Humminbird Helix 5 G2, new sonar

I am so stoked to try out my new sonar I bought myself for xmas

Anyone else running this unit?

Any tips on what settings you have it at for ice? (sensitivity/modes)

My old finder was a hummingbird 175 what a POS compared to this thing I cant wait to get home and mess around with it.

Also does anyone feel like using the transom mount transducer is not as accurate as the ice ducer?

Guy who sold me the unit said I can send humminbird the transom mount transducer and they will exchange for an ice ducer. Anyone done this?

Yes they do have an exchange program, but get on it right away, the ice ducers can be hard to come by at this time of year.

I was seriously entertaining picking one up but couldn’t justify it because I bought the helix 7 older model 2 winters ago, they get good reviews but have heard they burn thru batteries fast, maybe keep the brightness low and take an extra battery with you, I love my older 7 tho good luck 👍

I have the helix 5. I can fish for 10+hrs on one charge (heated hut).

Sorry I was referring to the new helix ice models, I read it on one of the forums, my helix 7 is also fine for battery life, hopefully put it to work this weekend

cool will keep that in mind

I got the Helix 5 for Christmas too and can't wait to try it out. According to all the youtube vids I've watched, there's an ice fishing setting you want to turn on in the sonar settings. After that, it's all about setting your depth to about 5 feet deeper than what you're actually fishing. Good luck!

I think their great units.
Great screen size & quality.

You're gonna love it !

anyone using the transom transducer for the ice? I'm thinking of rigging something up with a pool noodle or Styrofoam to keep it level

I ran my Helix 7 on screen brightness 6 for 7 hrs and still has over 50% battery life on my Milwaukee 9ah battery and it was cold on Boxing day

The Helix 5,7,10,12 are all pretty much the same for ice fishing and settings.

I traded my boat transducer for the ice one and went to the distribution center in Burlington to make the swap; i think they will only trade if the ducer is new but its pretty simple but call fist to see if they have any

I used to use my transom mount ducer for ice. I made a few 'T' connections from 1 inch ABS pipe and made a little sling almost to span the neighbouring hole I would fish. Worked slick. Cheap too, $20 max.

Hope that helps.

Sorry, I've searched online - cannot find any humminbird distribution centre in southern Ontario.. one in north bay. that's all. any other info on this Burlington location?