Helix 7 unboxing and NMEA 2000 discussion

In this video we unbox a Humminbird Helix 7, as well as take a look at all the NMEA2k components that will be installed on my boat this spring. Also discussed is how NMEA2k works and how to wire it. Real Life Fishing, brought to you by a real life angler!
Follow us on Facebook at: / reallifefishing
Follow 'Ski Baits on Facebook: / skibaits
Check out Thankful Outdoors at: / thankfuloutdoors

[@jefffinch1906]

Most comprehensive NMEA video I have seen so far. Thanks and cheers!

[@RealLifeFishingWI]

Thank you!!! I appreciate the kind words. I do owe a follow-up video on this one though to clarify a few points. The HB units cannot take advantage of the fuel data manager, and it also does quite a bit more than I originally described that it does. but if you're going to use a HB graph, don't bother with it since they don't have an interface for it. Also, be sure to watch the Helix 7 & NMEA installation videos I made. I did end up having to add a couple more things to this network to get the information that I wanted. Hoping to get the next video up soon, but we are about to close on our new house, and deal with remodels and moving and all that, so videos have taken a backseat for a little while. My apologies. I'm glad you found this informative, though! Again, everything except the FDM in this video is accurate, but watch the install videos for follow-on info about GPS and such. Tight lines!

[@AEAC]

Thank you for this!

[@RealLifeFishingWI]

You are most welcome, thank you for watching!

[@HikingXCSkiing]

Great information thank you for putting this all together! By the way, the person who invented those clam shells sells those big pocket knives as a side hustle.😊I just got a Humminbird Helix 7 MSI G3N system so I should be able to set up the NMEA 2000 if the budget will allow it.😉

[@RealLifeFishingWI]

If you haven't watched all my videos on this HElix 7 and NMEA stuff, you might want to do that before you take the jump. I still use HB graphs for charting and sonar, but I ended up scrapping the HELIX 7 for my in-dash application because the NMEA sucked. Turns out HB doesn't fully support the standards, so.... I ended up going with a SIMRAD GO9 touchscreen for my in-dash. It's sweet.

[@steveodonnell2921]

Yeah and you need 2 map cards at almost 200 apiece. That really ticks me off. It's like you're on a scavenger hunt and nothing is in stock

[@nickcoburn3884]

Sorry if this is a dumb question, I am not familiar with these networking cables. I just picked up a boat that has a I-pilot trolling motor on it without any graphs. I also just purchased a Helix 7 to install on the boat. Is this all the equipment needed to link the I pilot to my helix? I seen that Hummingbird does have a Ethernet switch that looks like a fancier compact back bone of 5 ports but didn't know if it was totally necessary to purchase the Hummingbird since you said that the NMEA2K is a industry standard and works for all manufactures?

[@RealLifeFishingWI]

This is totally different. Check out some of my other videos for boat rigging to network multiple graphs & trolling motor.

[@golfishuntim]

Great video. Thanks 🙏🏼 Two questions. 1. Where is the sending unit to the fuel tank located? 2. Is there an easy connection to power under the helm instead of connecting directly to battery? Thanks!

[@RealLifeFishingWI]

The factory sender is in the tank. As for power, there is switched power under the dash, but depending on the size of graph you install, and what else you have running (lights, pumps, multiple graphs, etc) it may not be advisable to use it. Graphs are computers these days, and if power sags, they are generally none too happy. That said, the SIMRAD I did end up installing is hardwired to main power and comes on by itself as soon as I flip the master. There are some videos about it. The bird ultimately ended up not doing what I wanted it to do.

[@jibbymcbeet]

It's so dumb the Helix requires an adapter to connect to the backbone. I have an old Garmin and it has an NMEA 2000 port on it. No need for two additional dongles.

[@RealLifeFishingWI]

There's a LOT of dumb stuff about Helix and NMEA2k. That's why I ended up switching to SIMRAD for this application. The rest of the videos in the dash-mounted graph series go into a lot more detail about the reasons why.