Kayaking and fishing are outdoor hobbies that truly never go out of style. As a matter of fact, they do not even go out of season especially for those who really are into it. Whether you are just a fishing enthusiast, a commercial fisherman, or a professional in the field of marine life specifically of fish, you would know how important it is to have an up to date gear.
For this reason, I have scrimmaged for the latest and best GPS fish finders available. I kind of stumbled upon the Humminbird 410210-1 Helix 5 Chirp GPS G2 Fish Finder. If you happen to be someone who is planning on taking a chance on this gear, you are on the right page because I am going to unpack this gear with the things you have to know about it.
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Table of Contents
What’s in the Box?
Let us start with what you will see in the box. On top of the box would be the device itself, the Chirp GPS GS2 Fish Finder. If you lift the device, you will find the accessories that come with it. What comes with the box would be the transducer, the hardware for image processing and other functions, its power cable, and the gimbal mount for better positioning and stability.
Some of the FAQs for what is in the box include, does it come with a case? The answer is no. Its case is purchased separately. It fits perfectly so you can just attach it to your waist whenever you go out fishing. But you must also know that its cover is made of a material called neoprene so it is not waterproof. It is also suggested that you buy a double ball mount for the Helix 5 for you to get a 360-degree movement for the gear. This is also bought separately and I can vouch that it is a good investment if you want to get the most out of the Helix 5.
Features, Specifications, and Benefits
I think that we can all agree on the fact that Helix 5 has one of the most upgraded sets of features and specs available. The manufacturers clearly invested in imaging and navigation which is clearly manifested in its 5” screen with 1,500-nit brightness at an 800×480 resolution. Aside from this, the following features and specs totally make it a good catch:
- CHIRP Sonar: This imaging feature comes in 2D, Switchfire, Dual Beam, and Digital CHIRP. The 2D gives you more two-dimensional image returns for any type of water be it freshwater lakes, icy waters or coastal waters. The Switchfire on the other hand, allows you to control what returns you want to see. With its Max and Clear modes, you can choose to see details such as fish type, fish structure, and even the temperature at that part of the water. The Dual Beam can probe up to 1700 feet down and lets you combine two beams for more precision. Now the digital CHIRP gives you max accuracy because it operates highly on the transducer where it would scan for fish movements and frequencies in a wider range so it can actually produce a variety of returns and not just 2D images. This also comes with a Fish ID feature to let you know what type of fish it is based on its structure and environment as well as Fish Alarms to signal you when a fish is just around.
- Basemap: This built-in base map does not only give a better chart of where the fishes are but also protects the gear itself when navigating. With its Autochart Live and built-in GPS, the base map gives more detailed angles of the water terrain, its contours, and even its depth. Aside from this, it could also sense and gives you an image of surrounding buoys, other potentially destructive items, and other navigation aids. It comes with a UniMap feature and a 3D map feature which you can choose if you have a LakeMaster or Navionics chip in the micro SD slot. It can detect at least 2, 800 waypoints, almost 50 routes, and tracks.
- Other features and specs: It also works on an IPX7 waterproof rating which means that it is resistant to harsh water exposures during heavy rains, snow, and heard splashes. It also works on an NMEA 1083 output for sonar recordings, snapshots, and easy software upgrading which is perfect for boats in motion.
How is it Used
Because this part is quite technical, just spitting words would not be enough. I suggest that we turn for visuals in this section. Now I have found some helpful videos from installation to actually using it on fishing which I think will be helpful. For installation, you can check these videos from Sin City Outdoors and The Outdoor Thinker. On the installation and use part, you can watch these clips from Humminbird TV and Stones Corner Marine.
Pros and Cons
Here is a rundown of the pros and cons of the product:
|
Pros |
Cons |
|---|---|
|
Sonar Technology via CHIRP |
Separate purchase gear cover. |
|
Depth and transducer capability |
It does not have battery saver feature when stationary. |
|
Imaging and mapping precision | |
|
LED display, wide resolution, and IPX7 waterproof scale | |
|
NMEA 1083 port, Micro SD reader slot with upgradable internal software | |
|
Easy to install mounts and parts |
Final Notes
So here is everything you need to know about the Humminbird Helix 5 CHIRP. Personally, I find it commendable but of course, the final verdict is still on your hands. Happy fishing!
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