Ice fishing with my 570 DI portable

Can this be done safely? I haven't ice fished in many, many years. I've been watching quite a few Youtube video's with the flasher units but don't think I've seen anyone using a more conventional portable unit such as the one I've got. I'm concerned about freezing the display 'cause I'm not exactly sure whats inside that display. A couple of guys are already talking up the upcoming winter fishing season (give me a break, its still August!) and we got talking about my unit versus a flasher unit like the HB Ice series of electronics. Mine does have the "SwitchFire" capability. While perhaps not ideal, it seems as though it would be better than nothing. I can make up a gizmo for holding the transducer I'm sure but am worried about the head and display. Any input would be appreciated. Ken

I don’t know that he has ever used one of the DI sonar units, but Dr. Jason Halfen has some videos on his web site where he has used a 385ci unit for ice fishing:
Instructional articles for Humminbird Side Imaging sonar units

You could use just the conventional sonar for similar results.

Now as far as “safely” ice fishing… the only ice I like when fishing is in the water I drink! The display should be fine.

Thanks for your input, Greg; I was hoping you'd see this and respond. And thanks for a great resource in Mr. Halfen's page. There is some great info there.

They (my fishing bud's) are going to have to really do some selling to get me to go with them. I've never had a good day ice fishing, best I've ever done is something like 2 fish. It was always fun to get out there and get setup, but after a day of no action, I felt more like just kicking everything down the hole and leaving rather than getting colder and wet picking everything up. Ken

I used my 570 DI down to -17C - it works good. Using 200 kHz beam I could see a quater inch lead at 30 feet of depth. Using 455 kHz and moving it I coud see everything that was under ice:

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishi...ml#post1830590

I ran the Humminbird 385ci last year on the ice, and had it out in some pretty uncomfortable conditions (down to single digits F). I never had any problems with the display, the transducer, or operational issues (like pushing buttons or keeping the cords plugged in). I was able to get more than 10 hours of use from a single charge....more than enough for a single day on the ice, and likely enough for a weekend of casual ice fishing. I plan to split time between the 385ci the Humminbird 597ci HD DI on the ice this year, as I really like the high resolution that DI sonar provides in open water.