Just so you know, I'm not sure when you last looked but the 587ci is compatible with the xI 9 20 ice transducer. Its the same unit that comes with the ICE 385 and 386ci. The unit i bought the 587ci has a built in flasher mode as well as real time sonar. You should check them out the are pretty unreal.Although it sounds like you found a great option so thanks for the word of warning!
Cheers.
Yep, and the unit I bought was also compatible with an Ice ducer, and has a flasher mode, so long as I bought it without down imaging. The minute I bought the same unt with down imaging, it used a different transducer, and was no longer compatible with the ice ducer. I called humminbird directly and this was the info I was provided with this summer. My unit also has a flasher option, however bird told me I would have to use the standard transducer if I wanted to ice fish with it as the ice ducer wouldn't fit. If things have changed, and there is a new ice transducer a available, please let me know as I would love to have a spare unit without having to use hockey sticks or pieces of wood to keep the ducer down the hole. Thanks!