pitchin pigs Posted May 23, 2015 Report Share Posted May 23, 2015 I've been deliberating on this for seems like forever but I think I'm narrowed down to a elite 7 hdi or a helix 5 si. It pretty much cones down to screen size or SI. I know hds is about the best, but I can't justify spending that much on something that I may not even really know how to use effectively. Please help me out with some input guys. I know NOTHING about electronics. Thanks in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHTN Posted May 23, 2015 Report Share Posted May 23, 2015 I have a Helix 5 si on my dash. I love it. Very easy to use. The screen is plenty big enough for me, but that said, I use my iPad for navigation and don't use split screen much on it. I mainly keep it on side imaging and I can see plenty then. To me, and I I know everyone has a different opinion, side imaging for $500 is awfully hard to beat. That's my .02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted May 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2015 (edited) I've read where you had one so I an glad you weighed in. It seems like the si would be beneficial when you're actually fishing. Plus I have seen a couple websites where the helix is one of the higher rated units and does humminbird take the navionics cards? Edited May 23, 2015 by pitchin pigs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveHTN Posted May 23, 2015 Report Share Posted May 23, 2015 The helix will take the navionics gold card, but not the platinum. I haven't bought one yet but from what I can tell through my research, the gold will give plenty of detail. I personally use my iPad though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted May 23, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2015 Ok thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted May 25, 2015 Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Are you looking for a console unit, a bow unit, or a unit for use in both places? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted May 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2015 Both eventually Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 IMO.....your structure scan/DI&SI doesn't do a whole lot for you at the bow. Most, not sure on birds, but for sure on hds,require minimum speed of 2-3 mph for them to properly operate. Again, this is in structure scan mode. My HDS unit up front stays on sonar 99% of the time. I use the structure scan on my console unit to identify structure, then hone in on it with front sonar. Food for thought, but if I was buying new units, I'd spend more money on screen size & sonar up front, then spend more on structure scan & GPS at the console. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peck Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 I use di on my bird up front to drop shot with. Other than that you are correct that it shows best structure at 2-3 mph so best suited at console. I'd go biggest screen size you can afford. It sucks trying to look at anything on a 5" screen. Wish I had went bigger on both mine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted May 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Thanks, the voice in my head always was telling me sonar is the main thing and I felt like the other stuff was more to catch the fisherman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzebackhuntr Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 Structure scan is invaluable if you learn how to use it. It's not just for show. If it was me, I'd go with a base model HDS unit and then you can always upgrade to structure scan at a later time if you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted May 26, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 I just can't justify spending that much for hds. It's affordable but if that's what I have to get , this hobby has out priced me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mountainman Posted May 26, 2015 Report Share Posted May 26, 2015 There are less pricey options than HDS out there.....my advice would be to stick to a good sonar with some size to it up front, and save your $$ for structure scan/DI & SI at the console. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted May 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2015 That sounds good... Back to the drawing board haha. Thanks for all the input guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pitchin pigs Posted May 30, 2015 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Well boys, I just broke down and bought a gen 2 touch hds from watsons. The 200 $ rebate helped sway me. Gonna try the install over the weekend. Is it ok to mount both ducers side by side on the transom? And what if I do with that yellow wire? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bronzebackhuntr Posted May 30, 2015 Report Share Posted May 30, 2015 Awesome, I wish I had a touchscreen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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