Switch to a 55?

[ICE_TEAM_DREAMER]

So I received a FL-20 the other day as a gift. My question is, for those of you who have switched from Vexilar FL series to the ICE-55 would you ever go back or do you wish you woulda stayed with a Vexilar unit? I have been a die hard Vex guy but the 55 has me interested. No offense to the Marcum guys but I do have no interest in the Marcum unit. I know they are nice but just not interested. So for those of who who have made the switch from Vexilar to Humminbird, are you happy you did or would you rather have the Vex unit back? Thanks for your responses.

[kevfish1]

I have a vex fl8. The other day I had the opportunity to fish with the Ice 45 for about an hour. Wow! great unit.

[Surface Tension]

I've owned FL8 SLT and FL18. Haven't used a FL20 but seen it in action. I don't think a lot of people have owned a 20 and a Bird 55.

I own a LX5 and a Bird 55. I've just mentioned the Top 3 and you couldn't go wrong with any of them but you can see my preference. If I was gifted a 20 and that was my only flasher I'd be happy with it.

Out of the Top 3 the LX5 is the best for interference reduction. One vex and one Marcum next to each other will get along fine.

Put any combination of 3 or more Vex and Marcum next to each other on the ice and the Marcum will do a better job knocking out Interference.

Now put one Bird in the mix and the Bird won't even know another flasher is around.

A Bird and Marcum play well as well as a Bird and Vex.

Stick two Birds together and the Noise Reduction is not as good as either the Vex or Marcum.

My point is you can have the best of the best but the compatibility and IR of a flasher when fishing within a group is more important then any subtle difference or features in the Top 3.

[boec0020]

I had an FL-18...great unit. No complaints about the Bird; you can get $55 rebate as well.

You cant go wrong either way.

[Deep]

I have a fl 18 and 55, I let the wife use the 18 and I use the 55, I have had the 55 for a year now. The option of switching colors works well for me beig slightly color blind. I think you would be happy with either units.

[ICE_TEAM_DREAMER]

Thanks guys! I have fished with an 18 for 7 yrs. I love my 18 but I really like some of the features of the 55. I guess thats what makes me ponder the switch but dont want to give up a great unit like a FL-20 for something I wont be as happy with.

[Northlander]

If I had a 20 I wouldnt spend the money to get a 55 unless you wanted another unit. The small difference in the units would not be worth selling the 20 to get the 55 in my book.

[PlagueWielder]

Marcum, then Vex and then wayyyyyyyyyy down the road, the dirty H word.

[slurpie]

If you previously had Vexilar you may want to stay with it. I got a marcum LX5 after always being a vexilar guy. Just cant get used to it wish i would have got another 20 instead. Stick to what your used to the 3 major brands are close to performance IMO.

[luckydog25]

I got an Ice 55 for xmas from my wife this year and was skeptical. I used it for a few days over xmas and couldn't be happier. I wouldn't trade it for anything. My old unit was a fl-8slt, so naturally it was quite the upgrade. Very easy to use, I love how simple and fast it is to zoom in to any depth range.

[Ed Carlson]

So I received a FL-20 the other day as a gift. My question is, for those of you who have switched from Vexilar FL series to the ICE-55 would you ever go back or do you wish you woulda stayed with a Vexilar unit? I have been a die hard Vex guy but the 55 has me interested. No offense to the Marcum guys but I do have no interest in the Marcum unit. I know they are nice but just not interested. So for those of who who have made the switch from Vexilar to Humminbird, are you happy you did or would you rather have the Vex unit back? Thanks for your responses.

Is your new FL-20 a new Tri Beam unit? If so, darn tough to beat it for overall user flexibility. For some, the only thing better would be the FL-22HD with the Tri-Beam, to each there own. Both are exceptional dependable high performing units with year around functionality.

I have used them all, every brand under the sun and moon, and each has strong and weak points. If I wished I could own any unit I wanted to run, and I run Vexilars'.

My Vexilar FL Series units offers me a dependable unit, with the features I need in the conditions I fish, at a reasonable price.

Components and features are added at the anglers request and after great consideration and testing, not just to run a new shinny bell with a louder whistle up the pole to catch customers not fish.

The Vexilar Fl 20 is a fine unit, and the only real tweak I would recommend is the Tri-Beam ducer system, if you do not already have one with the package. And a Vexilar TK Kit for it so you get full 4 season use from the unit. I use my FL Series units all year around, and truly would feel naked on the ice or open water without them.

[Sir_Sumo]

I also on both an Ice 55 and LX-5. Brother owns an LX-3. We occasionally get interference between Marcums but usually because of the structure we are fishing.. rocks causing uneven sonar bounce back. But we can make it fishable also with IR. Other than that, I have nothing to complain about either unit, and for what I paid for each, they pretty much offer every feature available. Only reason I didn't or have not purchased a Vexilar is strictly based off of the fact that they are charging way too much for their various packages. Some are way too plain and then some are too much.. and the prices do not match what I would be paying for in a flasher...just my opinion though.

[magicstix]

I'd say NO!! keep the 20. like someone else mentioned you already fished with a vex, I'd stay with that. Don't get me wrong I like the birds, But I went through the same thing last year when looking to upgrade and ended up buying a vex again. I tried other peoples units out on the ice[nothing like a hands on test drive]. The bird was my second choice. I did buy a 22 this year already too but that is because I use a 30' scale frequently. I did catch my bird buddy eyeing up the 22 the last time we were out fishing, I got a feeling I know what his next unit might be. Good luck on whatever you decide.

[DTro]

I think the digital readout and the auto range are features that set the 55 apart from the others.

Turn it on, set it to auto and drop the transducer in the hole. Voila XX.X feet of water. Turn on the zoom and it automatically scales the depth. No math needed.

Add to that, the 6 color palette, and the large bright flat display and you have a very nice unit.

Does is warrant a switch? I would say only if you are unhappy with what you are currently using, or want a change things up a bit.

[rkpolaris]

Ive had an fl-8 for about 10 years, this year i got an fl-20 and love it!!

personally, you cant go wrong with vexilar

[BrdHunter01]

I don't a the 55 but have seen it in action and used it. I'm really not a big fan of the blue colors. Other than that I like the unit but I will stick with my Marcum

[magicstix]

Had a after thought. You said you already got a flasher. If you haven't broke open the new one maybe you could try out someone elses 55 or LX5 or or what ever flashers you have interest in. See if you can hook up with some friends on the ice and try them out and see what you like using. Before I started looking I was dead set on a LX5 for $299 when they had them on sale that one spring a few years ago. How can one go wrong for 299? I do really like the case and charger set up on the LX5, wouldn't mind sticking my fL22 in there.

[fishersofmen]

I used an fl-8 for years and then last year bought a bird-55. After a week I sold it and bought an fl-20, just some things about the performance of the bird I didn't like. Very happy with my fl-20.

I liken the bird-55 to a gorgeous model in lingerie, yea she's nice to look at but may not perform as well in the kitchen.

[Ed Carlson]

The Hummr's got very close, to being a very good unit, but they stopped short in one critical area that holds me back on recommending them.

With the large diameter display they chose to use, they neglected to up the ratio in the line segment count on the display in relation to the overall diameter of the display. This resulted in a jumpy and jerky display, and not nearly the degree of detail it could have if the line segment count was triple what they now use.

The line segment ratio is not in tune with the size and diameter of the display. With the size of the display they ran with they should have used triple the line segments they now use. Then it would be a real contender.

Power consumption is higher than it really needs to be as well, lessens time of use between charges.

[Bulldoggr]

I bought an ICE 45 for the girlfriend, we used it this weekend up at Lake of the woods. I used my LX 5.

I will say this if something should go very bad on my Marcum LX 5. I will buy another Ice 45 or Ice 55. I was very impressed with the unit!

[ICE_TEAM_DREAMER]

Hey thanks a ton guys for all your repsonses! I was in the store where the unit was purchased from and talked to the sports manager. He owns a 55 and loves it. He said he was a die hard Vex man and said he isn't at all regretting it. I did get the full rundown on the 55 from him at the store. I like some of the features but it doesn't seem quite as clear or as sharp as the Vex? I know it was demo in store but am i right? I love the digital readout of depth and some other things. Do you guys that have them fish more panfish or walleyes? Seems like the Vex unit is best for the die hard walleye guy and the 55 is perfect for the panfish?????? I fish more walleyes than panfish if that helps

[ICE_TEAM_DREAMER]

And to you Ed, thanks for the detailed info. I did not get the new ducer. Its just the normal one. I looked at the new ducer and it looks pretty sweet however just not in the cards for me now. What you are talking about in "line segment" is what I believe to be not as clear as the Vexilar units. Correct me of I am wrong??? It just doesn't seem as crisp as the Vex????

[Ed Carlson]

Yes, you already noticed it then. It is even more noticeable in real world use.

Line segment count/ratio influences the reaction speed time, the smoothness of the sonar target appearance, and the fluidity of the sonar display readings.

For some it may not be a deal killer, for me it quickly was. It drove be nuts real quickly.

As for the Tri-Beam, you can add it anytime you wish. That is the beauty of this Tri-beam ducer system, time is on your side. It will not become redundant.

[fiskyknut]

Okay I do not have a horse in this race but... Vex 22 has 525 segments and the Bird 55 has 526 and their display diameters are both pretty close in size. Whats the big difference with this?

And what the Maynard does 'fluidity of the sonar display' mean anyhows??? 'Reaction speed time' and 'smoothness of sonar target appearance'? Elaborate on this mumbo jumbo if you will.

Last Tuesday I got to fiddle with a 22 for about a half an hour and it was for sure a nicer, sharper display than any other Vex prior, by a tad in my book. This guys unit may have a glitch in his 'ducer as it had no return when on the 12 degree setting, 9 and 20 both good though. The tri beam is new but has anyone heard of any problems with them?

I dunno but to me a 9 12 20 tri beam is, well the 9 and 12 are so close in angle that when used in shallow water the 2 are kinda redundant. I'd like to see a 9 20 38 on a unit where the ranging scale is fully adjustable like on an x67 for example. This type of range scale may be the next 'new' thing coming in mechanical flashers? and I am surprized none of the big 3 manufacturers have'nt thrown us this bone yet! Who will be first? LOL!

[Surface Tension]

The Bird is creamy smooth in color and movement. IMO, a lot easier on the eyes.

Marcum has vibrant color and smooth as well, none of that bright strobe light effect.

I mentioned a flashers ability to deal with interference. Its pretty hard to keep in contact with a lure or fish coming in when your looking through chaff and counter rotating lines caused by interference. We can talk about the fine, delicate, and subtle information a user and intrepid from a flasher but super fine details are all a wash with intreference

Lets talk more about dual beam or tri beam.

The most obvious reason for the smaller degree beam is when fishing a steep break. In a nutshell you get a dead zone caused by the outside of a cone angle marking as bottom. That creates a blind spot depending on how steep that break is. With a Vex in combination of switching to a lesser cone angle you should probably test out the Low Power function as well. Lets be clear right here. LP is not a feature other brands have failed to add, it is a FACT that the LP was a fix for Vex's "Over" Sensitivity problem. Use that information to help you in dead zones, shallow water, and weeds.

Another huge benefit of the of Dual Beam is an other tool to reduce Interference. When you encounter Interference/Noise you'll first use your IR or Noise Reduction to eliminate the interference. That adjustment may be all you'll need. Reducing the Gain/Sensitivity to mark your lure at your flashers weakest color is something else you should be doing. Running the Gain too high will overpower the subtleties your flasher is able to tell you. If your flasher is still getting Noise with the IR and Sensitivity adjustments now is time to try a narrower ducer cone angle. The 9 and 12 degree is so close that on a break it isn't going to do much but in some cases might make the difference when it comes to reducing interference.