Imagine pinpointing fish hiding in submerged timber, tracking schools weaving through weed beds, or navigating tricky coastal shallows with confidence—all from a crystal-clear command center at your helm. The Humminbird APEX 13 CHO VX MSI+ steps up as the ultimate control head for serious anglers who demand precision without compromise. Tailored for those upgrading their setup or pairing with custom transducers, this powerhouse delivers tournament-grade performance in a sleek, versatile package.
Unmatched Clarity on a Massive Canvas
The 13.3-inch Full HD display (1920 x 1080 resolution) transforms raw sonar data into stunning visuals that reveal every detail. Whether you’re scanning for bottom structure or plotting waypoints, the Cross Touch interface lets you swipe, tap, or use the keypad—whichever feels natural in rough seas. Customize split-screen views to show MEGA Side Imaging alongside charts or live sonar feeds, creating a dashboard that’s as unique as your fishing style.
Pro anglers swear by this setup for its responsiveness, powered by a dual-core processor that handles multiple data streams without lag. No more squinting at faded screens; every pixel pulls its weight, even under direct sunlight.
Revolutionary Sonar That Finds Fish First
At the heart lies industry-leading MEGA Imaging+, pushing Side and Down Imaging to extremes—up to 250 feet side-to-side and below your boat. Spot individual baitfish, massive walleyes hugging the bottom, or bass ambushing in brush piles with jaw-dropping separation. Dual Spectrum CHIRP adds layers of 2D clarity, dialing in wide or narrow beams for unmatched target ID in murky water.
Dual sonar channels shine here: one for high-res imaging, the other supporting up to 2kW CHIRP transducers. Connect to Minn Kota motors with built-in MEGA or add MEGA 360 for 360-degree awareness. It’s like having eyes everywhere underwater, turning guesses into targeted casts.
MEGA Side/Down Imaging+: Crisp, photorealistic views of structure and fish.
Dual Spectrum CHIRP: Superior fish arches and bottom detail in any conditions.
Future-proof ports: Ready for MEGA Live 2 to watch fish react live (add separately).
Chart Your Path to Productive Waters
Built-in GPS pairs with an enhanced Humminbird Basemap covering 10,000+ lakes and U.S. coastal areas, highlighting contours, hazards, and marinas. VX charts expand this to 13,000+ U.S./Canada lakes and coastlines with 1-foot contours, depth shading, and shallow-water highlights—essential for skinny water runs.
AutoChart Live lets you map on the fly: record bottom hardness, vegetation, and depths with 8 hours of onboard storage (expand via SD). Unlock LakeMaster features for pro-level contour editing. Compatible with Navionics too, so you choose the best intel for your local fishery.
Build a Pro-Grade Fishing Network
Dual Ethernet ports create a hub-free system—link multiple heads, Minn Kota i-Pilot Link motors, or CHIRP radar effortlessly. NMEA 2000 pulls in engine data, weather, and more. HDMI in/out supports cameras for live docking views or extra screens. Bluetooth handles wireless updates, phone alerts, and control of Talon/Raptor anchors or Cannon downriggers.
The One-Boat Network ties it together: Spot fish on APEX, then auto-deploy spot-lock on Minn Kota or adjust downrigger depths from the screen. Seamless Minn Kota and Cannon integration means less fumbling, more fishing.
Control Head Only: Total Rigging Freedom
This CHO model skips the transducer, giving you carte blanche. Pair with a stainless thru-hull for offshore runs, transom-mount for bass boats, or tap existing network sonar. Ideal for adding a second station or leveraging Minn Kota’s built-in imaging. Includes gimbal bracket, power cable, and low-profile dash kit for clean installs—note: in-dash needs an external GPS antenna.
Setup Savvy: Mount gimbal-facing forward for optimal touch access. Calibrate sonar gains post-install for your water type—lower for clear lakes, higher for rivers.
Fishing Hacks: Use waypoint sharing across One-Boat devices to relay hot spots. Layer AutoChart over premium maps for hybrid views.
Maintenance: Wipe screen with microfiber after saltwater use; update firmware via Bluetooth for new features.
For bass tournaments or walleye nights, this rig consistently outpaces competitors by revealing fish others miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the APEX 13 CHO ideal for custom transducer setups?
As a control head only, it lets you select transducers like thru-hull or MEGA 360, or share from Minn Kota motors/networks, perfect for tailored boat rigging.
