i am looking for a unit that i can use for both open water and ice fishing. this unit caught my eye. for the price i think its very reasonable considering you can use it all year round. has anyone used this unit or have any ideas on what other units can be used for all year round. i was also looking at using a flasher in open water but don't know about that yet. There are times up here in northern minnesota that it get -45 during the winter so whatever i get has to withstand the cold as sometimes to stay on the fish i don't use a shelter. This is a great site and glad i found it.