I have a Humminbird Helix 7 sonar/gps on my motor boat. I have come to really like it. I'm considering getting gear to allow me to take the unit ice fishing.

I'm wondering... does anyone use something that big on a canoe? Would battery life make the unit infeasible?

Right now, I take a garmin GPS and a Lowrance Ice machine. Both units work great and serve me well in the BW. But I would like one unit instead of 2. Also, the Helix will be even more valuable if I get the lakemaster chip.

Mad_Angler: "I have a Humminbird Helix 7 sonar/gps on my motor boat. I have come to really like it. I'm considering getting gear to allow me to take the unit ice fishing.

I'm wondering... does anyone use something that big on a canoe? Would battery life make the unit infeasible?

Right now, I take a garmin GPS and a Lowrance Ice machine. Both units work great and serve me well in the BW. But I would like one unit instead of 2. Also, the Helix will be even more valuable if I get the lakemaster chip.

"

That SUCKER loves the juice.........seriously, and Navionics has a whole lot of lakes in the Boundary Waters, and a few in Quetico that are mapped.

For those that are not mapped, be sure to save some sonar charts and upload them.

A word of warning.......
Upgrade at your own risk. I was perfectly content with a $100 pirahana which was great on juice. Then I got the bright idea of upgrading to a nice Lowrance with DSI imaging. I fell in love with the unit and liked seeing individual weeds and schools of bait in high detail. But after going through 16 lithium double A's on a single trip I knew it wasn't practical or economical.

Problem was, I was now not content with the cheaper model. Enter in serious power source. Yes I have to lug it around but it powers my unit for at least 20+ days without concern. Bionnopower