Flasher purchase for kids..

[luv2fish]

My boys are old enough where they love ice fishing with me. Last year when I had them out, they both used my flashers and had a blast fishing, but dad did not have enough flashers for him to fish . So I was going to pony up and get them each one for Christmas. I have a Marcum LX3-TC and an old Marcum LX 1 (with no zoom). I am thinking of buying them both something brand new, something they can use until they are old enough to get their own. I am down to 2 options. Option 1. Get them both a Showdown. Even though they understand how a flasher works, I like the straight up and down look to it (easier for kids). I also like the fact that they can be updated through software updates, hopefully the boys will get longer use out of them. Option 2 I found Humminbird ICE 45's on sale for $332.00 online, with the rebate you get now I can get 1 for under $300. Sounds like a good deal, just not sure how good these units are. So does anyone have any feedback on either of the units that could help?

I am not trying to get into the great debate about which manufacturer is better. More interested on how these 2 relatively new products preformed for everyone.

I have to admit I like Marcum's stuff, so going to another brand is scary.

Thanks,

Luv2Fish

[herefish101]

the new vx-1's have a bottom lock zoom. In the 20 ft scale it locks on the bottom 5 ft. The vx-1 pro it's called, it retails for $299.00 on thorne bro's HSOforum.

[PerchJerker]

There's really only 1 thing I don't like about the Ice-45 flashr, which is that the Ice-45 does NOT come with a soft pack. You can buy a soft pack for it but the HB soft packs are another $50. Other than the soft pack "issue" I think it's a nice flashr. It's up to you to decide if the soft pack is an issue or not.

I really became a fan of the ShowDown last year and am getting one this year for my own kid. He has a flashr right now, which he really likes and knows how to use, but I think he'll like the ShowDown even more. And there is a $25 rebate on the ShowDown 5.6, the rebate starts on October 15. We don't have the rebate info up on our HSOforum yet but it will be there SOON!

Ice Fishing Sonar Units At Pro Fishing Supply

[deadeye]

Showdowns are nice and your right about them being updateable and easy to use. My ONLY concern with giving one to a kid is that I feel it might not be as robust as a flasher.

I have the same fl8 that I bought when I was 15 (that was a lot of hours of hard work to pay for that) and it has been through ALOT in its 11 years. I don't see the showdown standing up to what I have seen my flasher go through.

I'm not partial to any brand really so I say get them each a base model of whatever brand your comfortable with. If they know how to use the flasher then its pretty much a deal imo.

[TravP]

I'd go with 2 VX-1 pros myself. All the features of the fl18 at a lower price point.

[curtistodd]

yep, get the VX-1, for all the reasons listed above, and the fact that its much harder to kick down a hole than a showdown or genz style vexilar.

[Brad B]

wait and see if fleet runs a special again this year on the Marcum LX3TC. they had them last year at $249.00 the price was so good I had to get one. if they run that special again I may buy a back up one.

[Ed Carlson]

There are a lot of used VX-1's around either in the Gander label, or Cabela's label or the MarCum brand name.

To limit cross talk interference concerns, and save on $$$ expended, that may be a good way to go. They are a fairly high functioning unit, and will do well for them at a low cost.

[Pat K]

I really like my Ice-45. You can zoom in any where in the water column and the digital depth readout is a nice feature. Mine came with a coupon for a case, a promo at last years ice show, so I don't have the same issue PerchJercker has.

[Get'n Jiggy]

I really like my Ice-45. You can zoom in any where in the water column and the digital depth readout is a nice feature. Mine came with a coupon for a case, a promo at last years ice show, so I don't have the same issue PerchJercker has.

I have a 45 and happy with it, I'm not sure what why I'd need a case. Good unit

good price point.

[luv2fish]

I have heard from a few to wait until Fleet has a sale. If Fleet really were to have the Marcum LX3tc for $249, that would be the CLEAR winner for me. They boys like to be like Daddy, and having the same flasher would be cool.

Brad B. - Do you remember what time last year the sale was? I got plenty of time, just curious how long to wait.

[stumper]

The screens on the Birds scratch/scuff very easily.Might not start to show right away ,but after yrs of use without a cover you might wish you had one.

[Brad B]

I have heard from a few to wait until Fleet has a sale. If Fleet really were to have the Marcum LX3tc for $249, that would be the CLEAR winner for me. They boys like to be like Daddy, and having the same flasher would be cool.

Brad B. - Do you remember what time last year the sale was? I got plenty of time, just curious how long to wait.

it was sometime in october of 2009. so if they do it this year I would expect it to be in the next 2 to 5 weeks. keep a eye on the weekly ads. they where out when I got there but they did give out rain checks for them. they may do this again I don't know thou.

[deadeye]

That sale should be coming up pretty quick. I have gotten my last 2 ice houses during that sale and am hoping my next flasher will be bought in that sale too. I have gotten some killer deals with that sale.

[hcmpls1]

I think the sale is this week. They have the VX-1 Pro for $239.99. $40 off their stated reg price. This is in their toy catalog released this week towards the back of the book.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I have a couple year old VX1 that I won at the Brainerd Jaycees event and use that for the backup to my LX5. I really like the VX1, and recommend them to anyone looking for a flasher, regardless of their budget. It is a heck of a value.

[luv2fish]

Wow, just checked on the Fleet Farm site. This is a done deal, $239 for a VX1.... I am going to stop at Fleet Farm tonight to pick them up.

Thanks for all the feedback!