IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Equipment => Ice Fishing With Electronics => Topic started by: Zimmerman on Sep 19, 2017, 03:30 PM
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What does everyone think about this new unit. Thinking of picking one up when they come out.
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It was out last year and was so well liked due to the larger screen they dropped the ice helix 5 for this year.
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The new CHIRP version is even better
https://www.humminbird.com/Products/ICE-HELIX-7-CHIRP-GPS-G2/
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Yeah that's the one I was talking about.
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That looks nice. Wonder how it compares to the Marcum LX7/6 and if target separation is closer now?
The new CHIRP version is even better
https://www.humminbird.com/Products/ICE-HELIX-7-CHIRP-GPS-G2/
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Target separation is 1.5".
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How big of deal is that
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Huge if you're fishing for Guppies in 60 FOW. No big deal for me. ;)
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Mostly perch and walleyes in under 20ft
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Perch, Walleye, Crappie and Gills for me usually in less than 30'. I get along fine with an FL18 and an LX5 since both my Helix 9 Chirp and Helix 7 Chirp are down imaging units.
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Thanks, so Marcum LX7/6 still have better target separation. Not sure it is a huge deal, but I mostly ice fish for Perch and some bluegill.
Target separation is 1.5".
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its a complete non issue...I would use those down image Helix on the ice in a heartbeat. Mine works great ice fishing. That target separation is a best case on both devices using the narrowest cone angle. If you compare the 20 degree to the 20 degree on either the separation would be nearly identical
The new Helix Ice Chirp is much different than a Marcum - Helix has chirp, much better screen (brighter, higher quality), more resolution, GPS, LakeMaster/ChartSelect maps, Navionics maps, etc.
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I just picked one up from Cabelas. It showed up Friday and I got it put together and running. Im really excited to put it to use the GPS looks like a great feature along with the base map package.
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Anyone have experience with interference rejection on these units? My hesitation in using an LCD as a flasher is they don't always have the best interference rejection when used close together with other units but my only point of reference is an older Lowrance Elite unit.
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The non chirp versions have off, low, med and high IR settings...you can clean things up quite a bit by manually setting depth, adjusting switchfire from max mode to clear, adjusting surface clutter, etc. I rarely use the IR settings
If you have a DI Helix you never need to worry about IR - if you get interference on 200khz just shut it off and use 455 narrow beam. Even with the 200khz on, I can usually fish right next to my buddies and their noisey vexilars and marcums
The new chirp models should have very little interference within 200khz since it is sweeping from 130 to 250khz
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Sorry for a dumb follow up question...do they make an ice pack/portable pack for the Helix? Does it have a flasher mode in addition to the graph? Thanks!
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Sorry for a dumb follow up question...do they make an ice pack/portable pack for the Helix? Does it have a flasher mode in addition to the graph? Thanks!
(https://i.imgur.com/dxnBmJl.jpg)
Yes, Humminbird makes an ice unit. It does have a flasher mode, same as the stand alone 7.
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Thanks 52. Looks like a great set up. I fish with a Vex 28 right now. One of the things I like is I can turn it on and fish. Are there a lot of "settings" that you need to mess with on the Helix to get it dialed in or is it pretty much turn it on and fish once you've got it set for winter? Thanks!
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Thanks 52. Looks like a great set up. I fish with a Vex 28 right now. One of the things I like is I can turn it on and fish. Are there a lot of "settings" that you need to mess with on the Helix to get it dialed in or is it pretty much turn it on and fish once you've got it set for winter? Thanks!
To be honest, I haven't played with the flasher in anything other than open water on the unit I have on my boat and it worked perfect as soon as I selected the flasher screen.
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I mess with mine a bit the first time out each season to dial it in pretty decent - after that i only adjust as needed for IR or very deep or very shallow. I never use the circular flasher view, however.
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i've been looking at the helix so i can use it in summer i've got a couple questions , they say it is not real time the graph mode ls slighty behind . is the flasher response in actual time or is it also behind also , also what is difference between di and regular ? also if i use the gps if this mounted on a sled or atv ( plugged into accessories outlet ) when unplug it will i lose the route if its powered down to put back in ice pack thanks again
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There is a verticle graph on the right side of the screen that shows what is happening in real time before it moves onto the screen as history. The flasher response should be real time. DI shows what is on the screen as what it actually is. A tree lying on the bottom looks like a tree lying on the bottom. A sunken boat looks like a boat. You can have down imaging on one side of the screen and normal sonar on the other if you choose. When you power it down it saves the trail that is on the screen. You have to remove the trail manually to get rid of it. I would purchase the Helix 7 Chirp ice unit if I were buying it. Hope I helped a bit. I have a Helix 9 Chirp Di Gps G2 on one boat and a Helix 7 Chirp DI GPS G2 on the other. Great units for me.
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thanks so much that cleared it up you rock "ice dawg" , so wouldn't the down image unit show greater detail ,I'll be using this on my boat in soft water i don't see a helix 7 di in an ice unit even though i don't need it on ice it would be nice summer time i guess if i so desire i'd buy that and convert it to ice correct ? i don't mind spending a little extra if i can double duty with it ;)
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I have the Helix 7 g2 si. Just ordered the portable kit with iceducer from 307. There is a big update available for the original helix g2 that will update the unit plus improve base maps. The original maps where almost useless. Went to Cabelas to check out the new ice unit, but it was not on display yet. What little is on youtube looks really good.
Ice Dawg was spot on with his decription. I run Navionics and can walk right to my spots and be right on target. No wasting time trying to figure out if I'm there or not.
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thanks so much that cleared it up you rock "ice dawg" , so wouldn't the down image unit show greater detail ,I'll be using this on my boat in soft water i don't see a helix 7 di in an ice unit even though i don't need it on ice it would be nice summer time i guess if i so desire i'd buy that and convert it to ice correct ? i don't mind spending a little extra if i can double duty with it ;)
I don't believe you can use DI for ice fishing since the ice transducer is a 2d transducer. My Helix units aren't set up for ice fishing, but I may buy the ice ducer and shuttle for tbe Helix 7 Chirp DI. I would call Humminbird customer service and ask about using a DI unit with the ice ducer. I think it has to be set up for 2d which is just a setting.
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Sitting here wondering if I'm better off with my Vex 28 and my cell phone with the Navionics map on it or switching to a Helix. I do probably need a new sonar for my boat so this might be a nice option. I'm hesitant to give up a dedicated ice tool (Vex) for more of a "hybrid" device (Helix) but maybe I should be more open-minded about it.....
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thanks so much that cleared it up you rock "ice dawg" , so wouldn't the down image unit show greater detail ,I'll be using this on my boat in soft water i don't see a helix 7 di in an ice unit even though i don't need it on ice it would be nice summer time i guess if i so desire i'd buy that and convert it to ice correct ? i don't mind spending a little extra if i can double duty with it ;)
there's a catch...humminbird di uses 200khz (28 degree cone) and 455khz (16 degree cone) for 2d sonar. Humminbird doesn't make a 200/455khz ice transducer. You have 3 options to use a di finder on the ice. Use the DI transducer that came with your Helix - it is kinda large but no additional cost. use a 2d 200/455khz skimmer transucer and loop the cord - fairly cheap, works great and gives you both frequencies which is way better than only having one. use a 200khz ice transducer - fairly cheap but doesn't give you the narrow 455khz beam.
I use a helix 5 di/gps on my boat and on the ice. The DI transducer stays on the boat and I have a XNT-9-28-T on the ice with the cord looped.
https://www.humminbird.com/Products/XNT-9-28-T/
The 455khz 2d sonar is very nice because:
You'll never ever have interference on this frequency
It is a narrow beam which works best in 15'+
You can use switchfire when you have both frequencies
You can dual a 200khz/455khz split screen view which lets you know if fish are moving closer to your bait from the side (your screen displays returns as distance from the transducer, not depth, sometimes when you think fish are rising to your bait they are actually swimming toward your bait laterally)
The DI is nice in the summer time to hunt out brush piles, weed lines, rock piles, etc. and mark for ice fishing
All this being said, I'd rather have the G2 Chirp helix over what I have now lol
The graph and circular flasher displays are true real time on all Humminbird fish finders. All also have an A-scope view option that can be added to the normal graph views. The A-scope shows sonar returns and their strength on a cool little amplitude graph...this is very similar to a Marcum Showdown display but has a history graph right next to it
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1707/24167243513_543c2322df_h.jpg)
(https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1521/23864694564_5e092d4a4b_b.jpg)
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Sitting here wondering if I'm better off with my Vex 28 and my cell phone with the Navionics map on it or switching to a Helix. I do probably need a new sonar for my boat so this might be a nice option. I'm hesitant to give up a dedicated ice tool (Vex) for more of a "hybrid" device (Helix) but maybe I should be more open-minded about it.....
I use my Humminbird for navigation on tHe ice while using my FL18 and LX5 for jigging. I may have to check into an ice transducer with an extra long cord so I can use my Helix Chirp for fishing out of my side by side. At my age I think both the FL18 and the LX5 may outlive me though. ;)
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To use a Helix 7 di unit for ice fishing you will need the xi-9-20 transducer which is an ice ducer (about $70). Set user mode to advanced, set digital depth source to 2d element and turn ice fishing mode on. Just hung up from asking Humminbird Tech Support since I may want to use my Helix 7 di on the ice.
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wow thats a whole lot info thanks a bunch everyone if i get one for xmas i'll be sure to ask you guys with experience
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If Santa leaves one under your tree I have a feeling you will enjoy it. ;D A Reindeer with a red nose told me. ;)
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They came out with a new transducer for the chirp units. fish 307 has them.
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Xi 9 1521 is the new recommended transducer and will give you down imaging on the g2 units per email from Humminbird. Did the upgrade last night and checked it out in the kayak this afternoon.
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Did di work with the new transducer? The reason I ask is because I called Humminbird Select and was told that no ice ducer supports using down imaging. What I found out was................... ......
xi 9 20 ice ducer
Single/dual beam
20/60 degrees
200/83KHz
xi 9 1521 ice ducer
130-250 KHz
Covers 15-21 degrees on bottom
Not compatable with non chirp units
There seems to be a bit of confusion within Humminbird tech support??? :o
The person I talked to didn't know Humminbird sells an ice pack that includes the xi 9 1521 ice ducer. I was told the ice ducers are sold separately with the two ice packs which this person was aware of. It would be nice to get the correct information people need to get their Helix 5 or 7 on the ice.
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Just spoke with humminbird, the new XI-9-1521 CHIRP sonar transducer does NOT support down imaging, only CHIRP 2D
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i would think you'd need to be moving to get down imaging like the side imaging ? wouldn't ya ? ???
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which transducer comes with ice pack helix 7 di w/chirp ? 9-20 or 9-1521 ?
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PTC UNB2 W XI 9 1521 comes with the xi 9 1521 ice ducer.
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i would think you'd need to be moving to get down imaging like the side imaging ? wouldn't ya ? ???
Yes. You can fish with it in di mode, but it is definitely not intended to be used in a stationary position. Zero advantage over 2d.
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Di is not going to get you anything on the ice....the beam is wide left to right but narrow front to back. The only transducer that will give you di is a di transducer - no ice ducers from humminbird include the 455/800khz di comparability. Humminbird doesn't make a di ice pack....all ice packs from humminbird are 2d 200khz/83khz based. The new g2 chirp is based on a 200khz centered chirp frequency
You can use any 200khz ice transducer with a di unit but you're only going to have a single beam. the 83khz beam will not work with the di unit. The best option for a di unit on the ice is a 200/455khz open water transducer with the cord looped
(https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7532/15592566057_90db509f64_z.jpg)
I laid out the di transducer options for ice use above
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i like that idea seeing how it comes with it ;D what is the coverage (cone angle )
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15 to 21 degrees on bottom.
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i like that idea seeing how it comes with it ;D what is the coverage (cone angle )
Use a magic transducer and prepare to be dissatisfied with down imaging on the ice. Though you can still fish with it, the image is not even close to what you will see in a moving boat. Just an opinion from experience on a Helix 9. Hate for you to spend a bunch of money and not get what you want.
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I think he is saying he likes the idea that one Humminbird ice pack comes with an ice ducer while the others don't. This is the ice ducer I would buy for my Helix 7 Chirp DI GPS G2. Why not get an ice ducer designed for use with chirp if you have it?
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I see now. The advantage is the chirp, not the down imaging. Thanks for the clarification guys.
Fish307 had the kit out later that day. Piece of cake to assemble, and came with everything you need, plus instructions on how to run the new setup on the ice fishing mode.
A heavy duty bag as compared to the old one too.
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I think the ice pack will be my next purchase. Then I would give my FL18 or Lx5 to my son. He loves the FL18.
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I think he is saying he likes the idea that one Humminbird ice pack comes with an ice ducer and the others don't. This is the ice ducer I would buy for my Helix 7 Chirp DI GPS G2. Why not get an ice ducer designed for use with chirp if you have it?
Thanks for pointing that out as I did miss it on first reading. Sounds like we are all on the same page now that I have caught up. Anyone know what the target separation is on a Generation 2 unit? That is the only disadvantage I can see from an FL18.
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Humminbird says the new Helix 7 Chirp ice sonar has 1.5" target separation. I think target separation on the FL18 is 2.65". I like the idea of having a split screen with a round flasher on one side and a graph on the other side if I choose.
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Humminbird says the new Helix 7 Chirp ice sonar has 1.5" target separation. I think target separation on the FL18 is 2.65". I like the idea of having a split screen with a round flasher on one side and a graph on the other side if I choose.
I can’t imagine Vexilar not having a better target separation? Crazy! Marcum LX7 and LX9 has 1/2”.
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Some years ago the Reeds catalog had a chart listing target separation for flashers. Off the top of my head I believe it listed the FLX28 as having a 1" target separation. I have an LX5 and a FL18. I don't have to lift a jig nearly as far off the bottom to see it separate with my LX5 as I do with my FL18.
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Hello everyone
I hope this isn't off topic to this post but there was a lot of good info here and I was wondering if any of you had opinions about the reliability of these and humminbird customer service. I really enjoyed these posts, I read the GPS on these can take back to within 8 ft.. My current fishfinder is a Lowrance icemachine x67c and it has a flasher and a graph mode seperately. I've had it for about 4 yr.s without any problems but these look really good, thanks for sharing.
Wollypog
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i would just like to say that anyone who thinks target separation don't make that much of a difference haven't done their research. 1/2" compared to 2" or even 1 1/2 is big difference. and i'm not talking suspended pan fish...people with the lx series from marcum that know how to dial it in i'm sure will agree. especially if they have experience in running other flashers in the past.
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Humminbird has free software updates too...
Try this, put a swivle 1/2” up the line from your jig, drop it below your tranducer and post a picture of both targets on your marcum screen
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no need i can see my minnow head separated from my spoon which is about 1/2 " in 30 fow.
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and seeing that tells me if i still have bait on or not.
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i would just like to say that anyone who thinks target separation don't make that much of a difference haven't done their research. 1/2" compared to 2" or even 1 1/2 is big difference.
LOL, people will justify "their equipment is the best" with ridiculous statements.
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LOL, people will justify "their equipment is the best" with ridiculous statements.
yes they will. But if your going to do it report the facts.
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no need i can see my minnow head separated from my spoon which is about 1/2 " in 30 fow.
same here with my Helix. The problem with target separation is it is not measured in an industry standard method. You can say that device xyz has 1/2" using a 200khz beam at 5' distance from transducer to target at half gain and max sensitivity while unit abc might state they have 2" at 50' distance from the the 455khz transducer at full gain minimal sensitivity and a 10ft zoom window. Then take into account the fact that some units cant even show you a 1/2" target on the screen due to lack of zoom or lack of resolution. It can't be used as a comparison between models when the method used to generate the spec isn't provided. For anyone using it as a chest pounding "fact" to tout one product over another - go research how each company derives the figure, report back and then state that one is better than another.
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its a complete non issue...I would use those down image Helix on the ice in a heartbeat. Mine works great ice fishing. That target separation is a best case on both devices using the narrowest cone angle. If you compare the 20 degree to the 20 degree on either the separation would be nearly identical
The new Helix Ice Chirp is much different than a Marcum - Helix has chirp, much better screen (brighter, higher quality), more resolution, GPS, LakeMaster/ChartSelect maps, Navionics maps, etc.
interesting that’s some good research. Let me know if you find anything on if target separation makes any difference between different brands when ice fishing. Thx
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One other big difference I've noticed while playing around with my Helix is the buttons are not backlit or anything. While its not a huge deal as I have an attached light on my unit and a head lamp I normally use the Marcum's do have backlit buttons. I think this is a pretty big oversight by hummingbird to not include this in a unit that is used for ice fishing which is often done at night or limited light setups.
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This thread caught my attention initially 'cause I thought y'all were talking about adapting your boat unit to ice fishing which I've done with my older Humminbird 798. I'm happy with what I've got for image and all but I'm at a loss as to what to use for power. So far I've drug along a 27 series deep cycle 'cause I typically stay out for a couple of days and it does work but I'm not getting any younger and I'd like to start using a smaller/lighter sealed lead acid battery that I could get 2 days fishing out of. Anybody have any ideas what battery might do the job? I dry camp ice fishing and leaving the generator running long enough to 3 amp charge a battery seems to not be an option. Thanks all!
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I have a couple 12v 25ah SLA batteries powering my wheel house. I would think one would work for what you want to do.
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Many thanks ice dawg! I had no idea what amp hr battery to look for! BTW love the pic of yer ice fishin buddy. I had a Chessie that loved ice fishing. Especially when picking up at the end of fishing. He loved the minnows I'd take off the line when putting tip ups away!
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Previous posts are correct about si/di. Good for open water but pretty worthless for ice fishing.
For side imaging....
UNDERSTANDING THE BEAM
Humminbird Side Imaging Sonar uses a razor thin beam to take a “sonar snapshot” of the area up to 240 ft. to the left and right of your location. The return image for this slice is then added to the images taken immediately before and after to build an incredibly detailed view of the lake bottom.
Down imaging works the same way. Speed is important. The manual suggests speeds between 2 and 6 mph, depending on side imaging range setting and depth.
And, unless they are BIG, down and side imaging is pretty much worthless for seeing fish. I learned this while using spilt screen.
Properly using the si/di as a structure mapping tool, and the switchfire 2D for finding fish, it is a very powerful and useful tool.
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This thread caught my attention initially 'cause I thought y'all were talking about adapting your boat unit to ice fishing which I've done with my older Humminbird 798. I'm happy with what I've got for image and all but I'm at a loss as to what to use for power. So far I've drug along a 27 series deep cycle 'cause I typically stay out for a couple of days and it does work but I'm not getting any younger and I'd like to start using a smaller/lighter sealed lead acid battery that I could get 2 days fishing out of. Anybody have any ideas what battery might do the job? I dry camp ice fishing and leaving the generator running long enough to 3 amp charge a battery seems to not be an option. Thanks all!
I use a 4.5 amp LiPo Battery.
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Many thanks ice dawg! I had no idea what amp hr battery to look for! BTW love the pic of yer ice fishin buddy. I had a Chessie that loved ice fishing. Especially when picking up at the end of fishing. He loved the minnows I'd take off the line when putting tip ups away!
I think my 25 ah batteries weigh about 24 lbs each. I think if I were in you're position, I would use three 9 ah SLA flasher batteries to save weight and space.
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Many thanks bee and ice dawg!
I've been looking at SLA batteries on line differently now. I think I need to try 2 batteries like are in my Vex 18 parallel and see what happens. I get a couple days use on a fully charged batt in my Vex. What the heck, if that kind of set up doesn't power my Humminbird for a couple of days I'll have plenty of extras for my Vex!! Wow! what if Santa brings that Marcum 485 unit? I'll have so many damn batteries I'll need another sled!! ::)
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I like extra batteries. I use one with my MoPod and another for a portable fan in my porties. The two 25 ah batteries in my wheelhouse are 13 years old and still going strong. My wheelhouse was in storage for 3 years and when I brought it home I hooked the batteries up, turned on the lights and radio. Everything powered up fine and the batteries were fully charged in 20 minutes after I plugged my onboard charger in.
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(https://i.imgur.com/dxnBmJl.jpg)
Yes, Humminbird makes an ice unit. It does have a flasher mode, same as the stand alone 7.
Curious on how long the battery life is on ice...? Thanks
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Curious on how long the battery life is on ice...? Thanks
It varies depending on how bright you have the screen. 3-4 hours on 10 brightness 10+ hours on lesser settings
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So I have the G2 DI Chirp model Helix 7 and reading this thread it appears I should get the XI 9-1521 and take advantage of chirp..If I loop the DI transducer that came with the unit for now, what are the settings I should use for Ice? thanks for the help..I am new to fishing and the technology in 2017 ...I am setting this up now...using a power cord I already had and ordered the following:
(https://s10.postimg.cc/neoy03jhh/71_WOg_X_IPLL._SX522.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/neoy03jhh/)
(https://s10.postimg.cc/5on9f2dmd/index.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/image/5on9f2dmd/)
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I know this is an old thread but how are things working out with the helix 5's and 7's as far as using them year round, I need a new unit for my boat, and like the idea of using the same unit for ice fishing, thanks.
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I know this is an old thread but how are things working out with the helix 5's and 7's as far as using them year round, I need a new unit for my boat, and like the idea of using the same unit for ice fishing, thanks.
I bought both a helix 5 and 7 G2 in April of 2017. Both have been used on my boat and ice for 2 years and performed very well.