Quick & Simple: How to Connect Humminbird Helix to Minn Kota iPilot Link

[@jerrytarudesquire8988]

I can't thank you enough for your video that's on Point! The directions I received in the box from minn kota sucked! Your video was perfection at its finest! Thank you again! Well done!

[@DeanoOutDoors]

You are welcome! Best of luck fishing this season.

[@doafish]

I have a 2023 Ulterra with I-Pilot. I can't see the "link" on the head. However, extending from the head of the motor is a cable (small0 diameter with 8 pins. according to my owners manual, that says it is an ethernet /I Pilot link cable. Is that possibly true? Thanks. i really enjoyed your video on setting the I-Pilot Link up with your Humminbird.

[@DeanoOutDoors]

Yes, the 8 pin cable is usually your Ethernet cable. If you have two cables coming from your head unit, one is your Ethernet and the other will be Sonar, and you have the full color display remote, then you have the I-pilot link. If your remote is the black and white screen version and says I pilot on it, then you do not have I-pilot link.

[@doafish]

Hey, Thanks for the quick reply. No, I only have the 8-pin coming out of the head of the trolling motor. So, having that be the ethernet cable makes perfect sense. Next question: Do you know or have a video about the "advanced GPS Ethernet cable" (the one coming out of the head) and when I connect it to a compatible Humminbird finder what it will do for me? I realized I don't have the I-pilot Link but apparently, people do like just having the I-pilot. Just so you know, I own two Ultrex trolling motors for my bass boat and have I-Pilot Link on both of them BUT, in bass fishing, I rarely if ever use the link because I never troll or even drift so I never took the time to learn about it. Now, in my old age, I have a Lund Fisherman 2022 model and am learning how to troll and actually use GPS to go between waypoints to create routes. I was just surprised when I purchased this particular unit -- an Ulterra with a 72-inch shaft and 112 pounds of thrust, that the I-pilot link wasn't included. Thanks again for your quick response.

[@charlesholbrook8428]

When buying a fish finder do I need to buy a transducer or does it use the one on the trolling motor?

[@DeanoOutDoors]

If you have a Minn Kota, you can connect your locator to their transducer, however, you’ll only be able to use it if your trolling motor is deployed. I’d recommend purchasing the locator with the transducer included. I like to see the depth and contour while under power.

[@charlesholbrook8428]

@ so what are the benefits of connecting the two devices?

[@DeanoOutDoors]

Connecting your Humminbird Helix to your Minn Kota Ulterra with iPilot Link offers several benefits, making your fishing experience more efficient and enjoyable. Here are the key advantages: 1. Advanced GPS Navigation and Control Waypoint Control: You can set waypoints on your Humminbird Helix, and the Ulterra will automatically steer the boat to those locations. This allows you to focus more on fishing while the motor does the navigation. Follow the Contour: With iPilot Link, your boat can follow the contours of the lake, adjusting automatically to stay along your chosen path. This is great for staying in productive fishing zones. 2. Spot-Lock Feature Stay in One Place: Spot-Lock on the Ulterra will hold your position within a set radius, even in strong currents or wind. It keeps your boat stable, allowing you to fish in the same spot without constantly having to reposition manually. Precision Positioning: Your Humminbird Helix can be used to mark specific fishing hotspots, and the Ulterra can automatically navigate back to those exact spots using the Spot-Lock feature. 3. Route Planning Route Recording: You can record and store routes on the Humminbird Helix and then have the Ulterra follow them with iPilot Link. This is especially useful if you're fishing in areas with complex layouts or where you want to retrace a successful path. Automatic Routing: The iPilot Link system lets you create routes directly on the Humminbird and let the Ulterra motor take care of the navigation, minimizing manual adjustments during your trip. 4. Enhanced Fishing Efficiency Real-time Data: With iPilot Link, the Humminbird Helix provides real-time data like depth, water temperature, and fish activity, which is synced with the Ulterra motor for optimal positioning and movement. And Much more.

[@RickyMitchell-l2k]

Is it possible to hook up two transducers one from the trolling motor and one from the the rear transducer to a helix 9 Thanks

[@tommalotke350]

I like this video. I have an Ulterra and network to 2 Helix9. Can I do everything from both of them?

[@DeanoOutDoors]

Yes, you can connect an I-Pilot Link to two Helix units with a network. You will then be able to share I-Pilot Link information and control.

[@piper8463]

I have the same setup on a Terrova. It came with the eth to 5 pin to connect to the head unit but no cable to connect the MDI cable to the ethernet cable. Do you have a part number for that adapter for eth to the MDI cable?

[@michaelberg2013]

Wonderful work

[@tommalotke350]

I have a network control panel. Will the motor show on both.?

[@angellara2884]

Can you link using a g2n model?

[@DeanoOutDoors]

Yes you sure can.

[@williamtennill6744]

Great that’s what I was wondering to got a G2N and g3n so that is awesome to hear!!

[@carlmelling2796]

Thank you! Exactly what I needed

[@clintmorelock2042]

Where did you find the extender cable that has male ends on it?

[@DeanoOutDoors]

Here is the link to the Ethernet Cable Extension: amzn.to/43vZIVj There is a variety of them that you can choose from.

[@stuarthogan7481]

Great video! Just to let you know they don't have to be link anymore, they're compatible to a humminbird if everything is one boat network compatible now. Link essentially became one boat network. And the new motors do not say I pilot link. So people watching be sure to really know what models you're looking at and their capabilities before a purchase is made. Bout to get real confusing out there for new folks stepping in shopping used.

[@DeanoOutDoors]

Thanks for sharing this information! Yes, gonna confuse a few people for sure.

[@ernestodelao1601]

Havent used my system in 2 seasons and have never updated either. Any chance of it still working??

[@DeanoOutDoors]

Yep, it should work as it did before. 🚣

[@garycrawford671]

will the hummingbird helix control the minn kota ulterra quest

[@DeanoOutDoors]

Yes this will, as long as your helix is a g3n or newer.

[@djradrs199]

will the Helix 7 SI GPS G4 ( non network model ) work thru the Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor s transducer that's in the motor ??? the side of the box says Chirp SI DI .. the BPS sales man said it would BUT i'm not 100% sure hes right ... I dont need the network part just want to know if it will work in DI & Chirp thru the transducer in the motor head using the adapter cable that came with the trolling motor

[@DeanoOutDoors]

If you have the newer Terrova with built in Mega DI, then yes it should work just fine.

[@djradrs199]

@@DeanoOutDoors Thank You Sir... you responded faster than Tech service did ... very much appreciated ...was holding back from screwing everything down before i got conformation of YES. it will work . didn't want to get to the lake and go CRAP... LoL ,,, finally got an email today after waiting on the phone for over an hour ... that make me a lil leary about any further possible issues .....thats why i turned to YT .. seams like you get better results from fellow anglers 😎

[@ruin.are.frienship8514]

I have an ulterra I pilot link with MDI and a helix 10 MDI g4n. Do I connect both ethernet and imaging cable?

[@DeanoOutDoors]

You could. You will want to connect the Ethernet cable for sure, but only connect the transducer cable from the ulterra to your Helix if you want to use that transducer instead of the one that came with your Helix. If you plan on using both transducers, you’ll want a second Helix. Hope that makes sense.

[@codycook3467]

My unit is a solix 12 chirp msi g2, does not have an N, but does have an ethernet port on back l, will this work with an i pilot link terrova?

[@DeanoOutDoors]

According to minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/support/compatibility/link Your unit is compatible and should work.

[@leoleo5879]

Perfect

[@meb3762]

Usa citizens need alakemaster chip, Canadians need a zero lines chip and you will have to make your own mapping, the helix has 8 hrs of mapping built into it, the terrova doesn’t have ilink