Crazy – the Lodge is only about $40 more than the Cabin right now. Amazing they are that close in cost. I like the Cabin if just fishing by myself, as Lodge feels too big.

I used an Otter Vortex Lodge Hub last year and really liked the full sized door and added room. I do think the quality is not as good as my older XTH Pro Cabin Hub that I have used since 2018 and still looks brand new.

The XTH Pro Cabin Hub material seems more solid/durable and the parts just more solid all the way around. Not sure how to describe it. It is not like the new one is bad in anyway. Has anyone noticed that or am I just imaging things?

The full size door definitely makes up for it and I am tempted to buy the Cabin and sell my older Cabin, which is what I use when I fish on my own.

Thanks – hopefully get to go ice fishing again this year and try it. What sensitivity do you use? I was at 15.

I was on Gain 2. I used manual dynamic and ping speed 1. I have sensitivity set to 15.

Can you see bluegills and perch and always see your jig on bottom?

Thanks for the help.

tucrs wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>dbv2 wrote:</div>
When you guys are using these, do they pick up bluegills and perch that hug the bottom and can you see them come up and get your bait?

I used my new LX6 Lithium over the weekend (first time using a fish finder) and we caught a lot of bluegill, but did not see them on the screen. I played around with a lot of the setting, but guess never dialed them in correctly.

Seems like a great unit, long battery life and loved using the light at night. Just need to get a hang of seeing my jig all the time and the fish. Fished in 9 foot of water. Thanks!

What Gain were you on?
For shallower water I use it like this
Gain 1, Range 10′ Manual, ping speed 1-2,
It should work fine then. Make sure your ducer is below the ice.

Let me know if I can help in any other way.

When you guys are using these, do they pick up bluegills and perch that hug the bottom and can you see them come up and get your bait?

I used my new LX6 Lithium over the weekend (first time using a fish finder) and we caught a lot of bluegill, but did not see them on the screen. I played around with a lot of the setting, but guess never dialed them in correctly.

Seems like a great unit, long battery life and loved using the light at night. Just need to get a hang of seeing my jig all the time and the fish. Fished in 9 foot of water. Thanks!

Lx7. Helix only if you need maps…. Does know good for me since I have phone and handheld GPS and am a walker too.

They have very long run time. Not sure if the other poster had a defective unit.

That looks great!

JoeMX1825 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>dbv2 wrote:</div>
I just got a Lx6 Lithium for $411

Where did you get that deal? Nice!

I love my LX-6s with a Dakota Lithium, such a small & light footprint on the ice and protected well with the softcase…

On Amazon a couple weeks ago. Thought it was a price mistake, but it was not.

If you click the link, it should apply the coupon code in the email for the RT-9. It only applies to the RT-9.

I might order it and see how it is. I just got a Lx6 Lithium for $411, so not sure the RT-9 is worth that much more. This would be my first ice fishing finder.

Looks like the RT-9 is on pre black Friday sale of 30 percent off at Marcum

I would consider it. I just purchsed a LX6 Lithium, but thought about v2 of RT9 instead. What prices did you see them at?

B-man wrote:

73cv Plus Garmin ice bundle.

Curious why you think the Garmin is better, as I don’t hear much about it? I just purchased a Marcum LX6 Lithium (my first ice fishing finder), but thought about the Humminbird and ow the Garmin 73cv.

THe maps are nice on both units, but don’t really need them since I use my GPS and phone too. Thanks!

buddah6 wrote:

Curious how the Marcum RT-9 2.0 upgrade will go? Free Navionics chip, lithium battery upgrade, improved circuitry etc.?

Interesting. I wonder if it is a lot better than RT-9 1.0. Must be lighter with a Lithium battery now.

I still don’t ice fish with any fish finder and walk to all areas. Always seemed to do well with fish, but always think catch rate would be even better with a fish finder and I love electronics.

This year considering getting a LX6 or LX7 Lithium or Humminbird 7 Ice Package, but the Garmin 7 looks good too. I do use my garmin 450 for marking spots and phone for that too.

The lowest the LX6 Lithium got was $399. That was a great deal. Although the RT-9 seems like a great deal too. Wonder if they have new models coming out?

Wow – the RT-9 sure is a good deal. But, sounds like feedback is not to buy it, as not as good as Lx7? Might buy it and see how it works and if don’t like it, just return it.

Wonder if Marcum has new models coming out in the Fall?

You are just hearing a few bad experiences. I got the new orange one for the Milwaukee Fuel 18 drill and it has been great. My old gas auger Nils lasted for years and I sold it for about what I paid for it.

I always carry an extra head and usally get it sharpend by Frank in MN every couple years.

Stupid quote. Who said I had issue? I always asked advice on their different augers and the person that answers the phone has been super helpful. One time I did loose on of their screws and they sent another one free of charge. I would never not purchase a Nils Auger! Blows all others away.

ClownColor wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>dbv2 wrote:</div>
I own several Nils augers and have had nothing but great customer service from them. Would never buy a different auger.

The only auger I’d buy again is the one I never NEDED customer service!

I own several Nils augers and have had nothing but great customer service from them. Would never buy a different auger.

I got the cabin last year and it has been great. Very warm, durable and like you said very light, especially if you pull your gear like I do. That was the whole reason I got the cabin, otherwise would have gotten the lodge, but wanted to stay easily mobile.

That is too bad. It seems like it has so much potential.

They did come out last year, which is why it seems strange that it would already not be holding a charge well. The Shuttle is not cheap and the battery should be expected to last. Most lithium batteries in power tools have 5 year warranties.

How long did you have the Shuttle for? I am surprised the battery would not last longer.

I purchased the Cabin last year and it was great. Very warm and barely used the heater. Most of the time we fished two people out of it and sometimes three, which is tight, but still worked fine when needed.

I got the Cabin, as I walk on the ice and thought it would be easier to pull that than the Lodge, otherwise would have gotten the Lodge.

Very true, but I would rather have a nice long ice fishing season, than a good deal on equipment.

In NE Ohio, it looks unlikely it will be a long season, if any season at all though. Sad, as ice fishing is my favorite season.

queenswake wrote:

Unless things get cold soon, there should be good deals on the surplus ice tackle, gear, shelters, and even wheelhouses come spring.

Thanks for posting and glad that I ended up not buying one.

That looks really nice. I wonder how warm it would be though? Love Simms stuff.

That is interesting to hear. So, Helix G2 Chrip is that much better or easier to use?

They should include their own Lithium shuttle with this then it would be more tempting.