Camera or flasher?

[hookjunior]

I think you probably get the idea by now but just to really drill it in flasher first. At the very least you will know how deep of water you are in.

[gill man]

It's hard to say something that hasn't been said already, but get the flasher first! I have a FL-8, and a Cabelas camera. The flasher is a great tool. The camera can be a great tool also, but leans towards a toy more than a tool in many situations. Aside from the flasher being able to see fish in more situations, you can use it to check depth, which is a HUGE factor in locating spots and fish.

LOTS of reasons to get the flasher first - something everyone here seems to agree on.

As far as the brand goes - I'm sure ALL of them out there now are good. I haven't researched it much lately, but my Fl-8 has been going strong for years and years. It's got to be at least 10 years old now. Can't go wrong with Vexilar, and if I was to look at something new, Marcum would get a good look from me too.

gill man

[fishman31]

Flasher first. This will be more useful at first. Later when you get a camera it can be used in conjunction with the flasher to help you fine tune presentations and just all around for checking out the bottom.

[harvey lee]

Agreed a flasher. I do like my camera but I can go fishing without it and I would be lost without my flasher.

[mr_jman]

This may be one of the only topics in FM forum history where everyone thinks the same thing!!!!!

I purchased my flasher first and use it everytime I fish. I recently got a great deal on an aqua vu scout SRT for $100 so it felt like an affordable camera purchase. The flasher will still go with me everytime but already hauling the camera around, I can say it wont be with on early ice when I have to walk a long distance.

Like everyone sais, the flasher works in every situation, where a camera works in some situations. A camera is fun to use and it is exciting when you see a large northern or walleye, or even a school of perch come into view. I just wanted to use mine to find green vegetation and structure more than for fish watching. A camera takes a while to set up and I have a feeling I wont want to be very mobile with it.

A camera does give you water temperatures where at some times in the year may be beneficial if fish are relating to certain temps, but its more of an ice out early spring method!

One last though for those that do have a camera... A camera can give you a depth estimate in a way. I just wrapped a small piece of tape around the cord at 5' intervals. You could do it at 1 or 2' too I suppose. But it at least gives you an idea of where fish are in the water column or the depth you are in.

I think Harvey Lee summed it up perfectly I just really long winded it!

[wplatehunter]

I would also get the flasher. I only use my camera a few times a year. The kids like it more then I do.

[Sauger]

My vote is for the flasher also. The camera is useless in low light conditions.

[wishing for walleyes]

For me i use my camera first during daylight and then a flasher after dark.

[bogeyman1]

I scanned next weeks Fleet Farm ad and the Marcum vx-1 is on sale Friday and Saturday for $220. I purchased this unit last year and have really enjoyed it. I would definately go with the flasher first. This has helped my success a lot.

[wbliceman]

flasher

[NCLaker]

Once you fish with a flasher, you'll kick your self for not getting one earlier! Won't fish without one.

[Ringtailhunter]

Ok so I have been looking to purchase my own flasher or camera this upcoming season, I am getting sick of borrowing or asking to use someone elses stuff.

I have looked at getting a flasher from vexilar (fl-8), Marcum (VX-1) and hummingbird (ice35) or getting a underwater camera. I have heard good things from all 3 brands of flashers I have looked into mostly getting go for the vexilar but I have also heard that a camera is better because you physically can see the fish sucking the hooks in.

I just want to hear what other more experienced ice fishers have to say and what your recommendations are.

Thank you for your responses in advance

Well I'm 40 I bought a humminbird last spring. My son Billy [8]has been saving his money all year and is dead set on a fish tv set up. He will tell you fish tv is way more better!

We fish the same spot so we are not hole hoppin too much. I guess to answer your question it all depends on what you want to do? I say get both!

[servocam]

Anyone think the camera would help keep a 5 year old amused if he gets bored (other than bringing iPhone loaded w/ Scooby-Doo episodes and hoping it floats)?

[CNY Tim]

VX-1 for $220 at Fleet Farm.. That's an incredible deal! Having a sonar is more efficient as well in regards to mobility. If you like to move and find fish the flasher is faster..

[hugonian1]

Definately a flasher over a camera.

[white80a]

does anyone know if it is the old vx-1 or the new vx-1 pro that is on sale?

[BartmanMN]

does anyone know if it is the old vx-1 or the new vx-1 pro that is on sale?

It is the vx-1, not the vx-1pro, so it has 600W power and does not come with the soft case. I purchased a soft case for my vx-1 last year for around $15.

vx-1 pro has 1000 W power and comes with the soft pack.

[hamms-scooter]

saw a fl-18 for 319 at fleet farm! genz pack ... wish i had 319 laying around i would be there now!

[CSP88]

saw a fl-18 for 319 at fleet farm! genz pack ... wish i had 319 laying around i would be there now!

+2.....They won't stay on the shelves long at that price.

[peerchking]

well like some one said earlier camara day/flasher night. I have both, but if I could only have one - flasher all the way.

[icefishing21]

without a doubt i would pick the flasher! cant use a camera in the dark,flashers are a lot better for hole hoppin and with a camera if the fish are working different heights of the water colum it will be alot harder to catch fish without a flasher. get the flasher! cameras are very nice and would be a great investment later on but for the first electronic i would get the flasher!

[Jordyn Kaufer]

i second the flaher