I got a Helix 7 SI G2 CHIRP this summer and am thinking about purchasing the ice conversion kit for it. I already have an FL-18 which I love but would love to have the GPS capabilities and Lakemaster mapping with the Helix. What have your thoughts been on the performance of the Helix units on the ice? I have heard that there is a bit of lag?
0 lag
If you don’t want to fabricate, modify, or adapt anything then buy the conversion kit and ice ducer
0 lag
If you don’t want to fabricate, modify, or adapt anything then buy the conversion kit and ice ducer
That’s the plan. Thanks for the response.
Heard lag issues were with gen 1. Supposedly cleared up with the G2 units. I have an FL18 and an FLX28 and I purchased a Helix 7 GPS G2 this summer for the same reasons you’re considering one.
If anyone has any good tips about rigging a rod holder or two to the Helix Ice kit, please let me know. That’s one feature I’m worried about giving up on my FLX28 as I hole hop a lot.
Consider mounting the unit on a genz box. I have a lowrance hook 7 and that is what I mounted my unit on. One thing to consider is interference. Not sure how birds are but I know my Lowrance has issues with interference around vexilars and marcums. I also have a fl-12 I bring with when I get around more people. I just started a thread asking about the rod holder and someone showed photos of pvc cut down for rod holders and it looks like it would work pretty well.
Been fishing a g1 helix 5 since they came out….0 lag
I’ve been ice fishing a Humminbird graph for 6 years now. Started out using the 788ci HD model. I ended up selling my vexilars, and even considering selling my Marcum LX9 this year now since 90% of the time I grab my Humminbird for ice fishing now. The only reason I still use my LX9 is for the camera and internal sd card video recording. The fact that I use the humminbird for most of my graph ice fishing now should tell you how much I like the benefits of it over flashers. I haven’t experience any lag, I can split screen custom zoom into bottom or anywhere in the water column, save and use waypoints all year, and the GPS and lake map right on the unit is the biggest benefit. And now with Autochart you get the added benefit of being able to map contours for unmapped lakes during open water season to use all year also.
100% worth it, you can do it on a budget too, pick up the xi 9 1521 transducer from hodges marine ($80) and make your own holder for it or use a genz box or whatever, did this with my helix 5 last year and i’m going to have a hard time bringing my fl-18 out at all this year. 0 lag, minimal if not 0 interference, such a great unit.
Thanks a lot for the responses. Glad to hear it performs!
100% worth it, you can do it on a budget too, pick up the xi 9 1521 transducer from hodges marine ($80) and make your own holder for it or use a genz box or whatever, did this with my helix 5 last year and i’m going to have a hard time bringing my fl-18 out at all this year. 0 lag, minimal if not 0 interference, such a great unit.
How did you attach it to your genz box? Looks like it has pre-drilled holes that may work with an HB bracket?
Do you need any updates on helix(ice fishing)
Inskom,What model bird are you using now?(ice fishing)
I have a helix 5 di gen 2 and used it on the ice last year. I have mine set up on a gentz box. I’ve thought long and hard about getting the marcum lithium shuttle bucket but $250 is hard to cough up.
Not worth it.
this might help https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/lets-see-your-diy-helix-shuttle/
Yeah saw that yesterday. I think I’m going to go with a Genz box and mount a Ram Ball on it so I can use my Ram mount that’s already on the unit.
Has anyone found a case that fits over the Genz box with a Helix 7G2?
rippinfish, I’m using a Helix 5 now, and sometimes a Helix 7. Have the 7 mounted to the ATV, but I can hook up an ice transducer to it and fish sitting or standing next to the ATV. I use the Helix 5 for my portable hole-hopping.
Ok thanks for the Info
So here is what I did for my 5. I had an old OLD Marcum shuttle base sitting around. I riveted a white base over the black plastic inside the shuttle. The white helps me see jigs and stuff when I drop them in there. I also cut the carrying handle off and fit PVC over it. I was able to customize the height of the PVC handle to fit in a Humminbird ICE shuttle bag. I added PVS t-connectors to the side and added rod holders out of PVS out each side of the bag.
I also had a Ram mount from a Lowrance Color handheld GPS laying around. I found the Vexilar articulating transducer arm fit perfectly between the ram base and GPS holder. I fabricated a small base to fit the ram mount and Helix 5 base.
I also added a charging port for the battery.
To be honest, I got lucky, I had some parts laying around. There is not a better shuttle made. The handle provides protection to the unit, the articulating arm is longer and folds away nicely.
IMG_9908.jpg
IMG_9914.jpg
IMG_9904.jpg
IMG_9902.jpg
IMG_9903.jpg
I purchased the complete kit Helix 5 Gen 2 chirp with the shuttle and transducer. Put it together this week end and seems like a good kit.
I dont much care for the float/transducer. If it works well I will put a Marcum like arm on it.
I am really looking forward to using it this season. As long as the interference rejection works as well as I have heard it should be great.
BB
I mounted mine on the Marcum Shuttle. I would recommend it to anyone wanting to convert a unit from their boat. Was really impressed with the entire unit last season and I am a die hard Vexilar guy.
I didn’t get the bird kit because it didn’t have rod holders or a lithium battery. Plus I read reports the 7 barely fit in the case. Marcum shuttle is awesome.
IMG_4108.jpg
Has anyone found a place that has the humminbird shuttle and chirp transducer (Conversion kit) in stock? Looking to find one for my Helix 7 Chirp G2N, but everywhere I’ve looked is out of stock, even Humminbird’s website.
Already bought the transducer for $79.99 and a Genz box for $30. Just need the Ram Ball and I’m good to go for less than HALF of what HB charges for their full kit. I’ll take that any day of the week.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>luttes wrote:</div>
100% worth it, you can do it on a budget too, pick up the xi 9 1521 transducer from hodges marine ($80) and make your own holder for it or use a genz box or whatever, did this with my helix 5 last year and i’m going to have a hard time bringing my fl-18 out at all this year. 0 lag, minimal if not 0 interference, such a great unit.How did you attach it to your genz box? Looks like it has pre-drilled holes that may work with an HB bracket?
I didn’t have a genz box, I built a shuttle out of plywood and sprayed it with truck bed liner paint and attached with a ram mount. Check out the link posted by Mat for details on my build. Let me know if you have any questions or want to see more pictures.
Not worth it IMHO.
Check out my DIY Helix Shuttle thread for ideas about how to build your own shuttle. Save a bunch of money and be proud of your own handiwork.
Just picked up my transducer on Ebay. 10% off everything today. Going to order an extra power chord so i don’t have to move that from the boat. I’m still skeptical as I love my lx7… but its worth a shot to get gps and Lakemaster. If nothing else, my son can use it when he starts ice fishing. Started building my shuttle last night. Pics to come soon on the DIY Helix Shuttle Thread!
Just picked up my transducer on Ebay. 10% off everything today. Going to order an extra power chord so i don’t have to move that from the boat. I’m still skeptical as I love my lx7… but its worth a shot to get gps and Lakemaster. If nothing else, my son can use it when he starts ice fishing. Started building my shuttle last night. Pics to come soon on the DIY Helix Shuttle Thread!
Good luck! Excited to see the result!
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
