I am looking to by a fish finder for the ice. I have the humminbird helix 5 sonar GPS on the boat. Should I use this for the ice and buy the transducer, case, battery, etc. ,or should I just buy a marcum or vex. I’m looking for the cheaper option but I also want to know which unit is better. Thanks.
If you use the search feature in the top right, you’ll find a couple of other posts about using the helix 5 on ice. Buying the transducer would probably be the “cheaper” option but others have noted a lag while in flasher mode and some bad interference when fishing close to other flashers. If you find these to be big issues and you want a cheaper unit, I’d take a look at the Marcum VX-1i or a Vexilar FL-8. Which unit is better, well, you’ll get a lot of opinions about that. I would lean towards the Marcum because it has a zoom feature.
If you are wanting an “all in 1” option, i would go with the helix. I don’t use the flasher mode on mine but rather the same view id use in open water. The gps feature is great because you dont have to have another piece of equipment on the ice to loose down a hole. The helix does have a zoom feature as well on the open water view. In that view i can see my cadence of my jig a lot better than on a flasher.
Just my 2 cents.
Where is the best place to buy the ice components for the helix 5? Cabelas and Gander didn’t have anything.
On the bright side if you use your Helix during winter months you’ll be more familiar with it during the open water season.
I was told at the ice fishing show to buy a blue genz case and battery, buy the transducer and you’d save $150.
Here is a unique setup for a Helix 7.
ET
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
