jshoenfelt Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I am running a POD HD500 with some pedals for my rig and I am thinking of upgrading to the Helix or saving some money and getting a 500x. Thoughts from anyone who has tried the Helix(I have to drive 100 miles to do so)? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duncann Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Ultimately you are the one most familiar with your own needs and wants. You pretty much know what to expect if you upgrade to a 500X. It's the 500 but with about 20% more DSP, better switches, and a slightly higher contrast screen. I went from a 500 to a 500X and was quite surprised by how much more you can do with that extra 20% of DSP. I also went from a 500X to Helix. I really do not regret that choice one bit. There are some things the 500X does that Helix cannot, mainly in the effects, so I keep mine around, but for the most part it collects dust now. If you have use for the flexibility Helix gives you (take a gander at Helix's manual for an idea about this), it could be worth it. Is the ease of programming it worth it to you? With Helix, there may be the possibility of ditching all of your extra pedals. Just some things to think about. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshoenfelt Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thanks, it's nice to see that someone who went to the Helix from a HD500 is happy. I am very interested in ditching all my pedals, I play every Sunday in church and I am looking to simplify, having said that, I do love my pedals, I have a few Wamplers, but simple would be nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristianArnold Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I just got the Helix yesterday and it is amazing. Check out my YouTube channel to see all my other stuff. I too went from a HD500 to HD500x to Helix. Here a link to my latest video. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jshoenfelt Posted January 5, 2016 Author Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thanks for your input, nice to hear from someone so close in PA. Where did you order it from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arislaf Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 I am also from HD500 to Helix. Keep your HD and get yourself a torpedo cab. My 2 cents. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristianArnold Posted January 5, 2016 Share Posted January 5, 2016 Thanks for your input, nice to hear from someone so close in PA. Where did you order it from? I ordered it from Guitar Center. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted January 6, 2016 Share Posted January 6, 2016 Thoughts from anyone who has tried the Helix(I have to drive 100 miles to do so)? And thats assuming that there will be one in stock when you get there. At the moment, it's easier to find a pearl in a pig's ear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pianoguyy Posted January 11, 2016 Share Posted January 11, 2016 I have no complaints about my HD500. So I haven't even bothered with the HD500x or Helix. Just yesterday, someone said that they returned their Helix because, while nice, just was not worth the price for them. So, really, you need to figure out what you want to do but can't do with your 500. And then, when you have that list, figure out if you need to upgrade to the 500x or to the Helix. AND you need to determine if this upgrade is worth the money. If all you want is - as example - a delay, you don't need to spend $1500 on the Helix, when a $60 pedal can do the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leftzilla Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 I personally have run up the almost entire line6 modeling line starting with an AX212 through POD XT, X3, HD500, HD500X and now Helix. Everybody is pretty spot on about you need to figure out what is best for your situation. There are some effects that aren't available yet in Helix that are in the HD500. Yet being the active word. I love the Helix, very easy to get a great tone out of quickly. IMHO the Helix is much more reactive to playing style and the guitar being played. Don't get me wrong I love my HD500X, but the Helix also incorporates as lot of the suggestions or fixes a lot of the criticisms that forum user's had with the HD series. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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