My HDS for ice project

I needed a Graph and a GPS for ice fishing so after reading how great the HDS units are on the ice, I decided to set up my HDS-7 for the ice. I used a 5 gallon bucket and some plywood for this project. Worked out pretty well, the whole package is self contained with the battery in the bottom, the graph drops down in the bucket to protect the graph when traveling, lift it up and hang it on the top of the bucket for use, the transducer is in the bucket when not in use. I also have the battery charger wired in and velcro is holding it place when not in use.

Now we just need ice in MN!

Great Idea….I was planning on a new ice finder, my old 2330 Lowrance finally quit. I have a HDS8 and a HDS7 sitting in the basement waiting for my new Lund 1875 to show up. What type of battery are you using? Temp here is 47 degrees and I need a project or go nuts…wishin’ I was fishin’
Merry Christmas – jim

I am using a 12 ah battery. I am also going to get a lid to cover the thing for added protection.

That is legit! I’d definitely go for this, Having GPS and high quality flasher working together on ice would be awesome.

how good does the flasher work, in comparison to a vexilar or marcum graph?

As soon as we get some ice I will report, but everything I read tells they work great, not sure how they compare to a Marcum or Vexilar.

I built something like that last year. Built a box big enough for a small lawn mower battery and then put my 595c ‘Bird on top. The battery makes it a little heavy but you never have to worry about it going down. Works really good. Just does not have enough sensitivity to see small jigs. I put it back together a couple days ago, this year I even put the GPS puck on it.

The HDS Units are great on the ice. Like the mod you made.

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The HDS Units are great on the ice. Like the mod you made.

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are they sensitive enough to pick up the small panfish jigs? and how quick is the return signal?

for example, on a vex, you can visually watch you raise and lower your jig. does the hds have the same return speed? or is there a delay?

this is very intriguing, because if it works well, i may have to use my HDS and leave the vex at home this winter…

If I had to choose my LX5 or my new LX7 will hit the ice before the HDS does. I like having the bigger screen for gps on the lake and for river fishing I use it all the time in graph mode. I didn’t use the flasher much though.

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The HDS Units are great on the ice. Like the mod you made.

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are they sensitive enough to pick up the small panfish jigs? and how quick is the return signal?

for example, on a vex, you can visually watch you raise and lower your jig. does the hds have the same return speed? or is there a delay?

this is very intriguing, because if it works well, i may have to use my HDS and leave the vex at home this winter…

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You be the judge. Pics of my HDS-5 below in “Auto Sensitivity” mode.

The “green/yellow” line at 19′ is a 1/4oz Lindy Rattl’n flyer spoon.

The “blue” line above it at 16′ is a #10 SPRO swivel (tiny!)
I’m using FireLine here with a 3′ fluorocarbon leader to the spoon.

The picture illustrates perfectly why you shouldn’t use the HDS in automatic mode, the sensitivity is way too high here.

There is NO lag. As soon as something happens its on your screen.

I use the HDS in graph mode only. Super sensitive, and far more adjustable and capable than a simple flasher type sonar unit. And the built-in GPS/mapping abilities of the HDS are a real plus.

Here is a 19″ walleye incoming…

I ate him…

Jim Carroll NPAA #13

Nice RIG Kirt! You are going to have fun with that!

Jim Carroll NPAA #13

Thanks, Now we need ice here in MN

Looks good !!

Think you will like it. Been working on this for awhile.

I know this is dated but I am rigging my hds5 for another unit on the ice found this helpful!