Ice 35 problem?

I picked up an ICE-35 the day after Christmas and have used it twice so far. I am having an issue with it when I am using it, the bottom and my jig (holding my rod steady)seem to move around and are not steady. When this is happening there is an audible difference in the rotating of the flasher motor like it is slowing down and then speeding back up. The unit will do this even with a fully charged battery. I know I fished with my brothers Vexilar FL8 right next to me, no interference BTW, and his display is rock solid while mine moves every so often. Has anyone else experienced this issue with their Humminbird flashers? I really wanted to try another flasher (LX3) but the humminbird was what I could afford. My brothers tried to talk me into a vexilar but the price was to steep, and I was limited to one store due to all the gift cards from Christmas. My choice was a showdown or the ICE-35. Thanks for the replies.

Bill

Sounds like a motor timing issue. If the speed of the motor varies even a little then the display won’t be consistent. Basically what you’ll see is the bottom will “creep” up and / or down as will any displayed signals.

That is EXACTLY what is happening. I hate to state the obvious, but that isn’t normal, correct?

I would think possible causes would be defective motor or battery, huh?

Bill

You should be able to return it to the store where you purchased and exchange for a new one. If not, I’m sure Hummingbird will fix it for free. Stinks to be without a flasher though for a while.

Welcome to IDO!!

Bottom creep/jump was an issue with both of the ICE-55 units I’ve tested, though I can’t confirm on the ICE-35. Not only was it annoying, it hampers your ability to slueth bottom-hugging fish, esp. walleyes. Depending on how satisfied you are with the unit otherwise, I’d return it if possible. If you like it, contact Hbird cust. service, though I’m not convinced at least from my testing that this isn’t normal. They’ll know for sure.

If your price range is that of the ICE-35 or showdown, I’d recommend the Marcum VX-1. It’s a 3-color flasher like the ICE-35, and esp. last year’s model (if you can find one) is around $200. The VX-1 Pro (this year’s model) is around $280 last I saw it. Either the VX-1 or VX-1 Pro are very capable units that I’m sure you’d be satisfied with. In fact, with bottom zoom and more power, they’re comparable to the Vexilar FL-18’s, at a lower price!

Joel

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That is EXACTLY what is happening. I hate to state the obvious, but that isn’t normal, correct?

I would think possible causes would be defective motor or battery, huh?

Bill

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No, that’s NOT normal. The motor is bad and it isn’t something you can repair yourself. Take it back for warranty or exchange.

Welcome to the site. There has been some great deals on flashers the last few weeks. Fleet farm has some great deals going on right now. Cabelas had the LX3 on sale a few weeks ago.

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That is EXACTLY what is happening. I hate to state the obvious, but that isn’t normal, correct?

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I also had a chance to run a 55 last weekend and noticed the same exact issue. From what I have read here and heard there is not just one or two units doing this. If I owned one of them I would be contacting Hummingbird.

Anyone know is Sportsman’s Warehouse is running any special yet?

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Anyone know is Sportsman’s Warehouse is running any special yet?

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Sounds like the Marcums are on sale

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Anyone know is Sportsman’s Warehouse is running any special yet?

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Sounds like the Marcums are on sale

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If they are, it is new since last week.
I was in there checking on Tuesday and all Marcums were still holding at list price.
Oh, and they only had 2 – LX-5s left at that time.
As I mentioned in another post, Cabela’s had the LX-5 down to $479 last week and Fleet Farm has it down to $449 this week!!!
Good luck
cheers

I think it was this time last year that the Forest Lake Gander had a crazy amount of LX-5s. I think it was something in the 40 unit range. I couldn’t find the post from last year about it, but it might be worth a shot.

FDR

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I think it was this time last year that the Forest Lake Gander had a crazy amount of LX-5s. I think it was something in the 40 unit range. I couldn’t find the post from last year about it, but it might be worth a shot.

FDR

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If memory serves they sold every one of them before the end of the ice season. And I think they had over 50 of them when that post went up.

I was also in the Woodbury Gander Mtn. last Tuesday and was suprised at the void in Marcum inventory.
When I inquired about the LX-5s, I was told (by a department employee) that since the sale of Marcum to Nature Vision, Gander Mtn. has not made any additional purchases.
cheers

Hey SMOKENZ, without getting off track on the Marcum bandwagon, you should return your unit where purchased for an exchange. If that isn’t possible, just e-mail Humminbird CS about your issue, and they will expedite a new head unit to you, with a return label for your old one. Takes about three days. [email protected]

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Hey SMOKENZ, without getting off track on the Marcum bandwagon, you should return your unit where purchased for an exchange. If that isn’t possible, just e-mail Humminbird CS about your issue, and they will expedite a new head unit to you, with a return label for your old one. Takes about three days. [email protected]

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Thanks STEVENS1920

No problem James. I had my own issues with mine, and Humminbird took care of me in an impressively fast manner. Hopefully they will get the new model year bugs out, as their CS was top notch!!

I have been running the ICE 45 and ICE 55 this year. I have just over 100 hours now on each unit. I have not noticed a problem with the timing on either of my units. I did have a power knob that was kind of loose, but that was an easy fix. So far they have been very solid units.

What you are describing definetly sounds like a timing issue. I used to get the same problem with my MarCum units and occasionally they would lock up when the timing got to far off. With the MarCum units you could test your timing by running the unit in the air over a hard surface and hit the zoom, the bottom reading should be in the center of the screen not off to the right or left.

I haven’t figured out a test yet for the Humminbird units. I would guess there is an easy test to check your timing. I will work on that tonight maybe. Like I said, I have not run into the issue yet. I would definetly call customer service at Johnson Outdoors and get it taken care of though.

I was at Fleet Farm on 35dub and Lexington this afternoon making a return on a Christmas gift and the gentleman in front of me was returning a ice 35.

During the wait i asked him why he was returning the unit he stated that the depth was creeping up and down and that the unit was giving off that distinct smell when electronics are overheating and that he just wanted his money back.

I told him he may want to take a look at the Vx-1,Fl 12 or lx-3 with similar price points. He asked if i would be back in the fishing section when the return was completed, surely i would be. we met again around the display units and he asked me which unit i preferred. The lx5 for me. so i showed him both the fl12 and lx3 and he asked why i like the lx5. superfineline and move zoom of course. So long story short the fellow left with the last lx5 in the store, the display model that we played with for 449$ Cant beat that price! So Tom, i hope you don’t find yourself back in the return line at FF and that both My recommendation and the Marcum product stand up for you. Good Fishing…

Did I miss something here. I thought Scott Steil was the Marcum Man. Maybe my memory is bad. Now you say you are running hummingbirds. Is this some kind of research or did you just switch brands?

I should add that I do love my ICE35. Dual beam ducer, zoom that works in any part of the water column, and the screen is SO nice to read, even outside in the sun, and it seems to play well with other brands of flashers so far. I have probably 100 hours on my unit thus far this year,and the issue I had was probably just me being extremely picky, but like I said, Humminbirds CS was top notch. I am glad you are giving these a whirl Scott, as it will be nice to have three companies competing for our business!

I couldn’t agree more Stevens. I think 3 competitors will only up the anty(sp?). Can’t wait to see how this pushes technology!! Welcome to IDO!!

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Did I miss something here. I thought Scott Steil was the Marcum Man. Maybe my memory is bad. Now you say you are running hummingbirds. Is this some kind of research or did you just switch brands?

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I am running the Humminbird units this year. You can’t learn new technology if you don’t give it a try. I still have my MarCum units and use them side by side for testing all the time. In addition, I have a Vexilar FL-20 so I can compare all three. As I have said earlier, you can catch fish with all three units. I was skeptical going into this ice season knowing I was going to be running a new product as I have always shyed away from new products. Usually it takes a year to work out the bugs. I went through this with my Vexilar FL-18 many years ago, and then with MarCum with the LX-3. Humminbird had some of their Pro Staff run these units last year on the ice for a full season so they got a lot of the bugs worked out.

I have really come to like the Humminbird units. It took fishing in one blizzard to learn the benefits of the flat screen. In addition, the size of the screen is very nice to look at (my kids always pick the Humminbird units because they like the “big screen”). As I mentioned earlier, I have 100 hours on each of the units so far and I still have a lot to learn. There is a lot of new technology built into these units…much of which I was hoping MarCum was going to incorporate into their next unit. If you take at step back and look at what Humminbird is doing with these new ICE units, aside from all the Brand bias you will get, the technology in these new Humminbird ICE units will amaze you.

So, to answer your question, I run Humminbird Side Imaging graphs in the summer while tournament fishing and with the sale of MarCum to Nature Vision I had a choice to make. For this season I decided to give the Humminbird units a try. If everything continues to work out like it has so far I may ask to be on their Pro Staff next year. Right now, I am just a guy using Humminbird/MarCum and Vexilar flashers and believe me, that is a lot of equipment to haul out on the ice everyday. So far I would feel confident recommending them to anyone looking at a new flasher.

If you have more questions about some of the features on the new Humminbird ICE units you can check out my website below as I have been trying to cover them as I learn more about them. I still have a lot to learn also!

I think the real tests have not been performed yet on many of these new units. Lets use them for 3-5 years and see how many problems you have with them. Knock them around for a while. I know at least one of my Vexilar units are 5-6 years old and I know I can still depend on it. In my years of using Vexilars I have sent one in for a burnt out light. I can’t say that same thing for at least one other brand that I have used.

Building advanced technology is great. Building durable and reliable technology is another thing. Time will tell on some of these new units out there.

Thanks for replying. you could have easily responded just that you switched. appreciate the time you took with your response. As all the Staffer’s do usually respond well to questions.

Broncs

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I picked up an ICE-35 the day after Christmas and have used it twice so far. I am having an issue with it when I am using it, the bottom and my jig (holding my rod steady)seem to move around and are not steady. When this is happening there is an audible difference in the rotating of the flasher motor like it is slowing down and then speeding back up. The unit will do this even with a fully charged battery. I know I fished with my brothers Vexilar FL8 right next to me, no interference BTW, and his display is rock solid while mine moves every so often. Has anyone else experienced this issue with their Humminbird flashers? I really wanted to try another flasher (LX3) but the humminbird was what I could afford. My brothers tried to talk me into a vexilar but the price was to steep, and I was limited to one store due to all the gift cards from Christmas. My choice was a showdown or the ICE-35. Thanks for the replies.

Bill

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SMOKNZ,

You need to contact the Humminbird Customer Service Department. The number is 800-633-1468 or there email address is [email protected]. If you have an issue getting through you can contact me directly at 334-695-3329 and I put you in contact with the right person.

Joby Smith

Thanks for the honest answer. I know you guys keep up on the tech side of things every year and although I am not looking at upgrading my LX-5 yet (mostly because I don’t see anything on any brand of new flasher that I need bad enough to buy another)I do like to here why some of you do switch. I base alot of my buying decisions on the advice I get from members and staff on this site and have been very happy with the decisions you have helped me make. Just want to make sure it’s because you beleive in the product not because they are your sponser or employer. I apretiate the reviews all give on any product weather it is good or bad. Thanks again

Back to testing the timing on your unit….
Turn your zoom on but do not move it, the thin blue line at the bottom should stay vertical on the bottom. If it moves back and forth the timing is off and needs to go back.
Good luck.

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Back to testing the timing on your unit….
Turn your zoom on but do not move it, the thin blue line at the bottom should stay vertical on the bottom. If it moves back and forth the timing is off and needs to go back.

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I picked up an ICE-35 the day after Christmas and have used it twice so far. I am having an issue with it when I am using it, the bottom and my jig (holding my rod steady)seem to move around and are not steady. When this is happening there is an audible difference in the rotating of the flasher motor like it is slowing down and then speeding back up. The unit will do this even with a fully charged battery. I know I fished with my brothers Vexilar FL8 right next to me, no interference BTW, and his display is rock solid while mine moves every so often. Has anyone else experienced this issue with their Humminbird flashers? I really wanted to try another flasher (LX3) but the humminbird was what I could afford. My brothers tried to talk me into a vexilar but the price was to steep, and I was limited to one store due to all the gift cards from Christmas. My choice was a showdown or the ICE-35. Thanks for the replies.

Bill

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SMOKNZ,

You need to contact the Humminbird Customer Service Department. The number is 800-633-1468 or there email address is [email protected]. If you have an issue getting through you can contact me directly at 334-695-3329 and I put you in contact with the right person.

Joby Smith

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I called and called on Monday and got a message every time, no one picks up, I sent an email and got an out of office reply so I boxed up the Humminbird today and went to Fleet Farm to return it. After some haggeling I got the last remaining Marcum in the store, a VX1 Pro. The display is steady and I hope it works out for me. I do miss the nice big flat display though, but alot of the members here said this Marcum was a great unit. We shall see. Thanks for the advice, and I hope Huminbird gets these things figured out.

Bill