Humminbird Helix 5 Sonar Fish Finder or DI Fish Finder for ice fishing?

[instapump416]

I found these 2 units at my local CT.

Humminbird Helix 5 Sonar Fish Finder $159.93
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-5-SONAR/

Humminbird Helix 5 DI Fish Finder $194.93
http://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-5-DI/


I was looking to convert one of them for ice fishing. Anyone have any experience with these units? Which one would you recommend?

I'm a complete noob when it comes to fish finders.

 

[tombo]

Just bought the di for that purpose. Can let ya know monday! The di has a narrower beam. 16deg instead of 20

 

[FisherGirl]

For ice fishing I'd go with a classic sonar.

I have a lowrance with Down Imaging and it's not as easy to mark fish as you might think.

I use DI mostly to identify structure. For example it will clearly show a submerged tree which might look like a school of fish on a sonar.

 

[tombo]

And the Helix5 also has the flasher mode that works pretty well from what Ive read.

 

[instapump416]

Just bought the di for that purpose. Can let ya know monday! The di has a narrower beam. 16deg instead of 20

Sweet, I can't wait for your feedback.

For ice fishing I'd go with a classic sonar.

I have a lowrance with Down Imaging and it's not as easy to mark fish as you might think.

I use DI mostly to identify structure. For example it will clearly show a submerged tree which might look like a school of fish on a sonar.

Thanks Diana

And the Helix5 also has the flasher mode that works pretty well from what Ive read.

Yup, I saw a vid with the flasher feature. I'm gonna pull the trigger on the Sonar unit, the price is right.

 

[NADO]

Sonar for sure, where did you find the Helix for that price?

*edit* nevermind I just saw it was at CT, hope you got the deal.

 

[tombo]

Used it last weekend for the first time and its pretty good. Could even see my micro swivel 25ft down, with sensitivity on 3

 

[wschinke]

Does anyone have experience with the Lowrance Hook 3x? $139.99 at Sail seems hard to beat.

 

[NADO]

Does anyone have experience with the Lowrance Hook 3x? $139.99 at Sail seems hard to beat.

Small screen and low power, most of the low cost units are very poorly made. Sail has the Helix 5 for $250 which is the best value sonar out right now in my opinion, you will be kicking yourself if you buy something like a Humminbird Piranha or that Hook unit.

 

[wschinke]

Small screen and low power, most of the low cost units are very poorly made. Sail has the Helix 5 for $250 which is the best value sonar out right now in my opinion, you will be kicking yourself if you buy something like a Humminbird Piranha or that Hook unit.

Thanks man - good to know.

 

[ApacheFishingVentures]

Small screen and low power, most of the low cost units are very poorly made. Sail has the Helix 5 for $250 which is the best value sonar out right now in my opinion, you will be kicking yourself if you buy something like a Humminbird Piranha or that Hook unit.

I can't speak for the helix 5 or the Hook, however i was recently given a pmax 197c by my father who replaced it with the helix 5 di (which i will hopefully get to see in action soon) and paired up with the ice ducer, it's really a great compact unit to have with you on the ice if that's what your limited to. The colours help identify size and density of objects beneath you with almost real time accuracy. I can easily read a micro jig which i never thought possible with a cheaper unit, and as far as power goes, i leave it on from almost the second i get on the ice to when i get off (6-10 hours) and yet every time i plug my battery in to charge, it says fully charged within 15 minutes and has yet to give up on me due to cold weather. The small screen is an unfortuante truth, but in a hut you really don't need a whole lot bigger. Obviously with the sale price of the helix 5 you wouldn't be considering a pmax, but anyone wanting a sonar on a budget should at least go look at it

 

[instapump416]

Pulled the trigger today for $159.93

Now I need to find a cheap rechargeable battery to go with the unit. Any suggestions?

 

[tombo]

I actually use a riding lawnmower battery in a backpack with a wooden frame over it and helix screwed onto that. Zip it up and away you go!

 

[ApacheFishingVentures]

I just sucked it up and bought a 12v marine battery and charger at sail. $25 for the battery and $25 for the charger but the battery is nice and small and holds enough charge that i have yet to find out the hard way how long it lasts haha

 

[instapump416]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87DQuxXgvwQ[/media]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkC6Fe17Vpc[/media]

[media]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfa2Bs4rdcw[/media]

 

[tombo]

The toolbox mounting idea works, but theres no protection from dings and scratches. Im a bit too rough on stuff to use that method.

 

[instapump416]

I would like to purchase the bracket and gimbel so I can stuff it in the case after use.

 

[tombo]

Ya that would def be good.

 

[NADO]

I just use an old tackle box and leave the unit exposed to the elements. The screen may end up getting a bit scratched in the long run but I always put it at the top of the sled so I haven't had any issues yet. I also sprung for a larger battery so that I wouldn't have to worry about running it on max brightness outside in cold weather all day long. These bigger units can really chew up a battery if you don't turn the brightness down.

 

[instapump416]

^^^
Looks good.

Do you also use that unit on your kayak?