As opposed to the last year’s HELIX 7 DI GPS, the HELIX 7 CHIRP DI GPS G2, as its name suggests, is a fish finder with CHIRP technology. This unit actually has two types of sonar, DualBeam Plus (2D) and Down Imaging, both enhanced by CHIRP technology. CHIRP offers superior imaging with less clutter and a better separation between targets.
The unit comes with the temperature capable, XNT 9 DI T transducer, which supports both types of sonar, DI and DualBeam Plus. It’s also a CHIRP capable transducer. With it, the unit can scan at 200/455 kHz in 2D, and at 455/800 kHz in Down Imaging. Also, since the unit can use CHIRP, the sonar pulse will be modulated on the following frequency ranges: 175-225 kHz, 420-520 kHz, and 790-850 kHz.
The transducer uses conical beams for the 2D sonar, 16° wide for 455 kHz, and 28° wide for 200 kHz. For DI, the transducer beams are thin, only 1-2 degrees fore to aft wise, but wider side-to-side. Their coverage is 45° for 800 kHz and 75° for 455 kHz.
With the supplied transducer, the depth capabilities of this Humminbird fish finder reach 600 ft (183 m) for Dual Beam Plus, and 350 ft (106 m) for Down Imaging.
One last aspect to mention here regarding the unit’s sonar, is that it offers several other useful functions. Among them, we can count Sonar Recording, Selective Fish ID+, Bottom Lock, Ice Fishing Flasher Sonar View, Fish Alarms etc.
The HELIX 7 CHIRP DI GPS G2 is equipped with a fast and accurate internal GPS system, enhanced by WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS. The built-in charts, however, aren’t the best, when it comes to detail. Just like the HELIX 5 units, this one comes with the Humminbird UniMap charts, which cover the contiguous U.S. coastline, inland lakes, and rivers at 30 m / pixel. But on the other hand, the unit’s chart can be upgraded to LakeMaster, LakeMaster PLUS, Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+ charts. It’s also SmartStrike capable.
In terms of navigation, AutoChart Live is an application also included with this unit. The application uses the 2D sonar data, along with the GPS data, in order to draw the depth contours of a certain body of water. The unit can record up to 8 hours of contours, but you can expand the recording possibilities with a Zero Lines microSD card specifically designed to work with the AC Live feature.
The layout of the control unit isn’t far different from the old HELIX 7. It features a 7″ display, 16-bit color, with LED backlight. Its pixel resolution is 800 x 480 offering plenty of screen space to use various applications simultaneously. It’s also NMEA 0183 capable, features a microSD card port for chart cards, or blank card for data backup and recording. Finally, it comes with a gimbal mount.
