Chrisb Posted November 27, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2023 8 gauge wire seems like way overkill. The specs say the current draw is .8 amps. 8 gauge wire is for 40 amps. Still studying but the Helix 7 is at the top of the list right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lundtastic Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 I've always ran Humminbird and has been just fine for Erie. I have the unit with Mega side and down imaging along with chirp sonar. I check spots with chirp and switch to the down and chirp screen to verify the chirp is not leading me astray before I try for perch on the bottom. Honestly getting a unit that is larger will give you the navigation screen and sonar of your choice at the same time. If you have i pilot it makes it simpler to spot lock and then spot lock again if you drift a bit due to winds or no wind. Side imaging really hasn't done much for me as it is better in the shallow water. So great for inland. I have used it and seen cars laying on the bottom of the welland river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisb Posted November 29, 2023 Author Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 It seems like the hummingbird is the one I want. The boat is packed up for the winter so I will keep looking until the spring unless some super deal comes up sooner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surf and Turf Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 On 11/27/2023 at 7:48 AM, Fish Farmer said: Had Helix 7 GPS and DI, tried using the DI display and turned it off, found it was a gimmick.🙈 It still works OK but fishing 10 to 13 Hour days the screen was melting in the sun, they say it's because using lighter Gage wire. Was at a seminar and found out the most important thing is use 8 Gage wire direct from the battery and as short as possible. Now I have a Helix 9 sonar with GPS has 2 Micro card slots for Navionics and LakeMaster cards, that's all you need. Don't get hung up on the Bells and whistles. I found the Humminbirds very user friendly, you can turn off a lot of those display screens. But that's my opinion, got lots of money, buy those bells&whistles.👍😀 Interesting point about the heavier gauge wire. I've been having similar issues with my Humminbird with screen at corners and edges. It will often cycle on/off when I restart the engine which is hard on the electronics not to mention, annoying. After doing a bit of research it looks like they are very sensitive to voltage fluctuation. Will be upgrading wire in the spring to see if that helps. My unit is 12 years old and I don't know or try to use half the features and it still serves me well for my use at least. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lundtastic Posted November 29, 2023 Report Share Posted November 29, 2023 3 hours ago, Chrisb said: It seems like the hummingbird is the one I want. The boat is packed up for the winter so I will keep looking until the spring unless some super deal comes up sooner. The helix 7 G4 is 100 bucks off from humminbird, they just emailed me, good till the end of the year. Chrisb 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisb Posted December 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2023 I sent an inquiry to Hummingbird and apparently the Helix 7 can't go with the mega live. I don't know if the Helix 9 will fit well onto my boat. Time to look deeper into the Garmin units. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonietoon1 Posted December 26, 2023 Report Share Posted December 26, 2023 Go to Angling Outfitters and talk to Joslyn he is the man with Electronics and will always help even later with problems 519-539-5494 give him a call Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrisb Posted December 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted December 26, 2023 That's a 4 hour round trip drive from Welland. I don't think I want to drive 2 hours each way just to talk about fish finders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loonietoon1 Posted December 27, 2023 Report Share Posted December 27, 2023 Chris you can call him for advise Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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