
We’ve already covered the HELIX 7 CHIRP MSI GPS G4 411620-1, so in this post, we’re going to address the G4N model, the 411650-1. The two models are pretty similar but the G4N unit has several extra features including advanced networking, radar support, wireless connectivity, and a few extra buttons on its side keypad for shortcuts.
The unit comes with the XNT 9 HW MSI 150 T transducer which has a built-in temperature sensor and a transom mount. This transducer covers all of the unit’s sonar technologies. For the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, it casts conical beams with angles of 25° and 42°; the maximum depth range for the Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar is 1,200 ft. (365 m).
For Down Imaging, the unit casts oval beams. The regular DI beam has a coverage of 75° and a depth range of 400 ft. (122 m). The MEGA DI beam has a similar coverage but only has a range of 75 ft. (23 m). For Side Imaging, the beam angles are 86° while the side-to-side range is 800 ft. (244 m) for the regular beam and 250 ft. (76 m) for MSI. It’s also important to mention here that the unit supports MEGA Live Imaging.
The unit is equipped with a 10 Hz GPS. It comes with the Humminbird Basemap charts, but also supports charts such as Navionics+, Navionics Platinum+, CoastMaster, LakeMaster+, and SmartStrike fishing charts. Plus, it has the AutoChart Live feature which can be very useful if the Humminbird Basemap doesn’t cover your favorite lake with satisfying detail. You can use this feature to map any lake and craft your own custom fishing maps.
The unit’s display is 7-inch in diagonal with a pixel resolution of 1024 x 600. It does not have touchscreen technology, though. It has an NMEA 2000 port, an Ethernet port, and also has wireless connectivity. Thus, not only that it supports radar, AIS, i-Pilot Link, and Minn Kota shallow anchors, it is also compatible with Humminbird’s FishSmart App. This app allows you to pre-plan your fishing trips, change depth contours, update your unit’s software with ease, as well as download and upload content.
Finally, the unit comes with the standard Gimbal mount. The in-dash mount and a unit cover are not included.