Helix Options

  • lengyelberry
    Posts: 2
    December 7, 2017 at 2:26 pm #1733684

    I apologize, because I’m sure it’s been asked, but I couldn’t find the answer.

    Very interested in purchasing the Heliz 5 or 7 because of the flexibility of using in summer and winter
    Am i better off buying the ICE Helix, and then buying the transducer/power cables to convert it to Summer, or buy the summer unit, and then buy the transducer/power cable to make it ice worthy?
    Saw the thread around homemade shuttles, and I would probably go that route, so would not be buying the Ice Kit that Humminbird sells.

    Is it more cost effective to buy one way or the other? or is it a wash?

    John

    tswoboda
    Posts: 8367
    December 7, 2017 at 3:15 pm #1733700

    Just piece together each way of buying to get your price.

    Here’s some estimates based off some quick google fu:

    Ice Helix 7 chirp sonar/gps g2 – $580
    Open Water Ducer – $50
    Gimbal Mount – $30
    Total – $660

    Helix 7 chirp sonar/gps g2 – $450
    Ice Ducer – $80
    Battery & Charger – $40
    Genz Box – $30
    Total – $600 plus/minus based on how much your shuttle costs to make. I just used the genz box because it’s cheap and simple.

    JoeMX1825
    MN
    Posts: 17540
    December 7, 2017 at 3:15 pm #1733701

    buy the summer kit because it will comes with the mounting bracket for your boat…then you just need to buy the ice ducer and a power cord and some sort of case or make your own shuttle…if you plan on using a ram or johnny ray mount for your boat, then probably just buy the ice fishing kit….

    tswoboda
    Posts: 8367
    December 7, 2017 at 4:02 pm #1733721

    No need to buy an extra power cable either way.

    Buy a few 2 pin trailer connectors and put that on your power cord. Put the matching terminals on your boat battery, flasher batter, and a cigarette adapter for the truck. That way you have 1 power cable that sticks with the Helix and can connect to multiple power sources.

    A lot of the little smart battery chargers (i.e. battery tender jr.) use the same connector so you can charge your battery through that as well.

    Just make sure you keep your positive/negative leads correct when setting up that system.

    Attachments:

    1. 2-PIN-FLAT.jpg

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    MN
    Posts: 3918
    December 7, 2017 at 4:11 pm #1733725
    tswoboda wrote:

    No need to buy an extra power cable either way.

    Buy a few 2 pin trailer connectors and put that on your power cord. Put the matching terminals on your boat battery, flasher batter, and a cigarette adapter for the truck. That way you have 1 power cable that sticks with the Helix and can connect to multiple power sources.

    Why haven’t I done this yet…thanks for the tip! Looks like my truck will be getting a Helix after all!

    gotalunker
    Zimmerman, MN
    Posts: 153
    December 7, 2017 at 4:57 pm #1733739

    Some of that depends on which helix u buy. If u get the summer unit without di or si, u can save a bit there. Hodgesmarine has the 1521 duce for the best price anywhere and u can make your own shuttle. Including incidentals you can for sure be setup for summer and winter for less than the cost of one ice helix. Now of course u want a map chip and any other conveniences, but I think summer to winter is the way to go.

    Brandon P
    Posts: 40
    December 8, 2017 at 9:41 am #1733937

    I pull my helix 7si off my boat and bought the soft pack and ice ducer. Bought the si unit so i can use it in my kayak as well as my canada fly in trip. The bigger screen is really nice and crisp. To be able to save waypoints from open water and go back to them during ice is key.

    Boomer1
    Posts: 11
    December 8, 2017 at 10:00 am #1733944

    These guys are spot on. Summer kit is the way to go for year round use. Finally did this myself and haven’t looked back.

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