Humminbird AS GPS HS Precision GPS Antenna with Heading Sensor

The Humminbird AS GPS HS is the external GPS antenna with integrated fluxgate compass - the meaningful upgrade over the basic AS GPS antenna for boat owners running 360 Imaging or anyone who wants accurate boat heading data displayed on their HELIX / SOLIX / MEGA chartplotter even when the boat is sitting still at anchor or drifting at low speed. The dual-function design (GPS + heading sensor in one housing) means one cable run and one mounting location instead of two separate components.

What the heading sensor adds. A standalone GPS receiver provides position and course-over-ground (the direction the boat is moving) but cannot determine the boat's actual heading (the direction the bow is pointing) when the boat is stationary or moving very slowly. Without true heading data, fishfinders display a default "north up" or "course up" chart that doesn't reflect the actual orientation of the boat - meaningful problem when you're anchored over a piece of structure trying to figure out which side of the boat to cast off, or when the boat is drifting slowly with the bow not aligned with the drift direction. The fluxgate compass in the AS GPS HS provides true heading at all times - even sitting at anchor, the chart screen shows the boat's actual bow orientation. Meaningful improvement for 360 Imaging users where waypoint placement depends on accurate heading data.

2.5-meter GPS accuracy. Standard GPS position accuracy from the receiver is roughly 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) under typical conditions with good satellite visibility. Meaningfully better than older GPS receivers that gave 5-10 meter accuracy. For typical fishing applications (returning to a saved waypoint, marking a productive structure piece, navigating a known route), 2.5-meter accuracy is more than sufficient. For specialized applications requiring even better accuracy (commercial survey work, scientific applications), augmented GPS / RTK systems are the alternative.

Fast position fix. The AS GPS HS provides fast position fixes - typically under 60 seconds from cold start (powering up the unit after long-term storage) and under 30 seconds from warm start (powering up after a few hours of being off). Fast fixes matter when you're at the boat ramp ready to fish - waiting 5-10 minutes for an old GPS receiver to find satellites cuts into fishing time. The modern receiver chipset in the AS GPS HS is meaningfully faster than older GPS antennas.

Fluxgate compass for heading. The internal heading sensor is a fluxgate magnetometer - the standard marine compass technology for autopilots and instrument heading. Reports heading accuracy of typically 1-2 degrees in good conditions. After install, the compass requires a calibration procedure (typically a slow circular motion of the boat through 360 degrees) to compensate for the boat's local magnetic environment - then it's accurate for typical fishfinder use. Re-calibration may be needed if the boat acquires significant new magnetic equipment (large new electronics, ferromagnetic accessories) that changes the local magnetic environment.

3.25-inch diameter dome - compact mounting footprint. The puck-style dome is small enough to fit in tight mounting locations: the boat's hardtop, a corner of the rear platform, the bow casting deck (clear of footwear traffic), or a dedicated antenna mount mast. The 1.5-inch height is low-profile - doesn't dramatically extend above the mounting surface, doesn't catch fishing line or wind disturbance.

1-inch by 14-thread stem mount - stem sold separately. The unit threads onto a standard 1-by-14 antenna mount stem (the typical marine antenna mount thread - the same thread used by most VHF whip antennas, GPS antennas, and similar marine electronics). This makes the antenna meaningfully install-flexible: any standard 1x14 antenna mount works, including ratchet mounts, fixed-angle mounts, swiveling mounts, and through-deck stem mounts. The stem itself is sold separately - choose the right mount type for your specific installation requirements.

20-foot cable length. The factory cable is 20 feet long - sufficient for most install locations on typical recreational boats (16-26 foot bass boats, sportfish boats, cruisers). For larger boats requiring longer cable runs, Humminbird offers optional cable extensions - check the install accessory catalog for specific extension cables that maintain the proper signal integrity for the GPS and heading data streams.

Compatible Humminbird models. The AS GPS HS connects natively to: all HELIX 7 G2N / G3N (G4N also), all HELIX 8 / 9 / 10 / 12 (any generation), all MEGA 360 Imaging units, all 360 Imaging units, all ONIX Series (with separate AS GPS NMEA adapter cable), all SOLIX units (with separate AS GPS NMEA adapter cable), 859ci / 899ci / 959ci / 999ci / 1159ci / 1199ci HD Combo models. APEX displays require the AS GPS adapter. The unit is NOT compatible with the InterLink networking system. Software version 6.570 or higher is required on the connected unit - older firmware doesn't recognize the GPS HS receiver and won't display heading data correctly.

360 Imaging waypoint placement - the meaningful use case. For boats running 360 Imaging (the spinning sonar that scans 360 degrees around the boat for structure / fish), the AS GPS HS's heading sensor is meaningful for accurate waypoint marking. With heading data, you can drop a waypoint anywhere on the 360 Imaging screen and the saved GPS position is exactly the location of the structure / fish you saw on screen. Without heading data, the waypoint goes at the boat's GPS position rather than the targeted location - meaningfully less useful for returning to specific structure later.

Adapter cable requirements (SOLIX / ONIX / APEX). For boats running SOLIX, ONIX, or APEX displays, the AS GPS HS requires an adapter cable (sold separately) to connect to those displays' specific connector types. The AS GPS NMEA cable is the SOLIX / ONIX adapter. the AS GPS adapter is the APEX adapter. For HELIX units, no adapter is required - the AS GPS HS connects directly. Check your specific display model before ordering and budget for the adapter cable if needed.

InterLink compatibility - NOT supported. The AS GPS HS will NOT work with the Humminbird InterLink networking accessory. For boats running InterLink-based networking, the older AS GPS without heading sensor is the right choice. For most modern Humminbird installs that use Ethernet networking instead of InterLink, the AS GPS HS works fine.

Install. Mount the antenna on a clear-sky location (no overhead obstructions blocking GPS satellite visibility - hardtops with metal reinforcement may impair reception, so mount above or beside such structures). Use a 1x14 thread antenna mount appropriate to your install location. Run the 20-foot cable from the antenna to the connected fishfinder via the appropriate connector or adapter. Power up the fishfinder, verify GPS lock and heading display via the GPS status menu. Calibrate the heading sensor per the instruction manual (slow circle through 360 degrees on calm water). Total install time is typically 1-2 hours.

One-year limited warranty. Standard Humminbird warranty terms apply.