Connecting/Quality of Helix 7 G3N MSI to Terrova with built-in MDI

[andreindy]

I thought I would ask here. I have a new Terrova with built in Mega Down Imaging transducer. I need to purchase a locator for the bow of the boat. I am leaning towards a Helix 7 G3N with MSI/MDI because this unit would also be my portable unit when I go to Canada fly-ins. (I just cannot picture bringing a big Helix 8 on a fly-in?) My question/concern: The Helix 7 G3N MSI units are not known for good down imaging...something related to the transducer not having dedicated functionality for down imaging...at least I think. Has anyone connected this unit up to the built in down imaging transducer on a Terrova or Ulterra? Was the imaging of high quality?

[Real1]

Originally Posted by andreindy

I thought I would ask here. I have a new Terrova with built in Mega Down Imaging transducer. I need to purchase a locator for the bow of the boat. I am leaning towards a Helix 7 G3N with MSI/MDI because this unit would also be my portable unit when I go to Canada fly-ins. (I just cannot picture bringing a big Helix 8 on a fly-in?) My question/concern: The Helix 7 G3N MSI units are not known for good down imaging...something related to the transducer not having dedicated functionality for down imaging...at least I think. Has anyone connected this unit up to the built in down imaging transducer on a Terrova or Ulterra? Was the imaging of high quality?

If you have a built-in MDI transducer, you need to buy a Helix 7 Gen 3 MDI unit not a MSI. If you buy the MSI and have a MDI transducer, you will be paying for nothing. You will not get Side Imaging.
The latest generations (Gen 3) SI transducers have a dedicated crystal for down imaging so you get very good down imaging.
I have a MDI motor and a MDI Helix 12 ( not MSI) connected to it and the imaging quality is the best I have seen yet. I have used Helix models of all generations.


What transducer will you be using for the Fly-In ?

[andreindy]

Originally Posted by Real1

If you have a built-in MDI transducer, you need to buy a Helix 7 Gen 3 MDI unit not a MSI. If you buy the MSI and have a MDI transducer, you will be paying for nothing. You will not get Side Imaging.
The latest generations (Gen 3) SI transducers have a dedicated crystal for down imaging so you get very good down imaging.
I have a MDI motor and a MDI Helix 12 ( not MSI) connected to it and the imaging quality is the best I have seen yet. I have used Helix models of all generations.


What transducer will you be using for the Fly-In ?

Hello. I should have clarified. I know that if I run the Helix 7 MSI through the Terrova MDI transducer I will only be able to see MDI. The reason I would be interested in getting the Helix 7 MSI unit is so that when I use the unit in Canada, I can use the MSI transducer that came with it. (In other words, the MSI transducer will not be used except for when I use the locator portably...but that MSI is so valuable to me scouting those remote Canadian lakes). I am trying to determine if the poor DI on the Helix 7 G3N MSI is because of the stock MSI transducer that doesn't have the dedicated DI crystal or is it because of the Helix 7 G3N MSI head unit capabilities itself? I have a feeling it is related to the MSI stock transducer. If that is the case, the Helix 7 MSI head unit should work beautifully with the MDI Terrova transducer.

[MikeF]

The Helix 7 G3N MSI units are not known for good down imaging...something related to the transducer not having dedicated functionality for down imaging...at least I think.

I am trying to determine if the poor DI on the Helix 7 G3N MSI is because of the stock MSI transducer that doesn't have the dedicated DI crystal or is it because of the Helix 7 G3N MSI head unit capabilities itself? I have a feeling it is related to the MSI stock transducer.

Could you post a link(s) where the above info is in print?

I am thinking you have a possible solution in search of a nonexistent problem.

[Ozark Bob]

Originally Posted by andreindy

I thought I would ask here. I have a new Terrova with built in Mega Down Imaging transducer. I need to purchase a locator for the bow of the boat. I am leaning towards a Helix 7 G3N with MSI/MDI because this unit would also be my portable unit when I go to Canada fly-ins. (I just cannot picture bringing a big Helix 8 on a fly-in?) My question/concern: The Helix 7 G3N MSI units are not known for good down imaging...something related to the transducer not having dedicated functionality for down imaging...at least I think. Has anyone connected this unit up to the built in down imaging transducer on a Terrova or Ulterra? Was the imaging of high quality?

It is true DI. The old numbered units DI was derived by using part of the SI scan

[andreindy]

Thank you everyone for helping clear information. It would appear that the Helix 7 could meet my needs.