Since some people have been getting out it would be great to get some feedback on the new Birds. What model, what did you like, what didn't you like etc.?

Ice 55. Ill let you know in 2 weeks

I had an ICE 55 for one day of fishing and the target separation was 3" measured with a tape. I use a chubby darter with 3 split shots above it. Started at it's claimed 1/2 and worked up (measured from top of the darter to bottom of 1st split shot). tried zoom on and off and each beam size. My LX-3 was at the very least twice as good at separation in the same hole, on at the same time. I would get separation in non zoom with the LX and just a solid thick line in zoom with the 55 and yes I did adjust the gain on the 55 from 1 all the way to 25.
I loved the big bright screen and the color but I just couldn't stand that the LX-3 was better at separation so I returned the ICE 55 the next day and bought the LX-5. The LX-5 is great with separation but I really liked the screen size and 6 color on the ICE-55 it's just flat out beautiful at night. Even with the separation issue it was hard to bring the flasher back and I kinda miss it. I think if you never used a Marcum flasher or target separation was not important to you, you would Love the 55.

I've said it a couple times on here already, but I think it's important for people to know who are making such a large purchase.

I used a 45 over the weekend and had difficult times picking up a size 10 ratso in 12 ft. of water. From what I've heard, this is not normal. I didn't check the separation like JSK76 did, but I know it's not anywhere near the advertised 1/2". It does have a lot of nice features like the large screen, backlit LCD, battery indicator, adjustable zoom, and dual cone, but overall I was expecting more as far as performance goes. Maxing out the gain in shallow water shouldn't be happening on a machine with so much power. I will probably give it another chance, but if it doesn't get better I'll be returning for a Vex or MarCum.

The Super Fineline Feature makes the LX-5 the only unit on the market that can achieve ¾ inch target separation throughout the entire water column. Even if you only plan on using the Zoom on the bottom it is nice to have the flexibility to move it anywhere in the water column and there is a big difference in how each brand’s zoom functions work. The Zoom on a MarCum uses an optical zoom. It actually increases the target separation to less that 3/4 of an inch. On a Vex, they use a digital zoom that just blows up the already 2.65" target separation onto the opposite side of the screen.

Sorry to hear about your bird. One thing we know is that they all have bugs particularly first production run's. Will have to see how HBird's CS holds up.. One question was the 6 color feature pleasing to the eye?

Green diver, your not the only one, i agree with you. I am getting a new one soon and to be honest, a marcum isnt what i am looking at.

CNY Tim is not out of line. He is merely stating the facts. I have been excited about the ICE 55 also but after reading numerous message board reviews on them I will be upgrading to the new LX5. I hope you guys will post your reviews on the Birds you buy.

I'd like to thank all the guys for the information, at Gander most of us had never seen these units before, let alone use them, so consumer reports like these are REALLY helpful! Could someone give some results besides the separation issue? Maybe how it was at picking up fish compared to your lure, battery life, the ability to see the screen in the sun, stuff like that? Thanks guys!

I have a Ice 35 and just went out last night for the first time and loved it. I could even tell after I missed a fish if the waxie was still on the hook or not. Hows that for target separation! I fished 4 hours and the bat. gauge only went from full to about 7/8. I had my king dong led lights hooked up to a separate small old m/c bat. so the next time I go out I will try to hook them up to the locator bat. and see how much that drains it.

How is the noise level of the Ice compared to a Vex

I'm the wrong one to ask as I've never had a Vex. I can hear it however but its the only thing I can hear since I got rid of the loud propane lantern and sunflower heater. Now I have the king dang lights and Buddy heater.

I used mine one day for about 2 hours with the LCD backlit display on and it drained down to about 60 percent in that time period, which was not very impressive to me. I also used it for the same amount of time with the display lighting turned off and it only dropped about 10 percent of the battery, which seemed a lot better.

very pleasing to the eye, even better out on the ice then in the store.

could you see a gap of black sreen between the hook and waxie or just tell by the size of the mark on the flasher?

I have put in about fifteen hours on my ICE 35. I have fished from four feet on the backwaters to about twelve feet at a local reservoir here in Rochester. I used the wide beam in the shallow water and was very impressed. (definitely helped me slay the gills) Now in the deeper water I switched it to the narrow beam and I too could see the diference when my waxie was on or off, and yes there is a small black line between the jig and waxie when the gain is set just right. Battery life so far seems more than adequate. I am very impressed with the performance of this unit, but I have more to learn, as I still have'nt quite grasped the zoom feature. I am hoping this coming up weekend to be able to get out into some deeper water (maybe like 20-30 feet) and figure to learn the zoom better then. I do think the thing is a little noisy, and have an E-mail into the humminbird rep. I will report more as I learn more. I forgot to add that I love the screen. Very readable outside, even at an angle, or from quite a distance!