The catch
Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
There is no side imaging with SplitShot HD.
Side by side
Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD vs Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3: Eagle makes for a larger view, HELIX fits into tighter chartplotter mounting space
Quick verdict
You are weighing a larger IPS display against the compact HELIX map ecosystem.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Actual screen area, given the published aspect ratio
Eagle 7 SplitShot HD has about 21.6 square inches of display area, while HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3 has about 11. That helps you judge viewing distance and split-screen comfort.
Where this comes from
Assuming square pixels and the published diagonal, Area = diagonal² × horizontal pixels × vertical pixels ÷ (horizontal pixels² + vertical pixels²). The values are geometric estimates and not active-area measurements.
The catch
Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
It has no way to scan sideways.
Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Why pick it
- A larger chart and sonar view is what you want
- Its SplitShot HD sonar setup is right for your fishing
- The catch
- There is no side imaging with SplitShot HD.
Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
- Why pick it
- Your chart cards are supported Humminbird ones already
- The XNT 9 HW DI T sonar setup works for how you fish
- The catch
- It has no way to scan sideways.
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What this page compares
Eagle 7 SplitShot HD set beside HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3, with notes on included sonar, display workspace, chart support and the battery demands of your boat.
You are weighing a larger IPS display against the compact HELIX map ecosystem.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Reading sonar while sitting in the usual position
Downward imaging is in both packages, and side imaging is in neither. Eagle 7 gives more physical viewing area, yet the two displays keep the same 800 × 480 resolution.
- Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
- Depends
Picking a setup around maps and a small battery
AutoChart Live on HELIX can record depth, vegetation and bottom hardness, while Eagle Genesis Live concentrates on custom depth contours. Pick the mapping workflow that suits how you plan to fish.
- Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
- Depends
Reusing hardware, or growing the boat system
Neither selected model is a place to start a networked live-sonar system. Before you spend on accessories for a later upgrade, confirm the exact live-sonar system.
- Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
- Depends
Pixel count stays at 384000 even with the jump in size
Each display holds 800 ×480 =384000 pixels. Going from five to seven inches grows the viewing surface by 96% at the same aspect ratio.
- Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- Depends
- Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
Actual screen area, given the published aspect ratio
Eagle 7 SplitShot HD has about 21.6 square inches of display area, while HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3 has about 11. That helps you judge viewing distance and split-screen comfort.
How we worked this out
Assuming square pixels and the published diagonal, Area = diagonal² × horizontal pixels × vertical pixels ÷ (horizontal pixels² + vertical pixels²). The values are geometric estimates and not active-area measurements.
A 12.8V10Ah battery, keeping 20% in reserve
At the 102.4Wh working allowance, the published electrical point of Eagle 7 SplitShot HD works out to about 15.5 hours and the HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3 point to 13.9 hours.
How we worked this out
The assumption is 12.8V ×10Ah ×0.8 =102.4Wh usable for this device alone. At the published points, power is 0.55A ×12V =6.6W and 0.615A ×12V =7.4W. HELIX input is taken as 12V, since the draw specification leaves out the test voltage. Converter loss, temperature and battery aging are ignored. This is not a measured runtime comparison.
Pixel count stays at 384000 even with the jump in size
Each display holds 800 ×480 =384000 pixels. Going from five to seven inches grows the viewing surface by 96% at the same aspect ratio.
How we worked this out
Pixel count =800 ×480. Area ratio =7² ÷5² =1.96. What changes is physical display scaling and not sonar target separation.
Option A
Lowrance, Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
This seven-inch IPS fishfinder pairs SplitShot HD with GPS chart support and Genesis Live mapping. Compared with Eagle 5 it offers more viewing area on the same 800 × 480 pixel matrix.
- Best for
- More room for chart and down-sonar views
Facts we checked
- IPS display, 7-inch, 800 × 480
- Includes SplitShot HD
- 550mA at 12V when the backlight is full
- Genesis Live provides 0.5ft contours
Option B
Humminbird, HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
In the named Amazon configuration, the 5-inch unit comes with a transducer.
- Best for
- fish from a kayak and map a lake without charts
Facts we checked
- It comes with a 5-inch display.
- A transducer comes with the named Amazon configuration.
- The named configuration leaves out side imaging.
- The unit supports charting or live mapping.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD | Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3 | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display diagonal | 7 inches | 5 inches | A bigger physical view helps if the unit is mounted farther from the seat. |
| Display technology | IPS | Color TFT | Check how it looks off-axis and through your polarized glasses. |
| Published electrical point | 0.55A at 12V | 0.615A at 12V | Size a battery using the stated conditions. The HELIX voltage is a nominal 12V assumption. |
| Included transducer | SplitShot HD | XNT 9 HW DI T | The sonar modes and installation hardware you get depend on this exact bundle. |
| Chart-card path | C-MAP chart-card support | LakeMaster, CoastMaster and listed Navionics cards | Navigation chart cards are a different thing from GPS waypoints and self-recorded depth maps. |
| Personal mapping | Genesis Live, 0.5ft contours | AutoChart Live, depth plus bottom hardness and vegetation | Fit the layers and contour display you need to the fishing task. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
- This package is the base transducer bundle, while a C-MAP DISCOVER card is sold as a separate named package. Check the included regional charts against the exact lake.
With Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
- Splitting chart and Down Imaging on the five-inch screen makes it busy.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
A larger chart and sonar view is what you want
Go with Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD. Downward imaging is in both packages, and side imaging is in neither. Eagle 7 gives more physical viewing area, yet the two displays keep the same 800 × 480 resolution.
Your chart cards are supported Humminbird ones already
Go with Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3. AutoChart Live on HELIX can record depth, vegetation and bottom hardness, while Eagle Genesis Live concentrates on custom depth contours. Pick the mapping workflow that suits how you plan to fish.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go for the bigger IPS display, or for the compact HELIX map ecosystem.
What the sonar bundle adds beyond the screen
Downward imaging is in both packages, and side imaging is in neither. Eagle 7 gives more physical viewing area, yet the two displays keep the same 800 × 480 resolution.
Charts and electrical needs
AutoChart Live on HELIX can record depth, vegetation and bottom hardness, while Eagle Genesis Live concentrates on custom depth contours. Pick the mapping workflow that suits how you plan to fish.
Mounting, and what you might add later
Neither selected model is a place to start a networked live-sonar system. Before you spend on accessories for a later upgrade, confirm the exact live-sonar system.
What this page can’t tell you
- On-water testing was not part of this comparison, which is based on manufacturer specifications.
- Do not read sonar or depth accuracy into screen pixels or contour spacing.
- Whether chart cards, mounting accessories and networked live sonar will work depends on the exact model, so check each.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the fish finders we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
8 of the 23 models checked meet every need here: “Take in split screens at a glance” and “View structure straight below”.
8 models fit, out of 23 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Take in split screens at a glance” and “View structure straight below”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD |
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| Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3 |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Lowrance Eagle 7 SplitShot HD
A larger chart and sonar view is what you want
See price & reviews on AmazonHumminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP DI GPS G3
Your chart cards are supported Humminbird ones already
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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