Did you know that fishing also happens on ice? This is called ice fishing. But because fish can be more difficult to locate when there’s ice, certain tools and equipment are made to help.
One example is a transducer which is a machine that uses sonar on ice. This makes fishing easier and location of the target quicker. This article will be focusing more on the Humminbird Ice Helix 5.
Along with other products in its line, it has innovation and features that make it possible to take images clearly and view them through a screen. Thus, increasing your productivity in ice fishing.
The Different Variants Available
Usually, fish finders give fishermen the freedom to choose between the different versions of the same product to find out which suits them best. However, the Humminbird does a slightly different method since it follows an option-heavy ethos and provides anglers with a number of different ways to customize their unit.
Although there isn’t an endless list of options, the HELIX Series surely has certain models that can either catch your attention, meet your standards, or do all of the above. It has around seven different option packages and all of them can be considered as excellent options for a low range price.
One of its variations is the HELIX 5 DI G2 which has been known as the most affordable option in the series. However, with its price comes lesser features and functions too. Although they all have impressive qualities, we cannot deny that the more expensive it gets, the more features you can also have.
A Quick Glance of The Humminbird Ice Helix 5
 | Humminbird Ice Helix 5 Features: – Has a dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar – Works with CHIRP Interference Rejection – Has an Adjustable Sonar Zoom that allows movement of zoom range to where the fish are. |
With exclusive features not found on any other ice sonar instrument, the ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP G2 provides a deeper insight of what’s beneath the ice. This equipment uses features that include: crystal-clear Dual Spectrum CHIRP Digital Sonar with 3/4″ target separation, CHIRP Interference Rejection, Adjustable Sonar Zoom, Jig Charge Mode, and unique viewing choices designed exclusively for ice anglers, all displayed on a full-color, 5″ HD LCD display.
What Can It Offer?
The Humminbird HELIX 5 DI G2 lacks many of the high-end choices found in the HELIX Series, but it is still a competent fish finder with a few very nice features. Three of the most significant aspects are as follows:
DualBeam PLUS Sonar
You can employ either of two sonar beams with the HELIX Series DualBeam PLUS Sonar. One of the beams formed an extremely narrow cone of sound waves, allowing you to see the environment underneath your boat in incredible detail and works exceptionally well for imaging the lake bottom or deep-water structure. The wide beam, on the other hand, is ideal for scanning big regions quickly.
Down Imaging
The HELIX 5 DI G2 contains a down-imaging scanning sonar, which provides fine detail of your boat’s cover, structure, and other hard surfaces. Down-imaging sonar works by generating a sequence of sound waves, which are then recorded as thin sonar “slices” and analyzed by the unit’s internal computer and presented on the HELIX’s screen.
SwitchFire Sonar
Humminbird’s unique SwitchFire sonar technology is included in the HELIX 5 DI G2, allowing you to modify how the sonar data appears on the screen. You can add or delete details from the display image with the click of a button to assist you better see the information that is vital at the time. SwitchFire has two main modes: Clear mode, which filters out most of the noise and clutter presented in choppy or sediment-filled waters, and Max mode, which displays an astonishing degree of information, allowing you to see individual fish, your lure, and the motion you are imparting on it.
CHIRP Interference Rejection
This is used to give you a clear view all throughout the day regardless if its in sonar and flasher modes. With this feature, there are already six settings to keep competing sonar signals from cluttering your screen.
Adjustable Sonar Zoom
Adjustable Sonar Zoom allows you to hone in on fish, whether they are tight to the bottom, or suspended high in the water column. Utilize 2X zoom on the flasher screen, or up to 8X zoom on 2D sonar view.
Ultra Bright and Detailed LCD Display
On a crystal-clear display with adjustable brightness, the ICE HELIX screen displays all you need to know. You’ll be able to see a digital depth display, sonar returns, and other distinctive features in real-time whether you’re in a fish house or on open ice.
5-Button Operation
The ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP G2 is the market’s most advanced sonar-only ice fish detector. The only thing you’ll need is extra bait with top-of-the-line sonar features combined in an easy-to-use, modern-day LCD fish fisher.
NEW Jig Charge Mode
With this feature, fishermen can now charge up their glow-painted spoons and jigs. through the help of the ice helix. This, making it possible to resume the operations as fast as you can.
Year-Round Capable
Speaking of transducers, the ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 also works well with the HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 transducers. This means that the user can now hit the water whenever they want even if the ice melted already. All they have to do is install the accessory transducer, power cord and gimbal mount on the boat they will be using.
The Two Sides of The Coin
Advantages
This excellent equipment has quite a lot of advantages to offer. First, its LED backlighting and high image quality make it simple to see the display in any weather. It also has the DualBeam PLUS Sonar that helps you scan broad areas fast or view detailed photographs of it. Moreover, the down-imaging scanning sonar produces images of structure and cover in the water that are practically photographic in quality. There’s also no need to worry about how to operate this as it has an intuitive and simple layout allowing you to spend more time fishing than setting screens. Lastly, it has a SwitchFire Display which lets you personalize the display to show the information you want.
Disadvantages
The only disadvantage this fish finder has is the fact that it does not have any chart-plotting functionality. If that bothers you, you might want to reconsider buying this.
Always Remember!
Before purchasing this equipment, you should first make sure that it is the appropriate tool for you. If you plan to go on lakes to fish, you should first make sure that maps are available in the area. This can be done through the machine’s AutoChart Live by enabling the GPS unit. You should also take into consideration if you have a boat you’ll specifically use for fishing. In this way, you can make sure that proper preparations are done beforehand.
To maximize the use of all of its features, you should also check if you can use split screen view while fishing. This can be determined by first knowing whether you will spend more time near the screen or far from it. Always remember that the bigger the screen the farther you can be and still make out the details.
Possible Alternatives
In instances where you think the Ice Helix 5 does not meet your needs, you can always look up and try these available alternatives:
Ice Helix 7 G3
If you don’t require the open water capabilities of the All Season bundle, the Ice Helix 7 G3 has all of the tools you’ll need to maximize your time on the ice, including GPS to take benefit of the LakeMaster and ChartSelect maps and a larger display to take advantage of the split screen views.
Ice Helix 5 CHIRP G3
This one is a more budget-friendly option. Although it doesn’t have the networking and GPS features, it makes up with the 5 Inch screen perfect for ice fishing. Since you are closer to the screen, this size of the screen is more beneficial while still providing target separation, interference rejection, and history.
Bottomline
Overall, the Humminbird HELIX 5 Series can be a good option for anglers who are only starting to explore the world of fishing electronics. Since it has a wide variation of configurations and option packages, all anglers are able to find at least one that will perfectly fit and meet their needs. It also has a great principle on letting users pick the type of model and settings that they will really need so that they don’t have to pay for unnecessary ones. This is also very beginner friendly and will never intimidate even the ones who don’t have any experience yet.
Get ready to level up your fishing expeditions with the Humminbird HELIX 5!