Flasher / Fish Finder Opinions

[pacrags]

Stocked up on ice gear last year hoping to try it out ... which Murphy's law led to not much ice - especially here in central Jersey. Had a big project at work this year that had me working crazy hours and i hardly got out to fish so I am really itching to get out on the ice this winter, and would like to up my odds by investing in a flasher/ fish finder. Don't really want to spend more than $400 ( or even less) right now. I plan on getting a kayak this spring and want something that can work it too.

I read some of the old threads here and have been reading things on one of the ice fishing forums and am torn between getting something ready for ice now or something that is suited for the kayak which i expect to use more and upgrade / add an ice transducer in the future.

Right now i am leaning towards the hummingbird helix 5 - probably a model with DI and GPS , but depending on the after Christmas sales and shipping times to coincide with the ice that may be available next week my lean can change.

Looking for some opinions to help me decide which way to go.