What flasher is everyone using?

[SP180]

What flasher are you currently using?

Have you used a different brand?

If so, why did you switch?

Are you happy with the one you are using?

If you had the choice, would you upgrade this year?

[Chef]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Scott K]

I have, or used to have a Vexilar Fl-18, Marcum LX5, and a Humminbird Ice 55, I will tell you each has its little benefits, and each has there down sides. I think you will be happy with any of them. I now have a Ice-55 because of the big, bright display, being a little bit color blind, I can really see the difference in colors with the Bird. I also really like the digital depth display on the Ice-55.

[jerkbait]

I have an old FL-8, so old it is a Hondex. 2 years ago I purchased a new Marcum LX-5 and realy like the bottom seperation on this unit. The only complaint I have is at the end of the season last winter the unit went bad and had to send in for service. I sure noticed how spoiled I was with the seperation though when I had to use my old FL-8 the last couple of days.

[rugbymn]

My FL-18 suits me just fine. I can see the bottom, the fish, and my lure. What else do you need?

[luvin2fish]

fl20

[HarleyK50]

I have an fl-8 that works fine, but as I learn and experiment more that bird 55 looks more and more appealing. on paper it looks like the right unit for me. Hopefuly upgrade this season.

[toughguy]

Had an FL8 for years. This year I upgraded to a Marcum LX5. I've used the LX3s n the past and liked what I saw so I fugured an LX5 had to be that much better. I also liked the duel beam option on the 5.

[Eric Wetteland]

If you are looking to get a flasher for the first time just get one. I would spend as much as you can you will not regret it. I think they all work well. Good luck

Eric Wetteland

[brainard6]

I had a vex 18 and I returned it after seeing a ice 55 in used. I really like the ice 55. I cant comment on the Marcum because I never had one or used one. The ice 55 is the best machine out there IMO having both fl18 and the ice 55

[toughguy]

Whatever you do keep your old flasher. It's nice to let a friend borrow it or to use as a backup.

[zamboni]

Not another flasher thread.............

[Drewski]

Wow...

[JBMasterAngler]

I have an FL8, and I love it! It does exactly what I need it to do, in summer and winter. I know I'd like the fancier ones alot better, but they are out of my price range. So I'll stick with the FL8 until it falls apart

[crappiebuster]

Im running a Vexilar FL-18. Years of trouble free service. Works just fine. Ive never used a marcum or bird but I fish in a shack with 3 other flashers and I guess diff brands in close proximity can cause headaches. Dont wanna burn any bridges with my fishin buddys.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I bought an Aqua Vu VPG last year before the season started for $89 and had 3.2 firmware upgrade done for $10 to make it the showdown. It works great, and I really like the vertical display with the depth number on the bottom. I did fish with 4 guys that had vex units, and never had the interference problems that some people talked about. What's nice about the unit is that it can be updated. I just sent it in this year to get it updated to the 5.2 firmware. Overall, I know a lot of people disliked the unit. However, I found it to do a great job & is a great unit for a beginer to learn on. The only downfall of the unit IMO is that the unit is either in zoom mode or not. You can't have the entire water colum view & a zoom view at once.

[stifler51]

got an FL12, does me just fine

[CJH]

It's starting already................

[Woody61]

I used a showdown for a year and didn't like it then went to a FL20 and really like it. Last year bought a 35 bird as a backup and like it also. As is been said they all have there pluses and minuses. Not a bad unit out but the choices are many, buy the best you can afford or hold off till you can see some different ones in action then make your choice.

[Dan189]

I used an fl18 the last two seasons, didn't get enough use out of it last year so I sold it.

a month ago I found a steal on a marcum vx1, so im going to give that a whirl, im sure the zoom feature won't match that of the fl18, but i hope to get more use out of it this year!

2 months and counting!

["Just Add Ice"]

I have used an Fl18 for three years now. Its been a great freind to have with you. End of last season I got a LX5 and loved it. Both are great but LX5 has much better seperation and thats why I thought I would give it a try, Glad I did cause now the FL18 is not much more then a paper weight in the garage. Now with the price drop and all marcum products you cant go wrong with them.

[Ed Carlson]

I have used every brand and model made at one time or another and the Vexilar FL-20's have proven to me to be the best year around performer.

I use a flasher on open water and on the ice, and the Vexilar FL-20 with Dual Beam is the best fit by far for my needs. I found it very durable in all weather conditions. Service and parts and/or accessories are readily available, inexpensive, and quick to locate. Vexilar service has proven to me to not be a concern.

As for your question on upgrades. I just added another FL-20 with Dual Beam as I don't see a unit on the market today that would constitute to me to be an upgrade over the Vexilar FL-20. The only "Upgrade" if you can call it that because it is more of a convenience to some, was on my FL-20's I opt for the "Cool Blue" conversion. The "Cool Blue" conversion is a retrofit kit offered by Vexilar on FL series Vexilar units that changes the L*E*D's from Green and Orange to Blue and Purple/Pink and Red to help anglers like myself who deal with Color Blindness issues. For me the "Cool Blue" conversion is a huge aid in appearance and is extremely crisp and bright with high contrast and improved color definition. For color blindness effected individuals as a whole, the Cool Blue conversion is enormously beneficial, and in my personal view would constitute to those individuals in particular as a true "Upgrade" to any FL series flasher display.

[Flooringuy]

I run the FL-8se and the fl-18. Been very good units for me.

[bassmann77]

FL-20 with the dual beam. Use it in soft and hard water.

[marine_man]

I guess diff brands in close proximity can cause headaches.

While there is always the chance, more often than not you can adjust the units to not cause interference. I've fished with two marcums and a vex in close proximity to each other and after trying different IR settings we can always make it work.

marine_man