Flashers

[Ed Carlson]

Strictly Ice Fishing with water depth rarely exceeding 50 feet.

Either unit your considering would work and do well in those depths.

I would add the FL-18 into that consideration as well for the price when in comparison to the lx3.

With the FL-18 Tri Beam you would gain the zoom mode and LP modes, and BL mode for summer use.

The FL-20 Pro Pack with the tri-beam is a tough to beat unit yet for $49 more you can go up to the FL-22HD in a Tri-Beam.

For new money spent, I would personally look hard at the FL-22HD since you fish in waters less than 60'. More options, higher performance, LP, BL, Deul Zoom Modes, flat screen and day/night modes, 4 season use, more friendlier depth scales.

[CJH]

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

Not sure what you mean by that. You turn the dial to adjust it wherever you want it in the water column. Plus it takes all of 1 second to change it : hit zoom button, turn the dial where you want it and its done. How do you only get a couple of optoins for placement?

[fishwater]

look hard at the FL-22HD since you fish in waters less than 60'. More options, higher performance, LP, BL, Deul Zoom Modes, flat screen and day/night modes, 4 season use, more friendlier depth scales.

If we're opening it up to grander options, prolly should mention the Marcum LX5. Yeah it ain't shiny new like some "top of the line units", but most who have used all brands are willing to admit it IS the sharpest tool available. A flasher's a tool ain't it?

Or, you could get the dual beam showdown...

[fishwater]

Not sure what you mean by that. You turn the dial to adjust it wherever you want it in the water column. Plus it takes all of 1 second to change it : hit zoom button, turn the dial where you want it and its done. How do you only get a couple of optoins for placement?

When you put it in zoom mode, you can't dial the zoom anyplace in the column like a marcum. It has a couple of preset zones; sometimes the 10' zone matches your actual bottom very well, sometimes it only catches 6' of it with a bunch of unusable zoom area. I guess maybe I've ran them incorrectly and the zoom is actually more adjustable?

[CJH]

When you put it in zoom mode, you can't dial the zoom anyplace in the column like a marcum. It has a couple of preset zones; sometimes the 10' zone matches your actual bottom very well, sometimes it only catches 6' of it with a bunch of unusable zoom area. I guess maybe I've ran them incorrectly and the zoom is actually more adjustable?

That's not accurate with the HB's. It has no preset zones, it is infinitely variable. Turn the dial wherever you want it. As I mentioned in my first post, hit the zoom button, turn the dial wherever you want it, done. There are no presets. Its easier than the Marcum. Where do people come up with this stuff???

[cribbageboy]

Well guys, I was just about ready to go out and buy the LX3tc, but I was talkin to my buddy and he had an LX2 he bought last year. I ended up buying that from him for $125. At that price, I can take the money I saved and go on a little fishin trip. Thanks again for the tips though.

[fishwater]

Well guys, I was just about ready to go out and buy the LX3tc, but I was talkin to my buddy and he had an LX2 he bought last year. I ended up buying that from him for $125. At that price, I can take the money I saved and go on a little fishin trip. Thanks again for the tips though.

[Esox_Magnum]

LX-2 has been discontinued for at least 3-4 years now where did he find a new one last year? Good find though regardless.

[CJH]

I'm guessing we vary on definition of infinite? Hbirds have preset zoom settings. You can't beep beep beep beep beep your way to have the zoom hugging the bottom in every situation.

[sneakydevil]

My old FL-8 finally crapped so i went shopping, came home with the ICE-45. Went out last wknd to test it out and i must say the vex will never be in my fishing arsenal ever again. I loved my vex till i tried something different...the larger fiber optic display doesnt strain your eyes and very pleased how it picks up the tiniest sunfish jigs. Bird ftw!!

[fishwater]

1) He's not using it right then.

LOL

[CJH]

LOL

That's reality!!

[fishwater]

Not sure what you mean by that. You turn the dial to adjust it wherever you want it in the water column.

[fisherman-andy]

That's reality!!

Im on with CJH on this one. The zoom is infinite. No trick here Fishwater. When you hit the Zoom you can dial it to any water column. Maybe Fishwater is talking about the 5ft window on the zoom?

[Esox_Magnum]

Ok question with the 55 do you still get the full water colum while in zoom?? And do they make an arm so a guy can get rid of the float?

[mr.z 1972]

The Hbird has preset areas in the column that you can zoom in on. You press the zoom button and set the area. You can not change the distance in those zoom ranges say from bottom to 6' up or bottom to 10' up.

Never mind. I am not joining in on this.

[JeffB]

I'll have to check how mine works, maybe there is a software difference on earlier and later models.

[Crm7290]

mr z is right.

and yes you see the rest of the water column when you are zoomed.

[SFC]

Iam a new owner of a ice 45, when I hit the zoom and go to adjust, it goes to the next 5' in the water column. Is this because I have it on auto?

[mr.z 1972]

mr z is right.

There's something I don't hear very often.

[CJH]

I am going to repeatedly bang my head against the wall now!!!!!

Straight from my manual:

ZOOM

When you use the zoom feature, your ICE Flasher Series™ Fishfinder will

display a 2x magnified view of the area you choose. The zoomed view will

display on the right side of the Flasher Dial between two blue lines. The normal view

will display on the left side of the Flasher Dial. (2x, Default = Off)

1. Press the Zoom key. Two blue zoom lines will display on the Flasher Dial, which

indicate that your Flasher Dial is in zoom mode.

2. Turn the Selection dial to move the zoom lines to the area you want to magnify.

The zoomed view will be shown on the right side of the Flasher Dial between the

two blue zoomlines. On the ICE 45/55 Flasher, the tickmarks shown on the Active

Display show the zoom area.

NOTE: If you do not press the Selection dial within 5 seconds of pressing the Zoom key or

turning the Selection dial, the zoom select function will time out.

NOTE: Exit zoom by pressing the Zoom key.

NOTE: Zoom can be dynamically updated after making your initial selection by turning the

Selection dial to a new location.

NOTE: When you are in zoom mode, in a 10m scale, 1/2 meters are represented by a dash

(for example: 2—= 2 1/2)

[SFC]

Hope u didnt hurt your head, sorry for asking! I did look at the manual before posting. I have used this unit like 6 times, when I have used the zoom and tryed to adjust it moves in 5' increments, can it be moved 1 ft to the next 5' increment? I may be missing something.Not trying to bash this unit, just trying to get some info.

[Crm7290]

i think jsut the 5 foot increments.

[Crappyfisherman]

Whitch knob are you turning?

#1 press zoom button and you will see a dark line on the inside of the dial.

#2 within 5 sec. turn the top knob, This is the gain and it will move that line.

Do not turn the Depth scale knob (bottom one)

[SFC]

Iam able to adjust the zoom, but it is only in 5' increments,such as 5-10, 10-15 etc., Should I be able to go from 13 to 18? I have been using auto mostly, for depth scale. Iam using the gain knob to adjust. Thanks.