Well, the Helix arrived yesterday!
Since then, I have done a bot of homework and digging around. In doing so, I have discovered that the Helix will easily network with my older 798CI HD SI that is still on my console! That was great news to me because the lack of networking was concerning to me when I was pondering on replacing the bow unit.
The Helix units won't network or communicate via the Humminbird Interlink that I installed in my boat years ago, so the 2 units will be connected directly to each other via an Ethernet cable and one adapter.
Oddly enough, even though the N in G3N stands for network, it doesn't have a port that will accept an Ethernet cable, so I will need to buy an adapter for that. In light of the fact that the 798
does have an Ethernet port, there will be no adapter needed on that end.
The adapter will cost roughly $25-$30.
The Ethernet cable will cost me between $40 and $50, depending on the length I need to buy. I'm guessing a 15 footer will be more than sufficient, since my boat is only 18 feet, and the cable will only need to run from the bow to the console.
I was also told that I will need to make sure that the 798 is running the latest software updates, so I have downloaded that update and will be applying it soon via the SD card slot.
Lastly, I spoke with Humminbird today and asked them if I could exchange the transducer that came with it for a TM style transducer. They said they would do that free of charge, provided the transducer I send them has never been mounted or used. So glad I asked, since using the transom transducer on the TM wasn't really an idea that thrilled me.
In light of the fact that it is only December, and I most likely won't be back on the water until at least February (more likely March), I definitely have time to get this done well in advance