Lowrance 4 elite ice machine

petersontyler8 · #1 11-28-2016, 02:44 AM

Hey guys,

Just seen this is onsale at cabelas for 399$ regular 530$ was thinking about picking one up. Just wondering if anybody owns one? This would be my first electronic for fishing just wanted to know if it's worth it?

Tyler

StringTheory · #2 11-28-2016, 03:06 PM

I have a 3x ice machine and had a Humminbird ICE 35. Needless to say I sold the ICE 35 because the 3x is better. Cant beat being able to see a history when you look away to check your other lines or tie a new one. I think $399 is a bit steep though. I remember seeing them last year at Canadian tire for $194 on clearance. I know they have some lowrance units on clearance right now at the CT Windermere location. I dont think they were ice machine but you can buy the transducer separately.

RavYak · #3 11-28-2016, 04:49 PM

Not sure where you saw those prices. 4x is on sale for 299, 3x for 279.

I know a guy with an ice machine, he like Runamuk likes it because of being able to use it in sonar mode and see the history. A bigger benefit imo is the GPS ability to mark and find spots(something you don't get with a dedicated flasher). One other advantage of these units is that you can use it on a boat if you buy another transducer and mount for it.

I personally don't like these units because I find the flasher view is not as good as a dedicated flasher. The screens are small so the flasher view is much too small. It is difficult to get rid of noise/interference and they also don't have a narrow cone angle setting(narrow setting is 20 deg which is same as wide setting on most dedicated flashers).

To simplify, bang for your buck they are a good buy especially if you want/need GPS and/or a fish finder but imo they aren't what I consider a good flasher.

petersontyler8 · #4 11-28-2016, 07:26 PM

It was on the cabelas site last night. I should have got one because it was gone early today. The 4x was on for 299$ and the 4 chirp was on for 399$.

laker taker2 · #5 11-28-2016, 08:41 PM

Can tire in cochrane had one 3x ice machine left in stock. I bought one last week. $194. Comes with 2 transducers. Great deal!

RavYak · #6 11-28-2016, 09:39 PM

I just realized the 3X and 4X models do not have GPS. Buddies must be an Elite 4(no x).

They don't make the Elite 4 anymore though, equivalent would be the Hook4 but it is $490...

petersontyler8 · #7 11-28-2016, 10:17 PM

yeah i know they had the elite 4 on for 399$ at cabelas but they must have went fast or had limited stock seemed like a good price as the elite 4 had 3000 programmed maps where i see the new hook 4 is cheaper but does not come pre loaded with any maps.

StringTheory · #8 12-01-2016, 07:26 PM

Just saw this at cabelas north end. They have hummingbird packs too. Doesn't come with a transducer though.

RavYak · #9 12-01-2016, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runamuk

Just saw this at cabelas north end. They have hummingbird packs too. Doesn't come with a transducer though.

Not worth it, the transducers are 100 bucks and the regular price on those packs should only be $185.

petersontyler8 · #10 12-01-2016, 08:22 PM

Apparently they have them online at cabelas for 399$ once again. I just picked one up online on Tuesday.

Ty

Walleyedude · #11 12-02-2016, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Runamuk

Just saw this at cabelas north end. They have hummingbird packs too. Doesn't come with a transducer though.

Are you sure it didn't come with the transducer?

Lowrance ice fishing packs should include the ice fishing specific transducer. I think they do exist without the transducer, but I've never seen one that didn't include it.

$129 for that was a REALLY good deal if it had a transducer, not so great if it didn't have a transducer.

Poppa · #12 12-02-2016, 09:59 AM

Still a couple Elite 3x ice machines online at CT...regularly 399, on for about 194...

Walleyedude · #13 12-02-2016, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppa

Still a couple Elite 3x ice machines online at CT...regularly 399, on for about 194...

That's a good deal. You're basically getting the Elite 3X for free.

There's also an adapter cable available that will allow you to connect your Elite/Hook 5/7 or an HDS 5/7 up to the ice fishing pack. The touch screens (especially the Gen 3's) are hard on batteries, but if you've got a gen 1 or Gen 2 button model HDS unit, it makes for an awesome ice fishing rig.

sanjuanworm · #14 12-02-2016, 11:15 AM

Can I use this on my boat in the summer? Like is there another transducer that'll attach?

RavYak · #15 12-02-2016, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sanjuanworm

Can I use this on my boat in the summer? Like is there another transducer that'll attach?

Some of these kits come with both an ice transducer and a portable stick on transducer.

You can always buy another regular boat transducer and use it with them too.

Poppa · #16 12-02-2016, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RavYak

Some of these kits come with both an ice transducer and a portable stick on transducer.

You can always buy another regular boat transducer and use it with them too.

this "ice machine" unit does come with a suction cup skimmer, according to the specs on CT site...reckon I'll have to grab one...

StringTheory · #17 12-02-2016, 02:45 PM

Sorry my mistake it does come with the ice transducer!

Poppa · #18 12-02-2016, 09:42 PM

The girlfriend bought one for us today. We just wanted an entry level unit so we weren't totally blind out there. Excited to give er a run!

roofish · #19 12-03-2016, 07:42 AM

just got garmin stricker4 dv from cabelas for 179$
has chirp gps and flasher. no ice transducer but buy it separate and its a great all around fish finder!