HELIX 9 MSI+ GPS G4N Software Update

Updated April 22, 2025 16:18

CURRENT VERSION - 2.930

RELEASED DATE - February 8, 2024

Affected Models:

(411950-1) HELIX 9 MSI+ GPS G4N
(411950-1CHO) HELIX 9 MSI+ GPS G4N CHO
(411380-1) HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N
(411380-1CHO) HELIX 9 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G4N CHO

JUMP TO: NEW & UPDATED FEATURES, IMPORTANT NOTES & PREREQUISITES, DOWNLOAD AND UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS, CURRENT HELIX SOFTWARE, ACCESSORY SOFTWARE UPDATES, MINN KOTA SOFTWARE, GENERAL FIXES

New and Updated Features

Waypoints, Routes, and Tracks Counter

A counter for the number of Waypoints, Routes, Tracks, and iTracks has been added to the top bar of the Waypoint, Routes, and Tracks tool in the Nav Menu.

Support for the Humminbird AS ETH 5PGL Ethernet Switch

The new AS ETH 5PGL Ethernet switch is supported by this software update. While the prior AS ETH 5PXG switch is still supported, the AS ETH 5PGL contains upgrades that allow support for much larger One Boat Networks. For more information please visit Humminbird’s Ethernet Networking Learning page.

Minn Kota QUEST Trolling Motor Battery Monitoring Support

With this software update for HELIX, in conjunction with the 2.200 or newer software update for Minn Kota QUEST motors, a new Battery Monitoring Tool is included to keep track of trolling motor battery usage in real-time. For more information visit Minn Kota’s QUEST Motor Technology page.

Important Notes and Prerequisites

Know before you update

NOTICE! To ensure a smooth update process, please keep the unit powered on until the update is fully completed. Interrupting the power supply during the update can result in system instability or data loss. It is crucial for the integrity of the update that the unit remains operational throughout the entire procedure.

DO NOT power the unit off during the update.
You will need a Class 10 SD or Micro SD (depending on Humminbird model) no larger than 32GB, and 440 MB of available space.
HELIX software MUST be installed BEFORE installing any accessory software.
Important! Support for AS 360 SSI, AS 360 TM, AS 360 TM UL has been removed from this software. There is no effect on MEGA 360 products.
MEGA Live version 1.300* or newer should be installed on MEGA Live transducers to use with software version 2.930 on HELIX.
MEGA Live Target Lock version 1.180* or newer should be installed on MEGA Live Target Lock accessory systems to use with software version 2.930 on HELIX.
Advanced GPS Navigation version 2.200* or newer should be installed on Minn Kota Advanced GPS Navigation System enabled motors manufactured in 2024 or after to use with software version 2.930 on HELIX.
i-Pilot Link version 1.440* or newer should be installed on i-Pilot Link trolling motors to use with software version 2.930 on HELIX.
The defaults will be restored when 2.930 is installed.

Download and Update Instructions

Software Download Instructions

Click the link below to begin downloading the software update file to your computer

Save the .UPD file to your PC (this will most likely be saved in your Downloads folder) and move the .UPD file to your SD card.

Connect the SD card to your computer and ensure it is detected.
Open File Explorer
Locate the update file in your Downloads section (see example below)
Example:
Cut/copy and paste the desired files from your computer to your SD card. You can also drag and drop items.
- Tip: If you use the “Cut and Paste” method, the files will only be saved on your SD card, freeing up space on your local disk.
- If you use the “Copy and Paste” method, you’ll get a duplicate of the chosen files, keeping a backup on your computer.
Once the file has successfully saved on your card, safely disconnect your SD card.

Software Update Instructions

Before you begin: make sure to remove any other card that may be present, such as a LakeMaster, Zero Lines, Navionics, etc., from the unit before initializing the new update.

Two Methods to Update:

Method 1: Install the update with an SD card

Method 2: Update with the One Boat Network App

Update Method 1

Install the microSD or SD card with the updated software file into the control head card slot.
Power the unit on.
The control head will recognize the new software (recognition may take several minutes) and run through a series of prompts to confirm the software installation.
1. You will first be asked if you want to install the displayed version. To continue, answer with "Yes" (RIGHT Cursor key).
2. You will then be asked if you want to abort the update in the chance you proceeded by mistake. To proceed with the update, answer "No" (LEFT Cursor Key).

Software Update Tutorial Videos

Windows users: Click here to watch the video tutorial

Mac users: Click here to watch the video tutorial

Update Method 2

Updating Software on a HELIX using the One-Boat Network App

Pair a HELIX to a Mobile Phone | Update the HELIX Software

Once you have signed in to the One-Boat Network App, the app will walk you through connecting your mobile device to your Humminbird and Minn Kota devices. You can choose to skip this step and come back to it later. To return to the Bluetooth Pairing menu, select Self Help from the Home screen and then select Bluetooth Pairing .

Pairing a HELIX to a Mobile Phone

Press the HOME key.
Select the Bluetooth tool.
Select Connect Phone under Phone Bluetooth Settings to make your Humminbird unit discoverable by your mobile device.
Navigate to the Bluetooth Settings on your mobile device.
Select your Humminbird model name under Other Devices (iOS) or Available Devices (Android).
When prompted, tap Pair on your phone. Once your Humminbird unit is paired with your device, the Humminbird model name will display under My Devices in the iOS Bluetooth settings or Paired Devices in the Android Bluetooth settings.
In your phone settings menu, turn on Show Notifications (iOS only).

In addition to the instructions in this section, confirm your mobile device has Location Services enabled for GPS tracking and a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection for downloading charts and software updates.

NOTE: Some of the information and instructions may not apply to all mobile devices. Refer to the instructions included with your mobile device.

Update the HELIX Software using the One-Boat Network App

Open the One-Boat Network App on your mobile device.
Tap Network + Updates.
Tap Download Update next to the Humminbird device you want to update. The download progress is displayed on the screen. You can also tap More Options icon (...) next to the device you want to update, and then tap Download Update. Use this menu to pause or cancel the download (Apple iOS only).
Tap Transfer Software next to the selected device once the download is complete. You can also tap the More Options icon (...) again, and then tap Transfer Software or Delete Software.
Confirm the estimated transfer time.
Tap the radial button to select where to upload the software update (internal storage, SD card 1, or SD slot 2).
Tap Start Transfer (Apple iOS) or Transfer (Google Android). The upload progress is displayed under the selected unit in the One-Boat Network App and in the System Status view on the fish finder.
Follow the on-screen prompts on the fish finder to complete the software installation.

Current HELIX Software

Stop! Before proceeding to the download, please have your serial number ready, and follow the instructions below to ensure you receive the correct file for your unit.

Look at the first six digits of your serial number (example below).

If your first six digits are lesser than 230905, use the following download:

DOWNLOAD HELIX SOFTWARE UPDATE 2.930

If your first six digits are greater than or equal to 230905, use the following download only:

DOWNLOAD HELIX SOFTWARE UPDATE 2.930

Bluetooth

Fixed an issue with software updates transferred from the One Boat Network app.

Bluetooth Talon

Fixed an issue with controlling the starboard TALON in a dual-TALON setup.

Chart

Fixed an issue with Cursor functionality while using the Chart in Heads-Up Mode.
Fixed an issue with Chart Info results.
Fixed an issue with Base/Overlay controls when both a LakeMaster Legacy and LakeMaster VX card are inserted at the same time.
Fixed an issue with the Chart Source menu when a Navionics card is inserted.
Fixed a performance issue with Chart Zoom levels, Waypoints, and Chart Decluttering.

ICE Mode

Updated the RTS window to default on and to A-scope mode.
Combined the RTS window feature in 2D, 2D Zoom, and Flasher views.
Fixed an issue with the RTS window after restarting the control head.
Fixed an issue with MEGA 360 detection in Ice Mode.

MEGA 360

Fixed an issue with the backlight caused by putting a unit into Standby Mode with MEGA 360 connected.
Fixed an issue with MEGA 360 pinging if a remotely subscribed unit is put into Standby Mode.

MEGA Live

Improved MEGA Live and MEGA 360 Interference Rejection reliability and performance.
Added Auto Sensitivity and Contrast into Landscape mode.
Removed Pitch and Roll compensation from Landscape mode.
Added several incremental MEGA Live data display improvements.
Improved bottom stability compensation (IMU/AHRS) performance. This improves MEGA Live in rough water and while using the trolling motor.

Minn Kota Trolling Motor

Fixed an issue with Boat Scale resetting to the default value on i-Pilot Link.
Fixed an issue with i-Pilot Link disconnecting on One Boat Networks with large amounts of waypoint data.
Fixed several issues with i-Pilot Link and Advanced GPS Trolling System navigation.
Fixed several issues with i-Pilot Link and Advanced GPS Trolling System after stowing the trolling motor.

Networking

Fixed several networking issues when there are several units on the network.
Fixed a weak sonar issue caused by 2D and DI being subscribed to from different sources.
Fixed an issue with Side-Imaging data in the water column when using the Zoom Feature.
Fixed several issues related to waypoint sharing with SOLIX and APEX units.
Fixed several HELIX performance issues when there are several units on the network.

NMEA 2000

Fixed an issue with NMEA 2000 data dropping out on large NMEA 2000 networks.
Fixed the Temperature readout label on the Gauge View