Using Helix 9si on the ice

Looks like the ice case Humminbird makes only fits a Helix 7, not a 9. Then there is the whole side imaging thing? Anyone have some knowledge to share? It would be nice to use one of my Helix 9’s rather then purchase a whole other unit? Or just buy a Marcom or Vexiliar ?. Mainly use it in the fish house on Mille Lac or in a two person portable.

You can use it, but only with the 2D sonar. Touch Screens aren’t the best with gloves in the cold. If you have one with the Chirp I think it will work with the ice transducer.

I have a HDS-9 and a Gen-2 HDS-8 I actually like the 8 better for ice fishing because it’s non touch screen.

I have been having the same thoughts. I had heard that the XI9-20 ice transducer will work (in 2d only). I have been wondering about the interference issues with other units? I also have a Marcum LX-5 that would be running in the same shack.

Somewhere along the way my preference is to have separate units. Large one for open water and a dedicated flasher for ice.

Here’s how I get there. 8″ or bigger screens with gadgets like SI/DI have way more features, weight, and size than I find useful in the winter(2d only). By the time you get it ready for ice with ducer, case, and more then you could buy a nice used flasher. The other problem I have with these big screens is their power consumption.

In the world where I win a lottery I can come up with one use case. If I had it dedicated to a hard house where there is unlimited power. Mount it to the wall and get rid of the tv

I just set up my Helix 9 for ice fishing. Didn’t want to have it just sit around all winter! Needed to buy the ice ducer xi9-20. This picture was from Friday on Mille Lacs. Battery might be an issue. My 6 year old 7ah battery lasted only 4 hrs. I just went and bought two new 9ah batteries at Fleet Farm so next time I go out I can comment on power consumption.

P.s. I loved this new set up and It will be hard to go back to my Ice35 after using this, so I’m hoping my new batteries will do the trick.

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Battery was my concern. My helix 9 si drains my boat battery if left on

SI can be a very useful tool on the ice. As Jason Halfen does he uses the regular SI transducer and attaches it to a pole drops it thru the hole slowly rotates it so it works like 360 imaging. For finding schools or structure it can work very well.