[jiggin is livin]

That's what I planned on doing but i think it's the charger itself thats bad. It was green when plugged into the wall and green when connected to a dead battery. I love the unit itself although battery life is trash but I read the reviews prior and was ok with that and planned on getting another $20 battery anyway. The fact the charger is acting up and they want me to mail them (ground shipping to Alabama) and ground back from Alabama is what pissed me off. Brand new out of the box I shouldn't be responsible for their fault, they should make it right with speedy shipping at the least imo. Even express 3 day or priority is better than ground shipping.

Totally agree. IDK where you are located but a charger for any unit should get you buy for the time being.

Buddy of mine has the helix 5 (I believe) and he saves a lot of battery as mentioned with the brightness and black background. Still not stellar but it will last the day anyway.

 

[0369Gysgt]

That's what I planned on doing but i think it's the charger itself thats bad. It was green when plugged into the wall and green when connected to a dead battery. I love the unit itself although battery life is trash but I read the reviews prior and was ok with that and planned on getting another $20 battery anyway. The fact the charger is acting up and they want me to mail them (ground shipping to Alabama) and ground back from Alabama is what pissed me off. Brand new out of the box I shouldn't be responsible for their fault, they should make it right with speedy shipping at the least imo. Even express 3 day or priority is better than ground shipping.

PM sent

 

[Rscook]

I

Totally agree. IDK where you are located but a charger for any unit should get you buy for the time being.

Buddy of mine has the helix 5 (I believe) and he saves a lot of battery as mentioned with the brightness and black background. Still not stellar but it will last the day anyway.

I used the black background Sunday because I find it easy on the eyes. The helix can get very bright and I actually prefer a dim setting. I keep my cell brightness 1/4 because the bright lcd bothers my eyes so dimming the lcd was something I already planned on doing. The battery still went at a decent rate but like I said I knew they had poor battery and planned on getting a spare anyway but id like to be able to charge them haha. Looks like another trip to northwoods for a battery and charger. Regardless, something as simple as the problem I'm experiencing should easily be fixed on humminbirds end to where we both feel satisfied. Even though I planned on the spare battery prior to purchase, I did not plan on buying a spare charger and for someone who was going to use the unit strictly with the battery and charger provided shouldn't have to be forced to go out and buy a battery and charger so they don't miss out on fishing especially after paying the price these humminbird helix 7 ice g2's bring. They could use some refreshing in the customer service department imo.

 

[Fishslaer41]

Can the hummingbird mount to quad, and be used as a GPS? It would be easier to see than a hand held.

 

[sureshot006]

I don't know what other companies would do but good luck finding better customer service... Unless things have changed in the last year, HB is above the rest. My personal experience has been good, but i never asked them to change shipping.

 

[wallhanger81]

Yes it can. You could buy another power cord to hook to the quad. The ice pack base has loops you could use to bungee it or bolt it. I like to be able to pull it off my sled so mines just sets in my lap from spot to spot. The GPS got me of the lake Saturday after dark in a white out. I have the helix 5 and it's very easy to see and it lasts at least a day and a half on a full charge. GPS is on always and the black screen is great in a dark shanty. As for customer service it's ok. Mine was missing the transducer clip to the cable and the cable mount to the ice pack base. They sent it to me ground shipping at no cost. As for them making you pay or ship back their faulty parts is total bull. I was going to use the 7 off my boat but with the bigger screen the battery draw was a issue.

 

[sureshot006]

Mine was missing the transducer clip to the cable and the cable mount to the ice pack base. They sent it to me ground shipping at no cost. As for them making you pay or ship back their faulty parts is total bull.

Sounds like they are paying the shipping.

I had a bad xducer before and they shipped me a new one. Had it in 3 days and when I asked about the old one they told me to keep it.

 

[Rscook]

Yes it can. You could buy another power cord to hook to the quad. The ice pack base has loops you could use to bungee it or bolt it. I like to be able to pull it off my sled so mines just sets in my lap from spot to spot. The GPS got me of the lake Saturday after dark in a white out. I have the helix 5 and it's very easy to see and it lasts at least a day and a half on a full charge. GPS is on always and the black screen is great in a dark shanty. As for customer service it's ok. Mine was missing the transducer clip to the cable and the cable mount to the ice pack base. They sent it to me ground shipping at no cost. As for them making you pay or ship back their faulty parts is total bull. I was going to use the 7 off my boat but with the bigger screen the battery draw was a issue.

"Cable mount to the ice pack base" are you talking the clip that screws in under the base with 2 small screws that you plug the transducer into as shown on the left or is there a cable mount to base that goes on the right side of the base shown in the pic with the gold threads?

 

[Fishslaer41]

Yes it can. You could buy another power cord to hook to the quad. The ice pack base has loops you could use to bungee it or bolt it. I like to be able to pull it off my sled so mines just sets in my lap from spot to spot. The GPS got me of the lake Saturday after dark in a white out. I have the helix 5 and it's very easy to see and it lasts at least a day and a half on a full charge. GPS is on always and the black screen is great in a dark shanty. As for customer service it's ok. Mine was missing the transducer clip to the cable and the cable mount to the ice pack base. They sent it to me ground shipping at no cost. As for them making you pay or ship back their faulty parts is total bull. I was going to use the 7 off my boat but with the bigger screen the battery draw was a issue.

Thxs, I want to buy one, i was hoping it would work as a GPS mounted on quad and then as fish finder once I was at my spot.

 

[John Koos]

I got the Hbird 486 CI DI a few years ago and I love the GPS, I also saw in the manual it has the flasher function but I never tried it. I'm thinking about the Helix 7 now but with side imaging. I screwed myself before getting the down imaging. Can you use the side imaging ice fishing? I can see where this would help locate structure.

 

[wallhanger81]

"Cable mount to the ice pack base" are you talking the clip that screws in under the base with 2 small screws that you plug the transducer into as shown on the left or is there a cable mount to base that goes on the right side of the base shown in the pic with the gold threads?

Yes there's a clamp that goes on the right side (with the gold threads)to hold the transducer at whatever depth you want. I think I was also missing the gray rubber deals that holds the transducer wire and the cable together. It's been a few years

 

[Rscook]

Yes there's a clamp that goes on the right side (with the gold threads)to hold the transducer at whatever depth you want. I think I was also missing the gray rubber deals that holds the transducer wire and the cable together. It's been a few years

Can you by chance snap a pic for me? Looks like I was shorted that piece as well

 

[wallhanger81]

Thxs, I want to buy one, i was hoping it would work as a GPS mounted on quad and then as fish finder once I was at my spot.

You LL be happy if you get one. It has everything imo. Flasher( I don't use but some people do) GPS,sonar. The lakemaster chip is great. I use it in the boat fish finder in the summer. You can check out lakes sitting at home on the couch. See all the depths and I LL mark spots of interest.

 

[sureshot006]

I got the Hbird 486 CI DI a few years ago and I love the GPS, I also saw in the manual it has the flasher function but I never tried it. I'm thinking about the Helix 7 now but with side imaging. I screwed myself before getting the down imaging. Can you use the side imaging ice fishing? I can see where this would help locate structure.

You could... it would look pretty weird though! SI is made for moving. However, when anchored fishing for sturgeon, I could see if fish were travelling through the sonar. They would show up as a long line. I assume structure would look the same. just a long line.

 

[John Koos]

You could... it would look pretty weird though! SI is made for moving. However, when anchored fishing for sturgeon, I could see if fish were travelling through the sonar. They would show up as a long line. I assume structure would look the same. just a long line.

I like the down imaging because of high definition but it doesn't show fish so I always have it in split screen and it sounds like that's still a favorite with the helix even with side imaging. I'm looking at getting the helix 7 with side imaging and hooking into some walleye again.
One thing I would strongly recommend for someone short on cash is accept the small screen as long as you can afford GPS. It only takes one time for fog to roll in on a nice day and all direction is lost along with obstacles, same goes for night time. GPS is cheaper than a bad day on the water.

 

[wallhanger81]

Can you by chance snap a pic for me? Looks like I was shorted that piece as well

Sure, at work now. I LL get one when I get home

 

[0369Gysgt]

Has anyone figured out a better way of stowing the cord, transducer and float when not in use? My transducer cord with the float is always a mess when I put it away for storage. By the way, if there is a part that screws into the brass thread located on the base, please take a picture so I can see it. I never received anything nor did I see anything in the directions on what the brass fitting is for. Some else said they bought a Marcum arm and bolted that to the brass fitting. Sounds like a good idea but not sure the robber insert would fit the Humminbird transducer cable.

 

[sureshot006]

Granted, I have an ICE55, my base has 2 posts that you wrap the xducer cord around and also a little tray for the xducer. the foam float tucks under the head unit. Not sure exactly how yours looks in the front.

 

[wallhanger81]

Can you by chance snap a pic for me? Looks like I was shorted that piece as well

Here it is.

 

[wallhanger81]

Has anyone figured out a better way of stowing the cord, transducer and float when not in use? My transducer cord with the float is always a mess when I put it away for storage. By the way, if there is a part that screws into the brass thread located on the base, please take a picture so I can see it. I never received anything nor did I see anything in the directions on what the brass fitting is for. Some else said they bought a Marcum arm and bolted that to the brass fitting. Sounds like a good idea but not sure the robber insert would fit the Humminbird transducer cable.

I have never used the float because there is no where to stow it. This is how I pack my cable and transducer. It goes up the side of the screen and out the top and the transducer goes in the pocket in back. I keep a hand towel in the handle pocket to dry the cable and transducer.