Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I now have a new one , Humminbird helix 5 sonar. I have not tried it just yet maybe next week I will get too.
Does anyone on here have one? How do you like it.

We are looking for a fish finder as well. As for your questions, isn't it a bit late to ask how people like it if it's already installed? What if you do not? Can you return it?

I told my husband to check out the manufacturers' websites for the latest products, look up the reviews on Amazon and check out the YouTube videos. As you can see, I do my research before purchasing.

Let us know how it fares for you.

I did alot of online looking, and picked this one for the sonar part, my old garmin would not show structure, this says it will, how else would you know unless it is installed.

I thought all fish finders work by sonar so I do not understand why structures would not show up on your old one.

Do you have a Pro Bass store near you? Normally they have a simulated program running on each product to show the customer what a variety of brands can do. YouTube usually has a lot of videos on electronics so I would think there would be a bunch of videos on fish finders.

We purchased a Lowrance fish finder over 20 years ago and my husband is overwhelmed with all the new options. I told him I want one that looks like you are watching a tv screen. Seriously, we google anything we plan on buying and look at the reviews by customers. Once a finder is installed, it's nonreturnable correct?

The Helix is a brand new model so probably not many out there yet. Should show structure fine.

I will let you all know , I hope to go camp at the lake for a week or two real soon.

It should have down imaging and you will be amazed at what you can see. I don't have that model but do have a 788, 998 and a 1197 on my toon and bass boat. Just "read the directions", I know, I know, who does that! And play with it until you have the image you want.

It did not come with directions, they are in the menu selections so I was told

I had mentioned that I was looking at this depthfinder in another post that I made, entitled "Well".

LadyGT asked.....

Another member got a Hummingbird Helix 5 fish finder. What made you choose that model? I just started looking for one for our new toon. While at the boat dealer, I noticed a Hummingbird on the shelf. At the time, I was not too interested with the brand. Now with 2 members adding it to their boats, I want to learn why.

here is my reply to her.....

well......
I began with Lowrance. I have 2 Lowrance units on my bassboat. They are older models tho (b & w) no gps, and they are anhhhh.......ok.
I really don't use them for finding fish.....mostly just depth. They are several years old.

I have a close friend that has high $$$ Humminbirds on his bassboat, and he loves them.....no problems.

I spoke with a local dealer, and his response was that Humminbird had taken the market for the past few years......due mostly to customer service. Other reasons were difficulty in using units.

Right or wrong, I began looking.

I knew I wanted color, and gps, and I wanted to be in the $300 range. Then I began looking at reviews of the unit, Amazon is a great place to read reviews, but they only showed 2 reviews for the Helix. So I Googled reviews for the unit. I found some other favorable reviews (don't remember where).

Now....the unit I will buy is the Helix 5 DI w/ GPS. The GPS has an internal antenna and the DI stands for "Down Imaging". This, as I understand it, will show fish within a structure.
Now I probably will not fish from our new tritoon boat, but, with GPS, if I happen to find somewhere that I would like to fish....I can GPS it, save it to the card, and revisit when I have the bassboat in the water.

I began looking at BassPro for pricing, but it appears Amazon has a little better price. If you don't want or need the "DI" function, it is cheaper. If you don't want or need the GPS....it is cheaper still.

That was my rational, price range, ease of use, color, gps, will work with lake map software, has 5" viewing screen.

A problem that I will encounter is.....where to put it. I could install as an in dash unit (which I would like), but the steering wheel will make it difficult to see.... ......so.....now I am checking out "Ram" mounts to get it up higher....but....I would have to remove the unit after each use to be able to put the cover on boat.

I have never owned one, but, I understand that the Garmin units are good units, easy to learn to use, and hold up.

Hope this helps.....pb


OR.......see the thread here:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=20734




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Go to Hummingbird's website, you should be able to download a pdf of the manual.

Helix 5 DI w/ GPS

When it comes to high tech things change quickly.

When I purchased my unit a year ago it was rated No.#1 in its class, in a top 5 review.

Since then it has drop to No#5 and the unit you are referring to is now No.#1

http://www.fishfinders.info/humminbird- ... gps-review

Very Nice Unit - enjoy the features.
I mounted my transducer on the trolling motor and have purchased an extension cable to reach the helm this coming year.

I've owned several hummingbird units and they've always performed well.

The Helix is new so there is little feedback. It offers a lot for the price, but the hardware is a bit slower for Humminbird to offer it so cheap. Compare it to the 688 with same features and Helix costs less yet has a larger screen.

This time around I wanted the down imaging, but of all the past units I've had, my favorite (Think it was a hummingbird) was a unit that displayed fish symbols,
but in addition also indicated if the position of the fish were basically under the boat or on port or starboard side all on one display.
It was extremely useful while fishing 200' or more of lead core, you could steer into the best indications.
I have it in my mind to look for another unit with that feature.

After a lot of research we purchased a Hummingbird Helix 5 SI. The boat has not even been delivered yet and it's already costing us a bundle.

Me too, I warned my wife that ordering was just the tip of the iceburg. I just tell her how much more other types of boats would cost. It makes me feel better not sure it works for her.