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

[munchy71]

I'd still be nervous buying a unit from a company that's changed hands/names 3 times in the past 5 or 6 years. First Zercom, then Marcum, next came Marcum/NatureVision, now Versa. Who's next?

If I remember right, didn't a few folks get burned on warranty when Nature Vision took over? It's that kind of thing that makes me nervous.

-Munchy

[CNY Tim]

At this day in age I think we should applaud and support a brand like MarCum not tear them down or create fear. Mergers & acquisitions are extremely common in the sport fishing industry fishing i.e. Hondex then Sitex then Vexilar branded hondex or on a grander scale Abu Garcia to Pure fish

then Pure Fish to Jarden. Often times a brand needs to merge for growth, moving up the chain adds financing that allows growth to meet consumer demands. How many times do we say "I prefer to buy American even if it cost a little more." MarCum has Manufactured their units right here in the USA and they are priced well below the competition. Marcum's LX-5

their top of the line flasher is $449.00 compare that to the FL-20 (made overseas) priced this year at $599.99

Then pile on the feature benefits of Marcum's LX-5 like movable zoom,true color, Super fine line and target separation that is 3x better and we should at the very least tip our hats to them regardless of ones brand loyalty. . I will echo what Walleye guy said, but add that it sounds like Versa put together a good team that consist of the best talent from both the original MarCum guys and the best talent out of

Nature Vision. While there was some early confusion last year Nature Vision honored outstanding warranties & Versa already stated they would. Now if the rolls were reversed and the performance was less and the price was higher one might have an argument.

[magic_minnow]

On a different note, I tested out a Showdown Flasher and have been hooked ever since. Got one NEW for $249.99. I see some on sale for $220. Plus I hear they upgraded the software this year so youll be able to zoom at 1 ft intervals vs 5 ft intervals. SWEET!

[CSP88]

At this day in age I think we should applaud and support a brand like MarCum not tear them down or create fear.

I don't see anyone intentionally tearing marcum down.....what I read is people wondering if the product they bought or possibly plan to buy will be around in the near future. It's logical and expected for all savvy shoppers to have these types of questions and concerns when it comes to a larger purchase. A company's track record does have merit when it comes to consumer confidence.

[Maverick3]

Yep, and I know a lot of MarCum users that have nothing but good things to say about there product and customer service. Darn good track record if you ask me. Being the new guy I’m sure that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans.

Magic Minnow, sounds like a good deal on a unit. I would like to see the Showdown in action. After fishing with any flasher, a guy feels naked without one!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

HUMMINGBIRD? Marcum? VEX? Not to worried, with Marcum it is a brand that has recognition, if something happened so other company would buy them. Plenty of companies make fish finders, and would more then likely be willing to pick up Marcum.

[Esox_Magnum]

I hope they keep making Marcums, I'd hate to have to step back down to a Vex. I do like the Vex's flatscreen and the night veiw, but untill they can make a flasher with better target seperation and crisper lines I'm staying with my LX's.

[munchy71]

.....Hondex then Sitex then Vexilar branded hondex or on a grander scale Abu Garcia to Pure fish

then Pure Fish to Jarden.....

[zamboni]

Guys guys guys- lets not get into the which flasher is better debate again. We ALL have our minds set on which we think is better, and no HSOforum is gonna change our minds. MarCum guys wanna win a Vex guy over, and vice versa- the place is on the ice, not in here. They are all good units.

[Drewski]

Guys guys guys- lets not get into the which flasher is better debate again. We ALL have our minds set on which we think is better, and no HSOforum is gonna change our minds. MarCum guys wanna win a Vex guy over, and vice versa- the place is on the ice, not in here. They are all good units.

Agree 100%, you'll never hear the end of a marcum vs. vex debate.

[magic_minnow]

Any flasher is better than NO FLASHER. as for target separation the Showdown gets 1/2" target sep. I've taken it laker fishing and can see the individual 3" smelt swimming around.

[zamboni]

Minnow- do you have trouble seeing small jigs on your Showdown? I wanted to get one when I got my MarCum, but I heard the sensitivity on them can't pick up small jigs in deep water. Otherwise I like that unit.

[magic_minnow]

Zamboni:

I exclusively target panfish and use the smallest of jigs. I'll admit that in deeper water, lets say 20'+ I will have slight trouble reading the jig, but the unit has multiple power settings and Ill just fool around with those till I find a setting that suits the jig and style of fishing i'm doing. Also CNY TOM just posted an article about Versa acquiring Marcum and Showdown, and supposedly there is a new software upgrade for the Showdown for $50. It's supposed to give me the 1' zoom function and increased power functions. I'm gonna get more info and send it in, i'll update as to how that goes.

[magic_minnow]

Well I emailed the Versa people and they got back to me fairly quick. I'm supposed to schedule an appointment with the tech and I can bring it in in person and wait to have the software updated. I plan to schedule this sometime next week. I'll update.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I bought the vpg on discount for $89. Got it upgraded with the 3.2 filmware making it the showdown before I ever used it. I've been very happy with the unit and it's worked well. Haven;t had anytrouble with marking the small jigs. Also, I sent in my unit to get the 5.6 filmware, should be getting it back soon.

[CJH]

Not to be an arse, but its firmware.