The Humminbird Helix 9 & 10 is the new generation of the “Core Series”, replacing the 800 and 900 series units. If you are looking for a big screen, feature packed fish finder, the Helix 10 and Helix 9 are a great place to start.
I upgraded my bass boat from an 1199 and 1159 to the Helix 10 SI GPS and Helix 10 DI GPS this spring, so this is a review based on my own on the water experience. Overall you will see that the Helix 9 & 10 are bigger, brighter, faster, and have more fishing tools on board than any previous generation of Core Series units.
Helix 9 & 10 Overview
Despite looking very similar, there are some differences between the units, which are helpful to compare in the table. Physically, the Helix 9 & 10 share the same plastic body, so on the 9 you get a wider black border around the screen.
What’s kind of crazy is the Helix 9 display has 800×480 pixels, the same number of pixels in a 9″ screen as the Helix 7 and Helix 5. The Helix 10 though, has 1024×600 pixels, and is a big reason you might want to save your money and get the 10.
| Model | Helix 10 SI GPS | Helix 10 DI GPS | Helix 9 SI GPS | Helix 9 DI GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 10.1" | 10.1" | 9.0" | 9.0" |
| Pixels | 1024x600 | 1024x600 | 800x480 | 800x480 |
| Sonar | 83/200kHz | 83/200kHz | 83/200kHz | 83/200kHz |
| Side Img | 455/800kHz | - | 455kHz* | - |
| Down Img | 455/800kHz | 455/800kHz | 455kHz* | 455/800kHz |
| 360 Imaging | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible |
| Networking | YES** | YES** | YES** | YES** |
| SD Memory | 2 Slots | 2 Slots | 2 Slots | 2 Slots |
| AutoChart Live | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| SmartStrike | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible |
| Reviews & | Cabela's | Cabela's | Cabela's | Cabela's |
| Prices | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon | Amazon |
*Helix 9 comes with the “Compact SI” transducer, which is only 455kHz capable. You can exchange your new, unopened transducer for the HDSI transducer to get the 800kHz option. See more here.
**You can network other Helix 9, 10, 12, as well as 800/900/1100 series units with the 5 Port Ethernet Hub and the necessary cables.
Helix 10 SI GPS Review
There are a lot of things about the Helix 10 that you will be familiar with.
Same Transducers – It comes packed with the XHS 9 HDSI 180 T, the same transducer as the 900 & 1100 series. This means HD side imaging, blended beam Down Imaging, and 83/200 kHz standard sonar. New Graphics – The menus have been updated graphically, but the menus themselves are mostly the same. The exclusive Lakemaster mapping options like depth highlight and water level offset are all there as well. The data boxes have been update as well. You have an overlay option (Depth, Speed, Temp), or Data Boxes which stack on the left side. Sleek New Body – The plastic body is completely redesigned, with a nearly edge to edge glass font. It looks sleek and the big glass bonded display gives it some heft and a feeling of quality. Beautiful 10.1″ Display – While just smaller than the 1199, it has more pixels and more viewable area because they finally got rid of the row of data boxes on the bottom. New Cable Collector – There is now just a single cable collector, with nice spring loaded latches, making removal so much easier. Heavy Duty Cover – The unit cover is now a heavy duty neoprene type material that fits over the unit like a glove. It snaps around the housing and so far has not flown off like the old plastic covers used to. Smoother Scrolling – The keypad buttons have a harder feel to them compared to my old 1199. Moving the cursor around the screen is now much smoother. Gone are the sudden jerky cursor movements while trying to quickly mark something on the side imaging.Keypad Closeup/Glass Thumbnail
Cable Collector Thumbnail
Neoprene Cover Thumbnail
The new stuff is where the Helix 10 starts to get fun.
12 Imaging Color Palettes – There are over a dozen new color palettes to work with on the Helix 10. Some of them look amazing, some look a little dim, but I’m sure my favorites will be different depending on the type of lake. My current favorites for SI and DI are the old Amber 1 standby and the new Yellow and Plum palettes. Yellow looks amazing and strong returns pop with a red-orange hue. The Plum palette looks really good, especially on 800 kHz.Related: Side Imaging Tutorial
AutoChart Live – The Helix 10 SI comes loaded with AutoChart Live, which I am really happy about. It has enough on board memory to record and save 8 hours worth of mapping. I’ve used the AutoChart Live function several times now, and it really is slick. If I want a more accurate map of an area, with a few button clicks, I will begin to see the new contours overlaying the old immediately. SmartStrike – The fact that Helix 9 & 10 will soon be SmartStrike compatible is an added bonus. SmartStrike has all the same lake maps as your Lakemaster cards, with the added functionality of the Contour Elite software. By entering some variables and conditions, the program scans the lake map (HD maps only) and overlays likely fishing locations. I can’t wait to try this on out of town lakes.One thing I was slightly disappointed in, was that while my waypoints all imported fine, but my old 1199 screenshots didn’t. On the Helix my old screenshots are a bunch of static noise, leaving me wondering what some waypoints were marking. To make lemonade out of the problem, it does give me a reason to revisit some of these old places.
This unit is definitely an improvement and refinement of the 1199 series that I replaced. I love the AutoChart function and Side Imaging has never looked better thanks to the new display. Overall I think the Helix 10 SI GPS is one the best fish finders you can buy today.
Helix 10 Screen Shots
Should you Buy a Humminbird Helix 10?
Pros + There are almost too many things to list here, but I will summarize it like this: The bright, high resolution screen with Side/Down Imaging, Lakemaster, AutoChart Live, SmartStrike, and 360 Imaging capabilities, the Helix 10 SI GPS is truly a total fishing package.
Cons – The only possible downside I can think of to the Helix 10 and Helix 9 is the lack of CHIRP sonar, but that is something I can easily overlook because of the wealth of other useful features in the units. If you are hoping for a touchscreen, you will need to look at the big buck units like ONIX or HDS Gen 3, but these are a working man’s fish finders and get the job done.
The Bottom Line: The Helix 10 SI and Helix 10 DI get my highest approval and recommendation. The screens are sharp, bright, and bigger than ever. I’ve used AutoChart Live many times already, and it really is amazing to have it ready to use on demand.
For the ultimate fishing setup, I highly recommend a Helix 10 SI GPS for your console, and either a Helix 9 DI or Helix 10 DI paired with 360 Imaging at the bow. This setup has changed the way I fish forever, and it can help you too.
On the helix 10 operators manual, I can’t locate a combo view which displays 2 views vertically (say down-scan and side-scan).
One above the other thus allowing full 10″ screen width on sidescan.
Can anybody help please?
It depends on which generation HELIX you have. That feature came in either G2 or G3 (I don’t remember exactly), so you may need to update your software. https://www.humminbird.com/support/software-updates
Does the Helix 10 SI gps gn2 have the capabilities of mega side imaging with an updated transducer
No sir, you need a MEGA SI unit to get it.
Looking at the 9″ screen Si for my boat wondering how updated the charts are the South Louisiana Marsh is Biloxi Marsh system,Lake Pontchatrain system etc. Can I get a chip for this unit that shows all the lil bayous down here I love the graphics of this unit and can you hook up Bluetooth in order to get local weather forcast
I’m not seeing either of those systems on the most recent lake list. Navionics might be your best bet. The Bluetooth function does not currently allow the display of things like weather.
Having trouble with my helix 10 chirp going to low vow voltage alarm after 1 or two hours of use. Running off a Optima blue top battery 1 year old. New charger and checked all fittings and fuses. send me some input or advice on fixing this problem.
This is not uncommon with any of the bigger fish finders these days, sometimes they power off when the big motor starts.
Did you wire directly to the starting battery or to your boat’s accessory power? Make sure it’s at least 14awg. Anything less can experience voltage drop, especially if there are other devices running off the same battery.
Does The helix 9/10 come with both SI /DI … ? Looking to purchase one loaded helix … been leaning towards the 10
Rather buy one helix that can do all the jobs .. not into buying two units … not in the budget .
As well do they have flasher mode ?
These two models have both SI and DI built into the transducer. I have a HELIX 10 MEGA SI and it’s great.
HELIX 10 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N
HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA SI GPS G2N
No flasher mode that I know of, I believe only HELIX 7 and 5 have that option.
Good morning. I have been reviewing the Helix 9 10. Di si mega no mega. Do only the Di you don’t need the si. You don’t need the mega image. I fish for Macks. 190 to 250 depth. Problems with the Si You need buy two transducer . Its all so confusing to me. Can someone advise pls. I want to have the best. I fish the tournament’s spring and fall and want to win. Thank you
I’m sorry, I don’t understand your question. But I will try to provide some helpful info.
I’ve had nothing but problems with my Helix 9 sonar GPS unit since about 6 weeks after purchasing it. It is on the front of the boat and failed to fire up when I turned it on. I sent it in to Humminbird and they didn’t find anything wrong. I got it back, checked it out on the boat and it came on. I got to the lake and it would not fire up again. This time it had a bubble on the rear housing. I sent it back and they changed the circuit board. I checked it out on an external 12 v battery and it fired up. Went to fish the next morning and it would not come one. I had the wiring changed by a dealer to go directly to the Helix 10 and Helix 9 prior to placing them on the boat for the last trip. This is getting way old! If you ever let someone else park your vehicle on Wal-Mart’s parking lot on a Saturday and then was blindfolded and told to find your vehicle then you know how it would be to fish without your “eyes!”
Dennis, all signs point to you having a bad or undersized boat battery, or a bad inline fuse on your power cable. They would not just send you back a bad unit if it didn’t check out OK.
Does this come with a contour map of your area when you buy it?
There is a base map, but there are not very many lakes covered by it. I would recommend a Lakemaster map card, check for your lakes are covered http://www.humminbird.com/Category/Support/Find-a-Lake/ , or Navionics map card as a second choice.
Helix 9 and 10 overview.
Notice that you put the SI on the console. I began fishing lake of the Ozarks which has a million docks and was wondering if the Side Scan would be a bigger benefit on the bow and may show fish, brushpiles, structure etc.. between and under docks? any suggestions?
I don’t usually recommend using SI on the bow, because you need to be moving 2-4mph to get the best images. But I know some people do it and like it.
They way you are fishing, you would be better off with a Helix 10 Sonar/GPS on the bow and use the money you saved on a AS 360 bow mount. You can sit stationary and see brush in front of you and to the sides as you go along the bank. It’s the real deal!