Helix Series Overview; How Sonar Works - Humminbird HELIX 5 SERIES Operation Manual

HELIX Series Overview

The HELIX Series is available in several different configurations. See the following list of products,
all of which are covered by this manual, to find your HELIX Series model:
• HELIX SONAR GPS: Wide screen Fishfinder with DualBeam PLUS (2D) sonar,
chartplotting, and an internal GPS receiver.
• HELIX DI GPS: Wide screen Fishfinder with Down Imaging sonar, traditional 2D sonar,
chartplotting, and an internal GPS receiver.
• HELIX XD GPS: Wide screen Fishfinder with Xtreme Depth sonar, chartplotting, and an
internal GPS receiver.
• HELIX GPS: Wide screen chartplotter with an internal GPS receiver. This model has exclusive
views for chartplotting. Please note that the chartplotter does not include the sonar features
described in this manual (fishfinder, sonar, recording, depth, transducer, etc.).
NOTE: Some features discussed in this manual require a separate purchase, and some features are only
available on international models. Every effort has been made to clearly identify those features. Please read
the manual carefully in order to understand the full capabilities of your model.

How Sonar Works

Sonar technology is based on sound waves. The HELIX Series Fishfinder uses sonar to locate
and define structure, bottom contour and composition, as well as depth directly below the
transducer.
Your HELIX Series Fishfinder sends a sound wave signal and determines distance by measuring
the time between the transmission of the sound wave and when the sound wave is reflected
off of an object; it then uses the reflected signal to interpret location, size, and composition of
an object.
Sonar is very fast. A sound wave can travel from the surface to a
depth of 240 ft (70 m) and back again in less than 1/4 of a second.
It is unlikely that your boat can "outrun" this sonar signal.
SONAR is an acronym for SOund and NAvigation Ranging. Sonar
utilizes precision sound pulses or "pings" which are emitted into
the water in a teardrop-shaped beam.
The sound pulses "echo" back from objects in the water such as
the bottom, fish, and other submerged objects. The returned
echoes are displayed on the LCD screen. Each time a new echo is
received, the old echoes are moved across the LCD, creating a
scrolling effect.
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Overview and How Sonar Works