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Old 02-14-2017, 06:30 PM
BillSteen23 BillSteen23 is offline
 
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Default Best ice fishing sonar?

So I bought a humminbird helix 5 at the beginning of January. Had it out once, and it worked great. Next time I had it out it was nothing but issues. Tried a new transducer- it didn't work. So I exchanged it for a new one. First time with the new one out this past weekend and nothing but problems again. So this one will be going back to the store as well. I'm looking for suggestions in the 600-900 dollar range. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!
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Old 02-14-2017, 06:39 PM
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EZM EZM is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BillSteen23 View Post
So I bought a humminbird helix 5 at the beginning of January. Had it out once, and it worked great. Next time I had it out it was nothing but issues. Tried a new transducer- it didn't work. So I exchanged it for a new one. First time with the new one out this past weekend and nothing but problems again. So this one will be going back to the store as well. I'm looking for suggestions in the 600-900 dollar range. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks!
What kind of issues did you experience? I'm curious only because sometimes common and basic settings/configurations can fix issues sometimes.

A higher end unit like a Helix 5 isn't a "plug and play" device like cheaper sonars.

I haven't heard anyone having issues with the Helix units before.
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Old 02-14-2017, 07:30 PM
BillSteen23 BillSteen23 is offline
 
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Originally Posted by EZM View Post
What kind of issues did you experience? I'm curious only because sometimes common and basic settings/configurations can fix issues sometimes.

A higher end unit like a Helix 5 isn't a "plug and play" device like cheaper sonars.

I haven't heard anyone having issues with the Helix units before.
The depth will erratically change and most of the time it will not read the correct depth at all. It will show structure/objects on the screen that aren't there, and the odd time will say transducer not connected. Any direction on how to fix any of that would be appreciated as well!
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Old 02-14-2017, 08:17 PM
huntsfurfish huntsfurfish is offline
 
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Location: Southern Alberta
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Have to ask, is the transducer hooked up and snug/secure?

Battery good? And charged?

Transducer level with the bottom of ice?

If yes.

Do a default reset.

check again.

Also check the trouble shooting section of your Helix 5 manual.

edit: Also what model? is it the an Ice model/portable?
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Last edited by huntsfurfish; 02-14-2017 at 08:22 PM.
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  #5  
Old 02-14-2017, 08:34 PM
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Teamprotz Teamprotz is offline
 
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I use one of the lowrance hds 8's off my boat. It needs to be manually adjusted through the day as others come and go. Other sonar and augers will affect them. When moving to new holes most of the time it will need to be manually set for depth until it finds bottom. Fully charged battery and keeping them warm are a must
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  #6  
Old 02-14-2017, 08:51 PM
honker_clonker honker_clonker is offline
 
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I've had my vexila FL 20 for the last 10+ years and it's been rock solid reliable. I've had all the other brands of mechanical flasher and I've sold them all and bought Vexilar's when the opportunity presented itself. Now run 3 FL20s for myself, father and spare/loaner. Just gotta watch the red band tri-beam. There was a bad run of them but vexilar will replace the faulty ones for free. The new tri-beams rock!
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Old 02-14-2017, 08:55 PM
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sns2 sns2 is offline
 
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Here's your huckleberry. 15% off. You won't find better.

http://www.wholesalesports.com/store...System/p/16549
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  #8  
Old 02-14-2017, 06:40 PM
splake0 splake0 is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Cold Lake
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Vexilar FL 18 or Marcum LX 7
Both have my vote.
But I fish in deep water.
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  #9  
Old 02-14-2017, 07:02 PM
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BUCKAROO BUCKAROO is offline
 
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I have the marcum lx3 and it worked great at cold lake this past weekend, the deepest water I was in was 120'. I'm sure the 5,7 and 9 are better but I'm not sure how they are better my 3 showed the bottom and everything in between. The only think I couldn't do was make the fish bite my hook.
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  #10  
Old 02-14-2017, 06:58 PM
Iceman80 Iceman80 is offline
 
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Love my LX7. With the recent software upgrade it works well in shallow water to ( under 10'). I've had out in very cold temps and no problems. Love the digital displays.


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