Questions about Helix 5 vs Lowrance options

New member here, and I am picking up a 2013 PA14 this week. I couldn't be more excited as this will be my first fishing kayak. I have been trying to research my plans and I have read many pages on this great forum!
I realize the Hobie is partnered with Lowrance so I was out looking at fish finders today. My local Scheels has a sale on the Helix 5 with side scan imaging and it interested me. I can not, however find much information on whether this would even work with the "build in" mounting option on the Hobie.
I have found multiple write ups and videos on Lowrance units with down scan imaging and I am not against using this, but since I am going to deck this thing out I want to go with everything I can!
Any advice on side scan imaging with the Helix 5 and the Lowrance mounting kit or recommendations?
Thanks in advance! I know there will be many other questions to follow as upgrades come to mind!

Hi DogDoc

I have a Helix 5 fish finder that I bought with my trident 15.
Surprisingly , on the trident I didnt see any fish , only surface ( in hull install )
When I bought my PA14 I wondered if I should by a Lowrance for the same reason you mentioned.

But behold ,the Helix transducer fits perfectly ( you just need to correct fitting ) and I can now see fish !!

Only thing is missing is to catch them ...but it will come

So to be clear, the Helix 5 would work with my PA14? Did the side imaging work or was it just the down imaging that worked?

The Humminbird Helix 5 SI come standard with the XNT 9 SI 180 T transducer. This transducer will fit in the Lowrance Ready cavity on our kayaks, but in order to adapt it to the Lowrance Ready plate you'll need the Humminbird Adapter Kit (part no. 84505901). Contact your local Hobie dealer to order this kit.

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Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

Obviously I am partial to Lowrance. I run the Lowrance Elite 7Ti on my PA14. BerleyPro now makes a mount for the TotalScan transducer, so you can mount it in the Lowrance Ready location.

Here is a little video I did the other day with the new BerleyPro TotalScan transducer mount.

Remember, in order for sidescan to work properly, it needs a clear view on each side (below the hull).


https://youtu.be/bwkR3RJ08Hs

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Thanks for all the information so far! I did see the BerleyPro mount in doing research. I may just stick with a Lowrance down scan as I like it being tucked up inside the Lowrance ready plate. I would hate to try a side imaging one and have it not work well. It just doesn't seem like it has been tried much yet or at least I haven't found much on people doing it. May as well stick with what others have had success with!

Actually, there are a lot out there, but if you are still nervous, order the Lowrance Ti without TotalScan...you can always purchase the TotalScan transducer later if you want to upgrade.

My home body of water is Lake St. Clair, it is shallow and flat...by Great Lakes standards. I use sidescan 75%, because I fish most of the time in 20' or less. I have run sidescan using a HDS 9 and 7Ti, over the side with a transducer arm and with my own built Lowrance Ready transducer mount. I have used the BerleyPro mount 4 times since I installed it last week and I can assure you I cannot see any difference in image quality... if that makes you feel better.

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A short wait for the Lowrance Ready TotalScan Transducer to become available through your dealer will be worth it. We partnered up with Lowrance to create this new Lowrance Ready mounting plate for TotalScan transducers, and we know it provides picture perfect readings. The Elite 7Ti w/ TotalScan is a great way to go.

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Howie Strech
Parts & Accessories Product Manager
Hobie Cat USA

Nice to see a side by side comparison. BerleyPro needs to initiate this compare to prove that fully covering the totalscan does not sway the true readings. Berleypro must do this prior to Hobies release as in sure everyone will first try Hobie bec of the prize.