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IceShanty Main => General Ice Fishing Chit Chat => Topic started by: Gunflint on Sep 29, 2018, 01:35 PM

Title: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Sep 29, 2018, 01:35 PM
Hold the presses...

I just got back from an ice fishing event at Thorne Bros. in Minneapolis where they had the vendors in and were showing the new stuff.

I witnessed a "Game Changer" to a new "Game Changer."

I have been looking to get a Panoptix Ice since last spring, but the Garmin Rep was making the first public demonstration of a new Ice bundle that is based upon the Gamin Livescope technology. It provides a real-time view that is much like the Humminbird Side or Down Imaging - only it displays the actual fish.  You can see their outline, size and even make a pretty good guess at their specific species.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/591379 (https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/591379)



The reason that there are not demo "ice videos" already is that it was created at the very end of last season and they only played with it about 2 weeks before ice-out.

This product does everything that the normal Panoptix does, only better (and more expensive). The price for what I saw was around $3,200 (and that included 2 12V Lithium batteries). The weight with those batteries was just about a pound more than the normal Panoptix ice kit.

In a certain sense, it was almost a cross between a fish finder and an AquaVu.  The camera was not as good, but you could actually see the fish and the light and depth didn't matter.

I am looking at revising my budget.  I can see many many applications for the upgraded system (aside from the obvious softwater usage). The rep had used it with 3 people and was able to watch 7 individual fishing lines. in 30 Feet of water the cone is 30 feet wide. He could fish the system on full screen brightness for 12 hours.

This is amazing technology...for a price.

Gunflint

Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Sep 29, 2018, 01:52 PM
Yea, been drooling over it for a few months.  I learned about the weight of the black box and how bulky it is, ended up just going with the ps22 in the ice package, and I’m using it in my boat till ice forms. I kind wish I waited to see if they made an ice package for the livescope, but that’s more than I expected since the live scope is only 500 more than the ps22.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Sep 29, 2018, 01:55 PM
I thought it would have been bigger and heavier, but the difference between them was negligible. The "kit" is not yet available in a package. It has to be purchased separately and built by the user. Apparently, there will be a "How to" video on YouTube to explain how it is done.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: kayl on Sep 29, 2018, 02:01 PM
I thought it would have been bigger and heavier, but the difference between them was negligible. The "kit" is not yet available in a package. It has to be purchased separately and built by the user. Apparently, there will be a "How to" video on YouTube to explain how it is done.

The black box for livescope is 5# by itself and is the size of a 7" Echomap unit...not to mention how heavy the 12aH sla  batteries are...not sure how the difference is negligible.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Sep 29, 2018, 02:10 PM
The black box for livescope is 5# by itself and is the size of a 7" Echomap unit...not to mention how heavy the 12aH sla  batteries are...not sure how the difference is negligible.
Even going with a big lithium pack, I can see this as something that I’d mount on a mini sled vs picking it up and carrying it from hole to hole. Drag it with you, with auger in sled too. Just follow that school where ever they go.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Sep 29, 2018, 02:24 PM
The Lithium batteries must be where they make up for the weight. Also he said that the Panoptix transducer cable is 16 ft long (for use in the summer) and the Livescope cable is 12 feet long.  I picked up both and did not notice a significant difference between them. They were, however, both definitely heavier than my Helix 5 that I currently use as my portable.  But now, I am looking for a finder to use in my Clam X300 that I tow behind my Snowdog. This would work great. I can fish 3 people on the same finder and do it better than 3 individual flashers- at that rate it would be lighter than 3 flashers.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: ship of fools on Sep 29, 2018, 06:47 PM
$3,200?   :o

That's a big nut to crack.   Sure looks good but it seems like that's too much for the average recreational fisherman
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Sep 29, 2018, 07:31 PM
 
$3,200?   :o

That's a big nut to crack.   Sure looks good but it seems like that's too much for the average recreational fisherman
The ps22 ice package is $1800, Unless it comes with a bigger unit than the 7” I don’t see why the price jump. The transducer is $500 more than the ps22, and the extra battery would be another 100 max.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: kayl on Sep 29, 2018, 08:08 PM
The ps22 ice package is $1800, Unless it comes with a bigger unit than the 7” I don’t see why the price jump. The transducer is $500 more than the ps22, and the extra battery would be another 100 max.

The livescope package is a 9" echomap plus.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Sep 29, 2018, 08:45 PM
The livescope package is a 9" echomap plus.
Ah ha! Makes sense, the finer detail needs a bigger screen to be seen lol. Even more weight but... :drool:
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: lynng on Sep 30, 2018, 01:24 PM
I thought it would have been bigger and heavier, but the difference between them was negligible. The "kit" is not yet available in a package. It has to be purchased separately and built by the user. Apparently, there will be a "How to" video on YouTube to explain how it is done.

Anyone have a link to the “How to Video”?? I could not find it on YouTube.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Sep 30, 2018, 01:38 PM
It hasn’t been released yet. I will keep us posted when I hear it is up.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Sep 30, 2018, 01:58 PM
Look at this video - it has several comparisons between the "Old" Panoptix vs. the "New" Livescope Panoptix.

I was already amazed by Panoptix. The Livescope is overwhelming, like sci-fi coming true.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kzt-2V7haQ (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kzt-2V7haQ)
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: lynng on Sep 30, 2018, 04:31 PM
Thanks. This looks great. Keep us posted.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Oct 01, 2018, 08:17 AM
I just spoke to the Garmin Rep, a  great guy named Mat.

Mat is going to send me some photos of the assembled kit. It also looks like he will join Ice Shanty and post the part numbers, etc. for us.

He confirmed the weight issue.
- Panoptix Ice with normal battery = 18.6 lbs.
- Livescope Portable pkg with 2 Dakota lithium = 19.88 lbs.
They both fit in the same black carry bag.

Not cheap, but awesome.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: SLAYERFISH on Oct 01, 2018, 08:23 AM
Sweet!  All I gotta do is follow the dudes dragging their Panoptics around the lake!!! ;) ;D
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Oct 01, 2018, 08:27 AM
I just spoke to the Garmin Rep, a  great guy named Mat.

Mat is going to send me some photos of the assembled kit. It also looks like he will join Ice Shanty and post the part numbers, etc. for us.

He confirmed the weight issue.
- Panoptix Ice with normal battery = 18.6 lbs.
- Livescope Portable pkg with 2 Dakota lithium = 19.88 lbs.
They both fit in the same black carry bag.

Not cheap, but awesome.
OMG! Why didn’t I wait?!? Lol, yea I prob wouldn’t have for the price mentioned, but with a smaller head unit and swapping out the batteries myself vs what they want to charge would prob still be cheaper.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: kayl on Oct 01, 2018, 08:32 AM
OMG! Why didn’t I wait?!? Lol, yea I prob wouldn’t have for the price mentioned, but with a smaller head unit and swapping out the batteries myself vs what they want to charge would prob still be cheaper.

It's not an official bundle from Garmin. Mat isn't a Garmin rep and it's his own setup.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Oct 01, 2018, 08:56 AM
Mat was the official Garmin representative at the Thorne Bros. event. As I understand it, this will not be sold as a complete package by Garmin, it will have to be built by the consumer.

Also, as I understand things to avoid confusion, Garmin will continue to call the Panoptix Ice by the current name and call the Livescope package the"Livescope Portable" which is reasonable, because it can easily be used in the summer on a boat. I have a Humminbird Solix on my boat (it drives the Minnkota motor), but I could imagine using the Livescope to supplement the Solix, especially when scouting for fish.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: piersm2 on Oct 01, 2018, 09:04 AM
Am I the only one that thinks $3,200 is an absolutely insane amount of money to spend on a "sonar" (so to speak?)
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Oct 01, 2018, 09:13 AM
It is more of an "ultrasound" for a lake.

It certainly is an insane amount to spend, but I have wasted more money on less useful "solutions" than this one.

Also, if I look at the total cost of:
- Snowdog
- Flip-over shelter (actually multiple shelters for various conditions and numbers of fishermen)
- Rods/Lures
- Augers
- Heaters
- Accessories....
The $3,200 seems to be just one more painful brick on an already very expensive pyramid.

If it really works as advertised, this is truly a force multiplier for the most expensive item I have (my time and the time of my friends), then it may be a reasonable purchase. Expensive but worth the money.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Oct 01, 2018, 10:26 AM
Well the panoptix ice package is usable year round too, the ice mount just attaches to the trolling motor shaft, but can’t get down vu that way
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Figure ate on Oct 01, 2018, 12:33 PM
Am I the only one that thinks $3,200 is an absolutely insane amount of money to spend on a "sonar" (so to speak?)

Nope, I'm really enjoying people justifying spending the money. "My time is worth..." LOL
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Seamonkey84 on Oct 01, 2018, 12:57 PM
During my searches, came across another board where a guy has both the ps22 and the livescope. He does discribe how both have their pros and cons when compared to each other. His comment is the 5th one down
http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread.php?t=920265
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Oct 01, 2018, 02:20 PM
I think that it will be something like that when I merge my Humminbird Solix with the Livescope. Adding new toys is easier than deciding to get rid of them.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: ryno on Oct 04, 2018, 03:53 AM
Here is my setup for LiveScope.  For now just using a single 12ah sla bat but wired an auxiliary connection for a power box that will have 2 12ah's.


(https://i.postimg.cc/8Jjm1CHV/IMG_20181001_035421672.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8Jjm1CHV)

(https://i.postimg.cc/MfnPrD4V/IMG_20181001_035448259.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/MfnPrD4V)

(https://i.postimg.cc/8FTyVD91/IMG_20181001_035458569.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/8FTyVD91)

(https://i.postimg.cc/XXYTCK2V/IMG_20181001_035519257.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/XXYTCK2V)

(https://i.postimg.cc/0rjBQkQj/IMG_20181001_035936138.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/0rjBQkQj)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7b5K4KsT/IMG_20181001_035947224.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7b5K4KsT)

(https://i.postimg.cc/CzDJBzVh/IMG_20181001_040003116.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/CzDJBzVh)

(https://i.postimg.cc/nsT3Fgfq/IMG_20181001_040046639.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/nsT3Fgfq)

(https://i.postimg.cc/KkzJRfmw/IMG_20181001_041614225.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KkzJRfmw)

(https://i.postimg.cc/18BtJrZv/IMG_20181001_041655145.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/18BtJrZv)
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Oct 04, 2018, 06:59 AM
I just ordered mine yesterday and will try to document the build. Yours looks great.

How heavy is it?

What bag did you use? I am not familiar with the Blue Bag in the photos.

How many hours do you get with the 12 ah battery?
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: lunkerslayer on Oct 04, 2018, 07:09 AM
What is the total investment in the garmin panoptix live vu setup including the moun. I already have two lithium batteries
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Oct 04, 2018, 07:41 AM
Here is what I came up with for a self-made kit. There is probably a way to swap out the $400 "Panoptix Ice Kit" (containing a bag, battery, and transducer) for something else like Ryno used. I am planning to use the battery in a mount on my hut for a light bar, etc. I will end up with an extra transducer. You can also make your own mount out of PVC and save $90. It is pricey, but after watching the videos, I look on it as an entertainment expense.


Echomap Plus 93SV              $999
Panoptix Livescope           $1,499
Panoptix Ice Kit           $399
Panoptix Ice Fishing Mount   $90
Cables:
•   010-11425-04 (2 ft right angle power)              $35
•   010-12445-00 (threaded power data cable)           $23
•   010-12673-03 (bale mount quick release cable)    $55
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: kayl on Oct 04, 2018, 07:51 AM
I just ordered mine yesterday and will try to document the build. Yours looks great.

How heavy is it?

What bag did you use? I am not familiar with the Blue Bag in the photos.

How many hours do you get with the 12 ah battery?

That's the Clam flasher bag. It's pretty nice.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Gunflint on Oct 04, 2018, 08:39 AM
Could you stack 2 batteries in the bag if you wanted to? Also, it looks like the bag was discontinued.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: kayl on Oct 04, 2018, 10:25 AM
Could you stack 2 batteries in the bag if you wanted to? Also, it looks like the bag was discontinued.
Yeah, I built a wooden base for mine. Scheels has 7 of the bags in stock:
https://www.scheels.com/p/clam-deluxe-flasher-bag/71992109749.html
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: ryno on Oct 04, 2018, 06:57 PM
The bag is last year's Clam, it looks like there will be a new model this year.  I put a dbl bottom on it, the bottom is where the black box is mounted and the top everything else.  There is room to stack 2 12ah bats but since I'm using sla battery I only want the weight of one.  When sitting inside my shack I'll hook it up to my battery box with 2 12ah sla's, it seems one bat should last 5-6 hrs.  I haven't officially weighed the pack yet but would guess around 18lbs.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: MatfromWisco on Oct 05, 2018, 01:52 PM
Posted the DIY Livescope portable in a new thread check out the intro vid there!!!
https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=360484.0 (https://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=360484.0)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fVKMx8n2/20180929_142145.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fVKMx8n2)
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: lowaccord66 on Feb 26, 2019, 02:25 PM
Need to know how livescope performance is in 60 plus fow.  I need to be able to mark a jig that deep and have it mark well while reeling in at considerable speeds. Anyone have any experience with that yet?
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: mboss13 on Feb 26, 2019, 02:44 PM
I can pick up even small fish at about 40 forward view under ice pointing in a direction. I think once you'd be able to focus on the jig and stay on it you'll be able to see it. Ultimately I think you want to be seeing fish....
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: lowaccord66 on Feb 26, 2019, 05:54 PM
I can pick up even small fish at about 40 forward view under ice pointing in a direction. I think once you'd be able to focus on the jig and stay on it you'll be able to see it. Ultimately I think you want to be seeing fish....

Nope I completely disagree and I do because the reason I ask is for a specific style of fishing..if I cant mark my jig in relation to the laker chasing it so I can judge what tempo the retrieve should be I am sunk and would be doing no better with livescope than I was with my flx28. My ps22 has marked ok at 70ft once the settings were correct. 
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: KingPerch on Feb 26, 2019, 06:36 PM
I’d like to see the epic reports of catching fish with the Panoptix before I’d pull the trigger of purchasing it. If that unit is as great as people say it is.... there should be more/better catches of fish. I’m with lowaccord on being able to see the jig/bait in relation to the fish in deep water.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: mboss13 on Feb 26, 2019, 07:15 PM
I said forward view, of course I can see the live picture in down view....😀 I thought you were wondering about forward view
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: kayl on Jul 17, 2019, 05:29 PM
I was able to sell my PS22 and get into the Livescope system for a good price this summer, so I figured I'd report back. Livescope is INSANE. I had it out for the first time a couple of weeks ago and was absolutely mesmerized watching fish on it. I put it in downvu as I drifted over a deep weed edge and watched a bass come up and hit my plastic. I could literally see his tail moving.  Now I can't speak to catching more fish ice fishing, but I certainly put it to good use in open water and caught several fish off of swim docks and other cover after scanning and seeing the fish there on the screen. The only downside is the weight. I've got it set up with 2-10aH LiFePO4 batteries in a clam bag and my setup probably weighs 15#.
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: Ice Surveyor on Jul 17, 2019, 09:01 PM
I haven't checked lately to see if they are available to buy.  I had one on order back in February, and the retailer cancelled my order because Garmin couldn't deliver.  If they're available, what's the going price.  I bought the 93SV unit already, just need livescope now. 
Title: Re: Panoptix on steroids - it just got WAY better and more expensive
Post by: kayl on Jul 17, 2019, 10:59 PM
$1499.99 MSRP. Try Lisa Collins with Ultimate Passage; they might have a better deal. Unfortunately the high demand hasn't really led to any price drops.