Marcum feedback?

[Knoc]

I was in a store today looking at Vexilars and have had my heart set on getting a Fl-20. (Which I still intend on getting). A salesman had came up to me and asked if I needed help. I told him no and that I was just checking out the vexilars. He told me to "save my money and buy a marcum". Said it was the same thing, but marcums were cheaper. Then continued to go on about how great marcum is and how its the best and all that. You would have thought this guy was the owner of Marcum. Ive never used a marcum and had always been told they were just a knock off of vexilar, but in all honesty, how is the comparison? I got my first Vexilar when I was 16 (Im 31 now)and had nothing but awesome luck with them, so Ill never change, but was still curious why this guy was so gung ho about Marcum's. Is there something I missed hearing about them?

[Brad B]

some differences are Marcum have a higher power output and better target seperation, the zoom is better on marcums. the big selling point is Marcum is built in Minnesota and Vex is built in Japan.

[Hardyboy]

Ill be honest i own a fairly old (and still working) fl-8, but i also purchased a showdown (now made by marcum). when i do buy a new flasher it will most likely be a marcum. I have used one extensively thru a friend who owns one and compared them. When you find something thats at least equal but in a lot of cases just a bit better and its made locally on top of being a U.S. product that will be the way i go 100% of the time.If you bought a marcum you would not be left thinking you did the wrong thing.

[BartmanMN]

If you are looking at an Fl-20, then the comparable ones from the other companies would be the Marcum LX-5 and Hummingbird Ice-55. All three work well and help you catch fish. Up to you to decide which look and feel you like.

I own a Marcum VX-1 and a FL-22. I like them both. Only situation where I think the Fl-22 would have helped me catch anymore fish than my VX-1 is in really shallow and weedy areas.

I did not add the new LX-7 on my top list since that one would be quite a bit more expensive than the others.

[GatorBait]

I've used Vexilars and Marcums consistently. Haven't tried a Bird yet so I don't know about them but I hear those are it. Either way, Since I put a Marcum in my fishing hole 2 years ago, I haven't touched a vexilar again. I can read my Marcum 100x better, fine tune it to my location i'm fishing and not worry about interference from anyone. Everyone I know and fish with have noticed the difference and done the same by going to a marcum. I don't know, it didn't take much convincing for me to switch over, but it just fit my personal preference and did what I was looking for that the vex couldn't accomplish.

[CaptainMusky]

There are rebates on the LX3tc and showdown now I believe.

One thing you would notice right off the bat as a difference between a marcum and the vexilar is the interference. I have fished with tons of guys with vexilars and they hate it when I turn my lx3 on because of all the interference they get and they have a tough time tuning it out if at all. The fl8's couldnt get it out no matter what we tried.

The zoom on the marcums is awesome. I use it all the time and its so nice to be able to zoom anywhere in the water column. Suspended fish, no problem.

I also like that they are so quiet, you dont even hear them run. Unlike my one buddy who has an Fl8 and that thing makes so much noise its crazy. Im not sold on the lx7 yet because I think there are a few things they need to get on there before I would consider it, but the lx3 and lx5 are phenomenal.

[CJH]

Chevy vs Ford.

I have an H-Bird Ice 55 and love it. Nothing wrong with any of the three brands, its more picking the features that fit what you want. All seem to be good quality.

[Iambjm]

I had a FL 18 for two years and got a heck of a deal on a Humminbird Ice 55 last year. I really Like the ice 55. I know a lot of guys who have the Marcums that swear by them, they do kick out a lot of interference and that is why I got the bird. Different frequency and very little interference. I did like my vex, but the bird is great too.

[LMITOUT]

I'm not familiar with the newer models of Vexilars, but I went from a FL-8 to a MarCum LX-5 and it was similar to going from a regular TV to watching a High Definition TV. Love the target separation and fine line detail of the MarCum. Great carry case and digital charging system is the icing on the cake!

Without question, if I had to get another locator it would be a MarCum.

[iffwalleyes]

Vexilar are great reliable units no arguement there great customer services etc. Now that said they all have the same thing. I had a buddy get a new ice 55 last year it had a bad transducer he called them and had it in a couple days good deal. I have had similar experience with Marcum customer service as well. I have been fishing with Marcums now since 2004 ice season I have had a LX 3 that my buddy bought and still fishing with. I got a LX 5 the first year they were out and that was in 2005 and have fished with up till last year. I still have it it is my guest depth finder for my wife or buddies that don't have one it is great realiable and works all the time. Last year I bought an humminbird 55 and this is the best unit I have ever used. I think the LX 7 might give it a good run this year. However like mention a Marcum is cheaper than a vex and give you more options and more adjustability than a Vex. Then the hummingbird unit is cheaper than the vex and you get a larger display it is easy to set up it has a auto depth range which is hand when hole hopping I like the zoom function doesn't split screen so you have the entire water colum and all times. The thing I don't like is the zoom is set up like a clock it zoom in from say 12 o clock to 3 o clock and then 3 o clock to 6 o clock and then 6 to 9 and 9 to 12 so sometimes you loose part of the screen if you and up just right but it isn't a big deal.

Other thing that I like is the digital depth readout in the center of the unit so you aren't always just guessing based on the flick of a line.

My true opinion of Vex is they have not changed anything other than adding a flat screen that is the only thing cutting edge they have done. No adjustable zoom. They truthfully compare most simarly to the VX-1 Marcum and are about twice the price of the VX 1. zoom option are the same on these unit. Vex does not have a adjustable zoom ony the bottom 6' or 12;. Anone who say that is all you need has not fishing in the right situation with a unit that allows you to adjust. Like I have said for years you get more options and flexablity with Marcum and now Humminbird. Why not if your going to shell out that kind of money it might as well do as much as for your buck I figure.

[CAMAN]

Read this thread this morning and still LOLing at the "Vexilar Knockoff" part

It's obvious the person telling you that had either never used one, or was smoking something real gooooood....

The one thing I wish they'd change with the Marcum's, is when you're fishing next to someone with a Vex, the whining of their Vex drowns out the peacefulness of nature, why can't they make Marcum's whine like dental drill also?

[Creek Kid]

I snooped around alot last year and bought my first flasher - Marcum VX-1. ("bottom" of the line) I got it on clearance @ a great price. I had heard the tales of the interference and had my doubts. No more! If you fire a Marcum up w/in 20' of a Vex you'll be able to hear the groans - literally. I'm far from an expert icefisher. That being said I've also used a VX-5 & can report that they are the Cadillac of flashers. The guys i know w/Showdowns like them but have muscled through a fair amount of technical difficulties w/them. The company went through some internal struggles that reflected in their product a few years back (bad customer service, components, etc.) but it seems to have worked itself out. No matter the model, I strongly recommend Marcum.

[Knoc]

hmm.. I think Im gonna have to give Marcum a try then. I personally only know one person who has a marcum and he uses it on his boat and says its decent and does its job. Noone for ice fishing though, so it is great to hear everyones experiences with them.

I really like that its a Minnesota based company. I didnt know that. They must know a little bit about ice fishing then.

Gatorbait, what model did ya get?

Any suggestions on a model? I fish mostly around my area which is usually no deeper than 20-25 feet of water.

[Random guy]

I personally only know one person who has a marcum and he uses it on his boat and says its decent and does its job

That is where the LX-7 will excel as it can switch from multiple flasher displays, showdown style displays and then to a standard graph style display with temp and all the features of your basic summer time/open water unit. Now one unit works in the shack and on the boat. Granted it’s not your side image/structure scan unit but I am looking forward to having a flasher I can use in the winter then put on the bow of the boat in the summer.

[BLACKJACK]

I'm planning on buying a second flasher 'as a spare' for my wife and guests that don't have one, I currently have a Vex FL 18, after reading this thread, thinking that I should try out a Marcum, more features at a lower price, but is it going to interfere so bad with my Vex that I'll end up 'back to one flasher' because the Vex doesn't play nice with the Marcum????

[brian6715]

I'm planning on buying a second flasher 'as a spare' for my wife and guests that don't have one, I currently have a Vex FL 18, after reading this thread, thinking that I should try out a Marcum, more features at a lower price, but is it going to interfere so bad with my Vex that I'll end up 'back to one flasher' because the Vex doesn't play nice with the Marcum????

It wouldn't be your problem, because even if you bought the bottom of the line Marcum (VX-1), you would be the one using it.... and the FL-18 would turn into the "spare" flasher

Joking aside, you can tune it out enough if it is just two flashers, it's when a third gets added in that I have seen the Vex become useless

[GatorBait]

I have an LX-5. Ability to switch from an 8 to 20 degree cone as I fish a lot of deep n shallow areas on a consistent basis is my cup of tea. And then the zoom feature, it's almost like cheating. You may not need all that for what you do or don't have the budget, so the LX-3tc or even the VX-1PRO will work. Either way, do your homework, and good luck with your choice.

[icefisker]

R

The one thing I wish they'd change with the Marcum's, is when you're fishing next to someone with a Vex, the whining of their Vex drowns out the peacefulness of nature, why can't they make Marcum's whine like dental drill also?

I thought you said the whining of the person who uses the vex drowns out the peacefulness of nature!! lOL

[CAMAN]

I thought you said the whining of the person who uses the vex drowns out the peacefulness of nature!! lOL

Touché!!

[Random guy]

If one or both guys in the shack can figure out how to push a button vex and Marcum will be fine together. We have six man rental sleepers with Marcums, Vex and Birds all running together without any problem.

[iffwalleyes]

We always had our most inteference problems back when everyone ran Vexliars. Once we start switching it up with other brands it made it alot easier. Now no one has a vexilar I fish with and we have no issue after about 5 minute of adjusting we are good.

[basssmasher*]

+ 1 to Jonny P's reply. The last 2 yrs I have gone to LOTW ( because Jonny P won't invite me to Red..lol JK!) and have run Vexilars in one corner and marcum in another corner without any interference. I also used to be a Vex guy, but have switched to a Marcum Vx1, and love it!

[cold one sd]

I'm planning on buying a second flasher 'as a spare' for my wife and guests that don't have one, I currently have a Vex FL 18, after reading this thread, thinking that I should try out a Marcum, more features at a lower price, but is it going to interfere so bad with my Vex that I'll end up 'back to one flasher' because the Vex doesn't play nice with the Marcum????

My son and I fished in the same shelter last winter for only one day. He had a Micronar FL8 and I had my LX5. The LX5 was the one with interference that needed to be cleared and the FL8 worked like a champ.