High Speed Readings with a Side Imaging Transducer

Will I be able to obtain high speed readings from my Side Imaging sonar?

Side Imaging technology generally works best in speeds under 10 MPH. This will vary depending on the boat hull and the location of the installation.  Compact Side Imaging transducers like those that come with the HELIX 5 CHIRP SI GPS G2, and HELIX 7 CHIRP SI GPS G2 are more conducive to faster speeds due to their smaller size.  

While the 2D sonar element built into the Side Imaging transducer may operate at higher speeds than the side imaging elements, depth and bottom readings with the transom-mounted HDSI, MEGA SI and MEGA SI+ transducers are greatly impacted by the turbulence generated due to their size. With this in mind, we highly suggest the following solution.  

  • The 9 M SIDB Y cable connected to the XP 9 20 transducer  (for all Side Imaging in our HELIX G2 or earlier models).  
  • For HELIX G3 & G4 models you would use the 9 M SIDB Y cable connected to the XP 9 HW  transducer.  
  • For the ONIX, ION and SOLIX G1, the 14 M ID SIDBY cable connected to the XP 14 20 transducer (for use with ONIX, ION and SOLIX).  
  • For the APEX, XPLORE, SOLIX G2 & G3 models the 14 M ID SIDBY cable connected to the XP 14 HW transducer.

For the above models, Y cables connect a dual beam transducer (for inside the hull mounting), and the Side Imaging transducer (mounted on the transom) to the unit.

See Installation Diagram here.

This solution will only work when shooting through the hull of a single layer fiberglass hull boat. 

If you have an aluminum boat, the Y cables would remain the same but you would select the transom 2D transducer for the respective models.

For more details on installing a transducer on your transom, watch the following video:

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