I use the Hook 5 on my kayak and on the ice. I have the ice kit, but it is more convenient for me to just use a RAM mount on both the kayak and flip-over (mounted on the tub between my legs). It has performed pretty well for me. I was marking a 4mm jig at 50’ last weekend in the kayak….at least when the wind cooperated. Never had any problems with the unit on the ice. I use a 10Ah battery, and routinely fish for 16hr+ on the ice without the battery dying. Just make sure you get a good charger to get the most out of any battery.
I keep looking at the Marcum LX6, and now the Helix 7, but can’t find enough to complain about to justify making the change (yet). I focus on the amplitude meter about 99% of the time, and it looks like those two units have a better display in that area (Lowrance is more like a blob, and they are more of a defined line like a showdown). Really wish that Lowrance would come out with a better ice transducer. The large cone can make it difficult to interpret when fishing shallow weeds. Also a word of warning, the Lowrance does have a learning curve and requires some initial set-up time on the ice.
I still think that it is a solid unit, and a bargain for sharing between the kayak and the ice. Although, I would give the Helix 7 a hard look, if I were purchasing today.
