Flashers

[cribbageboy]

I'm looking into buying a new flasher, but can't make up my mind which option to go with. The two that I'm deciding between are the FL 12, and the Marcum LX3tc. I'm leaning toward the FL 12, but I like the zoom feature of the LX3.

If I do go with the FL 12, I have three different options. The Pro Pack, Pro Pack II, or Ultra Pack. All of these are within $20 of each other, so price isn't going to be a deciding factor. Just wondering what your guys' thoughts/experiences are with these units. Thanks in advance.

[highlife4me]

I have a 12 but wish I would have spent the extra$ on an 18 or 20. I think next year I am going to get the 22. Kind of hard to justify though since I have an 8 and 12 already! As far as which option I never use the little tackle box on my 12.

[dougger222]

Get one with a zoom. The Marcum is nice because it allows you to move the zoom around. With the Vex your stuck with zooming off the bottom.

Own every Vex model but the 12 but wouldn't hesitate to try a Marcum.

The FL20 is a really nice unit. The 22 is nice as well but lots of interference with the 18 and 20.

[harvey lee]

iCE 55

For me, hands down I use the Bird.

[CaptainMusky]

Between the 12 and the lx3 is get the lx3 without hesitation. More powerful far superior zoom.

[bigbad401]

If it is between the Marcum and the Vex, get the Marcum. Otherwise look at the Humminbird ICE 45.

[WalleyeManic]

i got a hummingbird and love it

[cribbageboy]

Ok guys. I've been doing some more research. I've started to consider the Humminbird ICE 45. The way it stands for me right now is...

1) Marcum LX3tc

2) Vexilar FL 12

3) Humminbird ICE 45

Feel free to put in your own 2 cents as well as a ranking of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Any info is appreciated. I would like to pick it up this week, so its crunch time!!

[Esox_Magnum]

Marcum first Bird 2nd, Vex wouldnt be a consideration after having used one.

[thatoneguy]

Vex 1st marcum a distant second, haven't used a hummingbird yet.

[fisherman-andy]

Ok guys. I've been doing some more research. I've started to consider the Humminbird ICE 45. The way it stands for me right now is...

1) Marcum LX3tc

2) Vexilar FL 12

3) Humminbird ICE 45

Feel free to put in your own 2 cents as well as a ranking of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Any info is appreciated. I would like to pick it up this week, so its crunch time!!

I really recommend you test out the units if possible. That is if you have a buddy or friend that has one. Its gonna come down to preference of features and display. People will have claimed to use one or the other or all 3 but rarely will list pros or cons which dont really give you much to go on. Someone can say go with a Marcum and you may end up buying one and not liking it. You really do want to see the flashers in action if possible.

I own a Marcum VX1, Marcum LX3tc, and Humminbird Ice 55. But buddy who I fish with often has Vex FL20. Dont get me wrong I wanna use my Ice 55 bad and will always pull it out first as I do alot of hole hopping with the auto depth. The features are really nice & convenient and reminds me alot of the Vex at times? However it ends there. I am finding it difficult to beat my LX3tc or an LX5 on zoom and superfine line details.

I cannot get used to the Ice 55 such as when stacked on a school of fish of Crappies or anticipating a strike or light bite. I often find it difficult to see my jig when the blobs start to appear in deep water, even worse in shallow. Maybe its just me? Even after spending a considerable amount of time with it I just cant seem to adjust to it.

Im gonna have to say when it counts the most, I will pull out the Marcum and put the Bird away...

[Steve Foss]

I've used all three.

1. Bird

2. Marcum

3. Vex

[fishwater]

I like the birds, but don't like the limited options for adjusting the zoom. I think it is great how it implemented as part of the entire column, but you only have a couple of options for placement. More often than not you end up with the zoom not in the ideal location . I'd order them marcum, hbird, vex

[cribbageboy]

fisherman-andy,

Any downsides to the LX3tc that you've noticed?

[fisherman-andy]

fisherman-andy,

Any downsides to the LX3tc that you've noticed?

I had my LX3tc for some time now and when it counts the most I will use it. Because its is of my opinion it may be good if other LX3tc user chime in on the Pro's and Cons. As far as Cons for me, its minus the features of the LX5. The non flat screen makes it difficult for viewing at angles and stuff always get stuck on it such as snow, ice, dirt etc.

If your already dropping $400, I say save up the extra and pick up the top model be it a Vex, Marcum or bird.

[DoubleB]

I have to agree with fisherman-andy, I was glad I tried out a couple of friend's flashers before I bought a LX3tc. It will help you to not get caught up in the whole "Ford vs. Chevy" arguments about who has the better product. I like the line definition, variable zoom throughout the water column, display and interference rejection modes on the LX3. I have not had a problem with it for the last 3 seasons. The only complaints I hear are if you are fishing next to someone with a Vexilar they get too much interference because the Marcum has 2000 watts. I don't find this true with all of my Vexilar pals from the 8-20, but I have seen it happen on occasion. I did not buy the LX5 because I didn't really need the other transducer (oh, and not having an extra hundred bucks laying around helped!)

Good Luck and Good Fishing

[Ed Carlson]

I'm looking into buying a new flasher, but can't make up my mind which option to go with. The two that I'm deciding between are the FL 12, and the Marcum LX3tc. I'm leaning toward the FL 12, but I like the zoom feature of the LX3.

If I do go with the FL 12, I have three different options. The Pro Pack, Pro Pack II, or Ultra Pack. All of these are within $20 of each other, so price isn't going to be a deciding factor. Just wondering what your guys' thoughts/experiences are with these units. Thanks in advance.

What type of ice fishing do you do the most?

Do you wish to use the unit year around, on ice and on open water?

This would effect my recommendations to what unit may best fits your needs.

[cribbageboy]

Strictly Ice Fishing with water depth rarely exceeding 50 feet.

[NoWiser]

My choices would be:

1. Vex

2. Marcum

3. Bird

You can't beat the dependability of a Vexilar. Great units. Marcums are fine too, I just am not a big fan, probably because I'm so used to the vexilars I've been using for 20 years.

I have used a Bird and the screen seemed way to "jumpy" for me. Where as the vex and marcum seemed to have nice, smooth movements the bird would flash on and off rapidly (picture a strobe light). That was my impression. I have also heard of many more problems with the birds than the others with people ending up with no flasher to use during the middle of winter while theirs is being repaired. Don't get me wrong, I have a Humminbird graph on my boat and love it, but I just don't trust their flashers yet. My roomate actually just had to send his in, after being used about a dozen times. $160.00 to get it fixed, and he fished flasherless this past weekend.

In reality, you will most likely be happy with whatever you get, and next winter when this same question gets posted, you will be chiming in letting everyone know why you think your flasher is "the best"

[fishersofmen]

Agree Vex, Marcum, Bird.

[Raider4ever]

I hate flashers when I'm ice fishing. They're becoming more prevalent, especially down in the metro. They come up, show you their junk, and ride away on their sled or wheeler. There's never a CO around when you need one. Huh?, you mean those Vexilar thingies. Oh yeah, handy as heck. The FL-18 is the way to go great zoom features. Sorry, confused.

[Surface Tension]

We are lucky that the top 3 care about customer service as they do.

I'm a firm believer in what MarCum has brought to the table in ice electronics.

I could on and on about the features but the nitty gritty is, MarCums ability to know out interference.

For that reason Vex has been out of the equation for me and will continue to be.

How fussy are you about interference?

I spent Lake Trout Opener in 65' of water on boulder strewn bottom. Those conditions will send a return echo in all directions and for 100s of feet. My group sort of got bottled up in one area on account of the slush.

Pretty much the whole time I had smelt below me. Keeping track of your lure among the smelt is important but seeing a laker coming in and know that ASAP is very important. Having counter rotating line and flickers from interference is something I won't put up with.

If your shopping in the $400 price range the LX3tc or the Ice 45 would be my recommendation. Both have a totally different feel when you switch from one to the other. I was used to using the LX3s and LX5 before I owned a Bird on Ice.

I'm a two flasher family as my son comes along a lot of the time or a guest in the perm shack with me. After using the Bird I'm having a hard time deciding which I want to take along. Both the Bird and MarCum do not interfere with each other. Same is true with a Bird and Vex, they don't know the other is there. Huge plus there if you add a MarCum or Vex into the mix as knocking out interference for any of the 3 won't be a problem.

Back to fishing lake trout, I brought the LX5 and the Ice Bird and ran them side by side.. I hit an area with some big boulders. I knew that because both units marked the tops of the boulders as a weak line with separation to the bottom as long as I kept the gain set to mark the lure my weak color. Both interpreted the exact same. Smelt coming in and out was identical on both flashers. I then tested both flashers narrow beam ducer on those boulders, again information marked was identical. One thing the Ice 45 isn't going to have that a MarCum LX3tc does have is the padded case. The Ice 45 has the Dual Beam and the LX3 only has a single 20 degree ducer. IMO you can't go wrong with either. If your a two flasher family I'd recommend one of each.

[doz]

I got new a fl-18 shipped to my house from Midwest Hunters Outlet for $362 a few weeks ago. I wouldn't go with anything without a zoom.

[mnfathead]

I've been thinking of upgrading aswell, but on the other hand i've had my fl 8 for 15 years and still outfish my buddies and family that have the marcum or higher level vex.. I think its more a case of knowing how to use your flasher to the best of its ability. That being said, we saw the marcum vx1 at gander last year for 189 bucks, should've jumped on that deal on principal alone.

[reinhard1]

i think a lot can be said for the new flashers, but i will stick with my fl-8 until it can no longer be used. it tells me what i need to know. but when my fl-8 does go of course i will look for something close to it. good luck.