I currently have a Hummingbird Ice55 and am toying with getting one if the new helix with GPS built in. I have heard that the new digital fish finders aren’t as sensitive as a traditional flasher units. Anyone have any thoughts that might have tried both? Looking for pros and cons for each.
I noticed sensitivity at first but all I did was update to newest software on humminbird website. Works mint now
I have Ice35 and last year purchased Helix5 . Didn’t really notice any difference. Didn’t really use the Ice35 much after figuring out the Helix5. No regrets on the purchase of the Helix.
Switched to a Helix 7 three years ago from an Ice 45. Would not go back now. Love the GPS and choice of screens, plus can be used on the boat in the summer.
This will be my 3rd season using a Helix 7. As others have mentions the traditional “dial” display has a slight lag but the newer updates have made it much better. I use it for the 2d display. That one is dead on and reflects your exact jigging in real time.
I still have my FL-18 but it’s my backup or for a second person if they don’t have a flasher.
I currently have a Hummingbird Ice55 and am toying with getting one if the new helix with GPS built in. I have heard that the new digital fish finders aren’t as sensitive as a traditional flasher units. Anyone have any thoughts that might have tried both? Looking for pros and cons for each.
PM me if you’re looking to get rid of your 55. I sold one a few years ago and regret it deeply. Their simplicity added to the fact that they get no interference fishing with a group of flashers in a LOTW shack over 25′ of water is hard to beat.
I am going to go the other way… I bought a Helix last year to use for ice fishing and it worked good but I liked my flasher better. Like others have pointed out, you get the mapping and can use it in your boat as well but most people want a bigger screen in the boat anyway.
I fish outside most of the time and it seemed to hog battery a little bit. If you decide to go the Helix route maybe buy the open water unit and mount it on a Lithium Shuttle and just buy the ice ducer.
Just a little perspective from the other side.
I have an older bird w/gps and a Vex 28 and I use both. Each have their place. You can’t go wrong with either. JMO
i still prefer a mechanical flasher for the most part. We run a panoptix as a base when we are out looking but when it comes to settling in, i run a lx5.
its a bit lighter than my birds and i’m not AS worried about breaking it.
I hated my helix 7 the first year I used it, it had a number of issues. They are no ironed out and it is working fine. I still prefer my FL-20 for several reasons:
1) it’s a lot lighter
2) I don’t use the GPS for ice fishing. Don’t feel I need it, so really my Helix is just a heavy flasher for me
3) I decked out my FL-20 with a lithium battery and Norsk BrakPack case which has created such an amazing setup I don’t feel the need to use anything else.
helix offers the standard sonar return so if you don’t like round flashers or want to switch between the two the Helix is great. Sensitivity is great on both, but my problems with the Helix in the beginning were complete lack of sensitivity. Software updates seem to have solved it. If you use helix keep that brightness as low as you can otherwise they eat batteries.
Jury is still out for me. Found myself using the FL-22 as my preferred unit. Will see if that holds after a full second season.
Purchased a Helix 7 G2N last season. Had lots of issues out of the gate so sour first impression. Buddy bought one at the same time and didn’t. Seem to be fixed now.
GPS – I still have a handheld and use that to get on the spot. If not this would be a different review.
Battery – Helix is a battery hog, no doubt. Will be getting a lithium battery but need to factor if you are okay with the additional cost. This is the main con to me on these units. Big con.
Strictly for ice fishing I’m not seeing why to spend the money to buy a Helix. Now if you need mapping and/or double-duty in the boat then the needle shifts.
Lastly, I’m really surprised at how much I’ve enjoyed having a bow mount since I added the Helix to the boat. In the end my summer use justifies the expense but ice only, we’ll see
I really like it when someone is looking to try something new/new to them, i’ll tell them to get out on (in this case) the ice with a product and try it out… I have had lots of people in my area come up to me and ask if they could try out what I am using… I do not hide this… i’m easy to find !!! large low profile !!! hahaha
And I run a 16′ StarCrusier Hovercraft….
If you’re in my area and see me out stop by say hello and if I have something you want to try feel free to ask !!
I’m pretty sure that would go with any of the staff guys on here…. It’s your hard earned money and you should spend it on what you are most comfortable with using and investing in !!
The Tug Is The Drug
This will be my 3rd season using a Helix 7. As others have mentions the traditional “dial” display has a slight lag but the newer updates have made it much better. I use it for the 2d display. That one is dead on and reflects your exact jigging in real time.
This, use the graph mode and watch the leading edge of the screen. I use lowrance and an LX7, but its no different than Bird or Garmin. The beauty of using graphing mode is you can see fish you didnt see because you glanced away, plus you can really see how they react to your presentation. The nice thing is most units allow you to split your screen and you can zoom in on different ranges in the split which allows you to pay attn to a zoomed view and the full water column at the whole time in case you have a fish that chases out of the zoom window ie tullibee.
I’d take a long hard look at the Garmin.
They are sooooo much easier to run than the the Helix, with more features.
Touchscreen.
Built in mapping.
Better battery life.
Their zoom capabilities are amazing.
Ability to add Panoptix.
Etc, etc
I really like it when someone is looking to try something new/new to them, i’ll tell them to get out on (in this case) the ice with a product and try it out… I have had lots of people in my area come up to me and ask if they could try out what I am using… I do not hide this… i’m easy to find !!! large low profile !!! hahaha
And I run a 16′ StarCrusier Hovercraft….
If you’re in my area and see me out stop by say hello and if I have something you want to try feel free to ask !!
I’m pretty sure that would go with any of the staff guys on here…. It’s your hard earned money and you should spend it on what you are most comfortable with using and investing in !!
The Tug Is The Drug
Great info Dave for anyone that happens to be in an area of IDO experts. 
Now I would like to try that Hovercraft out sometime to see if I want to buy one. 
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