses an very precise internal GPS antenna, which can supply quick fixes with an accuracy of 2.5 meters. Also, this unit can record up to 2,750 waypoints, 45 routes and 50 tracks, with up to 20,000 points per track.
The control unit itself offers plenty of functions and features as well. To begin with, it has wireless control, and comes with a small remote control with seven keys. Via this remote you can control many functions of the navigation or fish finder systems from distance, without touching the unit.
It’s a wide screen unit, with a display of 10.1″, 16:9 aspect ratio, an impressive pixel matrix of 1024 x 600, and a color range of 65,000 colors. It’s IPX7 waterproof, glare proof, and features LED backlight. Plus, its internal processor is 25% faster than the previous units of the 1100 series. And finally, in terms of connectivity, it has NMEA 0183, NMEA 2000 and Ethernet ports, plus a dual SD card reader.
