Humminbird Onix vs. Helix

I have decided to switch from my Lowrance elite 7 and 5 hdi units to hummingbird. I have done some research but have not personally used either of these products. So I am asking my BCB family for your advice and experience. I do not want this to become a humminbird vs. Lowrance vs. Garmin vs. Raymarine vs. etc argument. I just want to hear from current or previous owners of the newer Onix 10 and Helix 12 or dealers please. 1. Are the Onix 8/10 SI and DI that much better with the dedicated DI (crystals?) vs the SI and DI on a Helix? 2. I like the single transducer idea on the Onix 8/10 for SI and DI, as well as the ability to buy an Onix 8/10 ci only unit for the bow and select the DI/SI transducer from the console unit to save money. Have you done this and did you like it knowing your DI/SI signal was at the back of the boat? 3. Do you prefer the Helix 12 or the Onix 10? Why? Does the extra 2 inches on the screen outweigh the supposed advantages of Onix? 4. It is my understanding that you can mix Onix and Helix units, but they will only share waypoints and not SI and DI data. Is this correct? 5. Have you used the Autochart Live and do you like it? If so, did you buy the Zline software/microSD? Why or why not? 6. I am purchasing the Navionics card for my region since several of the lakes I fish are not on the lakemaster software yet. If I have a Navionics card, how does that work if I want to use the Autochart Live and Zline? Any other information you can provide as to the pros and cons of each model would be appreciated. Thanks. Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

This topic has 9 replies, 5 voices, and was last updated 8 years, 1 month ago by Basscatdreams.

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March 27, 2017 at 11:30 pm #361843

TAKFishing
Participant

Ed – The Onix are great units and far more than I need however I believe I heard that HB has discontinued them and Helix/Solix is the future. They are still supporting the units and releasing new SW, etc. however.

March 27, 2017 at 11:40 pm #361846

Bushmankev
Participant

Dont buy an Onix. They have been discontinued and will no longer be supported. Buy a Gen2 Helix. They have a dedicated DI crystal and youll get the new MEGA imaging which is amazing. You can share SI/DI/2D/waypoints with any networked unit i.e. Helix-Helix. The Autochart is amazing with the capability to record your own contours as well as bottom hardness and vegetation charting. Dont get the Navionics card. Go with Lakemaster for your region. Navionics is a great card but Lakemaster is owned by Humminbird and youll get more features using their card in your Bird such as depth highlighting and lake level offset. You will not be able to due that using a Navionics card in a Bird. The depth shading is incredible to find underwater humps and ledges. You can buy a Helix SI for your console and a Helix GPS for the bow and network them to save money. I recommend to hold off on the zero line card initially if your trying to save money. The Helix will record 8 hours of Autochart internally, so you can play with Autochart before expanding your capacity with a ZL card. I have a Helix 10 SI and love it. Go with a Helix 12 SI at the console and a Helix 10 GPS at the bow and youll be dialed after youve networked them which is a breeze. Youll need 2 dongles and an Ethernet cable. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

March 28, 2017 at 4:15 am #361849

Basscatdreams
Participant

Thanks. I see now where the site has the Onix listed as legacy. I will get a Helix 10 with mega SI and mega DI combo for my console. I can only afford one right now. In a few months, I can get one for up front. Do they make any kind of spotlight transducer for the Helix gen2? If so, can I still use the Helix gen 2 gps unit and connect that transducer?Thanks, this is great info.As for lakemaster. The 2 lakes I fish most are not on Lakemaster. So to get accurate maps, wont I need the Navionics? Will I need 2 cards when I have 2 Helix units? Lakemaster or NavionicsSent from my VS990 using Tapatalk

March 28, 2017 at 5:27 pm #361852

TAKFishing
Participant

Get yourself an ethernet cable to network the 2nd unit when you get it and you will only need 1 card….you can share the mapping this way…

March 28, 2017 at 5:52 pm #361855

Basscatdreams
Participant

Thanks. Now after looking closer to the HDS 9 gen3 3d, I am wondering if the mega 10 SI/di are better than the SI/di/3d of lowrance.All these expensive decisions are giving me a headache….

March 29, 2017 at 12:17 am #361858

Jay
Participant

The Helix has a simplicity of use that you will not find with the Onix. The G2/Mega Helix units are a great bang for the buck. They are easy to use and pretty much ready to go right out of the box.

March 29, 2017 at 2:06 am #361861

Basscatdreams
Participant

Jay wrote:The Helix has a simplicity of use that you will not find with the Onix. The G2/Mega Helix units are a great bang for the buck. They are easy to use and pretty much ready to go right out of the box.Thanks. Yeah, I think I am going with your alls advice, g2 10 mega and g2 10 chirp combo networked. One last question, any need or benefit to the external gps puck with the position sensor?Sent from my VK700 using Tapatalk

March 29, 2017 at 2:52 am #361864

Sparker
Participant

Whatever the Humminbird equivalent to the Point 1 is, its a must if you fish spots away from bank references. It eliminates the need to drive over your spot and drop a buoy. You just ease up, line up, and cast.

March 29, 2017 at 3:12 am #361867

Basscatdreams
Participant

Sparker wrote:Whatever the Humminbird equivalent to the Point 1 is, its a must if you fish spots away from bank references. It eliminates the need to drive over your spot and drop a buoy. You just ease up, line up, and cast.Thanks. I assume I will need a enema kit to install it with my 2 helix units?Sent from my VK700 using Tapatalk
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