If Ruffed Grouse & bird dogs are of interest, the RGS has a bunch of prints that are 75% off in their online store – https://www.uplandstore.org/collections/art
As others have mentioned, framing can be quite expensive, if professionally done but looks great. I’ve also had luck looking at thrift stores and antique shops.
I don’t have a UHD, but I do have a 93SV+ with an older GT-52 transducer. I have no issue with depth on-plane at 40 mph. Spray is definitely an issue. My old Humminbird ducer had a rubber plug that helped. On my Garmin I taped over the gap between the transom and the ducer. Not perfect, but at least the spray isn’t hammering the outboard.
Maps are updated twice per year, so they’re improving all the time, IMO. WHEN Garmin bought Navionics they integrated most but not all maps, they also do their own “Elite” surveys. I’ve found them to be quite good for most lakes. Not quite as good as Lakemaster, but close.
Go to lakes.garmin.com to lookup details for the lakes you fish
Also, the sync between Active Captain and the head unit is awesome. I can now scout on my phone and wirelessly transfer waypoints so they are there when I hit the water.
Also, are you running the Echomap 73SV+? I believe the plus is the oldest unit that supports Livescope (LVS32).
I’d say no due to the black box. I’m using the XL Garmin case and it’s tight with a black box and 9″. The 7″ would save a little room but not much – https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/685427
I believe a lot of folks use the large Clam bag. Summit fishing may sell one also.
Geez… I didn’t know AmpedOutdoors now has a 32ah battery that fits in the LVS shuttle! I got the 18ah last year and it works great.
I agree with the prior posts, go with AmpedOutdoors and get the size you can afford (18 vs 32).
Any updates from the meeting last night?
Love my Ram. I’ve had two. The first was a 2014 Regular cab, Express edition. Loved that truck but I traded it in for a backseat and more features. Currently truck is a 2016 1500 Laramie Longhorn. Truck has air suspension & Ram boxes. Zero issues in 2 years with the Express.
I LOVE the 5.7. I’ve also had no issues with the 8-speed transmission that was in both trucks.
Had manifold bolts break on the 2016, which was fixed under the powertrain warranty. Fit & finish on the Longhorn is amazing. Puts anything from Ford or Chevy to shame, if that matters to you.
Mixed feelings on the Ram boxes. Auto-leveling with the air ride is awesome for towing.
Seems to be more of the same. Hunters is still running it for the bank with a potential auction to the highest bidder in the fall after the foreclosure redemption period passes. Restaurant is still closed. Not sure what is happening with that.
https://www.millelacs.mn.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/257
As others above suggested, I’d recommend the Garmin Echomap+ 93SV. 9″ touchscreen, built in maps (plus a free map update within 12 months, Chirp, DI, SI, fully network capable and supports Livescope if you want to upgrade in the future.
$599 at BPS and others.
I measured mine at 48″ from ceiling to bottom of sled. I also have a strap (technically a bungie) underneath to make sure they dont slip since the sled isn’t very long. Dont want it falling on my truck!
Here is what I have used for 4 years. Works great
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/attwood-canoe-hoist-system/0000000061969
I second the Spring Bay Resort recommendation!
I’d say minimum battery for 10 hours would be an 18ah Lithium. The one from Amped Outdoors is the same size as the 12ah SLA that comes with the kit.
For summer you’ll need a way to attach the pole to the boat. Quick and dirty would be with a c-clamp, but that can be a bit unstable. If the boat has a rail system I’d get a ram mount or similar to attach to a rail base on one end and the pole on the other.
Does the all-season kit come with the GT54 transducer? Keep in mind the LVS32 will also give you DI & 2d, although there really isn’t a need IMO.
I’d also check pricing on buying the components separately. You can get a really good deal on the non-UHD 93SV+ ($599). Bag & shuttle is around $130 direct from Garmin. Then you just need a pole and battery. This does only give you the GT52 open water transducer, which may or may not matter to you.
Good luck!
Agree something new is likely coming. Maybe at iCAST this summer?
Perspective mode is a nice add-on. There is a lot of R&D expense that goes into enhancements so it’s nice to see them pushing it out for free. Not sure the competition would do the same without requiring the purchase of a new unit.
Regarding a new unit, hopefully head units powerful enough to remove the black box requirement are coming soon. I can deal with the extra hardware in my boat but the weight and cable management can be a challenge when hole-hopping on the ice.
I’d also love to see better cable management overall. Protecting the transduce cable on a $1500 transducer can be a PITA. Thought it would get better with their trolling motor but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
All that being said, I love my LiveScope and don’t leave home without it!
3 lbs, 11 oz for the 18ah. Website claims it’s the same weight as the 12ah SLA. I cannot confirm exactly but the lithium’s are quite a bit lighter.
I bought my 18ah battery direct from Amped Outdoors. Fast shipping. Excellent product. Make sure you get a charger that supports the lithium lifepo batteries or you won’t get a full charge. This size is fits perfectly in place of the 12ah SLA that comes with the ice kit. Runs all day for me.
Yes to all. Garmin lets you fully customize what you’re looking at and resize each source as you wish. You do run out of screen real estate very fast, however. For what it’s worth, I rarely use another transducer source at the same time as Livescope. I typically use SV (SI) for searching with the big motor and troll or anchor with Livescope.
Thanks, guys. I appreciate the update.
Maybe something to ease the pain when you start seeing all the fish that don’t want your lure! 
As previously mentioned, you’ll likely want to upgrade to at least an 18ah Lithium at some point. The one from Amped Outdoors is the same size at the 12ah SLA that comes with the kit.
If you plan to use it on open water you might want to buy the pieces separately so you have the option to buy the head unit with a transducer.
FYI, there is a $200 rebate on all Livescope units right now, including the ice kit.
Curious what’s the latest with the Wharf? Did it ever sell? Is Hunter’s still running it?
Retailers may “bundle”, but with the exception of the ice kits you are really buying a head unit (Echomap+, Echomap Ultra, or GPSMap) that will come bundled with different transducer and mapping options.
I don’t have experience pre-Livescope but the unit most popular as an entry point for Livescope is the 9″ Echomap + (93SV+). This unit will come with a 3 in 1 transducer (GT52) of ok quality covering 2d, SI, and DI. It also comes with US maps without having to buy an extra chip. As mentioned above Garmin provides A LOT of different options, but that also can be a bit confusing.
Echomap Plus – entry level
Echomap UHD – similar to Plus, “upgraded” transducer
Echomap Ultra – better screens, faster, etc. vs. entry level options
GPSMap – better units, higher cost. Available in touch & non-touch screen
Livescope (LVS32) is available and is sold with a black box to handle a lot of the image processing required. The PS30 and others mentioned by mojogunter don’t require the separate box.
Also, Garmin just announced a $200 rebate on all of their Livescope offerings. Good time to buy but also likely means an update is coming soon.
Thought I would add a few thoughts based on personal experience with Garmin LiveScope.
Summary – I love it and would buy it again in a heartbeat. I made the jump to Garmin last Spring after I got a great deal at the NW Sportshow. I was able to get 2 9″-inch units + the Livescope for the same price as 2 Humminbird Helix units.
I’m just now fine-tuning my ice setup but I totally agree with holehopper. Being able to watch schools of fish come through from 20-50 feet away is very educational. It’s also allowed me to watch how fish react to my lure, both underneath me and at a distance. I was even able to see fish react to being spooked by noise and activity on the ice next to my shelter. What it doesn’t do is make the fish bite any more than a vex or traditional 2d sonar will.
I haven’t mastered hole-hopping with this setup but it’s definitely doable. I drill multiple holes then check them for fish. I can spin the transducer and easily see 50 feet in every direction. I align the direction of the transducer with the handle on my mount so I know which way it’s pointed. No fish, I move on.
Downsides – Cost – the Transducer hasn’t dropped in price since it’s release. LVS32 (vs. LVS 12) is definitely the way to go, IMO. Good news is the entry-level Garmin head units are quite affordable. The 93SV+ retails for $999 and was on sale for $599 the past couple months. Great deal when compared to Helix or Lowrance units.
Weight & size – 9″ screen + black box + 18ah battery + transducer pole is probably 15+ lbs. Size can also be a bit clumsy when trying to be mobile.
Definitely not for everyone for multiple reasons but I’m definitely a fan.
LVS_CrappieStacked.jpg
Will they typically stay shallow until water hits mid-low 50’s or are they moving deeper already?
@papaperch How’s the target and bottom separation on the PS22? I’ve been very happy with the LVS for this, but have not used Panoptix.
Yet another option would be the Panoptix PS22 transducer. It doesn’t have the image detail of Livescope, but doesn’t require a blackbox and is $500 cheaper.
I agree that weight/portability is the biggest concern. I installed 2 93SV+ units on my boat last Spring, along with Livescope. The technology is unbelievable, especially when using jigs or slip bobbers. Watching a walleye swim across the screen and hit your lure is a lot of fun. The ice use-case is similar and I can’t wait to use it (soon here in MN) for that purpose.
In addition to the graph, you’ll be lugging around a black box (that handles image processing), a battery (that needs to be larger than typical due to power requirements for the graph and black box), and the transducer itself mounted to some type of pole system.
Power will run to both the graph and black box and the fairly thick transducer cable that is around 20 feet long (this cannot be cut or shortened).
If you aren’t hole-hopping or walking to your spot the weight likely won’t be an issue, but it’s worth calling out as a possible issue for you.
They have a newer line of “Ultra” head units that support a new LVS12 transducer without a blackbox, but the cone size is significantly smaller.
As @fishwater recommended, I’ll be building a custom PVC solution in the next couple months.
Good luck!
We’re a couple days into our trip and this has been the slowest fishing I’ve ever had on Rainy. We haven’t been able to identify any type of consistent pattern, instead picking single fish off over shallow water, deep water, jerk baits, jigs, ripping raps, and Lindy’s with minnows. Last two days have been extremely hot, perhaps that killed the bite a bit. A few eaters but nothing over 20″.
