Using Humminbird sonar in winter

[HunterFisher11]

Would like to use my 859 Humminbird on my wheeler in the winter just don't want to ruin it.. Not sure how cold it can get?? Has any one tried it?? 

[Wayne]

No worries with the units operating in the cold.  Don't leave it out at -15 though. The only concern I have is the ice transducers compatibility with the DI or SI units. The DI units will not "SEE" the hummingbird ice transducer(neither the 19 or the 20)  It's  hard to get the summer ducer to hang vertically, but it will work if you can McGiver a rig. Great idea though. The GPS mapping on the ice makes it much easier to hunt, Hunter. 

 To those trying to live in a budget and want to use a unit in both open and hard water season, think about the new Humminbird Helix. Again avoid the DI units if you want to multi task. About $300 for the GPS /Sonar unit.  About $65 for the ice ducer and $125 for the Lakemaster Chip. And you're year round set. The Helix is a hit and hard to stock right now. Jump on one if you find it. I brought one to Canada this spring and was impressed with the processor speed and battery life ( 2 days!) Oh yea, the Helix comes loaded with a ice fishing "scope" that will be familiar to ice fishermen. It's NOT the Vexlar FLX 28( I have a couple) but it's good. 

Check them out, or stop in at Thorne Bros and see me. 

Wayne

[HunterFisher11]

Thanks for the info.. And that is what I plan on using it for is to do the scouting with, after getting the lakemaster chip this spring was so impressed with it that thought why not strap it on the wheeler and use in the winter..

[Pikepatrol]

I have a 688ci Ice and just love it!

[MN BassFisher]

I used a Humminbird GPS/Chart unit last winter on the 4 wheeler for better marking of GPS points and seeing contours. It worked well! The only problem we ran into was the power cord we used which ran from the adapter to the unit, cut out every time we killed the wheeler. Which became cumbersome.

[HunterFisher11]

Good point forgot that, but I bet that if you ran a line right to the battery and put in a lighted switch that would salve that. So you had no problems with the hummingbird getting to cold? And then not working right.. 

[h8go4s]

No worries with the units operating in the cold.  Don't leave it out at -15 though. The only concern I have is the ice transducers compatibility with the DI or SI units. The DI units will not "SEE" the hummingbird ice transducer(neither the 19 or the 20)  It's  hard to get the summer ducer to hang vertically, but it will work if you can McGiver a rig. Great idea though. The GPS mapping on the ice makes it much easier to hunt, Hunter. 

 To those trying to live in a budget and want to use a unit in both open and hard water season, think about the new Humminbird Helix. Again avoid the DI units if you want to multi task. About $300 for the GPS /Sonar unit.  About $65 for the ice ducer and $125 for the Lakemaster Chip. And you're year round set. The Helix is a hit and hard to stock right now. Jump on one if you find it. I brought one to Canada this spring and was impressed with the processor speed and battery life ( 2 days!) Oh yea, the Helix comes loaded with a ice fishing "scope" that will be familiar to ice fishermen. It's NOT the Vexlar FLX 28( I have a couple) but it's good. 

Check them out, or stop in at Thorne Bros and see me. 

Wayne

"Don't leave it out at -15 though" 

Where does that advice come from? There's nothing in the specs or owner's manual to validate that statement. Lots of guys ice fish in temps below -15. Lots of boats are stored outdoors all winter with the electronics still in them, especially dash mounted units. If there were a problem, there would be lots of complaints. I haven't seen any. Do you have documentation?

[papadarv]

 

Don't leave it out at -15 though" 

Where does that advice come from? There's nothing in the specs or owner's manual to validate that statement. Lots of guys ice fish in temps below -15. Lots of boats are stored outdoors all winter with the electronics still in them, especially dash mounted units. If there were a problem, there would be lots of complaints. I haven't seen any. Do you have documentation?

Most softwater / summer sonar have a tested operating temp. of -20 C to +70 C usually found in the installation specifications. For some reason Hummingbird does not list the Op. Temp. In the Hummingbird FAQ the 360 is listed at

What is the operating temperture range of 360 Sonar?

  The AS 360 TM and the AS 360 SSI have been tested to operate between -20°C to 70°C.  

Lowrance spec. the Op.Temp. -15 C to +55C.

-20 C is -4 F and -15 C is +5 F

Storage Temp. will be determined by the freeze temp of the display, which is -40C and -40F. (both are same temp) reason for no complaints.

https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20100910062427AAPz4Mf