Humminbird SOLIX 12 CHIRP MEGA SI+ GPS G3 CHO – 12″ Touchscreen Fish Finder (Control Head Only, No Transducer)

The Humminbird SOLIX 12 G3 CHO provides the opportunity to integrate Humminbird’s state-of-the-art electronics into your boat with maximum flexibility. This model is geared towards experienced users and professionals who often already have the necessary sensors or have specific preferences for them. For example, if your boat is equipped with a high-end thru-hull transducer or you use a Minn Kota trolling motor with built-in MEGA Imaging, the SOLIX CHO is the perfect “display brain” to hook up to those sources. This avoids installing additional transducers and keeps the hull clean and hydrodynamic.

With its 12.1-inch touchscreen, the SOLIX 12 G3 CHO provides the same wide view and intuitive control as the standard model. As soon as you connect it to a compatible transducer, you’ll unlock the full power of MEGA Imaging+ – side and down imaging with unparalleled detail. Users appreciate this configuration when upgrading a system: for instance, you might have one SOLIX 12 (full package) at the helm and a second SOLIX 12 CHO at another position (bow deck or secondary steering station). The two units can link via Ethernet and share all sonar and GPS data, so your crew or second angler on the boat sees the same picture.

The inclusion of built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in the CHO model means you lose nothing of the modern conveniences. You can perform wireless updates, take advantage of the mobile app for additional data and waypoint management, as well as connect peripherals (like a Bluetooth remote or even Cannon downrigger controls) just as you would with the standard SOLIX.

The GPS module in the SOLIX 12 G3 CHO is fully functional on its own. This means even without a transducer, the unit acts as a premium marine GPS – you can view the basemap, add detailed charts (via microSD), and navigate confidently. In CHO mode, many users deploy the unit as part of the overall bridge electronics: it can display radar via Ethernet link, receive AIS data (if connected to NMEA 2000 and paired with an AIS receiver), and provide a complete situational overview by combining various inputs.

The SOLIX CHO comes without a transducer, but includes all other necessary parts: mounting bracket, power cables, screen cover, etc. In practice, installation is identical – you simply end by connecting it to an existing transducer or network sonar source. The good news is Humminbird transducers are standardized – if, for example, you previously had a HELIX/SOLIX with a 14-pin connector, the new SOLIX CHO will plug in, or you’ll use a provided adapter to interface correctly.

Uses and Recommendations:

• Recommended for boats with pre-installed transducers – e.g., sportfishing boats or yachts that came with thru-hull sonar sensors from the factory. Instead of mounting another transducer, you can connect the SOLIX CHO to the existing system via the appropriate interface (hub or direct, if compatible)
• Ideal for dual-station setups – for instance, fishing vessels with a flybridge (secondary helm): you can have one SOLIX below and one SOLIX CHO up top, sharing all information. This way the captain on the upper deck gets the full picture without needing a separate transducer on the flybridge
• Great for replacement in case of damage or loss – if for some reason your original SOLIX unit needs replacing, a CHO offers a cost-effective way to do it, especially if the original transducer and cables are intact. You can simply purchase the “head only” and plug it in to restore your system
• Excellent for planners and builders: if you’re outfitting a new boat or contemplating future upgrades, you might decide to invest in high-end transducers (or multiple ones) and position them strategically. The SOLIX CHO allows you to add the display at a later stage or separately, picking the exact combination of sensors and screen on your own schedule and budget
• As with the Helix CHO, cost saving and optimization: you’re not paying for hardware you already own. High-end units come at a premium – the CHO gives you an option to allocate that investment more efficiently, especially if you’re upgrading from an existing Humminbird ecosystem