Now HERE is an ice unit

[DTro]

[Hawg]

And why is that better than any other camera on a tv screen?

[DTro]

Mostly because its attached to an HDS12

[Hawg]

Now I get what you are saying. I'm a Lowrance guy and have an HDS8 but it seems like a waste on ice. Vexilar works better to see fish when you're stationary and the tv works better for the camera, not to mention the phone app is awesome for GPS. And then there's the timeless debate about freezing your unit and warranty.

[LakeDocktor]

Not to mention, taking your gloves off to operate the touch screen. The HDS 12 is awesome, but lose the touch screen!

[DTro]

From a functional standpoint, I agree, a mechanical flasher is hard to beat, but I’m almost positive the HDS series has a flasher mode right?   Well, now add in the GPS mapping functions built in and also a feature (as shown here) to plug in a camera, not to mention the new wifi add on that will send a signal to multiple mobile devices and you have one heck of an ice machine! 

 

No?

[Hawg]

But a computer enhanced flasher and the good old spinning real time units are also two very different technologies.

[ClownColor]

I think it's very cool. One unit has all the great technologies for both hard water and open water...go from Side/Down scan to flasher to camera to gps to wifi to regular 2D to...if you got the cash to blow that is.

[Dock Boy]

Add bad customer service and your ready to rock!!

[Eric_Kruger]

I thought about going this route when I first saw the touch units, just for fun. I like the idea of it but I think that is just too huge of a unit to be lugging around. Im downgrading from the LX7 just because after two season I decided I dont need anything that big. After a good day of hole hopping it gets to be a bit much. For teh guy sitting still thought....man, would that be sweet!

[CaptainMusky]

After I used a graph (HDS5) on the ice for the first I quickly realized how much more useful it is over a dedicated flasher.

First, it has GPS complete with map chips. To compare the GPS on a phone to a dedicated unit like this is ridiculous. Not even close in accuracy.

Second, in graph mode you can really see the mood of the fish. If you take your eyes away for a second and look back you will see in the history that something came to sniff out your bait when you werent looking.

I still like useing my LX3TC, but if I am on a spot and dont plan to move around much I use the HDS unless my kids are with they do because they have more fun watching that and it makes more sense to them than a round display.

Regarding the touch, they make gloves that work on touchscreens. Personally I dont wear gloves much unless I am moving from spot to spot. I hate fumbling with reels, etc with gloves on. I just trade off sticking them in my pockets to warm them up. Its not like you have to sit there and keep touching the screen for crying out loud. Set it once and its good to go.

When I upgrade I will be getting an HDS 9 which has the video input like the 12, just a little closer to my price range.

[Hawg]

My phone and Navionics program on my I phone is every bit as accurate as my big unit. I never use either without drilling a few holes first. Sorry but I see zero value in a large unit. Everybody has their own way of doing things though so I do respect your opinion.

[CaptainMusky]

I dont want to nitpick words, but I will. :-)

I have the Navionics app on my phone and have compared the accuracy many times between the phone and my HDS and there are considerable differences. The GPS capabilities in a phone are nowhere near as precise as those on a dedicated unit, like an HDS or Bird or H20, whatever. They just do not have the same level of preciseness for multiple reasons. You cannot zoom in as far. Smaller screen means pixels take up a larger percentage of the screen so its not as easy to get precise.

Will they work? Absolutely! I use my phone all the time when sitting in the shack thinking about "the next spot", but when I am moving to that next spot its always using an HDS unit mounted to my ATV unless I am walking then I just use the phone. It does get you close, but the other units are much more accurate.

Note, I am not talking about accuracy of the map itself because I have found the Navionics app to be pretty accurate, but its the reference to where it says I am and where I "actually am" that is the big difference. The map may be right on, but the GPS in phones do not get as precise a fix as an dedicated unit.

[aanderud]

My phone and Navionics program on my I phone is every bit as accurate as my big unit. I never use either without drilling a few holes first. Sorry but I see zero value in a large unit. Everybody has their own way of doing things though so I do respect your opinion.

Odd that you drill holes before using your GPS. Isn't the point of a GPS and a map inside to first put you on the approximate location you'd fish -- then you drill holes and maybe use the sonar to seek out the fish?

[DTro]

I was kind of kidding when I started this post as most people would find the $2k price of this thing way out of their price range. But its a good example of an all in one unit and the ability to connect any camera you want to the Video In is really cool I've seen a couple of vidoes of guys hooking up Go Pro's to the input.

Goes to show you it CAN be done, albeit on the spendy side for sure.

[Hawg]

I meant after I move to a new spot, before I drop the house.

[LakeDocktor]

I was kind of kidding when I started this post as most people would find the $2k price of this thing way out of their price range. But its a good example of an all in one unit and the ability to connect any camera you want to the Video In is really cool I've seen a couple of vidoes of guys hooking up Go Pro's to the input.

Goes to show you it CAN be done, albeit on the spendy side for sure.

Try over $3K

[DTro]

Well yes, for the HDS12, but you can get into an HDS9 for under 2k.

[bassNspear]

Dtro,

ill have one on the clam and in the ice castle. Super excited