HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3

I installed this on my 16" fishing canoe. I liked the careful packing and quality of the hardware, and long cable for the transducer. Switching between screens is quick and easy and the sensitivity is very good, I can see fish as small as 10-12 inches in 10 feet of water with ease. It follows the bottom very accurately and the color contrast is better than other units Ive owned. The GPS track is accurate within a few feet in the river I fish in. The temp readout is exactly the same as an actual thermometer. The speed isnt much of a concern in a canoe but I found it did stay right up without any delay as good as other fishfinders Ive had. The transducer is pretty sturdy, and has a nice hefty feel to it so running in weeds and debris is no big deal. The headunit bracket is good but could be a little easier to mount and dismount. Overall worth every penny when compared to the pricey Lowrance units I have on my boats.

I have a small fishing boat, 14 foot, I think this is the perfect screen size and has a good amount of tech for the price point. The Down Imaging is nice. I like the GPS, I went out on a river and it had all the basic depths and Islands. I was impressed overall with the speed I could drive and still get graphing and down imaging. This even worked at 10 miles an hour. with just the standard graph and gps, it could keep up with 12 miles an hour pretty good. I haven't used this for fishing yet, but I think it's just the right level of tech for me. Sure all the advanced feature of GPS lock and networking with your trolling motor would be cool, but I'm not willing to pay for that since I only fish a few times per year. This was a great purchase.

Paired with a Minn Kota (DSC) Dual Specrrum CHIRP trolling motor.

I haven’t used it yet. I’ve been working on the install. One thing I noticed is that it doesn’t come with a swivel mount. I didn’t like that so I made one out of the new and old mounts. See pictures. This way I keep the same screw holes and footprint. I’ll update after use. The pictures are before painting it all but you get the picture.

Humminbird is always top quality and has excellent Customer Service. Having used their Helix CHIRP GPS 2D sonar for years, takes getting used to added technical complications with the Down Imaging setup.

good

I don’t need a 20” screen and a bunch of buttons that don’t do anything, so this Helix 5 is perfect for me, easy to install, easy to read, easy to see. I get speed, water temp and if I see marks on the screen I know they are fish and I catch them. Perfect for bass and trout and bottom contour. Luv luv luv luv it

Several issues. If you are interested, read carefully .. to start, the mount for the transducer broke when I popped it down into place. Faulty of cheap plastic. I contacted customer service Feb 16th and they said they would send a replacement. After not arriving in over a week, I bought a metal one and mounted it. Because of weather and miles to boat storage, it was not powered up until March 11th. Upon removing the screen protector I found an object under the upper right of the screen. I contacted support that day and let them know and stated I had not recieved a replacement transducer mount. They responded that I needed to send the unit back for repair. They also stated they were sorry I did not reciece the replacement mount they sent on Feb 16th. I then asked for the tracking number to follow where the replacement mount went. They responded with another apology that it was in-fact never sent. So either the customer service agent originally falsely said it had been sent or, never took the time to look into it. Regarding sending the unit back for repair: Being a never used factory defected unit, I had hoped for a replacement unit. I would feel differently if something was wrong after use. I do understand both sides of this issue But still feel I deserved a replacement after having a new defective unit. Wanting to help people in the future on March 11th, I contacted Johnson Outdoors, the Parent company of Humminbird and let them know I had quality control, product defect and customer service issues and records and photos to provide. The have not responded. I still do not know if the unit functions as designed but if it does, I am not sending it back to let them handle it again.

Still trying to figure out what everything means but works as it should

If you dont mind a smaller screen then the helix 7 or 9 bang for your buck!!! Down scan and side imaging…this will have you dialed on the water or ice

I haven’t installed it yet we have two feet of snow it will be a two month before I get to use it!

Now just wait till summer to try it out. Doesn’t look like I’ll have very many maps for my area. Have to keep an eye out for lake maps for around here.

I bought this 4 months ago and it already has moisture behind the screen that makes it hard to see the screen..it's covered under warranty BUT i have to pay the shipping fee 1 way !!! I love the options this has but 4 months in already having troubles and now I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE SHIPPING...my last fish finder was helix5di without the chirp and it only lasted 3 years by then it wasn't covered and it wouldn't even turn on , i think its time to switch brands even though I've only ever had humminbirds ....VERY POOR QUALITY NOW !!!