Humminbird offers portable fish finders that come with features like high-resolution displays, Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar, built-in flashers for ice fishing, and GPS mapping capabilities. These units can be found in the Ice Helix and PiranhaMAX series, with options for easy portability via kits or all-season packs.
Humminbird Ice Helix 7
The Ice Helix 7 comes with a portable kit, which includes a protective carrying case, making transportation and setup, especially for ice fishing, hassle-free. Its protective shuttle is also a key portability feature, ensuring that the device is secure during transit and use.
Here are its key features:
- Battery and Charging: Equipped with a 15Ah lithium battery with 2 USB ports and a battery life indicator, along with a charger.
- Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar: Provides crystal-clear sonar returns with a 3/4″ target separation, making it easier to identify fish underwater.
- CHIRP Interference Rejection: Helps in keeping the sonar views clear of noise from other sonars, ensuring a clearer view beneath the ice.
- Built-in GPS with Humminbird Basemap: Offers navigational aid and is compatible with LakeMaster or Navionics maps for more detailed cartography.
- AutoChart Live ICE and Jig Charge Mode: Useful features for ice anglers to have real-time mapping and to energize the jig in the water.
- Full-Color 7-inch HD LCD Display: Offers high-resolution views to clearly identify structures and fish.
Humminbird Ice Helix 5
The Humminbird’s Ice Helix 5 is a more compact counterpart to the Ice Helix 7. With a 5-inch screen, this device offers a balance between display size and portability. Its portability is enhanced by the included protective carrying case and shuttle in the kit. Moving the fish finder from one location to another is straightforward, even in challenging icy conditions.
Here are its key features:
- Dual Spectrum CHIRP Digital Sonar: Like the Helix 7, it provides clear sonar returns with a 3/4″ target separation, essential for distinguishing between targets underwater.
- CHIRP Interference Rejection and Adjustable Sonar Zoom: Ensures a clearer view beneath the ice and allows zooming in on specific sonar returns.
- Built-in GPS with Humminbird Basemap and AutoChart Live: Provides navigational aid and real-time mapping capabilities, also compatible with Humminbird and Navionics premium fishing charts.
- Jig Charge Mode: A unique feature for ice anglers to energize the jig in the water.
- Ultra-bright 5″ Full-Color HD LCD Display: Provides clear views of the underwater world with adjustable brightness, suitable for both dark ice houses or open ice situations.
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 PT
Humminbird PiranhaMAX 4 PT is a compact and user-friendly fish finder suitable for various fishing environments, not limited to ice fishing. With its 4.3-inch display, it’s one of the more portable models by Humminbird. The device comes with a portable case that enhances its transportability. This model is perfect for anglers who desire a straightforward, easy-to-move fish finder for multiple fishing settings.
Here are its key features:
- 4.3-inch Display: High-resolution, full-color LCD.
- Dual Beam Sonar: Uses two beams, a narrow and a wide beam, for coverage and detail.
- Tilt and Swivel Mount: Makes it easy to adjust the viewing angle or disconnect the device.
- Depth Capability: Ability to reach depths of up to 320 feet for 2D sonar.
- Fish and Depth Alarms: Provides alerts when fish are detected or when specific depth changes occur.
- Zoom Feature: Allows a magnified view of a specific depth range.
Humminbird Ice Helix 9 MSI+
The Humminbird Ice Helix 9 MSI+ stands out with its advanced features tailored for professional ice anglers. The device showcases a 9-inch display, making it one of the larger portable models. Though it’s bulkier due to its screen size, the Ice Helix 9 MSI+ maintains its portability with its dedicated carrying case and shuttle, both designed to handle the rigors of ice fishing.
Here are its key features:
- 9-inch Display: High-resolution, full-color, widescreen LCD.
- Mega Side Imaging and Mega Down Imaging: Gives a clearer underwater view with coverage out to 125 feet on either side and below the boat.
- Dual Spectrum CHIRP Sonar: Reveals more detail about fish and structure with two display modes.
- Built-in GPS: Enables mapping, waypoint marking, and navigation functionalities.
- LakeMaster Compatible: Ability to use LakeMaster maps, offering detailed contours and other features.
- Interference Rejection: Helps block out interference from other sonar units.
What to Look for in Humminbird Portable Fish Finders
When considering a Humminbird portable fish finder, it’s essential to prioritize features relevant to your fishing needs.
The portability features, such as a carrying case or all-season packs, ensure ease of transport and usage in varied fishing environments. Look for built-in flashers if ice fishing is on the agenda and GPS mapping capabilities for accurate navigation and waypoint marking.
A good portable fish finder should have a compact and lightweight design and an easily mountable or floatable transducer.
Portable Kit
A portable kit typically includes components that make it easy to transport, use, and secure your fish finder. This can be especially beneficial for anglers who frequently move from one spot to another or those who don’t have a permanent boat and need to attach and detach the fish finder frequently.
What to Look For:
- Carrying Case: Ensure the kit includes a durable and protective carrying case that houses the fish finder and its accessories.
- Battery and Charger: The kit should ideally include a portable battery and charger, ensuring you can power the device while on the move.
- Easy Assembly: All components should be easy to assemble and disassemble without requiring any special tools.
All Season Pack
An All Season Pack is designed for anglers who fish in various seasons, including the icy winter months. It typically includes gear to optimize the fish finder’s performance irrespective of the weather conditions.
What to Look For:
- Ice Fishing Conversion Kit: If you ice fish, ensure the pack contains the necessary equipment to convert your fish finder for ice fishing. This might include specialized transducers or mounts.
- Weatherproofing: Look for features that protect the device from extreme temperatures, moisture, or direct sunlight.
- Versatile Power Options: Given the varying conditions, the pack should offer multiple power solutions suitable for different environments, such as extended battery life for colder conditions.
Transducer
The transducer is a critical component of a fish finder. It sends and receives sonar signals, which the fish finder interprets to display underwater information. The performance of a fish finder largely depends on the quality and capability of its transducer.
What to Look For:
- Frequency Range: Depending on whether you’re fishing in shallow or deep waters, choose a transducer that offers suitable frequency options. Higher frequencies (like 200 kHz) are better for shallow waters, while lower frequencies (like 50 kHz) are suited for deeper waters.
- Mounting Options: Depending on your boat and fishing style, ensure the transducer supports various mounting styles like transom mount, trolling motor mount, or thru-hull.
- Imaging Capabilities: Advanced transducers might offer side or down imaging to provide more detailed views of the underwater environment. Consider these if you’re looking for a more comprehensive underwater picture.
Built-in Flasher
A built-in flasher provides a real-time view of what’s happening directly below your boat or ice hole. It’s considered a must-have feature for ice fishing fish finders. It allows anglers to see fish movement relative to their bait, making it invaluable for this type of fishing.
What to Look For:
- Resolution: A higher resolution flasher will provide more detailed and clearer indications of fish, structure, and bottom hardness.
- Multiple Display Modes: Some units allow you to view traditional sonar and flasher modes simultaneously, which is beneficial for understanding underwater activities comprehensively.
- Target Separation: This indicates the fish finder’s ability to distinguish between two close objects. A smaller target separation value is ideal, especially for ice fishing where fish might be close to the bottom or each other.
GPS and Mapping
GPS lets you know your exact location on the water. Combined with mapping features, it helps navigate waters, mark fishing hotspots, and plan routes.
What to Look For:
- High-Resolution Maps: Look for fish finders with detailed maps of water bodies, showing contours, depth changes, and notable structures.
- Waypoint Marking: This feature allows you to save specific locations where you found fish or other points of interest.
- Track Plotting: Useful for marking your route, helping you navigate back or understand the areas you’ve covered.
- Speed and Temperature: Fish finders with GPS also display water temperature and boat speed, which can be beneficial for specific fishing techniques.