At the end of 2016 Humminbird has launched the second generation of HELIX units. The HELIX 7 CHIRP DI G2 is one of them. Although it’s not too much different from last years HELIX 7 DI, this new unit, as its name suggests features CHIRP sonar.
One of the first aspects to mention regarding this unit is its lack of GPS and other navigation functions. This is a standalone fish finder. It offers two types of sonar DualBeam Plus and Down Imaging, both CHIRP enhanced. It comes with the XNT 9 DI T transom transducer, which is also temperature capable. With this transducer, the system can use three main frequency intervals: 175-225 kHz / 420-520 kHz for DualBeam plus, and 420-520 kHz / 790-850 kHz for Down Imaging. This CHIRP modulation results in a crisper imaging, less clutter on-screen, and a superior target separation.
It comes with the XNT 9 DI T transom transducer, which is also temperature capable. With this transducer, the system can use three main frequency intervals: 175-225 kHz / 420-520 kHz for DualBeam plus, and 420-520 kHz / 790-850 kHz for Down Imaging. This CHIRP modulation results in a crisper imaging, less clutter on-screen, and a superior target separation.
The transducer uses conical beams for DualBeam Plus, 16° and 28° wide. Also, since the 2D sonar is “DualBeam Plus”, it means that the unit can use both 2D frequency beams simultaneously, and you can view the returns from both of them in split screen. For DI, the transducer uses thin beams fore to aft, but wider side-to-side. Their coverage is 45° and 75°.
This unit doesn’t have extreme depth capabilities with the supplied transducer. It can reach depths up to 600 ft (183 m) when scanning with the 2D sonar, and up to 350 ft (106 m) via Down Imaging. However, with a 50 kHz (28-75 kHz) capable transducer, it can reach depths up to 2,500 ft.
Several useful fish finding functions are also included. Among them, we can count Selective Fish ID+, SwitchFire, Real Time Sonar, Fish Alarm, Temperature Alarm, Depth Alarm, Flasher etc. It does not have the temperature graph function, nor it can record sonar.
With regards to the control unit, it features a 7-inch display, with a pixel resolution of 800 x 840. It has a 16-bit color range and LED backlight, offering excellent readability. It’s also IPX7 waterproof, which means it can withstand incidental water exposure with no problem.
This unit does not have an Ethernet port, however, it’s NMEA 0183 capable. It also does not have a card reader. The included mount is a gimbal-type, but there’s also the option of an in-dash mount.
