Humminbird Helix 5 Fishfinder Mount Options

RAM RAM-202-153-202U flat surface mount for the Humminbird Helix 5 FishfinderWe haven’t written a lot about Humminbird products.  After taking a look at the Humminbird Helix 5 DI GPS, as well as the Helix 7 series of fishfinders, you will likely see a lot more articles about this brand.  The Humminbird Helix 5 is the entry-level of the Helix line of fishfinders.  The Helix 5 SI GPS sports a 5″ display with a backlight.  The fishfinder features down imaging with a dual beam sonar and built-in UniMap cartography.  An unusual feature is the presence of a micro SD card slot for optional maps or saving waypoints.  Humminbird gives Garmin and Lowrance a good run for the money.  I’ve often equated Humminbird with lower end features and product builds.  Not any longer.

There are several models of the Humminbird Helix 5 and the mounts that we will discuss in this article are made to attach to any of the Helix 5 series models.

The Humminbird Helix 5 GM H5 Gimbal Bracket is the default mount that’s included with the fishfinder.  This is a typical gimbal bracket that bolts to a flat surface.  The bracket attaches to the sides of the Humminbird Helix 5 using a pair of knobs with screws.  The screws attach to the side of the fishfinder.  This gimbal mount delivers the capability of pivoting the angle of the device.  While the gimbal bracket will fit the device just fine, it limits the mobility of the fishfinder.

So given the limitations of the provided gimbal bracket, there’s a distinct need for an alternative mount.  An ideal mount delivers the capability of altering the height, angle and pivot of the Humminbird Helix 5.  The mount will ideally make installation and removal easy.  Most boats are sitting in a dock while the owner is home.  It’s fairly easy for bad guys to walk on board and help themselves.  Do yourself a favor, remove your fishfinder when leaving your vessel.

We are big fans of RAM Mount for marine purposes.  The mounts that we will recommend in the paragraphs below are good mounts that are made of powder coated marine grade aluminum.  The mounts are built on a ball and socket concept.  This permits adjustments at the base and tip where your fishfinder is attached.  You wind up with check marks next to all the points of a good mounting solution.  Infinite adjustments and ease of installation and removal.

The RAM 1.5″ Ball Mount for Humminbird Helix 5 is a complete mounting kit that makes an excellent addition to your fishfinder.  It’s the one that’s pictured in the photo that accompanies this article.  The mount includes a 2.5″ round base with pre-drilled holes for flat surface mounting.  The arm in the middle is 5.625″ long and is what connects the round base with the 1.5″ x 3″ rectangular mounting plate.  The rectangular plate at the end contains four holes with a center to center pattern of 1″ x 2.5″.  This rectangular base attaches to the bottom of the GM H5 gimbal bracket.  With the bracket attached to the RAM Mount, you have easy adjustments and installation / removal options.  It’s easy to remove the fishfinder.  Just turn the flywheel in the middle of the mounting arm and remove the gimbal bracket and rectangular mounting plate.  Leave the mount as it’s screwed onto your boat.

There are a few mounting alternatives from RAM that will work well with the Humminbird Helix 5.  The RAM 1.5″ x 3″ Mounting Plate that we just described in the prior paragraph is available as an individual component.  Connect this to the RAM Mount Straight Swing Arm with Vertical Base to make a real nice mounting solution that can be easily swung out of the way when not in use.  Unlike the prior mount, this one mounts to vertical surfaces and might be a handier solution to those not having a horizontal surface for mounting.

Coupled with these additional mounts, your Humminbird Helix 5 becomes a lot more portable and usable.  The RAM Mounts have a lifetime warranty and are probably going to outlast the fishfinder.  The nice part about the RAM Mounts is that the parts are interchangeable so when the fishfinder is upgraded to the next latest and greatest model, you can reuse many of the mounting components that you already have.