What is the best deal on a sonar this up and comming season?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Last year I know they had a Marcum VX-1 for $199 when the season started should have picked one up but didn't. So anyone know what the new hot deal is going to be on flashers this year?

[zamboni]

If I remember right, Scheels has MarCum LX5's at $329. That is a great deal

[shizzy]

not sure about this year, but I picked up a VX-1P at FF for $275 on sale early in the season. I have seen them from $299-$345 usually

[smokepole]

Fleet Farm's weekly flyer today has lx-3tc's at $249. May be a typo.

[toughguy]

249 is not a typo. Got mine when the store opened today. Now that I see the deal Sheels has on the lx5s I may have to return it.

[marine_man]

If I remember right, Scheels has MarCum LX5's at $329. That is a great deal

Where did you see that? In the store?

marine_man

[Bottle Fish]

I was there on Wednesday and that is what they are marked at. $329.00

[shizzy]

thats some good pricing. makes me wonder if they are last seasons leftovers, they are trying to shove some product out the door or if there are some new units coming out soon.

[CNY Tim]

I think Reeds MarCum LX-5 ($299) big sale this past spring was such a hit that everyone that needed one got one. That was a super deal. MarCum will be shipping new product soon so I would say these LX-5's are last season units. Look for MarCum to keep prices down again this season..

[Ed Carlson]

I see they list them at $449.99 now.

[zamboni]

I was there on Wednesday and that is what they are marked at. $329.00

I thought so, I am in Mankatos store alot.

[zamboni]

Sorry, I was at Scheels today, and I misquoted- it is $399, still a great deal on a great flasher

[Bottle Fish]

Yep Zamboni is right. They are $399, I was there today as well, again.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

I went to the local Fleet and got the LX-3tc at the listed sale price. Last one on the shelf. I've been running the old LX-3 and the tc is a nice upgrade.

Spoke to a Marcum rep on Saturday and all units will be $50 to $100 less than last year. I asked why and was told that Nature Vision had Versa manufacture the product. Now Versa manufactures and owns the product, therefore eliminating the mark-up between manufacturer and seller. Good news for those of us on a budget.

[WinterHaven]

Thats good to hear because I have always wanted to upgrade my LX-3TC to a LX-5 unit but now that the prices are going down I may have to buy one.

[Ed Carlson]

I was going by what they listed the LX-5 on the Reeds web site that day. They must have them lower in the store?

[Craigums]

Any good deals on Vexilars? I'd like to upgrade my marcum VX-1 to a FL-18 or FL-20 flat screen style

[Drewski]

Fish House Supply has fl-20's for $499.95.

[Ed Carlson]

Any vendor to retailer seasonal specials will not come out for a while yet.

I anticipate some special package deals on FL-8's in Blue Box's and maybe in Fl-18's...possibly Fl-20's in Pro-Packs.

Vexilar is including the Vexilar Tackle bags with the Pro Packs this season, that I know so far.

[CNY Tim]

I like this...

At a time when it matters most, MarCum the Top Performing Sonar Flasher line on the market will continue to be built in the USA! Not only that but the price will be lowered while still offering the same Quality and Performance serious Ice anglers have come to expect. The LX-5 price fell $100.00 from MSRP last year of $549.99 now just $449.99 The LX-3TC also fell $100.00 off last years MSRP of $449.99 now just $349.99 and The VX-1Pro IS kicking out a $50.00 savings now just $299.99

[charliepete]

You'll probably see some second hand Marcums for sale cheap as people start to worry about the long term viability of the company. I've got a LX3-tc myself, and I've been thinking about peddling it and picking up and FL-20 before the Marcum can no longer be serviced.

[Wanderer]

You guys are killin me!

I just rushed off to "steal" a one year used LX5 for $350 a while back. A new one for $400?

Well at least I saved $50 anyway. I'm still optimistic this was a wise purchase. For the last couple years Marcum seems to have been the leader in that product category.

Why would they suddenly go down hill? I'm not expecting doom and gloom for them.

[Maverick3]

Versa Electronics, a long time business out of Minnesota acquired MarCum Technologies. The acquisition includes inventory, tooling, all knowledge and product design.

I don't think the MarCum units are going anywhere for a long time.

[Walleye Guy]

I hope Versa does well with the Marcum product lines. I think we all need to keep in mind that Versa has been a contract manufacturer of electronic assemblies. They are very good at that core business.

However they need to resolve the problems that Nature Vision experienced with the Marcum. None of us are privy to the issues but they could be operational, financial or something else. They do need to be identified and corrected.

While the acquicition may include "inventory, toolings and all knowledge and product design" that alone doesn't guarantee success. You need to be able to design, build, market, service and sell your current and future products. Versa hasn't proved that they can do this yet with these products. Time will tell.

I'm sure we all hope that Versa is successful with Marcum. The products are really good. Having competition in the space only drives innovation and lowers prices for us consumers.

I would not however assume that success will be easy or guaranteed for Versa.

I'm not in the market for a new flasher. However if I was I would be doing alot of thinking before I plunk down my $449 for a new unit... from any manufacturer including Marcum.

[Maverick3]

I could not agree more, I’m just stating I wouldn’t be selling a MarCum unit thinking that they are going belly up. At this point and time, that is just not true.

As you stated, competition makes all of us using the products winners!