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Looking For a Graph Ice Unit

Discussion in 'Buy and Sell' started by Ernie, Aug 22, 2016.

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  1. Ernie

    Ernie Administrator Staff Member

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    I'm looking to purchase an ice unit. Anyone wanna upgrade theirs?? I would like a minimum 5 inch screen. Preferably an HDS unit.
     
    Ernie, Aug 22, 2016
    #1
  2. landlockedviking

    landlockedviking Active Member

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    If you go for a Humminbird Helix, I would get a minimum 7" screen, I had the Helix 5 last year and upgraded to a Helix 7 for this year. My second unit is a Lowrance Elite 5, which I love, but too will be upgrading to a 7 probably for the 2017 season.
    I found the Helix 5 screen too small when fishing in water deeper than about 15 or 20 feet deep as the rectangular screen doesn't have the "depth" of a similar 5" square screen, if that makes any sense. I found on the Helix I was always having to use the zoom function which I prefer to avoid if possible.
    Just my two cents
     
    landlockedviking, Aug 23, 2016
    #2
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  3. Cheebers

    Cheebers Well-Known Member

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    Be very aware that a 7 inch screen (and up) sucks up a lot of power. I cannot get a full day with my elite 7 on a 9ah battery. This year, I'll be running two batteries wired in parallel to ensure my unit lasts a day. That bugger is going to be heavy...
     
    Cheebers, Aug 23, 2016
    #3
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  4. Ernie

    Ernie Administrator Staff Member

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    Id like to get a 7 inch screen. If take a 5 only if the deal was right. It has to be Lowrance. No birds. ;)
    Not that I have anything against the bird, I just wanna stay compatible with my summertime units.
     
    Ernie, Aug 23, 2016
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  5. Cheebers

    Cheebers Well-Known Member

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    Ernie, don't you have an elite 5 HDI?? Is there any way you could convert that to an ice fishing unit??


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Cheebers, Aug 23, 2016
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  6. Ernie

    Ernie Administrator Staff Member

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    Yes I do have an elite 5 DSI. I don't think I can.
     
    Ernie, Aug 23, 2016
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  7. LunkerHunter

    LunkerHunter Active Member

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    I did this with my Elite 7 Chirp. I bought another transducer from the Fishin' Hole for $80 bucks. http://store.navico.com/Products/000-0106-94. Not only can I use my elite 7 on my boat, but I can use it in the winter as well. Love having the GPS, and ability to bring my elite 7 into back lakes (even though this ducer doesn't have the chirp)
     
    LunkerHunter, Aug 23, 2016
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  8. lake-fisher

    lake-fisher Well-Known Member

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    The Elite 5 DSI doesnt have 2d sonar or a flasher.
     
    lake-fisher, Aug 23, 2016
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  9. Ernie

    Ernie Administrator Staff Member

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    True. That's why it can't be used for ice fishing. Its to be moving.
     
    Ernie, Aug 23, 2016
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  10. glennie_rapala

    glennie_rapala Well-Known Member

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    glennie_rapala, Aug 23, 2016
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  11. glennie_rapala

    glennie_rapala Well-Known Member

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    The good part of the above deal is you'll get a spare HDI Skimmer transducer. They retail for $120 U.S. at BassPro.
     
    glennie_rapala, Aug 23, 2016
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  12. Ernie

    Ernie Administrator Staff Member

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    The question is, would a 5 inch screen be big enough?? My experiance with a graph on the ice is very limited.
    On the boat I'll never go smaller than 7 ever again.
     
    Ernie, Aug 23, 2016
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  13. landlockedviking

    landlockedviking Active Member

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    I personally really like my elite 5 ice machine, maybe after reading the above posts I won't upgrade it to a 7. I find the square Lowrance screen much easier to fish than the helix 5 rectangular screen
     
    landlockedviking, Aug 23, 2016
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  14. glennie_rapala

    glennie_rapala Well-Known Member

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    It should be fine for ice fishing if you're not doing any split-screen viewing. A single 5" screen is plenty big with only one pane open and is bigger than your standard Vexilar or Marcum flasher display. Flasher mode on the Elite units is pretty good too. You also have the option of using the Elite-5 HDI as a standalone GPS in the boat. It'll free up space on your HDS display.
     
    glennie_rapala, Aug 23, 2016
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  15. Green

    Green Well-Known Member

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    Just picked up the lowrance ice kit from cabelas. 149$ , comes with ducer , battery/charger and case.
    Was gonna build my own kit but by the time you buy the ducer and case I thought it was worth it
     
    Green, Aug 23, 2016
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  16. ribbie

    ribbie Well-Known Member

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    Was it on sale? My buddy needs one but all I can find is the $189 'Ice Pack Kit'
     
    ribbie, Aug 23, 2016
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  17. Cheebers

    Cheebers Well-Known Member

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    [​IMG]

    7 inch is great for split screen... Flasher and graph is awesome.



    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Cheebers, Aug 23, 2016
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  18. Green

    Green Well-Known Member

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    Green, Aug 23, 2016
    #18
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  19. ribbie

    ribbie Well-Known Member

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    ribbie, Aug 23, 2016
    #19
  20. Green

    Green Well-Known Member

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    Not sure what the difference is but just double checked the box and it comes with all the stuff, I don't even think cabelas knows the difference
     
    Green, Aug 23, 2016
    #20
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