HumminBird Helix 5 Chirp GPS G2 Questions: Continuous saved trace for backtrack. (UPDATED (JAN-10-2024))

HumminBird Helix 5 Chirp GPS G2 Questions: Continuous saved trace for backtrack.

I’ve got a Garmin 178C in The Tin Can that does this. It continuously saves a trace I can use to back track, and it just deletes the oldest trace as a new trace is stored. I can run up and down the river, and my last 3-4 tracks are displayed on the map screen. I’ve been thinking of switching the 178C over to the ProCraft 210 I picked up a few months ago. I find it more useful than anything for avoiding spending the afternoon (or wee hours of the morning) on a sandbar. I had a Garmin 178C on the Antique kitten before I sold it. It mostly worked pretty good for that boat as well. In real low water all bets are off, but in moderate to normal water I could always look at the traces on the screen and the boat location indicator.

Recently a buddy upgraded his electronics and gave me two Helix 5 GPS units.

Question 1: Do they have a save trace/back trace function?

Answer (Jan/10/2024):  It does have function like this.  It seems two functions.  One is a “route” and one is a trace or back track.  You can get a trace, but you have to manually save it before you power off the unit.

Question 2: Is the back trace saved if the unit is powered down?

Answer (Jan/10/2024): You have to manually save it before you power down or it is lost.

If the answer to either of those is no, then I’ll probably continue with the plan to move the Garmin 178C over to the ProCraft. I’ve downloaded the Helix manuals, but I’ve barely managed to figure out which transducer to order for the front so far. Before somebody says “get a ___________ multi thousand dollar unit instead,” I have these, and I would rather use what I have. There is currently a Lowrance Hook 4 GPS on the Procraft, but it doesn’t seem to save anything when its powered down. Not even the settings. It’s also got a much smaller screen.