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Old 02-17-2016, 12:40 PM
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DOGFISH DOGFISH is offline
 
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Default First impressions - Helix 5 Ice Gps/Sonar Combo

Was looking at the Hummingbird series Ice 35,45,55 and Helix 5 Ice combo. After much research and a final test run in store I went with the Helix 5. Pro's - Clear bright easy to read display, Option of White, Black or Blue Background on Flasher screen, easy to use menu, easy to use settings for sensitivity, sonar changes ect. Strong clear signal, no surface clutter or unwanted interference on Flasher or Sonar screen. Great battery life, built in GPS Receiver with mapping, Price, Ability to move to my boat in the Spring. Cons - Assembly is a little pain full but not bad. Info available on line, confusing and sparse. Overall satisfied with purchase works great right off the start. First Rainbow on the ice took less than five minutes. Can't wait to hit Slave Lake with it. Any one else have one, search did not provide much info on discussion on this Forum. DogFish
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Old 02-17-2016, 01:12 PM
Fwee6 Fwee6 is offline
 
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Nice rainbow!

What did that unit run you for price?
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Old 02-17-2016, 01:17 PM
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Default Helix 5

Thanks, it was $550 Canadian
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Old 02-17-2016, 03:00 PM
sundancedan sundancedan is offline
 
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Thats a pretty decent price! Once the Side Imaging drops a bit in price I will be upgrading my unit!
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Old 02-17-2016, 04:13 PM
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DOGFISH DOGFISH is offline
 
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I believe they had a Helix 5 Sonar with GPS and Side Imaging for $700 and change. Side imaging is a wicked option. They have so many models it is hard to pick the right one. That is part of the reason why it took so long to pick one.
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Old 02-17-2016, 04:54 PM
Buona Pesca Buona Pesca is offline
 
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Had mine for 2 weeks now and I won't go fishing with out it. Here's a little mod I did to mine, I installed the extension arm and stopper.
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Old 02-17-2016, 05:06 PM
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DOGFISH DOGFISH is offline
 
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I hear you BP. They are awesome, I like your modification. Nice work.
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Old 02-18-2016, 10:31 AM
Gerry Gerry is offline
 
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I got the helix 5 side image for christmas.
Had to pick it out myself so I knew what I was getting.
The Fishing Hole west had them on for $600.00 70 something.
They're great, mine worked without any setting it up right out of the box.
I did fine tune it a bit the second time out.
I built a box for it so that it's portable for winter use.
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:18 PM
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1bluZebec 1bluZebec is offline
 
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Awesome
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:19 PM
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1bluZebec 1bluZebec is offline
 
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I got the marcum lx3 but was so close to getting the ice helix 5
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Old 02-18-2016, 12:50 PM
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DOGFISH DOGFISH is offline
 
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Default Helix 5

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gerry View Post
I got the helix 5 side image for christmas.
Had to pick it out myself so I knew what I was getting.
The Fishing Hole west had them on for $600.00 70 something.
They're great, mine worked without any setting it up right out of the box.
I did fine tune it a bit the second time out.
I built a box for it so that it's portable for winter use.
Gerry, what type of transducer does that unit come with. Is it the ice transducer or another type.
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Old 02-19-2016, 08:58 AM
Gerry Gerry is offline
 
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Dogfish, this is what the official specs read on the Helix 5 si combo.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Display Size - Diagonal: 5"
Display Pixel Matrix: 800H X 480V
Display Type:Color TFT
Display Colors Grayscale: 256 Colors
Sonar Standard: Side Imaging/Down Imaging/DualBeam Plus
Standard Sonar Coverage: 20°, 60° & (2) 85° @ -10db (Total of 180°)
Standard Sonar Frequency: 200/83/455 kHz
Target Separation: 2.5"
Power Output RMS: 500 Watts
Power Output Peak to Peak: 4000 Watts
Depth Capability: 1500 ft (2D) & 100ft (SI)
Temperature: Built In Transducer
Speed: GPS Speed Included
Backlight: LED
Mounting Options: Gimbal or Optional In-Dash
Transducer Standard: XNT 9 SI 180 T
Transducer Mounting: Transom

I've never used an ice specific transducer,
My last unit was a Lowrance Eagle Fish mark 320 I had it for over 10 years and never had a problem with it while ice or summer fishing. It's still running great. I bought the Helix because I just wanted to update. I haven't used it yet on open water but I can't wait.
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  #13  
Old 02-19-2016, 09:38 AM
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DOGFISH DOGFISH is offline
 
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Default Helix 5

Thanks for the info, looks like a great set up. I am sure it will work fine for open water. Tight lines. DogFish
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Old 02-19-2016, 10:36 AM
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Mike_W Mike_W is offline
 
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These are cool units!
Curious what would the size of the screen be top to bottom?
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  #15  
Old 02-19-2016, 01:47 PM
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DOGFISH DOGFISH is offline
 
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Default Helix 5

2.5" Screen from top to bottom.
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Old 02-20-2016, 09:31 AM
Gerry Gerry is offline
 
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The screen is 2 1/2 high and 4 1/4 wide it may be a little small but it's very clear and easy to read.
I went through the menu on the unit it self and there is an ice fishing setting.
Not sure how well it works though, haven't tried it. Going through the screens, I've found at least 12 different screen options. Never really counted them yet.
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Old 02-20-2016, 10:12 AM
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rcales rcales is offline
 
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I bought the same unit for my boat this year. Never new there was an ice fishing kit for it. Where did you purchase it from.
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  #18  
Old 02-20-2016, 05:02 PM
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DOGFISH DOGFISH is offline
 
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Default Helix 5

Quote:
Originally Posted by rcales View Post
I bought the same unit for my boat this year. Never new there was an ice fishing kit for it. Where did you purchase it from.
Bought the complete unit from Cabela's North side. Just had to set it up.
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Old 02-21-2016, 08:13 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOGFISH View Post
Bought the complete unit from Cabela's North side. Just had to set it up.
Got mine at The Fisn Hole west end at boxing day sale.
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  #20  
Old 02-25-2016, 08:56 PM
Cory1 Cory1 is offline
 
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I just got mine and can't figure out what the "transducer support cable" does or where it goes...

I get that it takes the tension off the transducer cable but where does it attach back to the unit? Otherwise it seems pretty slick and i can't wait to try it out
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Old 02-26-2016, 10:13 AM
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DOGFISH DOGFISH is offline
 
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Default Helix 5

Quote:
Originally Posted by Cory1 View Post
I just got mine and can't figure out what the "transducer support cable" does or where it goes...

I get that it takes the tension off the transducer cable but where does it attach back to the unit? Otherwise it seems pretty slick and i can't wait to try it out
It does not attach to the unit, with the Grey oval disc's it clips to the transducer wire close to the transducer with the float around it. You can then leave a little slack in the transducer wire while it hangs and the support cable takes all the stress. Here is a picture.
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Old 02-26-2016, 11:18 AM
honker_clonker honker_clonker is offline
 
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I could be very wrong but my theory on the support cable is humminbird uses it to avoid patent conflicts with vexilar. I believe vexilar was one of the first units on the market so I think they hold that patent for single cable float. Marcum uses the support arm and no float, humming bird has the extra cable and vexilar has the original float and single cable.

Just my personal speculation though! I like the idea of having your GPS built into the flasher to keep the thread on track.
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  #23  
Old 02-26-2016, 05:36 PM
Cory1 Cory1 is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DOGFISH View Post
It does not attach to the unit, with the Grey oval disc's it clips to the transducer wire close to the transducer with the float around it. You can then leave a little slack in the transducer wire while it hangs and the support cable takes all the stress. Here is a picture.
Thanks I did get that part but if it doesn't attach to the unit what is holding it in place while your fishing? Otherwise the tension is still in the transducer cable up from the float? Doesn't seem necessary or practical to me... Tempted to grab a piece of pipe insulation and make my own float and eliminate the support cable all together unless anyone has a good reason not to?
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