Minn Kota X9 CHO Sonar & GPS Chartplotter (without transducer) – The 9-inch HD powerhouse for Live Sonar and bow motor networking

The Minn Kota X9 CHO (Control Head Only) is the direct, comprehensively developed successor to the popular Humminbird XPLORE 9 CHO and is aimed at all anglers looking for a generous 9-inch HD screen but who do not need an additional standard transom transducer. As a specialized transducer-free version, the X9 CHO is the first choice if you are looking for an extremely responsive display for your Live Sonar, want to tap directly into the transducer already integrated into your Minn Kota bow motor at the bow, or want to expand your existing onboard network with a second large screen. Here you are investing exclusively in pure screen and processor performance without paying for transducer hardware that you do not need on board.

In the new X-Series, Minn Kota's legendary boat control and Humminbird Imaging's world-leading sonar technology are merging under a single name for the first time. With its significantly increased HD resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels and a greatly enlarged screen area, the 9-inch format offers noticeably more overview for split-screen views while remaining compact enough for inflatables, center consoles, kayaks, or the space directly next to the foot pedal at the bow.

Why the Minn Kota X9 CHO is the perfect choice for Live Sonar and split screens

Anyone who wants to keep an eye on the digital nautical chart and the Live Sonar or 2D Sonar at the same time on the water will benefit enormously from the jump to the 9-inch class. In the flat, robust 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 at work.

Especially when using high-resolution real-time sonar (Minn Kota LIVE as well as Humminbird MEGA Live 1 & 2), this computing power ensures an absolutely fluid, lag-free display without stuttering. You simply connect your Live transducer directly to the X9 CHO via an Ethernet cable – completely without an external black box – and immediately recognize every single predator, the structure underwater, as well as the exact reaction to your bait. For all switchers from the Humminbird XPLORE, APEX, or SOLIX G3 series, the X9 CHO also offers an unbeatable mounting advantage: The included PC-13 power cable as well as the network connections are identical, so you can connect your new device to the existing wiring in the boat via plug-and-play.

Brilliant 9-inch HD display with weather-resistant CrossTouch operation

The glare-free 24-bit color TFT display resolves with razor-sharp 1280 × 720 HD pixels and offers over 60 percent more display area than the smaller 7-inch model with over 224 square centimeters of screen area. Even in bright sunlight and with polarized glasses on, the image remains high-contrast and clearly readable from every viewing angle. Thanks to the proven CrossTouch operation, you can decide at any time how you want to control your device. In calm weather, you intuitively operate maps, menus, and zoom levels via the capacitive multi-touch screen. As soon as heavy waves, continuous rain, frost, or wet and slimy hands make operation difficult, you seamlessly switch to the precise push buttons on the right edge 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 blindly at any time with the press of a button.

Full Humminbird Sonar Power in combination with your desired transducer

Even though the Minn Kota X9 CHO is delivered without its own transom transducer, the full-fledged latest generation Humminbird Sonar Module is inside. As soon as you connect the device to a compatible transducer – for example, the Built-in MEGA DI or MEGA SI transducer of your Minn Kota bow motor, an already installed XPLORE transducer, or via the Ethernet network to your main chartplotter at the helm – you can make full use of it.

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 highly precise Dual Spectrum CHIRP 2D Sonar, which ensures razor-sharp target separation when you are targeting large predators close to the bottom or in the middle water while vertical jigging directly under the boat.

Wireless bow motor control and intelligent navigation on board

With the Minn Kota X9 CHO, you control your boat more precisely than ever – and without any unnecessary cable mess. 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 built from 2024 onwards.

Via the innovative Draw and Navigate™ function, you no longer have to laboriously click together individual waypoints. You simply draw your desired trolling route or the exact course of a drop-off directly on the 9-inch touchscreen with your finger, after which your coupled Minn Kota bow motor immediately follows this line fully automatically.

For maximum safety in shallow shoreline areas, Intelligent Depth Control™ ensures safety. Here you define a personal minimum depth in the system. If the water becomes shallower than your set safety value, the X9 CHO warns you immediately and can automatically anchor a connected Minn Kota motor via Spot-Lock® or deploy compatible shallow water anchors like Raptor and Talon before your boat touches the bottom.

Smart waypoint management, AutoChart Live, and rewind recording

Managing your best fishing spots is done in a flash on the large 9-inch screen. You simply circle several interesting waypoints on the map with your finger to mark them as a group, sort them by color, or wirelessly sync them with your smartphone via the Minn Kota Fishing App. As soon as a 2D-capable transducer is connected to the network or the device, you create your own highly precise depth charts with AutoChart® Live directly while on the move, including the display of bottom composition (hardness) and aquatic vegetation. For this, the device offers 8 hours of internal memory, which can be endlessly expanded via an optional Zero-Line SD card.

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

Technical specifications of the Minn Kota X9 CHO (without transducer) at a glance

Scope of delivery of the Minn Kota X9 CHO

The Minn Kota X9 CHO (without transducer) includes the Minn Kota X9 sonar display (Head Unit), the robust device mounting bracket including 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 German documentation. A sonar transducer is deliberately not included with this CHO version.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the Minn Kota X9 CHO (without transducer)

For whom is buying the Minn Kota X9 CHO without a transducer particularly worthwhile?

The 9-inch CHO model is the price-performance winner for three typical scenarios: First, as a dedicated large-screen display for Live Sonar (Minn Kota LIVE or Humminbird MEGA Live 1 & 2). Second, for anglers who want to connect a Minn Kota bow motor with an integrated transducer (Built-in Dual Spectrum CHIRP, MEGA DI, or MEGA SI) directly at the bow. Third, as a networked second device that accesses the transducer data of a main chartplotter already installed on board via an Ethernet cable.

What is the difference between the old Humminbird XPLORE 9 CHO and the new Minn Kota X9 CHO?

The Minn Kota X9 CHO is the direct successor to the Humminbird XPLORE 9 CHO and uses the same proven hardware platform as well as 100 percent original Humminbird sonar technology. New additions include the integrated Wireless One-Boat Network for completely wireless connection to compatible Minn Kota bow motors, expanded navigation functions such as Draw and Navigate™, Intelligent Depth Control™, as well as the new Media Tool with 30-second rewind recording.

Can I still connect a regular transom transducer to the Minn Kota X9 CHO later?

Yes, at any time. The Minn Kota X9 CHO has exactly the same full-fledged sonar connection on the back as the transducer package. If needed, you can buy an original Humminbird or Minn Kota transom transducer (such as the XM 14 HW CMSI T transducer) at any time, plug it in, and immediately use Dual Spectrum CHIRP, MEGA Down Imaging+, and MEGA Side Imaging+.

Does the Minn Kota X9 CHO fit into the bracket and cable of my previous Humminbird XPLORE 9?

Yes, both the power cable (PC-13) and the transducer and Ethernet plugs, as well as the dimensions of the mounting bracket, are fully compatible with the Humminbird XPLORE 9. You can replace the device directly without any conversion work.