Fish Finder / Flasher

[FishSticks]

Hello

I am looking for a Christmas gift for my old man. His boat needs a new fish finder and he does not have a flasher for ice fishing. I am not really sure where to start but below are some features that would be great.

-2 different transducers (would buy separately) - one that is for the ice, one that is installed in the boat. Unit should be easily moved from boat to ice case
-Flasher mode for ice fishing
-quality graphing for open water
-compatible with Navionics
-would be nice to be compatible with iPilot trolling motor but not needed

A friend recommended the Garmin Striker 5 but I am open to other suggestions.

Any help is much appreciated

 

[nxtgeneration]

Look into the Helix 5. I know there are a few guys here that have them.

 

[Duckslayer100]

Look into the Helix 5. I know there are a few guys here that have them.

I was going to say, I think you just perfectly described the Helix series. I think either the 5 or 7 will double as summer and winter units.

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I third the Humminbird Helix series. the 5 is on my wish list for a spare ice machine and GPS for Ice and for if I ever get myself a little boat to jump around with.

 

[FishSticks]

Thanks guys. Now that I have it narrowed down to the Helix 7 series, there are still a bunch of different units ranging from like $250 to $650. Do we need side imaging / Chirp / Down Imaging? In the open water we typically downrig for trout in the middle of the water column.

 

[nxtgeneration]

I've looked pretty hard at getting a 5 to double as a summer/winter (back-up) unit but I just haven't pulled the trigger yet. A buddy bought a 10 this year for the boat and it seems to be a pretty slick unit.

 

[ccarver80]

I have the lowrance 4x.... I bought it as an ice fishing setup it has a flasher mode but i use the graph mode while ice fishing... All one would have to do is buy a boat transducer ($60) and it can mount in the boat in the summer !

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Lowr...oryId=734095080&CQ_search=lowrance+4x&CQ_st=b

 

[RustyTackleBox]

just so you know, the humminbird customer service really sucks... so if it is going to be your primary depth finder/gps and it goes out you will be down for 3-4 weeks waiting for it to get back... my onix's I've had to return the main head, and now having transducer problems, and the protective cover on the 360 broke... imo quality nor customer service is their specialty... I am probably going to give garmin a shot at some point

 

[FishSticks]

Looking at your tagline and reading your comment definitely relays the poor customer service. Thank you for the warning

just so you know, the humminbird customer service really sucks... so if it is going to be your primary depth finder/gps and it goes out you will be down for 3-4 weeks waiting for it to get back... my onix's I've had to return the main head, and now having transducer problems, and the protective cover on the 360 broke... imo quality nor customer service is their specialty... I am probably going to give garmin a shot at some point

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I've got an Ice55 flasher for about 3 years with no problems, knock on wood, so can't speak for customer service. But if Rusty has had problems with those types of screens it might be something to look into before pulling the trigger.

 

[lunkerslayer]

I would like to hear from those who have the sonar units that how long have you used your sonars for ice fishing and are they capable on handling cold temperatures outside for lone periods of time or are they better in a shelter.

 

[Kurtr]

I have used my elite 5 for 4 or 5 years now and never had a problem inside or out.

 

[lunkerslayer]

don't:icegif: you south dakota anglers ice fish in jeans and a t shirt 300 days out of the year?

 

[Kurtr]

That would be tite wish it were true.

 

[Enslow]

Getting one that does both well is difficult. Vex for winter for sure. The choice of a gps/ sonar unit for me rolls down to what chip i plan to use.