DIY shuttle for Helix

[trophyhunter]

I’m looking to get my summer Helix 7 setup for ice season but can’t justify the price of humminbirds winter pack. Any of you make any custom shuttles or backpack types that are any good and would care to share photos? Also have heard the lithium battery pack is the way to go for powering this unit. Where would be the best place to pick one up?


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[trophyhunter]

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[YeahDude]

Looking for something similar. I have my helix 5 mounted to a piece of plywood. Sits nice on a milk crate if I need to keep it off floodwater but it's still pretty bulky.

[HuyFishin]

i find all the DIY helix cases everyone does is always big and bulky, i have a friend that built a really nice one however he doesn't hole hop or sometimes doesn't even take it out. He is a frugal guy haha

But honestly I tell people all the time. If you're gonna be either cheap or frugal you may not enjoy it as much as the guy that spent a little money. The R&D and mouldings that a lot of these large companies put into designing and manufacturing it is expensive. Which makes the product pricey in return. Our exchange doesn't help either.

In the end sometimes we just gotta suck it up and bite the bullet.

[mapleleafman3]

https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/com...helix-shuttle/

[SamSteele]

Ice transducer would cost you about $120.

SLA battery would cost you about $ 50-60.

DIY box, mount, wiring, etc would cost about $60.

DIY you are in it for about $240 if starting from scratch.

Up to you if the extra $70 for a Humminbird cover and shuttle mount is worth it. The difference may be less if you find it on a Boxing Day sale.

[Snazyevey]

I have a helix 5. I bought a smaller carry tackle bag/box from Cabelas. Took the plastic boxes out. Cut a piece of 1/4 plywood to fit the base of the bag. I use a scotty mount in the summer, so I bought another mount and screwed it to the board in the bag. I can fit two batteries beside the head unit. I then took part of a pool noodle (as the floaty for the ducer). An over hand knot in the cable and a single zip tie to hold the ducer parallel to the bottom and done. All in all cost me about $40 (minus the cost of batteries). I have been using this set up for 3 seasons now and haven't ever had an issue. Doesn't take up a lot of space either.

[Bhflyfisher]

I use an ammo can. Works great.

[old dog]

I bought a rapala ice bag. Made a wood platform for the bottom. Use a 9 amp battery to power one of my Lowrance hds fishfinders Which is mounted on a ram mount. Works great The bag also carries a small aquview camera and all the gear I need to fish outside of my auger and chair

[English Setter]

Originally Posted by SamSteele

Ice transducer would cost you about $120.

SLA battery would cost you about $ 50-60.

DIY box, mount, wiring, etc would cost about $60.

DIY you are in it for about $240 if starting from scratch.

Up to you if the extra $70 for a Humminbird cover and shuttle mount is worth it. The difference may be less if you find it on a Boxing Day sale.

The hummingbird shuttle doesn’t come with a battery for that price.
Here’s my setup.


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[English Setter]

Originally Posted by English Setter

The hummingbird shuttle doesn’t come with a battery for that price.
Here’s my setup.


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I used the original SI transducer on an aluminum stick last season and would not have gotten an ice transducer but I permanently mounted the transducer on a new boat this summer. So $130 for an ice ducer.

I upgraded to a 10Ah lithium as my gel battery wouldn’t last sunrise to sunset without a charge ($130). Waterproof case from CT less than $50 (never pay full price at CT, everything goes on sale). USB power supply (Amazon) less than $20. Transducer arm ( 8 ft of aluminum from Home Depot) $15 if you’re the least bit handy. Transducer holder (ABS pipe cap). Boat cleat $6 to hold ducer cable. Couple broom holders on the back originally to hold the aluminum ducer stick but good as rod holders for fishing or hole hopping.

Durable, light, compact and I made it myself!


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[YeahDude]

Originally Posted by English Setter

I used the original SI transducer on an aluminum stick last season and would not have gotten an ice transducer but I permanently mounted the transducer on a new boat this summer. So $130 for an ice ducer.

I upgraded to a 10Ah lithium as my gel battery wouldn’t last sunrise to sunset without a charge ($130). Waterproof case from CT less than $50 (never pay full price at CT, everything goes on sale). USB power supply (Amazon) less than $20. Transducer arm ( 8 ft of aluminum from Home Depot) $15 if you’re the least bit handy. Transducer holder (ABS pipe cap). Boat cleat $6 to hold ducer cable. Couple broom holders on the back originally to hold the aluminum ducer stick but good as rod holders for fishing or hole hopping.

Durable, light, compact and I made it myself!


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Creative and clean. That`s a great looking set up!