GPS Dilemma

  • NoFish
    Posts: 45
    November 25, 2013 at 8:23 am #1358931

    Hi guys. I’m looking to add some GPS capability to my ice fishing arsenal this year, but I don’t have any experience using it on the ice.

    I have an HDS 5 with a chip sitting on my open water rig, and the accessories to convert this set up to an ice rig would run me a shade under $200 shipped. Is it worth spending that much to take this unit on the ice, or am I better off just buying a dedicated handheld for a few bucks more?

    Any advice/experience that anybody can share on this would be appreciated. Thank!

    matt
    Posts: 659
    November 25, 2013 at 8:33 am #1366450

    Ive used my 522cLowrance for the last four ice seasons.I love it.Big screen to look at over the small handheld screens.I put it on the four wheeler rack when driving out to find a spot then take it off and use it for my graph/flasher in the house.One thkng to keep in mind is they eat the battery pretty quickly.I turn off the gps when in the house so its not searching for sattellites all the time,and dim the screen when ever possible,this saves alot of battery power.I can go all day with on one battery this way,but I allways have a spare with anyways.It all comes down to personal preference I guess.I like mine alot though.

    bigcrappie
    Blaine
    Posts: 4330
    November 25, 2013 at 8:37 am #1366453

    All you need is a Vexlar style battery 12v 7amp $16 Fleet Farm, A extra HDS 5 power cable $30 ebay or online, A blue Genz box $35 wallmart/online. And about 1 hour your time. Mount the HDS on the box put in the battery and use some clips to clip the power cable to the battery. I put on a cig lighter end so I could use it in my truck or 4 wheeler also.

    Dave Koonce
    Moderator
    Prairie du Chien Wi.
    Posts: 6946
    November 25, 2013 at 8:37 am #1366454

    Can you use your phone ?

    If you have a Smart Phone Android or Iphone there is an app for around $15 that works pretty darn good !!

    IceAsylum
    Wisconsin Dells WI
    Posts: 956
    November 25, 2013 at 9:59 am #1366497

    Strap it to front rack of 4 wheeler and away I go. I use it for open water to find potential ice spots, so no need to transfer way points to my handheld. On the ice I fine tune the spot than mark the waypoint on my handheld. Scrap wood and the cost of a battery. It is allot nicer to watch the screen going across the lake than trying to read the small one on the hand held.

    travis-dewitt
    Alexandria, MN
    Posts: 8
    November 25, 2013 at 11:21 am #1366521

    Last year I put my 898 Humminbird on a Genz box, and absolutely loved it! I can honestly say that I will never use a hand held GPS while ice fishing ever again. It is such a luxury to have large screen when on the wheeler and going over bumps. This year I scaled it down to the 788ciHD, but it is still a 5 inch screen. Plus, you can see your waypoints that you made in the summer, as opposed to a dedicated ice fishing GPS. I have the 788 on the Humminbird portable pack, and also have the handlebar mount for the wheeler when the ice gets thick enough.

    07lotwchamp
    Andover, Mn
    Posts: 299
    November 25, 2013 at 3:50 pm #1366585

    Mounted mine on my wheeler for around $50, works great!!

    zab.jr
    Winona, Mn
    Posts: 56
    November 25, 2013 at 8:55 pm #1366664

    I rock my phone with the navonics app

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    November 26, 2013 at 5:46 am #1366685

    Quote:

    Hi guys. I’m looking to add some GPS capability to my ice fishing arsenal this year, but I don’t have any experience using it on the ice.

    I have an HDS 5 with a chip sitting on my open water rig, and the accessories to convert this set up to an ice rig would run me a shade under $200 shipped. Is it worth spending that much to take this unit on the ice, or am I better off just buying a dedicated handheld for a few bucks more?

    Any advice/experience that anybody can share on this would be appreciated. Thank!



    Are you walking out a lot? I have my 788 all set up for ice and have used it once this year. Walking out I found my Navionics on my iPhone much more valuable than the 788. Once I can run a wheeler or truck, I can see how the 788 will have value.

    They all have uses. I really wish Humminbird would come out with a handheld that accepts map chips and has terresterial maps for hunting. I think that would be a hot seller.

    jfs62
    Southeast WI
    Posts: 59
    November 26, 2013 at 8:06 pm #1366906

    I too will be trying a phone app this year. Seems way easier when walking. And if you already have an app ready phone probably the most cost effective way to start. I agree with others, though, and if you have a four wheeler or sled a dedicated mounted unit may then be the best.

    NoFish
    Posts: 45
    November 27, 2013 at 5:08 am #1366938

    Thanks for all the replies. Looks like I will go with the Genz pack idea. I loved it when I did it to my lx6 so I don’t know why it didn’t occur to me. Beats paying lowrance for a bunch of stuff I don’t need.

    Nice to hear all the positive reviews on the phone apps. I’m just opposed to it on principle. Nothing against the guys that do use them, but I’m glued to the darn thing all the time and I like being able to keep it in my pocket for emergencies only when I hit the ice. Besides, it would find its way down a hole before the first of the year with my luck…

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