ice fishing/open water combo Graph Recommendations

[lispeej]

I'm looking for a graph that I can use for my boat and ice fishing. I know there are a few out there. But I want to hear pros and cons. 

I currently have a Marcum LX5 and Humminbird ICE55. I will be getting rid of one of them and keeping the other.

I am not looking to spend an arm and a leg on the combo unit. Looking for something that has good reviews and is easy to use.

Features such as GPS, Down Imaging, and Side scanning would be awesome!

THanks.

[nofishfisherman]

Look at the Humminbird Helix unitis.  They sell one as a portable unit that comes in a soft case, I picked it up this summer for the canoe and also plan to use it through the ice.  You could also make any of their units into portable unit by making up some sort of mounting system.  Shouldn't require much.  I know they have GPS/Mapping built in and I believe they have models with down imaging and side scanning available. 

I just have the basic sonar model as it was all i needed but so far I like it.  We'll see how it handles the ice soon enough.  Any of these units will require a separate iceducer that is available for around $60-70.

[Chaws]

I was looking at the Helix and very impressed until I seen that it only has 2.5" of target separation. When fishing deeper lakes with walleyes running their bellies against the bottom, that's not going to fly for ice fishing for me. Ideally you could use something like an LX7 in both the winter and in your boat because it has the small target separation like your LX5 but can also display the running graph. The downfall, no GPS, but I have a ram mount on my ATV in the winter with my phone and possibly this year, a smaller tablet running Navionics for the GPS services.

[nofishfisherman]

The advantage of the Helix is you can get the Side imaging with gps for $200 less than the LX7.  It just depends on how much you value the better target separation versus GPS and side imaging.  You could also go with the cheaper models of the Helix if you don't need side imaging and want to save even more money versus the LX 7.

I'm sure as an ice only unit the LX 7 is a superior unit but if you plan to use it 50/50 as an open water unit the Helix should be in the discussion considering it has more options such as down imaging, side imaging, and gps, also its $200-500 cheaper depending on what model of the Helix you go with.

[arcticm1000]

I bought a Humminbird 798 last year and used it like you are talking about. I really liked it for walleye fishing. I have a Vexilar also. I like the Vexilar better for pan fishing. There seemed to be too much lag on the 798 for the pan fish. I didn’t try it long for panfishing, maybe a guy would get used to it. I think the 798 says it has a 2.5” target separation also. I was worried about it being too much. I never noticed it for walleye fishing. I used it in traditional 2D mode and you could definitely tell if a fish came into the transducer, even if it was belly on the bottom. I can’t wait to use the 798 again this winter to catch some more walleye. I would check into the Helix stuff if I was buying new stuff.

[dairyman]

I've got the helix 5 and really enjoy it and am looking forward to the ice season to use.  The one I bought has side imaging on it...........it's been a real "BEAR" trying to learn how to use it.  If I was to buy it again I wouldn't get the side imaging feature and save myself the extra $200.  I do like the down imaging feature though.  I bought mine before the 7 inch model came out,kind of wish I would have waited. 

[arcticm1000]

I've got the helix 5 and really enjoy it and am looking forward to the ice season to use.  The one I bought has side imaging on it...........it's been a real "BEAR" trying to learn how to use it.  If I was to buy it again I wouldn't get the side imaging feature and save myself the extra $200.  I do like the down imaging feature though.  I bought mine before the 7 inch model came out,kind of wish I would have waited. 

Don't give up on the side imaging. It is pretty cool what you can see once you figure out how to read it. Doc Sonar's facebook page has some marked up images on it. It makes sense when someone points out what you are seeing.