FL-20? LX-5? ICE-55? Which should I Buy?

[dashtek]

Hello All -

I have been trying to read up on the different comments out there about the Humminbird ICE-55 v Vexilar FL-20 v Marcum LX-5. Thought it'd be quicker to start a thread comparing the three...if there is one let me know.

I like the ICE-55 and like the idea of not having to worry about interference from Vexilars. All the folks I fish with have them. However, is the 2.5" target separation an issue? Vex offers .5" target separation. However, the screens have comparable number of segments.

As far the Marcum LX-5 goes, I have never looked at one but am reading good things. I assume they have all the similar features like IR & Zoom that the ICE-55 does.

I currently have an OLD Hondex FL-8. Works ok but not great. No zoom and no IR so I am the odd man out on a multi guy fishing trip.

Love to hear what you like or dislike about your current systems (LX-5, FL-20, ICE-55). I hope I can find a store with something to buy. Cabela's in Rodgers is out of everything. They sold 6 Vexs today that they had and have no Marcums or Humminbirds as of tonight.

Thanks and good luck fishing!

[HANS76]

VEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEXY!

[Esox_Magnum]

Best seperation,and interference rejection is the LX. I fish next to a 20 all the time and in IMO your overspending buying the 20. Havent played enough with the 55 to give an honest report but would buy one befor a 20.

Witht the LX you also get 3 color display, not blending of 2 colors, Super Fine Line, Dual beam ducer, DCS charging system and a padded case all included.

[herefish101]

Here we go again!

I own an LX5 and I fish with vexes and hummingbirds, I am the only one who never has interferiance problems. When Marcum claims to have the best interferiance rejection their not lying. The flat screens on the other two mentioned are awesome. So if I'm you I pick a card any card and then go get it. There all great units, but I love my LX5.

[ihc1]

I think you would be happy with any one of them. I was looking at a new lx5 or fl22. I really liked the marcum but could not find anyone who had one that I could see in action so I went with the fl22 because all my fishing is 30' or less and I thought the 10' ranges would be nice for that. I also have a fl12 that I love thats why I went vex. The new fl22 has been great so far unbeleivable how good it picks up super small jigs.

[aanderud]

Seriously, just do a search and read the answers to the last 20 or 30 people who have asked this same question. Then you won't have to wait for responses before making your decision, you can be in the store buying right away in the a.m.

[broman]

Here we go again!

I own an LX5 and I fish with vexes and hummingbirds, I am the only one who never has interferiance problems. When Marcum claims to have the best interferiance rejection their not lying. The flat screens on the other two mentioned are awesome. So if I'm you I pick a card any card and then go get it. There all great units, but I love my LX5.

Same here, LX5. I can tune out almost anyone flasher.

[mnhunter79]

LX-5! Fished with 2 fl-8's and a ice 55 all in the same house last wknd, i did not get any interference from them, but they did from my lx-5.

[Whisker Warrior]

I love my FL-22 and have had zero problems with the new Tri-beam like others have stated in previous topics...Have fished next to a Marcum LX3 and FL-18 and what little interference i had was removed with the rejection button. Like mentioned before pick a card any card...cant go wrong....

[bigbad401]

Seriously, just do a search and read the answers to the last 20 or 30 people who have asked this same question. Then you won't have to wait for responses before making your decision, you can be in the store buying right away in the a.m.

I second this. This same question has been asked a thousand times. Do some research and decide. They all will do you just fine.

[dashtek]

Seriously, just do a search and read the answers to the last 20 or 30 people who have asked this same question. Then you won't have to wait for responses before making your decision, you can be in the store buying right away in the a.m.

I second this. This same question has been asked a thousand times. Do some research and decide. They all will do you just fine.

Thanks to those who responded, despite being asked the question a hundred time. To the two that posted about researching, just ignore my post then if it ticks you off.

The biggest difference I see in the LX5 and ICE 55 is the target separation. Is that referring to the space between fish and how well the flasher sees it as two fish or one fish?

Thanks again for dealing with these questions over and over.

[RJMOEN]

[snoozebutton]

The biggest difference I see in the LX5 and ICE 55 is the target separation. Is that referring to the space between fish and how well the flasher sees it as two fish or one fish?

That is correct.

If I were you, I'd hold off a bit and see which one goes on sale first. You sould be able to find deals on all of them soon since the ice season is getting into the later stages.

FWIW, I have the LX-5 and really like it.

[dashtek]

That is correct.

If I were you, I'd hold off a bit and see which one goes on sale first. You sould be able to find deals on all of them soon since the ice season is getting into the later stages.

FWIW, I have the LX-5 and really like it.

Thanks snooze.

I'll spend some more time on here researching today. Going to see what I can even find on the shelves at the stores. The supply is getting picked over. I have three trips left this winter so I'd like to get some use out of the new one.

I'll be watching for sales. In fact, Cabelas has the Humminbird 55 on sale for $425 but of course they are out of stock and would not do a rain check.

[FrontenacPike]

Have you checked Gander mountain, fleet farm or thorne bros. Every time i have been there they typicaly had everything in stock. Target seperation is in my book is a pretty big deal, it lets you know how many fish are looking at your jig and you can much easily judge each fishes reactions to your actions vs just seeing one target.

I'm not sure others have made it clear on where to research. This site has a search otion which will aid you in sifting through the similar topics. BTW try and find the posts about the unsexy side of the 55's . I've read alot of these topics and that was the first time people have actually said the negatives of them....and here i thought speaking ill of the birds was taboo on here. It compares the birds to taking home the sexiest girl in the bar home to later find out she is a lousy KISSER.

Good luck man, if you are having troubles searching...please reply. I will happy do a little searching and post some links.

[harvey lee]

I have either used all of the models or owned them at one time.

Yes, the LX5 has better target separation than the Ice 55 but it seems I do just fine fishing with my Ice55. Most times I take out my Ice55 instead of my LX5 for a few different reason and the loss of target separation with the Ice 55 has not decreased my catch at all from what I have seen.

Whatever you choose for a unit, read the directions, play with it and get to know how to use each adjustment the best you can and you will do just fine.

I would find the unit that will fit your style of fishing the best and go with that.

[Deep]

I have a fl 18, and gave up my fl 8 for my 55, the reason I bought it ws for the big display, the blue color option (I am partialy color blind) and the digital depth. I like the fl 18 but I did not send the unit in to get the color change, I did that with the fl 8 that I had owned. My wife or friends that fish with me get the fl 18, I use the 55. I bought mine from Cab--- with the 150.00 card you get back so I figured I only paid 350.00 for it. Which ever you choose you can't go wrong.

[dashtek]

Yes, the LX5 has better target separation than the Ice 55 but it seems I do just fine fishing with my Ice55. Most times I take out my Ice55 instead of my LX5 for a few different reason and the loss of target separation with the Ice 55 has not decreased my catch at all from what I have seen.

I fish mostly panfish around the metro then take a few trips to Red Lake and LOTW. I really like the things I have read about the ICE 55 so I am hoping the target separation is not going to be that big of a deal.

Sounds like one thing I need to not do is install the support cable for the transducer as that keeps it from being level sometimes.

I have not read a single "con" to the LX5. Anyone have anything they don't like about the LX5? Sounds like it zooms like a bird and blocks Vexs pretty good.

[thopkins]

i have the ice 55. i got it this year from cabin fever in victoria. first..i have now used it with both a marcum lx5 and multiple vexilars..8, 12, and 20. also fished a contest. i never had any problem with interference. second..the clarity on the screen is very defined and easy to read..easier in my opinion than both the vex and marcum...ratso in 28fow is very easy to see and target seperation is defined. the six color option if find very useful as the blue(weakest return) lets you know when a fish is approaching or hanging out doing nothing but sitting. the ergonomics of the 55 are also nice. the case is great, the transducer tucks in the bottom easily and the battery is easily accessed from the back for charging. to check battery life just hold a button down for a second. the auto depth feature is also nice for hole hopping and it also has a duel transducer.the only complaint i have is the brightness of the screen for night fishing. other than that its a great unit and im very happy with it

[fishwater]

I have not read a single "con" to the LX5. Anyone have anything they don't like about the LX5? Sounds like it zooms like a bird and blocks Vexs pretty good.

The two things I see as being CON for a Marcum is the fact that the screens actually don't read full scale and they only go to 160'. Never thought I would say it didn't go deep enough, but after this weekend it was a little limiting.

The scale only reads to 18' or so on the 20' setting, pretty serious flaw if you ask me. Not a deal breaker, I'd rather run an LX5 than the other two top of the line options - if you're running the zoom you really don't notice it. I've ran them all, thinking seriously about a bird myself for deeper water. My dad is a rabid LX5 user too, he got an Ice-55 after doing some horse trading and is pretty happy so far.

[fishin4fun85]

surprised to see there aern't that many people pro Vex on here....maybe I'll buy an LX-5 when I get a new one coming up here...sounds like it's getting the best replies as I'm also in the market...thanks for all the replies guys!!

[blackleech]

Ive had my LX-5 for a while and just bought a Vexilar FL-22 and while both have suttle differences but I much prefer taking out my new FL-22. The FL-22 is Vexilars top performer, the FL-20 is not so if you're looking to compare the best of the big 3 Id put the FL-22 HD in there and not the FL-20.

I can't really see a difference in seperation between the LX-5 or FL-22 but one I really like about the VEX is the huge flat face display. Looking at my LX-5 when fishing it seems like everything is smaller.

Vexilars customer service is amazing from what Ive had to deal with them. Ive yet to use Marcums....thats a thumbs up for the quality of the product.

I fish about 3 times a week and have used alot of flashers and though I prefer my Fl-22 your gonna like using any brand you pick. All three make a great unit.

[PurpleCatMan]

Love my FL-20 with the single beam ducer. I had an 18 with the tri-beam and it DID NOT work right. Bait was either not showing up or was giant... I would highly reccomend against the tri-beam.

I love the low power feature of the 20, I fish Pelican in Monti quite a bit in 10 feet or less. I went vex over marccum just based on experience with other Marccum electronics going bad after a few years. Vexy's are tried and true!

Fleet seems to have a great stock of the vex and marc.

[Mimic Shiner]

From what I've seen, as others have stated that the marcum has the best IR. However, if you're fishing with others in a close area and they don't have marcums and are all picking up your interference, prepare to be harassed. I guess I can only attest to vexilars being screwed up by marcums as that's what I and most others I fish with have, but it seems that it only takes one marcum to screw up several vexilars.

[fish2morrow]

I don't own one but from what I can hear, just pick one and you'll be happy with it. They all sound great and which ever one you should choose you will not be disappointed.