Minn Kota X7 CHO Sonar & GPS Chartplotter (without transducer) – The compact powerhouse for Live Sonar, bow motors and network setups

The Minn Kota X7 CHO (Control Head Only) is the custom-made solution for all anglers looking for maximum processor performance and full network capability in a compact package, but who do not need an additional standard transom transducer. As a model without a transducer, the X7 CHO is specifically aimed at boat, kayak, belly boat and inflatable boat anglers who are looking for a dedicated display for their Live Sonar, want to use the transducer already integrated into their Minn Kota bow motor, or want to integrate a second networked sonar into their existing onboard system. You do not pay a cent for transducer hardware in this version, which would otherwise remain unused in the box.

For the first time, the new X Series combines Minn Kota's legendary boat control and Humminbird Imaging's world-leading sonar technology in a single system. While the previous generation (Humminbird XPLORE) only started at 9 inches, the Minn Kota X7 finally closes the gap for everyone who demands a handy 7-inch high-performance device without technical compromises. Thanks to the extremely low power consumption of just 1.5 amps, the X7 CHO is also a real endurance marvel, which maximally spares your battery during multi-day trips, on the excursion boat, or during mobile use with small lithium batteries.

Why the Minn Kota X7 CHO is the ideal second and bow display

Many 7-inch sonars on the market are stripped-down entry-level models with weak processors, which offer no network interfaces. The Minn Kota X7 CHO takes the exact opposite approach. In the slim housing with massive aluminum cooling fins, the same ultra-fast quad-core processor as in the large 12- and 16-inch flagship models of the X Series is used.

Especially when using compute-intensive real-time sonar (Minn Kota LIVE as well as Humminbird MEGA Live 1 & 2), this processor power plays out its full strength. You simply connect your Live transducer directly to the X7 CHO via an Ethernet cable – completely without an external black box – and get an absolutely fluid, lag-free display of every single fish and your lure. Also for active vertical fishing, where you use an already existing transducer setup or retrieve data from the network, the 7-inch format offers the optimal ratio of perfect overview and minimal space requirements on the boat. A major practical advantage for switchers is also the included PC-13 power cable: Since this is identical to the power cables of the Humminbird XPLORE and APEX Series, the X7 CHO can be connected to existing power lines via plug-and-play.

Brilliant 7-inch display with weather-resistant CrossTouch operation

The glare-free 24-bit color TFT display has a razor-sharp resolution of 1024 × 600 pixels and remains clearly readable from any angle even in bright midday sun as well as when wearing polarized glasses. Thanks to the proven CrossTouch operation, you always have full control over your device at the water. In calm conditions, you intuitively control menus, zoom levels, and waypoints via the responsive multi-touch screen.
As soon as strong waves, rain, cold, or wet and slimy hands make touch operation difficult, you seamlessly switch to the grippy push buttons on the right side of the housing. Via the three freely programmable One-Boat Network quick-select buttons, you can also store your most important views or direct commands for your bow motor and recall them anytime blindly with a button press.

Full sonar power in combination with your desired transducer

Although the Minn Kota X7 CHO is delivered without its own transducer, the complete latest generation Humminbird sonar module. As soon as you connect the device with a compatible transducer – such as the Built-in MEGA DI or MEGA SI transducer of your Minn Kota bow motor, an XPLORE transducer already mounted on the transom, or via the Ethernet network to your main chartplotter – all high-end sonar functions are available to you.

With a frequency of over 1 MHz in the MEGA range and the long-range 455-kHz coverage, the system supports MEGA Side Imaging+ with a total width of up to 244 meters as well as MEGA Down Imaging+ down to a depth of 61 meters. This is complemented by the precise Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D Sonar, which ensures extremely clean target separation, when you cast for predators close to the bottom or in the middle water directly under the boat or vertical fish.

Wireless bow motor control and intelligent navigation on board

With the Minn Kota X7 CHO, your boat becomes a perfectly networked command center without unnecessary cable clutter. Via the integrated Wireless One-Boat Network, the sonar connects completely wirelessly with the new Minn Kota bow motors with Dual-Band GPS as well as via a free software update with all Advanced GPS motors from the model year 2024.

Thanks to the Draw and Navigate™ function, the time-consuming setting of individual waypoints is a thing of the past. You simply draw your desired route or the course of an exciting edge directly on the digital chart with your finger, and your coupled Minn Kota bow motor immediately follows this line fully automatically.

For maximum safety when shore and shallow water fishing, Intelligent Depth Control™. Here you set an individual minimum depth in the device. If the water becomes shallower than your defined safety value, the X7 CHO immediately sounds an alarm and can automatically anchor a connected Minn Kota motor via Spot-Lock® or deploy compatible shallow water anchors like Raptor and Talon, before the boat makes contact with the bottom.

Smart waypoint management, AutoChart Live and rewind recording

Organizing your fishing spots on the X7 CHO is faster than ever. Interesting spots can simply be circled with your finger on the screen, to mark them as a group, filter by symbols, or wirelessly synchronize with your smartphone via the Minn Kota Fishing App. As soon as a 2D-capable transducer is integrated into the system, you can use AutoChart® Live directly during the trip to record your own, highly precise depth charts including bottom composition and aquatic plant growth. For this, the device offers 8 hours of internal memory, which can be arbitrarily expanded via an optional Zero-Line SD card.

A real highlight for all Live Sonar and vertical anglers is the integrated Media Tool with rewind recording. If suddenly an exceptional fish rises to the lure in the Live Sonar or 2D image, but the recording was not activated, you simply save the past sonar sequence up to 30 seconds retroactively. Alternatively, videos can be recorded up to two minutes in advance, to later analyze missed bites and the behavior of the fish in detail or share directly via the smartphone app.

Technical specifications of the Minn Kota X7 CHO (without transducer) at a glance

Package contents of the Minn Kota X7 CHO

The package contents of the Minn Kota X7 CHO (without transducer) include the Minn Kota X7 sonar display (Head Unit), the robust device mounting bracket including grippy knurled screws for quick mounting, the 1,82-meter long PC-13 power cable, a perfectly fitting silicone display protective cover for safe transport as well as the required mounting material and documentation. A sonar transducer is deliberately not included in this CHO version.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Minn Kota X7 CHO (without transducer)

For whom is the purchase of the Minn Kota X7 CHO without a transducer particularly worthwhile? The CHO model is the ideal and cost-saving choice for three areas of use: First, as a pure additional screen for Live Sonar (Minn Kota LIVE or Humminbird MEGA Live 1 & 2). Second, for anglers who own a Minn Kota bow motor with an integrated transducer (Built-in Dual Spectrum CHIRP, MEGA DI or MEGA SI) and want to connect the sonar directly to the bow. Third, as a networked second device on the bow or transom, which accesses the transducer data of an already onboard main chartplotter (Minn Kota X Series, Humminbird XPLORE, APEX or SOLIX G3) via an Ethernet cable.

Can I still connect a regular transom transducer to the Minn Kota X7 CHO later? Yes, anytime. The Minn Kota X7 CHO is technically exactly identical to the transducer package and features the full sonar connection on the back of the housing. If needed, you can buy an original Humminbird or Minn Kota transom transducer (such as the compact HW CMSI T transducer) at any time, plug it in, and immediately use Dual Spectrum CHIRP, MEGA Down Imaging+ and MEGA Side Imaging+.

Why does the device say Minn Kota instead of Humminbird? Both traditional brands belong to Johnson Outdoors and are growing closer together in the One-Boat Network. From this generation, sonars and bow motors are marketed under the joint name Minn Kota. However, 100% original Humminbird technology is used inside (recognizable by the "Humminbird Imaging" logo on the housing). The device is therefore fully compatible with your previous Humminbird equipment from the XPLORE, APEX and SOLIX G3 classes.

Which transducers and sensors can be connected directly to the X7 CHO? Via the network connection (Ethernet), you can operate the new Minn Kota LIVE transducer, the Humminbird MEGA Live 1 and MEGA Live 2 completely without an additional black box. Via the regular transducer port, the Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging, all XPLORE-compatible 2D/SI/DI transducers, as well as the integrated US2, MDI and MSI transducers of Minn Kota bow motors can be connected directly via suitable adapter cables.