I’ve got my Humminbird Helix 12 G2N fish finder installed and up and running but am running a bit behind on posting videos and information here at Catfish Edge on the steps I followed and details of using the Helix 12 G2N.
When Humminbird released the Helix G2n fish finders I quickly jumped in and and got my order placed for the Helix 12 G2N to replace the Onix 10 I was running on my SeaArk ProCat 240.
The driving force behind the switch was the new MEGA side imaging and down imaging technology and the additional detail it provided above and beyond the Humminbird Onix. I’ll be back with a future article and video to cover more details on the MEGA technology as well as the other new features of the Helix G2N units.
Since I already had the Onix 10 up and running on my SeaArk ProCat installation was quick. If you haven’t already done so make sure you check out this article and video on fish finder installation tips and make sure you pay close attention to the items covered when installing your fish finder.
Once you have your fish finder installed and up and running and have the transducer location right it’s time to level the transducer. I run Humminbird electronics but the process is the same for any transducer.
Here’s The Video
Be sure to check out the video below for step by step instructions on how to level your fish finder transducer and then review the instructions below.
My Fish Finder Doesn’t Look Like Yours
I frequently post screenshots on social media from my sonar unit and constantly have a steady stream of anglers and guide clients on my boat.
A comment I get from anglers all the time (who often have the exact same fish finder” is my screen doesn’t look like yours, they’re not as clear or detailed.
My fish finder is EVERYTHING when it comes to finding and catching fish. I spend a LOT of time watching it, searching for fish and rely on it almost exclusively for finding catfish. I’d be lost without it.
Because I rely on it so much I go to great lengths to make sure I get the best performance possible which is done by:
Because I rely on it so much I go to great lengths to make sure I get the best performance possible which is done by:
- Making sure the sonar has good clean power and no interference.
- Making sure the transducer placement is optimal for the best images.
- Making sure the transducer is leveled.
- Making adjustments to the settings to improve performance and get better images.
When I get the “mine doesn’t look like yours” comments I often look “hands on” at other anglers fish finders and quickly find the issues they’re having and it’s often a combination of all of the items listed above. Not having the transducer leveled is a common theme amongst them all. Even if you do everything else right and don’t level the transducer you’re to going to get the best possible images
The good news is that it’s an easy process and I’m going to walk you through exactly how to do it (and it doesn’t involved pulling your boat on and off the trailer dozens of times making adjustments.
How To Tell if Your Fish Finder Transducer Is Level
You can’t level the transducer without putting the boat in the water first. This is where most installations go wrong. You’ve paid someone to install the fish finder and whomever did so leveled the transducer on the trailer by guesstimating and they got it wrong. I’ve been rigging and running boats for a long time, I’ve installed a LOT of fish finders and transducers and every single time I’ve guesstimated the correct angle it’s been wrong and the angle will always vary from boat to boat (even the same make, model, etc).
If you’re not 100% certain this was done with the process of putting the boat on the water then chances are it’s not leveled. It may be close, it might now. The only way to tell is to level it.
Second, you can use your sonar screen to tell if the transducer is level or not.
Here’s a few quick tips:
- If you can’t see anything at all, then level the transducer.
- In 2D sonar If you can see some sort of arch and all the arches are tilted forward or backwards then the transducer is not level (there’s an example in the video).
- In side imaging drive by something long and straight. If the transducer is not leveled the image will be distorted.
How To Level Your Fish Finder Transducer
- You’re going to need a torpedo level and a handful of coins of various sizes
- Launch your boat and head out on the water (it’s helpful if the water is not really rough with big waves).
- Get in open water or an area where you can drive the boat in a long straight line.
- Get your boat up to sonar scanning speed (I use 3 MPH as average since I search with my fish finder from 2 to 4 MPH, 3 MPH is a good average). Make sure you do this at scanning speed, a boat often sits VERY different in the water when moving versus sitting still. If you level sitting still it will not be right in most cases.
- Place a torpedo level on the gunnel of the boat placing the end of the level against something (draw a line if you have to).
- Place coins under the back of the torpedo level until it’s “leveled” (or as close as you can get it).
- Remove the coins and place them in a separate pocket so you can find them later and put the torpedo level away.
- Put the boat back on the trailer and on level ground.
- Put the torpedo level back on the gunnel (or other location you used on the water) in the exact location and put the same number of coins back under the end.
- Raise the trailer jack until you get the torpedo level back to level again. Depending on your boat or trailer you may need to put blocks under the trailer jack to get it leveled again on land.
- Once the boat is leveled again go to the transducer, loosen it up and level the transducer. Use caution when you tighten the nuts on the transducer because it will often move up on the process (this is the hardest part of the whole process).
- If you’re running more than one transducer repeat the process for each transducer.
If you’ll follow these steps and level your fish finder transducer it will do wonders for getting better images in 2D, down imaging and side imaging and this is one of the most basic steps for troubleshooting.
I’ll be back with some more fish finder tips and tricks in the future to help you get the best performance from your electronics.
