Convert Humminbird boat sonar to ice flasher?

[OTL951]

I have two Humminbird sonars for my boat: a 727 (B/W) and 597 ci (color w/ internal GPS). Both have a flasher sonar display mode.

Does anyone have insight into how these might be converted (at least temporarily) to an ice fishing flasher? I believe Humminbird offers an ice transducer that would fit these devices. What about power? Transducer connections? Mounting bracket? Anything else?

Thanks for any and all advice!

[Mike Stark]

Humminbird Portable Pack

Humminbird Ice Ducer

This will work with your 597ci. Not sure about the 727.

[SpecialK]

The pack and the transducer pages have the 727 listed as compatible. I was going to ask this same question about my 728.

Thanks to you both.

[eagle_3464]

I just converted my 798 a couple of weeks ago. Purchased the PTC U NB soft sided conversion package and the XI 9 20 ducer for just under $100 shipping included. Haven't tried it out yet but it looks really nice. The 798 has a 6 color ice mode flasher built in. That along with mapping and GPS, I am hoping it will be a nice winter package. Already had the Lakemaster chip for it so for less than I could purchase a chip for my nuvi, I was able to do the conversion and now have 2 flashers for the ice.

BTW, I wouldn't buy the package with battery since it is only a 7Ah. GPS and mapping use up more power so it would be better to have a 9Ah or 10Ah battery. FF has the 9Ah on sale this week.

[Nick Kuhn]

Definitely possibly. Probably will set you back between 1 and 2 bills, depending on what all you buy. Humminbird lists all the compatibility on it's HSOforum.

[OTL951]

Thanks for these tips, very handy. I have an extra mount and power cord so I think I will mount the 597ci head on a board, purchase the ice ducer and a good battery, and package the whole thing in a soft-sided cooler bag of some sort. My 597 also has the the Lakemaster chip so I'm pretty stoked to check out my saved summer spots this winter!

I'll post later to let you know how this works out.

[amateurfishing]

i did exact same thing with my 597 ci hd a month ago....got ice ducer, extra power cord (not needed, & portable carry pack when on sale @ amazon (160ish), better prices than HB HSOforum, cant wait to use em either

FYI for ice fishing, HB dealer showed me really cool screen for ice fishing in flasher mode, go thru your backlight color choices & flasher screen color modes & makem both black, makes it much easier on eyes to see other colors light up on flasher!

If u want expact parts for ice, i can look them up for u if u need it.

[OTL951]

Thanks for the screen tips, amateurfishing! Got my ducer in the mail today and am heading north this weekend to try it out.

[Itsa Pole Bender]

I did what you are inquiring about three years ago with a 787 C2i. I bought an ice ducer, and two 12 volt batteries (the same size that would be with a vex), and a heavier plastic tool box. I Modified the tool box to hold the batteries on each side, and to hold the head unit. I cushioned the head unit with weather stripping. I put alligator clips on the power line connecting to the head unit. I bolted the mount to the top of the tool box.

I also bought a suction cup ducer so my 787 goes with me on the ice and in the boat when fishing on others boats.

[muskiemanAD]

I just purchased online the XI9 20 transducer delivered for 67 bucks. My buddy got one earlier this fall and used it this weekend and will be using this combo vs his fl8 from now on he said. Very sensitive and has a map built in to boot.

[ameyers41]

Does anyone know what frequency the ice ducer runs on? Is it different than the marcum/vex's? I have a 798 I would consider adding to the ice arsenal as an extra, but not if it's going to be drowned out by other flashers. I only fish with guys who have Marcums/vexs.