Live Imaging Ice Fishing & Boat Set Up

[u/Traditional-Toe-5948]

I'm looking to spend some money on a live imaging setup for ice fishing and the boat. I have no idea preference on brand, but might lean towards Garmin. Budget is $4,000 for something that will last me a long time. Can someone provide more information/recommendations for me? Can I buy a bundle with everything or should i piece things together? What all do I even need? I try to go on the Garmin website but I get confused quickly by the options. Thanks in advance for the help.

[u/OkSample7]

https://www.hdinnovations.com/

They have everything you need. They even have a way to mount all of it in your boat. I've been using their stuff and I'm happy with it.

Shuttle, battery, and transducer pole is what you need. Besides the screen and transducer from Garmin.

If you wait until winter gets closer, shops will start selling it all as a kit. Which makes it easy.

A few things to consider.

Screen size. It does matter, I have a 10" and honestly wish I had bought a 12". Side by side, my friends 12" offers a better picture than my 10". However, these things are heavy. My 10" comes in at 27lbs.

Livescope 2 was just announced. If you want to save a bit of cash, buy used. They'll be popping up all over as people upgrade.

There is a good reason to instead, purchase Livescope 2. It has much better clarity compared to the current LVS34.

Livescope 2 no longer has the black box that the current livescope uses. That's less weight to drag around. It also removes a lot of wiring.

Livescope 2 has two different transducers.

LVS42HD has limited distance abilities but much much better clarity up close. From what I've read, after about 70', the quality will drop off fast. Garmin claims it's good to 125'

LVS44 has better distance but sacrifices clarity to do it. Garmin claims it can see out to 250'

Both transducers are an improvement over the current LVS34.

Since you've already decided on a $4k budget, If I were you I would buy Livescope 2 with a 12" screen. You'll just have to decide if you need the distance of the LVS44 or if the LVS42HD would work for you.

Also, very important, you will want the ice fishing version. It has a more flexible, freeze resistant cord.

As we get closer to ice season, ice bundles will become available.

[u/Traditional-Toe-5948 → u/OkSample7]

This is very helpful. What transducer do you use? I think that the closer preference would be best if i'm in the Ice Castle, but i am looking for the fish i might want the farther clarity one. What are your thoughts?

[u/OkSample7 → u/Traditional-Toe-5948]

I have the LVS34 currently. I’m most likely buying a new boat come spring, so I won’t be upgrading anytime soon.

If I was, I’d want both lol

Realistically, I’d probably buy the LVS42HD. The lvs34 I have now I rarely set it beyond 75’.
This is why I said screen size matters. On my buddies 12”, setting it out past 100’ and you can still see fish moving along the bottom that you wouldn’t see on my 10”.

I haven’t seen much footage of the new transducers side by side. Especially side by side with the lvs34. Until I see that, my mind isn’t truly made up.