I am getting geared up for ice fishing and since my old Garmin kicked the bucket last year, I thought I would purchase a new color sonar to build up into a porta-box. This time, I plan to put it into a box big enough that I don’t have to struggle to get it all in.
But anyway, I have question for anyone that might be able to help me. Should I purchase my new sonar with a shoot-through-hull transducer or a transom mount transducer? In the past, the transducers on my ice fishing sonars have all been the transom mount type and that is probably what I will get again but I just wanted to ask you guy’s opinions.
One more question; I’m looking to spend about $300-$400. Are any of you passionate about a sonar unit in that price range that you would recommend?
Neither one, get a transducer meant for ice fishing, you won’t regret it. I have one on my Lowrance and also on my Vexilar. I use a Vexilar float (they have it patented so no one else can offer one) for my Lowrance ice transducer and it works great. The beauty of the transducers made for ice fishing is that they are self leveling. You just drop it in the hole and start fishing. When landing a fish I lift the transducer out of the hole.
So can you use a boat one with an ice fishing adapter - is that what you’re saying? I would like that option, if you can do it. I could get a good one for my boat but use it ice fishing, too.
Couldn’t you drill an adjacent hole and just leave the transducer there?
Yes, you can do that. As long as your fish finder manufacturer makes one for your specific model.
Also, I do exactly that - I drill an extra hole just for my fish finder transducer right next to my fishing hole/holes. That way I don’t have to remove the transducer when I hook up with a fish. And, as long as the holes are close enough, or the water is deep enough, you should not have any problem seeing your jig in the transducer’s cone.
You are going to be hard pressed to find a color sonar for under $400. The Lowrance X67c (X68c w/ GPS), the Garmin 400c and 160c come to mind.
I have a friend that purchased the Lowrance X67c ice machine (comes with soft pack and battery) and also converted the ice transducer to the Vexilar float and tossed the transducer arm that the transducer hangs from. It’s an easy mod that takes all of 60 seconds. Nice, compact set up. It would be in the price range you want. You can also buy a gimbal mount, transom mount transducer and use it in the boat.
Man, I sure am glad I posted this question. I was not aware of a self leveling transduser.
So, BLM and Kent, let me make sure I understand here … I can buy a Vexlar self leveling ducer and connect it to a Lowrance head unit … without cutting into cables or modifying connectors? Just plug and play? Boy, that would be cool.
I just don’t want to make the purchase then find out that I was mis understanding something.
You cannot adapt a Vexilar transducer to your non-Vexilar fish finder. BLM and Kent are refering to just the self leveling styrofoam float that is attached to the transducer cable (the float will fit any cable).
You have to get the ice transducer from your fish finder manufacturer (if they make one for your specific model).
BLM -
that Lowrance x67c looks like it would really fill the bill - flasher for ice fishing, switch to the screen with a “visual” sonar of contours and such, audible alarms for fish, shallow and deep, and can be on my boat or ice hole! $284 is the best price I’ve seen on a quick check and that ain’t bad!
[left]In this picture of the X67c soft pack, you can see the bullet shaped “ice” transducer that is weighted to hang straight down so it shoots straight down without the typical mount used on a transom. You can also see the rubber stop on the transducer cable that when threaded through the arm that extends from the base on this ice set up, allows the transducer to hang in the ice hole. [/left] [left] [/left] [left]This Lowrance system in the pic, has a float from the factory (though the float is on the wrong side of the rubber stop!) so I guess Vexilar’s patent has expired. Earlier units have an extension arm.[/left] [left][/left] [left][/left] [left][/left] [left]Vexilar makes a closed cell foam float to hang their transducer from while floating in the ice hole. This float can be used with almost any of the bullet type ice transducers on the market that are designed to hang straight down. Obviously, a transom mount transducer isn’t weighted to hang straight down so this float wouldn’t work without some major screwing around. Simpily install the float on your “other” brand trnsducer and it works just like the Vexilar. The float cost about $6.[/left]
I’ve got the Lowrance ice machine and love it. I also bought a transom mount transducer so I can use it in the summer and it works great. I think cabelas has a package set up with the float and everything included. Can’t go wrong there.
I saw that!
Now I just need to justify it for the boat and mention the ice fishing capabilities later! “It’s on an ‘end of the season’ clearance down at Cabelas. I’ll do the boat mounting before we take it out next summer. Wish I could try it out somewhere during the winter. Oh, well.” [;)]
It looks like you have received answers to all of your questions. I own the Lowrance X102-C unit. I purchased the ice fishing pack for it. I easily move it between my boat, my Porta-bote (rigged for ice fishing) and for ice fishing. The Lowrance Ice Machines look like a great option. For ice fishing I use my Lowrance, my Vexilar and also my Raytheon with a through the hull transducer (if I need another unit for a fishing buddy). I often also drill a second hole for my transducer so that I can leave it down the hole; however, I also like to drill many holes scattered around the ice and then move from hole to hole. When I am doing that I just use the same hole for the transducer and for fishing.
Hey Coot,
I agree with everyone on the x67c I have 2 friends that used them last season. You can make a few adjustments ( ping speed and sensitivity) and you can pick up your jig and see the fish move in. We used them on flaming gorge for the lakers and did well.
i would get a transom mount ducer, here is the #1 reason, if your brother takes his off your boat then you can just use yours for both
Petty: Are you hinting, I might be an Indian giver? You are cold::: I gave it (Lowrance fish finder) to Coot, That way I’m garenteed a shot gun seat. He He [:)]
Well, looks like I will soon be the proud new owner of a Lowrance X67c Soft Pack Ice Machine. I could have sworn that they were on sale for $279 but when I went to buy it, it was on sale for $299.
Thanks for all the good info guys.
Now, alls I need to do is break the news to Mrs. Coot that I need a snowmobile! Any pointers on how to do that?
Start off with something much more grand than a sled and work you r way down so it does not seem like it is a huge purchase. And than there is always begging and graveling to fall back on.
“It’s on an ‘end of the season’ clearance down at Cabelas. I’ll do the boat mounting before we take it out next summer. Wish I could try it out somewhere during the winter. Oh, well.” [;)]
I gave it (Lowrance fish finder) to Coot, That way I’m garenteed a shot gun seat. He He [:)]