It was actually a PVC reducer that I cut down so there is a taper at the bottom to catch the transducer.

Ready to roll!

Attachments:

1. 

   9BEBF00E-2A21-46F2-94B8-7A1FB90FD6BB.jpeg
   

2. 

   AAB35DDB-E7CD-42B7-A84C-CCAFD1CFD2BE.jpeg
   

Waiting for the transducer to make a holder for it but I think I’m ready for paint. Really pleased with how balanced it is. My Marcum wants to tip forward so bad when carrying it in the case! Added a marine chrome cleat that I cut in half for transducer chord management and a couple rod holders. Gotta add some rubber feet on the bottom and it’s game time! Probably have $15 into it.

Glad I stumbled upon this thread before I bought a bird bag… $$$$$

Attachments:

1. 

   E22228E7-F67C-4206-8D8E-D8898163FDC4.jpeg
   

2. 

   119EB24B-FAFC-4F38-BDB3-B06E39EEE823.jpeg
   

3. 

   FF77A0E8-E77B-4B93-A851-4208F3ABF33E.jpeg
   

Def not going to fit in a 5 gallon bucket. :/ this is just a test run with the unit, if I like it this season, I’ll build something a bit nicer with a ram. Going to add some pvc rod holders and a Velcro strap to hold battery in. Probably will add an LED strip under the unit and get some plastic vacuum chord wrappers for under the unit for the transducer cable. I think….

My rough draft. Nothing glued or screwed yet. Trying to get ideas on how to store transducer and chord!

Attachments:

1. 

   CF4F6927-C3B7-47F4-8438-C0E5B3EF210F.jpeg
   

2. 

   F934D678-9B2F-4595-934B-861B9CB8C412.jpeg
   

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!

As a custom rod builder, it is frustrating to see “Custom” on everything now days. My ice rods are about $30-$40 less and fully customizable. I even glue and turn every grip I sell. Maybe I should raise my prices… ????????

Love that build Luttes. Now I want to build it. I want to make it out of something water proof, though. I wonder if black starboard would last longer. Something that works like wood but is water proof would be awesome! Or someone with a 3d printer could do some cool things with it!

There are a ton of custom builders out there that will build you a rod for the price of some of the “high end off the shelf” rods. You won’t be disappointed, just make sure your builder knows his/her stuff.

TUCR is never a bad way to go either. Their rods are what inspired my love for rod building as well as my “style”. I love their clean and classy looks! Now I am pro staff with American Tackle on their rod building division and doing it as a small business! It’s an addiction.

I am starting on a blank that looks really close to the commander tonight! Going 38” with a custom 8” grip! Can’t wait to get it together as I feel this will be go to walleye blank.

Andrew, I choose mine based on weight and durability. Fly guides are that for me. One of the big things to look for is ring size. You do not want to buy something that has too small of guides. They will ice up fast and you will be frustrated as you waste more time “thawing” your rings out. Also, you want to make sure that a custom rod that you buy has enough guides. Too few will stress the blank, especially with the new “power noodle” type rods. RECOIL guides are pushed in the custom rod market. These guides are made of a titanium alloy instead of the “standard” steel. They are memory free down to a certain temperature so they are very durable. If you have any other questions, dont be afraid to reach out!

The real question is the new Helix 7 g2 chirp with the new ice update worth selling the Marcum lx7 for? I’m not sold yet, but having mapping data right on my ice unit seems like an enticing feature. I have the new Helix 7 g2 on my boat, just would have to get the ice pack stuff to try it out. Decisions!

Thanks guys! Just found a lightly used helix 9 mega for the same price! So I got that one.

I want one… So hard to fine “The One” though here in Michigan. How much are the used 2010ish Rebels 1650’s going for now??

Thanks for your lengthy and helpful response! Can you sand down graphite? Or is that only Carbon and Glass that you can sand? I am a crafty guy so the thought of building my own rods really is intriguing. Does anyone else have any other suggestions on blanks? I’d like to find some that are cheaper so that I can try to wrap one up and see if i like it! Mudhole Shipping is soooo expensive.

After adding everything up… I’m only like $30 cheaper than just buying a brand new TUCR Precision. Maybe that’s the way to go.

If I went with the Quiverstick, how much would I have to chop off to make it suitable for what I want to use it for? If at all? I guess when I think of fishing walleye, I think ML-Medium power rods, but I know guys that fish a 36″ ultralight for ‘eyes. Sooo maybe it would be fine the way it is?

Thanks for all your responses!

X2 love the Ido Team.

The only thing that I can find that is not quite right, is the protective glass thing that covers the lens on the manta. It is super scratched and the video is very fuzzy and blurry. I’m hoping I can just get a new little protective piece… Other than that, the battery is charging and I’m excited to get it out on some ice soon.

I got it boys. happier than a kid on Christmas morning!!! $550. Less than a year old. Great condition. Now I gotta figure out how to use it all!

We had to reschedule for tomorrow morning. Meeting at 9am tomorrow. I will fill ya in tomorrow morning!

I guess to answer my own question though, I heard back from marcum and the warranty does NOT transfer. Bummer! I know big_g!! I’m hoping and praying this is legit!!

I’ll let ya know tomorrow.

Well I’m going to look at it tomorrow. Everything seems to be checking out. No receipt but they have manuals. They live on a lake and sent me pictures. I’ll let ya know what I find out. Trying not to get to excited but this unit would change my life!! hopefully after tomorrow I’ll have a new toy! Now all we need is some ice…

Thats what I was thinking too. Seems like its too good to be true. The person said they are trying to make some money for the holidays because the husband had been randomly laid off. Not sure what to do. I would hate to miss out on a deal like this.