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

dashtek

By dashtek
in Ice Fishing

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BoxMN Grand Master

BoxMN

Posted
Posted

FWIW, I have LX5 and fish with guys with FL20 and FL8 (with IR). The older FL8 w/out IR do get messed up, but the newer ones have no problem with LX5.

I like the zoom and look of the LX5 it seems more "digital" and precise, but can be a bit "sharp" to look at. My brother prefers the more "soft" and blending look of the FL20 and Vex in general. Not to be negative towards either brand, but the Mercums could seem to "harsh" to Vex users, and the Vex seems "mushy" to Marcum users.

The Humminbird seems to be between the two - but I only used one once, the Ice35. I was impressed though, more than I thought I was going to be.

I like the LX5 the most, for the basic "feel and look" of it and also for the zoom and the dual beam x-ducer (I like that more the more I use it)). I like the FL20 and H-bird for the flat screen. I like the H-bird for the digital depth readout for quickly looking at depth.

I don't like the LX5 for fishing right at exactly the 20/40 foot level, at it doesn't go around the dial more than 360 degrees, you need to switch to next depth level.

I like the Marcum case the best. Sinch it up, and it is tight and safe for a bouncy ride home. You can really see the wear on mine after 3.5 years,but still holding strong.

Good luck, all are nice and will work great!

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Lip_Ripper Guy Grand Master

Lip_Ripper Guy

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Fishing with any flasher will catch you more fish than fishing without. It would be a very rare occasion that you could attribute catching more or less fish to a specific flasher, although it MAY be possible.

I own an LX5, because I did research, and felt it would work best for me at the time, and had the greatest value in terms of features. I also own a VX1 that I won at a fishing contest. If I were to buy a new flasher, I would have a very difficult time spending the extra $200 for the LX5 over the VX1.

If I wanted to own the best of the best right now, I would probably buy the FL22, except it only goes to 60'. The flat screen of the Vexilar is far better than the Marcum screen, and that would probably be the deciding factor, for me.

My suggestion would be to do some research, check them out in person, and avoid getting caught up in the VERY minute details. You'll very likely be happy with any flasher on the market.

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dashtek Explorer

dashtek

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Well...I just went to lunch and pulled the trigger on a Humminbird ICE 55. I had to call down to Rochester Gander Mtn to find a Gander with one...and they only had one. I am sure I could have found one closer but I wanted to make sure I had one for the rest of the season. It was a tough decision but I think like everyone has said, I'll be happy anyway I go with the models I was looking at.

I think ultimately what led me to choose the bird, besides saying I have a bird...like some elite club , cool was the screen. The Marcum screen was smaller and still had the old cone. (I am sure that helps with sunlight though...don't get me wrong.) I also like not having to worry about the interference unless I sit with a bunch of bird watchers.

I am pretty excited to get out and try it out. It is like Christmas on Jan 31! smile

Thanks for the replies guys. (BTW - I did read up on other posts too as the replies came in on this one.)

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STORE500 Enthusiast

STORE500

Posted
Posted

Vexilar hands down!!! I have the FL-20 ultra pac with the tri beam ducer and absolutely love it, way easier to read than the Marcum. Had the LX-3 before this and that thing was terrible compared to the Vex, can't comment on the Humminbird. The vex picks up even the smallest jig in any depth where the marcum always had trouble with a small jig in depths over 20'. Also like the zoom and low power mode of the vex.

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herefish101 Proficient

herefish101

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Dashtek said: I also like not having to worry about the interference unless I sit with a bunch of bird watchers.

My buddy just got an ICE55 and everytime we fish together it takes five minutes to clear up his 55, my LX5 never even skips a beat. Plus his auto depth feature is a crock as it barely ever works until your sitting still, he is always adjusting something, it's to the point where I make him use my LX5 when were scouting a spot because I was sick of watching him try to get that darn thing to work right. I hope you got a better one tan his, I think his is a lemon. You'll be happy with that huge screen though, and it will darn near light up your shack at night. Good luck and big fish.

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fisherman-andy Mentor

fisherman-andy

Posted
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Vexilar hands down!!! I have the FL-20 ultra pac with the tri beam ducer and absolutely love it, way easier to read than the Marcum. Had the LX-3 before this and that thing was terrible compared to the Vex, can't comment on the Humminbird. The vex picks up even the smallest jig in any depth where the marcum always had trouble with a small jig in depths over 20'. Also like the zoom and low power mode of the vex.

I think your speaking from your own experience cause I never had a problem with my LX3tc, LX5, even my old VX1 picking in small jigs in depths over 20ft. And I fish mostly in 20ft-30ft. On the note of the humminbird it will pick small jigs too but you may have to turn the gain way up which picks up more interference. But I guess your could say that just my experience. (I also own the ICE55)

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fisherman-andy Mentor

fisherman-andy

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I thought that the birds are on a different frequency than Vex and Marcum? You shouldn't have interference from him? Either that or I got sold a bag a goods at Gander and Cabela's. smile

Thats true from what I heard. And I will second that. I fish my Ice55 around both my Marcums and two FL20's own by my buddies. No interference problems.

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luckydog25 Collaborator

luckydog25

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You are goona love your 55, I fish Red Lake primarily in the winter and have not one bad thing to say. My only thing I will say is the A setting or (auto) setting is meant for hole hopping different depths IMO. In the shallower water set it on 1 and you will not be disappointed. I couldn't believe the fish I jigged in!! I was up over that last cold snap when it was -40 for 5 days and caught fish ever day. It can be a bit irratating when you can see every fish down there though wink

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CJH Grand Master

CJH

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My buddy just got an ICE55 and everytime we fish together it takes five minutes to clear up his 55, my LX5 never even skips a beat. Plus his auto depth feature is a crock as it barely ever works until your sitting still, he is always adjusting something, it's to the point where I make him use my LX5 when were scouting a spot because I was sick of watching him try to get that darn thing to work right. I hope you got a better one tan his, I think his is a lemon. You'll be happy with that huge screen though, and it will darn near light up your shack at night. Good luck and big fish.

He must have a bad one. I have never had either of those problems in three years, and I fish next to an LX5 all the time.

They do have great screens.

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harvey lee Grand Master

harvey lee

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Dashtek said: I also like not having to worry about the interference unless I sit with a bunch of bird watchers.

My buddy just got an ICE55 and everytime we fish together it takes five minutes to clear up his 55, my LX5 never even skips a beat. Plus his auto depth feature is a crock as it barely ever works until your sitting still, he is always adjusting something, it's to the point where I make him use my LX5 when were scouting a spot because I was sick of watching him try to get that darn thing to work right. I hope you got a better one tan his, I think his is a lemon. You'll be happy with that huge screen though, and it will darn near light up your shack at night. Good luck and big fish.

Boy, he must have a unit with an issue.

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Dry_Fly Enthusiast

Dry_Fly

Posted
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I’ve owned all of them and I have to say for Walleye fishing on LOW I would take a LX5 every time. I had a Vex FL22, FL20 & FL18 I thought the FL18 was the best of the three but still doesn’t compare to the LX5 MarCum. I recently purchased a ICE55 a good second unit but it has it’s problems also. Sometime I feel like it has a delayed response on the signal when trying to entice a fish or a slow signal reponse and I noticed a weak signal at a certian depth with it. Color is great with the large screen and the added 200’ range is a plus. But still for Walleye fishing I would take a LX5 hands down.

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munchy71 Enthusiast

munchy71

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I’ve owned all of them and I have to say for Walleye fishing on LOW I would take a LX5 every time. I had a Vex FL22, FL20 & FL18 I thought the FL18 was the best of the three but still doesn’t compare to the LX5 MarCum. I recently purchased a ICE55 a good second unit but it has it’s problems also. Sometime I feel like it has a delayed response on the signal when trying to entice a fish or a slow signal reponse and I noticed a weak signal at a certian depth with it. Color is great with the large screen and the added 200’ range is a plus. But still for Walleye fishing I would take a LX5 hands down.

How many hours did you have on the ice with the '22?

-Munchy

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tsande00 Experienced

tsande00

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Posted

My flasher is hands down the best. It does so many things that yours will never be capable of. I owned one of your models and it blew donky nuts. I'm all about reliablity and effectivness which is exactly what I get with my model. I feel sorry for you if you went for that other model it's just junk plain and simple. Trust me I know.

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NoWiser Mentor

NoWiser

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Posted

My flasher is hands down the best. It does so many things that yours will never be capable of. I owned one of your models and it blew donky nuts. I'm all about reliablity and effectivness which is exactly what I get with my model. I feel sorry for you if you went for that other model it's just junk plain and simple. Trust me I know.

We must have the exact same flasher!

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