so many more options with the hummingbird helix. i know it is more money but it just comes down to what levels of performance you want on the ice. i have a vexilar and used it for years with no issues other than when we were in deep water on lake superior it could not read below 150′.

i fished near some guy using a hummingbird helix 7 last year and was really impressed. we often fish on lake superior in the u.p. of michigan so we are often in deep water (100′ – 250′), the screens are super crisp and the choices of screens were great. after seeing the new helix 9 with SI, and gps i think this is what i will go with along with the navionics map card.

the NEBO EINSTEINS are superb headlamps, 5 different lumen powers from 400 lumens up to 1500 lumens,,, great run time and light weight

i purchased the ION ALPHA late last season and love it,,,tons of power.

have used (tried) dozens of rods in 50 years of ice fishing. the absolute best i have found is MAGS CUSTOM RODS. they are all handmade exactly as you order them. impeccable quality. my walleye rod is medium in 28″. i also have 2 deep water rods for lake trout fishing in lake superior. exceptional quality and service.

i work in a large retail store in the upper peninsula of michigan and we have a rental section for all manner of ice fishing gear. for augers we rent strikemaster, and ion as well as the pistol bits. the ion is by far the most rented unit especially as the thickness of the ice progresses thru the winter.we aslso rent marcum (LX7), vexilar (28/30) units and hummingbird helix 7 and 9.the hummingbird units are rented far more than the other units, especially by the more experienced anglers fishing large / deep bodies of water, 100′ – 250′ of water is the norm on lake superior and most of the deeper bays. i have ice fished 50+ years on the ice, like many my first unit was a vexilar and i still carry a 30 every trip on the ice and do occasionally use it, but my go to unit is the hummingbird ice H9. took a ion alpha the first year they came out and love it, power and reliability are awesome.