Looking for comparisons from people that have the Ice Helix 7 and M5 after using other flashers. I’m looking to upgrade, have read good and bad about both now I’d like to hear from people that are using them. Thanks for the help.
I have the Helix Ice 7 GPS G3. I feel most of these machines are complex pieces of equipment and if you plan to use them to the fullest extent possible be prepared to spend some time going to school with the manual and simulation mode. If you watched Sunday’s IDO episode James is using the Helix Ice 7 GPS G3 and he seems to think pretty highly of it particularly the A scope feature which I haven’t played with much myself. Now granted Im’ not very techy and these things don’t come as easily to me as perhaps some of you younger folk.
Before the only other flasher I used was a Marcum Showdown which is a great little flasher imo and I keep it around as a loaner and back up.
Helix all day. Like Ice Cap said, read the manual. Actually read it. It helps a lot because there are a lot of features that you will not utilize if you don’t read the manual. In my opinion having Lakemaster maps in a flasher unit it makes it unbeatable. The 2d and flasher views are spot on as well and the A Scope definitely adds some new flare to the traditional flasher.
Thanks guys! Ice Cap I watched that episode of IDO today and James did seem to like it. I’ve talked to a couple friends(one said his dad has this unit and loves it so he’s going to get one) and they spoke highly of it plus I read some reviews that are very positive. I really like the idea of having the flasher and GPS/Lakemaster in one unit rather than having to dig out my phone for Navionics which didn’t work on my phone anyway. Somethings I haven’t seen about this unit is what kind of battery it uses and how much it weighs? The lithium shuttle supposedly makes Marcum’s units 40% lighter so any input on that would be helpful. And if anyone knows if this unit can be used with the Marcum shuttle that would be helpful too. Thanks again.
Don’t need the Marcum shuttle, just get a vexilar propack, lithium battery and mount your helix.
I had a Helix 7 first gen mounted on a lithium shuttle before I bought the G3 and it worked fine. I ditched the shuttle and went with a Amped Outdoors 12ah lithium battery which is the same size as the 9ah sla that comes with it at half the weight. It’s run my Helix up to 16 plus hours. The soft pack the helix comes in works great. You don’t need to buy anything but the lithium battery.
If you want the the usb ports and jig charging light the shuttle offers just get the lithium battery and take the extra $100 bucks and buy a a usb power source and light. I don’t miss not having the shuttle at all. The unit is much lighter with just the lithium battery minus the shuttle.
I also have the Lake Master chip and it’s great. I love being able to bring the map up and view the contours without actually being at the lake.
Thanks again Ice Cap, your insight is very helpful. Swap the battery and have another back up 9ah battery for my back up flasher for the boy and power box..I like it! Power box has usb ports, lights, car charger port, etc so I’m good without the shuttle I guess just want to get as much info as I can. The Lakemaster chip sounds great..I’m looking forward to this unit the more I get info on it!
Looking for comparisons from people that have the Ice Helix 7 and M5 after using other flashers. I’m looking to upgrade, have read good and bad about both now I’d like to hear from people that are using them. Thanks for the help.
Don’t want to hijack post, but I have a G2 Helix. Just as good as the G3 or no? I haven’t purchased the ice kit yet, but have used on boat and love it. Hoping I could use it on the ice also.
No worries Geerdes..let’s get all the info on these models as we can.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>huntfish72 wrote:</div>
Looking for comparisons from people that have the Ice Helix 7 and M5 after using other flashers. I’m looking to upgrade, have read good and bad about both now I’d like to hear from people that are using them. Thanks for the help.Don’t want to hijack post, but I have a G2 Helix. Just as good as the G3 or no? I haven’t purchased the ice kit yet, but have used on boat and love it. Hoping I could use it on the ice also.
I can’t say if the G3 has any extra features but I am using my G2 SI Helix and it has been awesome. Has the A Scope and every view you need in my opinion. If you’re going with the Ice Kit that will be all you need. I (and many others) have mounted mine on a Genz box or other mounts and bought the power cord, and transducer separate, and saved close to $100 just an FYI.
I had a Helix 7 first gen mounted on a lithium shuttle before I bought the G3 and it worked fine. I ditched the shuttle and went with a Amped Outdoors 12ah lithium battery which is the same size as the 9ah sla that comes with it at half the weight. It’s run my Helix up to 16 plus hours. The soft pack the helix comes in works great. You don’t need to buy anything but the lithium battery.
If you want the the usb ports and jig charging light the shuttle offers just get the lithium battery and take the extra $100 bucks and buy a a usb power source and light. I don’t miss not having the shuttle at all. The unit is much lighter with just the lithium battery minus the shuttle.
I also have the Lake Master chip and it’s great. I love being able to bring the map up and view the contours without actually being at the lake.
just an FYI, I updated software on my Helix 7 DI MEGA GPS G3 today and now there is a jig glowing screen setting to glow up your jigs. get the sunglasses out as it dang near blinded me! going to test out my unit this week with the new softwware and see if some of the gremlins got worked out?
Don’t need the Marcum shuttle, just get a vexilar propack, lithium battery and mount your helix.
agreed
propack $30 12 ah battery $109
shuttle $199ish and if you have to replace the battery, I heard its spendy as there have been numerous posts of problems.
As I looked into the options that have been mentioned I saw how much cheaper it is to either leave it as is and just get a lithium battery or get a pro pack and lithium battery..easy enough. I ordered the Ice Helix last night..arrives tomorrow! Going to look at the pro pack and batteries in person today! Thanks for all the help my fellow anglers! Anyone else with any advice/ideas please drop in and let us know!
I have a helix 5 G2 and a marcum M5. Only time I use the marcum anymore is as a spare flasher for my daughter or occasionally hole hopping a steep break where I don’t want to bother with manual depth adjustment on the helix. The M5 is a great traditional style flasher, I just like the additional features the helix brings to the table.
eyeguy my Helix came out of the box with the jig charger light. I see there is a update 2.18 out but not sure if I need it or not. I’m currently running 2.11 I think. My Helix seems to run fine so I’m reluctant to do the upgrade.
I just recently discovered IDO.com and have been really enjoying reading the tips and commentary provided here in the forums.
Going to piggyback off this topic with a couple Helix related questions. Picked up an Ice Helix 7 GPS G2 last week on a deal too good to pass up on Craigslist. Haven’t tried it out yet but have a couple questions. Is there much difference between the G2 and G3 strictly for ice fishing? And if so, is the G2 upgradeable to the G3 with a software update? Thanks
Thanks again gents..keep the information coming!
So I got the Helix yesterday and it doesn’t come with a manual, which seems very odd to me with such a complex/detailed unit. Was wondering if anyone that has one of these units has a manual they’d be willing to part with? Thanks.
That’s because it’s all online now.
I found that out after I opened the box without one. Would rather have the book. Back to original question about the manual…..
If you have access to a computer and printer you could print it
Humminbird offers consistent updates and improvements and a printed manual becomes obsolete fairly quickly.
I know guys but that’s a lot of pages to print..almost 300. I’d like the book since I just got the unit so I can learn it and have the book with me if I need to reference it on the ice until I know it well. After that I’m sure I can figure out the updates as they come. Hope that makes sense.
Just as good as the G3 or no?
The short answer is yes. I run a Helix 7 G2N that I converted from open water and can not find anything showing a difference between the 2 when it comes to ice. As long as you are running the XI 9 1521 ice ducer. I could try explaining it further, but would likely muck it up. The G2 ice units are upgradeable to do everything the G3 can do.
Also, besides reading the manual, youtube is full of tips and tricks. The Technological Angler is one I found to be very helpful.
Thanks Joe, I’ll keep The Technological Angler in mind. Everyone has great advice about how to learn to use this unit and I appreciate all of it but I’d really like a manual to have in the bag on the ice..I’m that guy I guess lol. Hopefully I’ll come across one somehow but in the meantime I’ll keep messing with it and looking at the manual on my computer.
I don’t know if it’s ok to link to youtube or other sites here, but I’ve found a couple videos that make me feel confident that I can run the Helix well.
Go to youtube and search for How to: Ice Helix 7 Setup/Settings (G2n) – in about 9 minutes, you will get a very good tutorial on ice settings.
I also found some good short videos from Humminbird rep Matt Cook – very quick videos but each topic gives a detailed explanation of different setting features. Go to youtube and search for jeff andersen fishing, then go to his videos, and watch the ones with ice Helix in the title – they are all recent, from last month and earlier this month.
Hopefully now that James is running a Helix, we will see more tutorials here as well – hint hint
Thanks Mojo I’ll check those videos out too.
So I got the Helix yesterday and it doesn’t come with a manual, which seems very odd to me with such a complex/detailed unit. Was wondering if anyone that has one of these units has a manual they’d be willing to part with? Thanks.
Mine came with a manual. The online manual has a lot more info but the one that came with it is a good quick reference guide if you want to look something up quick. I’m sure if you call Humminbird they will send you one. You need to go to the web site to register your new unit anyhow.
I called them, registered my new unit and they said it would be $30 for a manual. Oh well guess I’ll be printing 300 pages at some point since their online manual has more info. Thanks for the info Ice Cap.
I understand wanting to have a hard copy book, I prefer that too. But after reading the online manual – some sections several times, I have still learned more by watching videos and reading online.
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