Tips 'N Tricks 200: Humminbird SOLIX - Start Up Tips for Imaging Sonar & Mapping (Part 2)

[@rickycarstensen1734]

Well Done Doug I've watched a lot of video's on these Solix units and they were more confusing than helpful. You have taken it to a level we can all understand. Thanks

[@blainards3353]

I have to say you have some, if not the best videos on using the humminbird units. Really learning a lot. The units can be quite intimidating at first.

[@DougVahrenberg]

Thanks for the comments. Learn in steps that is the easiest way to learn your units

[@judysnowdrop1781]

By far the best video on KZbin regarding the Hummingbird Solix and how to set up and use! Thank you for sharing this. BTW, I liked, subscribed and rang the bell! Happy New Year!

[@biggeorgiaspots]

Great video, DV! I think a lot of people don't understand when the lower frequencies have an advantage in 3D --that shallow water demo made it very clear.

[@DougVahrenberg]

The number one thing is learning when and where it is best to use the different features and shallow water side imaging is an amazing tool....most do not realize how beneficial it is. Thanks Adam!

[@eldenross3378]

Very informative. Great video. As a brand new user it'd be helpful to state which button you're selecting each time e.g. the + or the check mark. Thank you!

[@DougVahrenberg]

I will try to add that to my presentations in the future.

[@GSGhostsquad]

awesome video i have a question about installing if i have a side / down imaging transducer and a in hull transducer for sonar with a y cable and there mounted within 1.5 feet from each other would they interfere with each other thanks

[@74LWC]

I bought a solix and all I've got is a blank screen. I've tried hooking up to the universal sonar on my terrova and to the transducer that came with it. It shows the data overlay on the left but nothing else will come up. Any ideas what I could do other than taking it back?

[@markg6960]

Hi Doug, Thanks for the info. Two things that I don't see discussed much are 1) How do you shade the different contour lines (ranges) with different colors. and 2) How do you custom size the panes? Thanks!

[@DougVahrenberg]

That is a feature of Lakemaster mapping and done with the Humminbird Map settings Solix you select pane size when creating new view

[@markg6960]

Thanks for the reply!

[@hahtsauce]

Doug I have a question for ya... how do you have your power source wired? Right now I’m running a Solix 10 SI but I don’t get the crisp images like you do on side imaging. I wired directly (with a fuse) to a dedicated deep cycle battery. I get 12.9v readout when I’m fully charged. I’ve heard of people upgrading the size of their wires to get better results. What is your opinion on that?

[@DougVahrenberg]

It's more than voltage. Voltage is like pressure but the amount of current is what really matters. Current is like Volume. You can get the same pressure out of a small wire as a large gauge wire but your not going to get the same current. I use 10 Gauge Duplex wire direct to each station for the fishing electronics and most importantly a high reserve capacity battery. I run Exide 27MSXX that is 180 Reserve Capacity at 25 amp for starting battery.

[@Josh-wv3mn]

Do you think that could be the main problem to having lesser quality imaging if using the stock wires?

[@DougVahrenberg]

The features cannot perform as designed so they are limited by power and can defiantly effect the performance. The unit can only perform as good as the install

[@sacalaitpunishers1021]

Doug thank you for all the vids, you have saved me countless hours to learn my Solix!👊I’m new user of the Solix and like using color 11, will Sacalait show a red return?

[@kerryburgess7758]

Great video, very informative. I do have questions. Why do you have so many units on your boat & what is each used for?

[@fishboy1270]

I need your help, I recently got a new boat with a solid ten g2 up front and a solix 12 g2 in the back, the transducer for the back is not letting me use side imaging or down imaging and will not let me use the back transducer at all I need help!

[@DougVahrenberg]

How is the back transducer rigged? Single Transducer or did they install Y Cable with Shoot Thru or separate 2D only transducer and MEGA Imaging Transducer

[@fishboy1270]

Doug Vahrenberg we got it from bass pro like this and I really don’t know and going back isn’t an option

[@farrufat21]

Good video, still hard to read, new angler here, but working on it. Thanks.

[@enrique74able]

Hey Doug is that the gen2 ? I read the comments but I don’t see it? Thanks

[@whitebass16]

I just bought a solix 15 to go along with my ultrex MDI.. what carrying case do you recommend for my solix 15. I dont have the luxury of keeping my boat inside so I need to remove my units

[@DougVahrenberg]

I don't do carry cases but I hear guys using the Pelican brand cases that have foam you can customize to fit the shape of the unit

[@williamhaberstroh8839]

Great video. Thanks. Question not exactly relating to this video, but just got a Solix Mega on the console. Do you know if I put another Solix Mega on the front, could I mount the transducer for the front on the trolling motor? Thinking about running ethernet cable between the two. I'm up front most of the time. Thanks so much. Lots to learn about the Mega and your videos are great. Thanks again.

[@DougVahrenberg]

Yes you can

[@williamhaberstroh8839]

Thanks. One more question ... do you have trouble with low voltage with the Solix? We bought ours a few months ago and get constant low voltage alarm. As soon as you turn something else on (live well, or other front unit now that we have one). Actually it can even come on without anything. We are connected to the starting battery, have a new battery, new 3 bank battery charger and still low voltage. Is this just us or is this because it uses a lot of juice. We used to have Helix 9 but this didn't happen. It happened with the single one we had on console and now it's also happening with one on front. (We don't have them on at same time because of this and even then it still happens). Thanks.

[@DougVahrenberg]

Reserve Capacity is the spec to look at when buying a Starting Battery for running boat accessories. Cranking Amps is how fast it will spin the starter. Reserve Capacity is like a bank account how much power available to use for accessories. I run Exide 27MSXX Battery with 180Reserve Capacity at 25 Amp. 10 Gauge wire direct from the battery to the console to power unit and separate 10 gauge wire to the bow to power the bow electronics. Suppling the right current is critical on this high featured units.

[@dudenamedmike1]

So....these sonars basically show u what you've passed or what's beside u correct??.. do they show u what's up ahead ??

[@melbarkerjr1417]

Doug. Bought a solix and need to put a high speed transducer in hull. What kind of splitter do i need

[@DougVahrenberg]

I don't remember the part number but it is on the Humminbird Website for the SOLIX to split 2D sonar to second transducer. Or call Humminbird 800-633-1468

[@johnglynn5089]

what transducer are you using?

[@DougVahrenberg]

The standard package transom mount transducer

[@garyle802]

Nice video Doug, did you touch on "Sharpness"? Makes a big difference.

[@DougVahrenberg]

I personally do not use it much but it is an advanced feature some find helpful.

[@JTfishing6130]

gotta love bumpin them sneaky submerged ones. I saw that lol.

[@DougVahrenberg]

That's all we have in Truman is stumps and trees... If you ain't fishing in them you ain't catching!

[@UkrainianFishingLeague]

tell me if there is a Russian menu in the settings?

[@DougVahrenberg]

I've only used the Domestic US version but there is international versions that offer multiple languages. I would recommend asking Humminbird or your local distributor what languages are included.

[@Sean.Fischer]

Hey man do you know if the image quality is any different on the helix MEGA Si compared to the new solix?

[@DougVahrenberg]

I can see more with the SOLIX than the HELIX or it's easier to see. SOLIX has so many more colors and the operating system is much more advanced which helps in displaying the data and why SOLIX is the tops of the industry!

[@Sean.Fischer]

thanks for your response ive been watching a lot of your videos and have learned so much!

[@rcagle123]

My hummingbird is more user friendly than my lowrance. Love the the mega imaging!

[@slipshankd1307]

is gen 3 helix the same of gen 2 solix?

[@bamayates5850]

9:59 you hit a stump? Not sure I saw it on the imaging either?

[@DougVahrenberg]

You can see the shadow on the Right side of the screen from the tree.

[@cuauhtemocbarragan9632]

My depth reads dont work on my solix 10 but everything else works

[@DougVahrenberg]

Does 2D sonar work? That is where the depth readings come from.

[@cuauhtemocbarragan9632]

@@DougVahrenberg it works but I finally got it I just kept screwing the connectors on the back in more I guess that fixed the problem thanks for getting back to me

[@costaskyriakou6178]

Nice video!!!! Up to which depth Mega side imaging works? Thanks!!

[@DougVahrenberg]

You have 3 different frequency ranges and the Mega range can work to 150' but I normally use lower frequencies in deeper water but MEGA frequency in 50' or less.

[@Jeff-sz7so]

It's funny how I see trees in 22ft of water on your left and right . Not something I see in North. The mega option is Wow! But I'm still enjoying my 789.

[@fatbeach9024]

costs as much as used car

[@dannyrivera6716]

Where's the fish?

[@DougVahrenberg]

In the Water...LOL This video was to help others learn how to set-up there units not fish id

[@rippincharts]

I love your videos except it's burning my ears to hear you make up terms. Like when you refer to side imaging as awesome mega imaging.

[@kirylkiryienka6910]

the best fishfinder is old 2d unit. nothing more needed for fishing. Never saw a person who catch fish with fishfinder. Especially this side imaging units never show fish itself. All the bottom shape You can see well with 2d. All other job is done with Your hands and tackle. I think if You have 10K boat You are just MUST install this 3 K USD units - just to show Your status. You won't fish - You'll watch this stupid lcd 90% time on fishing, like people on the street looking in their smartphones 90% of life time.Look around!!! Look at nature! not this cheap bait made to take You time and money!

[@DougVahrenberg]

Do what ever works best for you BUT I've caught lots of fish looking at the Fish Finder and see lots of fish that you will not see in 2D sonar because of the limited coverage area.

[@DougVahrenberg]

Nothing beats Fishing Knowledge ad Experience but good electronics narrows the gap and helps more anglers find the fish...finding the fish is the hardest part then Fishing Skills take over. Fishing Electronics won't make you the best angler in the world but they can help you catch more fish!