Supported Humminbird Files and Units
Which Helix, Solix, and MEGA units and file types HumVision reads.
Supported file types
HumVision reads the three file types that every Humminbird unit writes to an SD card.
- .SON — sonar channel data. Each channel is a separate file (B000.SON through B004.SON). HumVision requires at least one .SON file to open a recording.
- .DAT — recording metadata. Contains the unit name, start time, GPS start coordinates, and water type. HumVision opens a recording without a .DAT file, but the library entry will show fewer details.
- .IDX — index file for each .SON channel. Used for fast seeking during playback. HumVision falls back to full-file scanning when an .IDX file is missing, so recordings still open without them.
HumVision does not read Lowrance (.sl2, .sl3), Garmin (.gff), or any third-party sonar format. Only Humminbird recordings are supported.
Supported units
HumVision detects the sonar type from the frequency data inside each .SON file, not from the unit model. Any Humminbird unit that records .SON/.DAT/.IDX files to an SD card should work. The following channel types are recognized:
| Channel label | Frequency |
|---|---|
| 2D Traditional | 50 kHz, 83 kHz, 200 kHz |
| Down Imaging (DI) | 455 kHz, 800 kHz |
| MEGA Down Imaging | 1200 kHz |
| Side Imaging port | 455 kHz / 800 kHz |
| Side Imaging starboard | 455 kHz / 800 kHz |
This covers recordings from the Helix, Solix, and MEGA product lines. Older units (300, 500, 700, 800, and 900 series) that write the same file format also work.
Not every unit records every channel type. A Helix 7 with Side Imaging will produce SI port and starboard channels; a basic 2D unit will produce only 2D channels. HumVision displays whatever channels are present.
What HumVision cannot open yet
- Recordings saved in the older Humminbird proprietary format used on units manufactured before approximately 2008 (these do not produce B000–B004 channel files).
- CHIRP-only units that write a single monolithic binary file rather than separate channel files.
- Encrypted or password-protected SD card exports.
If your unit is not listed
If your unit writes .SON/.DAT/.IDX files but HumVision cannot read them, open the recording folder and check that the files are named B000.SON through B004.SON. Some firmware versions write a lowercase extension (b000.son); HumVision handles both cases.
If the files are present and named correctly, use the feedback link in Settings to send the unit model and a description of what you see. Include the error message if one appears.