Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2

The ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 is one of the discontinued Humminbird ice fishing fish finders. As opposed to the Humminbird ICE 55 that we’ve already covered here, this is a fully digital model with an LCD display and also has built-in navigation features such as GPS and the Humminbird Basemap platform. For reference, this is the Humminbird part number 410430-1.

Key Features and Specifications

• Screen: 5″ diagonal, 800H x 480V pixel resolution, 256 color TFT, with LED backlight
• Sonar: Dual Spectrum CHIRP
• Depth Capability: 400 ft. (122 m)
• Frequency and Coverage:
  130-250 kHz, 15°-21°
• Transducer: Xi 9 1521
• Power Output: 500 Watts (RMS)
• Power Draw: 600 mA
• Power Input: 10.8-20 VDC
• GPS: Internal
• Maps: Humminbird Basemap
• Portable kit: Included

Sonar and transducer

As its name suggests, this HELIX ICE unit is equipped with CHIRP sonar technology. This being said, the system is able to modulate the sonar pulse over a range of frequencies rather than using just one pulse per frequency. This provides a superior target separation (1.5″) and distinguishes fish from structure and vegetation much better.

The unit is capable of three main frequencies, these being 50/83/200 kHz, and when it comes to CHIRP sonar, it can support High CHIRP (130-250 kHz), Med CHIRP (75-155 kHz), and Low CHIRP (28-75 kHz).

The unit includes the Xi 9 1521 ice transducer, which is a CHIRP transducer and operates in a range of 130-250 kHz (High CHIRP). Its beamwidth range varies between 15° and 21°. It’s equipped with 8 ft. (2.4 m) of cable and a stabilizing foam floater. With this transducer, the fish finder system has a depth capability of 400 ft (122 m).

Navigation features

Although it’s an ice fish finder, this unit is equipped with a 5 Hz internal GPS system which can provide position updates 5 times per second. It can also calculate speed, in case you use the unit on a boat or moving vehicle.

In terms of charts, the ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 has the Humminbird Basemaps built-in. These charts are based on LakeMaster, NOAA charts, and other trusted sources. They provide depth contours, points of interest, nav-aids, and spot-soundings the entire U.S. coastline. They also cover more than 10,000 lakes.

In case your lake is not covered with detailed contours, the unit has the AutoChart Live feature. This application gives you the possibility to create your own depth contour maps for the lakes where you’re fishing, before the first frost hits. You can sail your boat on the lake and scan your favorite fishing spots while recording the depth contours on the map to have them later on in winter for ice fishing.

Just as the other HELIX G2 units, this one is compatible with various premium charts such as LakeMaster, LakeMaster PLUS, SmartStrike fishing charts, Navionics Gold, and Navionics+. It’s not compatible with C-Map charts, though.

Last but not least, the unit can save up to 2,750 waypoints, 47 routes and 50 tracks with up to 20,000 points per track. Each track can be converted into a route; you can add waypoints to it and re-trace it.

Control unit features, display & accessories

To begin with, the Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 features a fully digital LCD display with a 256 color range, and integrated LED backlight, just as the HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2. It’s 5″ in diagonal, and has a pixel resolution of 800H x 480V. It’s also IPX7 waterproof which essentially means that it can take incidental water exposure.

The unit is keypad operated. Since it’s an ICE unit, it has different split-screen modes and applications than the regular HELIX units. Evidently, the main feature is the Circular Flasher which provides quite a lot of information. It indicates Gain, Depth, Range, the diameter of the sonar beam based on depth, Battery Status, Zoom Range, and more.

An important feature to mention here is the Interference Rejection with 5 distinct levels. This gives you the possibility to keep competing sonar signals from cluttering the screen, which can be quite useful on a crowded lake.

The unit’s sonar application can also be displayed in the classic 2D view, and in split-screen with the flasher. The charts can also be displayed in split-screen with the flasher.

The unit is not networkable but has a microSD card reader with one slot, so you can upgrade your chart database, save or transfer waypoints, and even update the unit’s internal software.

In terms of accessories, this Humminbird ice fish finder includes the portable case with a hard plastic mount and a 12V 7 Amp battery with charger.

The Pros

• Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar;
• Flasher view and 2D view for the sonar;
• Supports 50/83/200 base frequencies, and High, Med and Low CHIRP;
• Ice transducer Xi 9 1521 included;
• Interference Rejection function;
• Internal GPS;
• Humminbird Basemaps;
• AutoChart Live;
• Trackplotting, routes and waypoints functions;
• Compatible with LakeMaster and Navionics charts;
• 800 x 480 resolution, 256 color display, with LED backlight, providing clear images, easy to read even in direct sunlight;
• MicroSD card reader;
• Upgradeable internal software;
• Carrying case and mount included;
• Battery with charger included;

The Cons

• In order to use AC Live for fishing charts creation, you may need a different transducer.

Summary

The Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 is an ice fish finder that also has navigation features, such as GPS, Humminbird Basemaps, AutoChart live. It includes the ice transducer, the portable case, a battery, and a charger. It’s a full-digital unit, with an LCD display offering dual-split screen possibilities for the flasher and 2D sonar view. It costs only approx. $60 more than the flasher-only ICE-55 model, so in all, it offers a much higher value for the price.