Humminbird ice 45

[Nilsfisher]

I recently upgraded my FL-8se to the Humminbird ice 45. I've read posts on here from late 2009 about issues with the Humminbird 35 and 55 but nothing about the 45's. I'm just wondering if anybody has had issues with the newer ones (2011 or newer models) to see if they fixed the older problems. I don't want to turn this into a "humminbird is [PoorWordUsage], get a vex/marcum" thread. I'm mainly wondering if I made a good choice or not. all the research I have done points to the ice 45 as a good bang for the buck.

Also, what is the Target ID of the 45? All I can find is the Target Separation. don't say they are the same thing either, cause they are not.

Thanks for your help.

[amateurfishing]

a funny thing i read recently here is ppl have bought vex & marcuum used but dont see any HB's for sale here, nuff said to me. HB owners luv em & keep em.

[Hardyboy]

a funny thing i read recently here is ppl have bought vex & marcuum used but dont see any HB's for sale here, nuff said to me. HB owners luv em & keep em.

So much for not starting a h bird vs marcum/vex thread when the first response was exactly that.

The people i know that have them like them, you should be happy with your purchase and it will give you many good years of service if taken care of.

[Nilsfisher]

thanks, I think so also. I'm going to get a case for it today. I'm really good at taking care of my things so I'm sure it will last a long time.

[grey ghost]

I bought one last spring and when I first used it I had an issue with the transducer. I sent it in to Humminbird and had it back a week later and no issues since. I really like mine and it was a huge upgrade from the FL-8 I had.

The other nice thing about it is there is no interference between the Bird and the Vex which I kept and either my wife uses it or friends of mine when we fish together.

[Get'n Jiggy]

a funny thing i read recently here is ppl have bought vex & marcuum used but dont see any HB's for sale here, nuff said to me. HB owners luv em & keep em.

Add me to that list.

[cgorman]

I had a issue with mine about 1 year ago. Emailed h-bird and had it back in a week, works perfectly now

[CJH]

3 trouble free years for me & my Ice 55. Liked it more than the others and still do!!!

If you do have a problem, HB is known for their customer service and will take care of you.

[jwmiller33]

You have yourself a great unit on your hands and you will not be disappointed. Any issues that may arise (unlikely) will be prompty solved by Humminbird's customer service. Humminbird has excellent customer service and you will not be disappointed with your product, or any subsequent service you may receive if you do by chance encounter a problem with your unit.

[TruthWalleyes]

+1 Hbird CS. I had them send me a new SI last spring before i'd return mine (Since it still worked...all but GPS Map) New unit arrived within two days.

[riverwalker]

Great choice. I have tried all others and love my 45. Clear to read even in the brightest sunlight. The case is perfect and fits snugly in a bucket. It has enough room to hold a few things and is very durable. I am glad to hear that the customer service is top notch. (Still have not had to use it) All my friends wish they would have bought one over their purchases. What I really like is that I am the one who has no interference issues when fishing with others...Especially at tournaments...

[JediTrav]

Anybody put two humminbirds together and see if there was interference? I don't want bird on bird crime lol.

[Slabasaurus]

My friends and i all have ice-35's and one has a 385ci.

The 385 cooperates great. No interference at all, even when I know our cones were overlapping.

One of the ice-35's gives me a terrible time when fishing within 25 yards of me it seems.

On the other hand, yesterday another buddy had his ice-35 out and we were able to fish near each other with very little interference.

Oh. and the HB customer service is awesome. I ordered my unit online from a major box store, it shipped with only half the components. I called HB and they sent all the missing components next day air so i would receive them prior to heading out for a week long fishin trip up north.

[Nilsfisher]

I contacted HB support via email cuase when I went to test the flasher out this evening, it just read 1.2ft. on the screen and the dial. I just did it quick so i'm not sure if i did something wrong or what. I'm going to try it again tomorrow to see what happens. i just asked customer support if they have run into this problem before and if they have, what I can do to fix it. i'm sure they will get back to me. hope it is an easy fix. i'll keep ya posted.

[Jarrod32]

Also, what is the Target ID of the 45? All I can find is the Target Separation. don't say they are the same thing either, cause they are not.

Thanks for your help.

I think the Target ID is one of the features of the Ice 55 that the 45 does not have. That and the multiple color schemes are the two extra features that you get with the 55 over the 45...making the 45 the better deal (in my opinion). I work for a retailer that sells all three (Vex, 'Bird, and Marcum) and I think the 'Birds are the best value for the money in each price range...

[Jarrod32]

Push the top knob (the gain/adjuster knob) in and hold it while turning the unit on, and the unit should come on in demo mode for you if you just want to play around with it...

[simple1]

3 years with my Hbird. It's been very good to me.

Simple1

[Nilsfisher]

ummm.....i know there is a target button on the ice 55, but I thought that was more for the user to mark the depth on the unit where they are catching the fish for easy reference for dropping their lure there.

correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the target separation the distance between objects for the unit to read there are two objects (example 2.5 inches between fish before the unit sees 2 fish and not one), and target id is the size of the object for the unit to recognize that there is a fish or lure there (one inch size lure before the unit sees it). Am I looking at this all wrong?

[dan z]

ummm.....i know there is a target button on the ice 55, but I thought that was more for the user to mark the depth on the unit where they are catching the fish for easy reference for dropping their lure there.

correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the target separation the distance between objects for the unit to read there are two objects (example 2.5 inches between fish before the unit sees 2 fish and not one), and target id is the size of the object for the unit to recognize that there is a fish or lure there (one inch size lure before the unit sees it). Am I looking at this all wrong?

Correct!

[fishwater]

and target id is the size of the object for the unit to recognize that there is a fish or lure there (one inch size lure before the unit sees it). Am I looking at this all wrong?

Yes, target ID (as vexilar does it) is the lowest range setting divided by the total # of segments in the display. Take the lowest range setting - in the case of the Hbird it is 20' (aka 240 inches) and divide this by the # of display segments - in the case of the Hbird's it is 526 segments.

240/526 is a little less than .5 inch per display segment.

[mr.z 1972]

I have had my 45 for 2 years now. The only problem that I had with mine was the extra support line to the transducer was holding the transducer at a slight angle. I was instructed to remove the extra line and everything has been great since then.

I thought it was acting up the other night. The depth was changing and I was losing my jig on the screen; turns out that the battery was under 10% charged. Swapped batteries and was back in business.

I am making a case for mine to protect it. I did get a small scratch on the sreeen so buying the bag is a good idea. If I did not work in custom packaging I would spend the money on one.

[Nilsfisher]

I took it out again today and everything worked out fine. this time I cleaned out the hole with my scooper (I didnt do that before) put the transducer down the hole just below the ice and woohoo, correct depth. augered another one 10 feet away and got almost the same depth(within half a foot) I put a lure down and I could see it with the gain on 12, i'm happy now. I was worried that it might be the transducer but so far so good. I'll see how it is this weekend. oh, the ice on crooked is 9 inches on the southeast end.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

It sounds like you researched the product before you bought it. You are going to have questions until you are comfortable with how this unit works. Don't worry about it and don't second guess yourself you'll enjoy the unit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mike

[Nilsfisher]

How are you making your case? post a pic, I would like to see it.

[EMAGDNIM]

Got my 45 about a month ago and absolutely love it. Have had no issues. i love being able to zoom in and turn the cone to the narrow setting...definitely has helped me catch a lot more fish than my previous fl-8.