Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3 Review

Our Verdict: Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3

A 5 inch color graph that also fakes a flasher, giving you sonar plus GPS mapping in one unit for a fair price.

Unlike the pure flashers here, this is an LCD graph with a flasher window, so you get a scrolling history and built-in GPS with LakeMaster or Navionics maps.

So, is it any good?

You get a color graph, a flasher view, and GPS mapping in one box, which separate flashers do not include.

Priced below the premium MarCum M5LR while adding mapping the flashers lack.

Having the graph and flasher split on one bright screen spoiled me, though I learned to keep my polarized glasses off or the display just went black.

Emma, Top-Notch field tester

Reasons to buy:

• Graph, flasher, and GPS in one
• Bright 5 inch color screen
• Good value for the feature set
• LakeMaster and Navionics map support

Reasons to avoid:

• Polarized glasses can black out the screen
• LCD can lag or fog in extreme cold
• More menus to learn than a flasher

Our Analysis, Comparisons, and Test Results

The Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3 scored 85 out of 100 overall.

It is strongest on value for money and weakest on ease of use.

Here is how it did on every metric we tested, with exactly how each score compares to the rest of the field.

Value for Money

You get a color graph, a flasher view, and GPS mapping in one box, which separate flashers do not include.

Priced below the premium MarCum M5LR while adding mapping the flashers lack.

Forum owners repeatedly call it one of the best flasher-and-graph combos for the money.

Jig Charge Mode and AutoChart Live ICE add features you would otherwise buy separately.

Value for Money	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3	8/10
Category average	7.4/10
Worst in test	6/10

Target Separation

Dual Spectrum CHIRP sonar is rated at 3/4 inch target separation.

That trails a dedicated MarCum or Vexilar flasher slightly in real-world tightness but is close.

Here's what that means:

Wide and narrow CHIRP modes let you trade coverage for sharper separation on suspended fish.

One owner reported clean sensitivity from 3 feet down to 30 feet using the flasher window.

Target Separation	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3	8/10
Category average	7.4/10
Worst in test	2/10

Display Readability

Ultra-bright 5 inch full color HD LCD with adjustable brightness for a fish house or open ice.

Split screen shows the flasher dial and the scrolling 2D graph side by side.

A common complaint is that polarized sunglasses can black out the screen at some angles.

Being an LCD, it can slow or fog in extreme cold, which flasher dials do not do.

Display Readability	Rating
Best in test	9/10
Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3	8/10
Category average	7/10
Worst in test	3/10

Battery Life

Runs off a standard 12V ice battery, and pack choice sets your run time rather than the unit.

Most owners get a full day on a 9 to 10Ah lithium pack.

Turning down screen brightness is the biggest lever on how long it lasts.

Lithium packs hold charge better than lead-acid in sub-zero air.

Battery Life	Rating
Best in test	10/10
Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3	8/10
Category average	7.5/10
Worst in test	5/10

Ease of Use

More menus than a flasher because you are also managing GPS, maps, and views.

The trade is that the graph history and depth digits are easier for a beginner to read than a raw dial.

Some owners report screen fogging for the first hour in very cold, humid conditions.

Jig Charge Mode is a one-touch shortcut that simplifies vertical jigging setup.

Ease of Use	Rating
Best in test	9/10
Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3	6/10
Category average	7.1/10
Worst in test	6/10

Should You Buy the Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3?

A 5 inch color graph that also fakes a flasher, giving you sonar plus GPS mapping in one unit for a fair price.

It is best suited to anglers who want mapping and a scrolling graph alongside a flasher view.

Bottom line?

The big win: Graph, flasher, and GPS in one.

The main compromise: Polarized glasses can black out the screen.

We scored it 85 out of 100.

What Other Ice Fishing Fish Finders Should You Consider?

Not sold on this one? A few others from our testing are worth a look.

The MarCum M5LR Flasher System is our best premium featured ice fishing fish finder. A true real-time flasher with class-leading target separation, held back only by its price and a menu that takes a season to learn.

The Garmin STRIKER 4 with Ice Fishing Bundle is our best budget ice fishing fish finder. The budget pick that punches far above its price, with a genuine low-lag flasher mode built into a tiny color graph.

The Vexilar FLX-18 Genz Pack Flasher is our best simple operated ice fishing fish finder. The flasher most anglers point beginners to, with sharp separation, an easy three-color dial, and a pack that fishes right out of the box.

Specifications

Type	color graph with flasher window
Screen	5 in color HD LCD
Sonar	Dual Spectrum CHIRP
Target separation	about 3/4 inch
GPS	built in with Basemap
Maps	LakeMaster / Navionics
Power	external 12V battery

Conclusion: Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3

After testing it against the other top ice fishing fish finders, the Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3 earns its place as our best dual spectrum ice fishing fish finder pick.

Its standout strength: Graph, flasher, and GPS in one.

Still deciding?

The main thing to weigh before you buy: Polarized glasses can black out the screen.

If you want anglers who want mapping and a scrolling graph alongside a flasher view, it belongs at the top of your shortlist.

Still comparing? See exactly where the Humminbird ICE HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3 ranks against the full field in our 10 Best Ice Fishing Fish Finder guide.

Check Latest Prices See Customer Reviews & Feedback