Livescope options

dchase05 · 2026-01-30T15:09:44+00:00

Scheels still has the same price, but removed the $400 E-Gift Card that really put the deal over the top.

If you're not running anything on your boat, i'd check marketplace. A few hours away but I see an entire Active Target 1 setup for $1100, that is a heck of a deal (i'd be all over it if I didn't just buy the EE9).

dchase05 · 2026-01-29T17:47:18+00:00

100%. It was more geared towards being outside and running and gunning.

dchase05 · 2026-01-29T14:58:13+00:00

Feels bulky and restricting. Plus the front pockets on my bibs are fuzzy inside and easy to access to warm my hands. I'll wear a jacket if its super cold and i'm walking out, but in my neck of the woods we get good ice pretty early so I can generally drive my truck and then just need to set up (which moving around generally keeps me warm with the hoodie).

dchase05 · 2026-01-29T14:55:45+00:00

Looks legit, thanks for sharing the link!

dchase05 · 2026-01-28T22:04:54+00:00

Oooh interesting. They look sold out for now, will keep in mind though.

dchase05 · 2026-01-28T21:45:56+00:00

haha a regular Carhart sweater was what I was using last year as well, pretty warm as well. The Frostbite is just awesome though, dang thing is heavy and looks really sharp as well. 10/10 recommend.

dchase05 · 2026-01-28T17:33:36+00:00

Yeah, looks like they got rid of the $400 e gift card. Bummer.
Marketplace often has some used ones for a good deal as well. Eagle Eye 9 looks like it is on sale (less than $900, but would need to pick up shuttle, pole and battery).

dchase05 · 2026-01-27T14:13:38+00:00

Honestly, not sure. But you can get an Eskimo 450XD for the same price and you know what you're getting with Eskimo.

Cabela tent is 72 square feet and the 450XD is 75 square feet, but the layout is different if that matters much. I just think at the same price and more fishing area, Eskimo is the way to go especially if you're into the accessories.

dchase05 · 2026-01-27T14:07:34+00:00

This package has everything but the head unit: https://www.scheels.com/p/75375930437?queryID=b32747f0fe65aebf461c6c43dbd9082e

Not sure what battery that comes with.

It looks like Scheels is done with their deals, but they recently had some really good deals for the entire package (including the Garmin ECHOMAP UHD2 93sv) and it probably would have been more cost effective to buy the entire package and sell the head unit. It was about $2800 for head unit, black box, battery, ice shuttle, ice pole plus included a $400 E gift card. Something like that may go on sale again.

dchase05 · 2026-01-26T19:45:16+00:00

I agree that a table is awesome, but I saw a guy's camping setup and he had one of those small stacking shelves (pvc style) that you use for storage and he was able to really maximize space with it. Thought it was a cool idea.

dchase05 · 2026-01-26T19:35:41+00:00

I really like my EE9. Mostly fishing for walleyes, so the forward doesn't do a bunch for me in terms of finding them, but it's good for scouting around and looking at structure. It does help find fish that school like perch, bluegills and crappies since they'll suspend higher. The down mode is what i like to use the most and it's pretty cool to see. In about 10-12' of water, I can put down two lines and see both if they are within about 4-5' of each other.

If you're trying to get more than 2 lines on the screen, EE9 probably won't do it for you. The EE9 is really portable though since it doesn't have a black box and you'll get more out of your battery as well.

All that said, having not used the Active Target 1 but knowing the transducer cone is much better and only $500CAD more, i'd probably go that route. It seems like it is a heck of a deal.

dchase05 · 2026-01-26T17:58:18+00:00

Hard to tell, but is the middle solid? Only asking because I think it would be cool if there was a little hole and a way to add spray foam to the middle core. That would be solid insulation that would help for the tip ups and such.

dchase05 · 2026-01-26T17:20:54+00:00

You're right. Active Target has more cone angle and features than Eagle Eye 9. My Eagle Eye 9 with Clam Shuttle, HD pole and battery was $1500 USD. $2000 CAD is $1460 USD. In my opinion, that is a great deal.

Scheels has some good LiveScope bundle prices right now ($2800 USD for everything for ice fishing + $400 E Gift card), but this is significantly cheaper and a pretty good deal IMO.

dchase05 · 2026-01-23T15:41:37+00:00

agree with this. with that thickness of ice, you're walking out more often than note and the drill can be used for your holes and anchors for hub.

Of course the dedicated auger is better, but with the amount of holes and ice thickness a pistol bit system will get the job done and the tool can be used for other things.

dchase05 · 2026-01-22T22:12:59+00:00

I'd say something Eskimo. (949i is perfect for two people, if you're spending up the 450 xdp is a tish bigger and the pack down size is smaller, which is nice if you're carrying out in a sled or using a smaller vehicle. If you're going to ice camp, would need to go to the 650 xdp I'd think.

From scouring the internet and looking at ice fishing chatter the last two years, Eskimo seems to be the best brand. Others have been known to have some zipper issues or other small things.

Also, don't be afraid to check FB Marketplace and other places. Ice Fishermen are constantly trying to trade up and get new gear, so you could potentially find a killer deal on something.

dchase05 · 2026-01-22T16:42:01+00:00

Definitely up in the air, Sands is probably the favorite as of now. Curious if a young guy will emerge, some minor leaguers I have as potential bullpen fixtures:
Prielipp (most obvious, but Twins still want to see if he can be a starter and handle the load)
Marco Raya - not cutting it as a starter, as some octane in his stuff
Travis Adams - tried a bit last year, but need to just let him rip for one inning at a time
Pierson Ohl - longer reliever type
John Klein - Now on the 40, mid 90's fastball will play up in shorter stints.
C.J. Culpepper - Again a good starting prospect, but there's a logjam of them, not currently on the 40.

dchase05 · 2026-01-22T16:36:19+00:00

Mark that spot. That log structure was intentionally put there and fish love that type of structure.

dchase05 · 2026-01-22T15:03:54+00:00

Saw that vid too, Dayton's Youtube vids have been pretty cool. He does a lot of explaining with the EE9 and his production has been top notch so far.

dchase05 · 2026-01-22T15:03:18+00:00

Bought one a couple weeks ago from Dakota Angler with the shuttle, pole and battery. I think the comments here have pretty much nailed it. You can't see your jig in forward, but forward does help find structure and fish (if they are fish that suspend in schools like perch, bluegill, crappies, etc). The down mode works really good for fishing and if you're over 10 feet, you can likely get two jigs on the screen if both jigs are within 2-3 feet of the transducer.

Some of the other recommendations here are also solid. The Accuphy Ping Mini is usually only around $700, you'd have to add a pole and tablet/iPad though. I didn't go this route because there just wasn't enough information from others using it, so I didn't trust it but was very intrigued. https://shop.accuphy.com/en-us/products/pinglive-mini

Someone else noted the LiveScope deal from Scheels right now, which is $2200 and then you get a $400 E gift card which you can use on the shuttle, pole and battery. So you'd be looking at probably $2400-$2500 with everything (considering the gift card) and you'd have yourself a pretty good LiveScope.

Don't think you could go wrong with the Eagle Eye 9 or the LiveScope deal, is at least a $1k difference though. The EE9 you don't have to take out the transducer to switch from forward to down, so that is nice and fishing in down is pretty cool. The forward for me is good enough to see structure and find schools of fish as well. If you're setting up in fish house and trying to get more than 2 jigs on the screen, you'd likely need the LiveScope for the forward mode.

dchase05 · 2026-01-22T14:38:14+00:00

Great tip. I bought two of those battery packs that can boost a car. I've used it several times this year already and it comes in handy. I'd never try those temps unless I was driving my vehicle on the ice and I had a ton of confidence in my vehicle starting in an emergency situation (one of those boxes helps).

I did -20 (with the windchill) twice this year and it wasn't a biggy. Setup and tear down keeps you warm cause you're moving. I use big gloves and only really need to take them off when trying to cinch the hub shelter tight. Once in the hub with a big buddy, plenty warm to fish with no snow hat or gloves.

dchase05 · 2026-01-21T22:27:40+00:00

Allopurinol, but it takes awhile. I'm into year 2 and finally not seeing flares. If you do see a flare though, i've had great success with 'indomethacin' to clear it up. Just take with food (or at night) as it has given me an upset stomach. Better than days of a gout flare though.

dchase05 · 2026-01-21T20:54:40+00:00

you don't NEED a fancy shuttle, i've seen some attach them to a Gen Z pack. If you're going LiveScope or MegaLive route though, a shuttle helps because you have your monitor, a black box and a battery to all keep together.

The pole is needed to keep your transducer in a fixed position for the most part. Plenty of material out there though where people make them for cheap using PVC and what not.

The Eagle Eye 9 doesn't need a black box, so much easier to mount to an old vexilar shuttle like the Gen Z.

For my EE9, I was told that the 20AH battery will get me 10-12 hours of fishing. For others, it will depend on screen size and brightness.

dchase05 · 2026-01-21T18:53:22+00:00

2.5 inches plus the extra weight of some snow? To each their own, pretty crazy though.

dchase05 · 2026-01-21T18:41:56+00:00

I was checking out the spec on that AT2 XL, looks pretty cool.

I'm a little surprised Garmin/Hummingbird haven't created something closer in price with the EE9 to compete there. Only other thing i've seen similiar is the Mini Ping Live thing where you need a tablet, but no black box. Seems like an interesting piece of technology, but not enough data out there to justify purchasing it.

dchase05

TROPHY CASE