Advice for choosing the best small handheld depth finders

[Hoffer]

Hey guys-

I was wondering if anyone out there has used the yellow Vexilar brand hand held depth finders. I had the Marcum LxI for about 3 years and now this year it suddenly doesnt want to work. My friend has the blue polar vision one - and I havent been too impressed with that either. i really liked the marcum design - because you can read the depth right on top and dont have to look to the side to see the depth reading. However, the little cover where you put the battery in doesnt seem very waterproof - and i think thats what happened to mine...got water inside the compartment. So, the only one i havent used is the yellow vexilar brand. Has anyone used this one? any advice? By the way, not interested in the new "troller" ones...I just want something to easily fit in my pocket without a puck dangling around - and I have a regular vexilar for actually doing the fishing part.

[Northlander]

I like the Marcum one the best for the reason you stated. I would contact Marcum and see if they can help you out in any way. If I were to buy one today it would be the marcum. That top read out is the cats meow. The side read outs are foolish if you ask me.

[Hoffer]

agreed!

I am just a little gun shy to buy another one for 150 if it only lasts another 3 years. Someone told me that marcum is actually located near here in Golden Valley or close by?

Maybe i will hold out buying one until I talk to them. I had bought the carrying case with this one - and it has been babied - I just thnk it should have lasted longer than 3 years?

Otherwise i really liked it - when it was working!

[quickfish6]

Get the new showdown troller cause it will actually run on like AA's then it will be able to go anywhere nice and light and it works GREAT!!!!!!!!

[Hoffer]

I looked at those and I am sure they are nice - but I prefer the quick "point and shoot" feature of a hand held. I usually keep mine in my upper jacket pocket and being able to just pull it out and put it back real easy is important. i think the transducer hanging there all the time would get in the way..at least for how i use this particular device.

[bee]

The Showdown will do you more good. It will get you the depth, let you set you bait at the depth you want, show you if you have fish around and if you jig you are all set for that. It is very compact and has far greater uses. The xducer is light,small and will fit in a pocket. Don,t over look it as an option. With a little bit of thought things can be made for it to help you fish.

[Ed Carlson]

I also agree that the Showdown Troller has taken the lead in the compact handheld ice sonar class this year.

I prefer a puck in the water, and with the addition of a Vexilar Float and Stop kit, you easily can achieve this duel flexibility and retain the lightweight tote-able system is was designed for.

[Hoffer]

Hey guys - I agree the showdown troller offers a great option for what you are talking about.

I guess I am just being stubborn in that I want to stick with a quick holster like point and shoot. I do mostly tipup fishing and simply want to find quick depths and drop offs. Nothing against the troller version - I just know for me the puck and lines would be a hassle and I just prefer to stick with a model that i can put in my pocket and ake out real quick and compact for depth finder.

[Esox_Magnum]

Why not a GPS and map chip?? Takes the guess work out of it.

[quickfish6]

I would say a gps and a lake chip then if you want to find drop offs and depths really quick

[RebelSS]

Hoffer: Marcum is owned and manufactured by Versa electronics of Minneapolis, Mn. Call Jon or Chris at their toll-free service number, 1-888-778-1208. They WILL take care of you. Tell them I sent ya...they know me...especially Jon....!

[MJ1657]

I've had a blue polar vision for seceral years. It works good and has been reliable.

[hoggs222]

I have the old Vexilar stick "The Grey one". I've had it for at least 10 years, no problems, still works. I know they have a yellow version of it, not sure what the differences are.

[Hoffer]

Rebel SS - thats awesome!

Thanks for the tip and for the favor of mentioning your name when I talk to them - I will be calling in the next day or 2.

Also, to the other posters - I agree with the GPS and map system - thats actually going to be my next toy! I was hoping to buy that next - but also want that hand held for the added support of just knowing for sure that the depth is what it says it should be.

However, with that said - I was on Gull earlier today fishing with my Nephew. he had the GPS and lake chip - and wherever he told me to drill like "drill here it should be 19 feet" sure enough it was 19 feet. So, I am thinking if I do get that new toy - my hand held depth finder may not be used much anymore - at least once I learn to trust the GPS

[buzbunni]

Why not a GPS and map chip?? Takes the guess work out of it.

Only if the lake you are fishing has been mapped/gridded out with modern technology.

If you're fishing a lake that has not been surveyed in such a manner (most in this state), then you are out of luck, as all the contour maps on your GPS are based on outdated plumbline DNR surveys.

Not so accurate; not even close in most cases, and so it's back to guesswork.

I fish many smaller lakes that probably won't be surveyed with modern technology for quite some time. Once I find "the spot", then yeah, a GPS is nice, but it isn't gonna help in terms of locating depth, or bottom content for that matter.

As far as using/owning a handheld depthfinder is concerned, if you're gonna buy one, then I would recommend the Marcum. I have the Lx-i and like it, but I really only use it during first ice when there is no snow on the ice, and I am scouting new spots thru the ice without drilling holes. It works great for that.

I'm not a big fan of an "in-between" unit like the Showdown troller. I'm more of an either/or type of guy in this matter.

Lower price point with limited options and portability,

or

High price point (full on flasher or the like).

If I have to drill holes (lotsa snow on the ice, or "dirty" ice) I don't feel it's too cumbersome to carry a flasher and rod from hole to hole when scouting or fishing.