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LX-7 vs FL-22 Any thoughts?

Trytti

By Trytti
in Ice Fishing

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Trytti Enthusiast

Trytti

Posted
Posted

I have been shopping for a new Flasher and was thinking I was going with a Vexi FL-22, but I happened to see the Marcum LX-7 on a HSOforum and it looks like a pretty nice unit, but I am not sure I want to spend the extra cash just for something that looks pretty. I would like any input if anyone thinks the LX-7 are worth the extra cash and why. Hoping maybe some of the experts on here got to "test drive" both of them before.

Thanks

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PerchJerker Grand Master

PerchJerker

Posted
Posted

I have not had a chance to "test drive" both of them, but I have some general observations .......

The Marcum LX-7 is on an 8 inch LCD display and gives you many options for viewing the sonar data -- traditional circular display, vertical display, zoom bar, traditional sonar graph display, etc. There are many other pieces of info you can choose to display or not display, including the digital depth readout. I think my favorite features of the LX-7 are the options to customize the display, and the dynamic depth interface (automatically adjusts the display to the depth of the water to maximize the display area, target seperation, etc.). It's new this year so there's no track record or history with it.

The Vexilar FL-22 has a traditional circular display, and has depth scales ranging from 10 to 60 feet. If you fish over 60 feet of water this unit is not for you. If you fish less than 10 feet of water and can use the 10 foot scale then you get excellent target seperation. The FL-22 comes with a tri-beam transducer --- some guys feel it's a benefit, other guys feel that since the 3rd beam is between the wide and narrow beams it doesn't give you much benefit. I think the FL-22 is a great unit for the guys who are likely to be in less than 10 feet, and for guys who like to tinker around with the 3rd beam angle. The FL-22 was a new unit last year and like all Vexilars it worked great.

The LX-7 and the FL-22 rank #1 and #2 for the most expensive ice fishing sonars for 2011. Both companies are in MN and both have excellent customer service.

Hope that helps a bit and have fun shopping!

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Werewolf Contributor

Werewolf

Posted
Posted

I got a FL 22 last year and had some problems ,on my third transduce and second head unit, it is nice having the 10 foot modes , good in the 10 or 30 FOW. I would not buy one again, I liked my FL 20 better with a 12 deg ducer. Vex had a lot of problems with the tri beams last year and I think they still do...Buy the LX5

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CJH Grand Master

CJH

Posted
Posted

Don't leave out Humminbird. Great flashers with a bigger display that's easier on your eyes and competitively priced.

I agree. I would buy an Ice 55 over a FL22. I don't see anything on the FL22 that would justify that large of a price difference. I like the display on the Ice 55 better anyway. Heck, I would probably pick an LX5 over an FL22.

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joneshat11 Community Regular

joneshat11

Posted
Posted

I'm going to bet anyone that's gets a LX-7 will be going back to an LX-5. In all reality the LX-7 will show you everything a LX-5 will if you know how to read it. LX-7 just has added views on a LCD screen and displays the same information the a flasher does just in a different view. I'm not impressed with the LX-7 at all and I'll stick with my lightweight flasher.

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fishwater Mentor

fishwater

Posted
Posted

Aside from the improved zoom options and ability to see the entire water column in full detail while using zoom, it also offers a greatly improved max depth for lake trout fisherfolks and the ability to use it in the boat as a graph. I think they made some nice improvements, time will tell if it's a winner.

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nolte Rising Star

nolte

Posted
Posted

I'm going to bet anyone that's gets a LX-7 will be going back to an LX-5. In all reality the LX-7 will show you everything a LX-5 will if you know how to read it.

I am not so sure about this. One thing the LX-7 should be better at is use for Lake Superior Trout fishing. The LX-7 goes down to 300 ft, where the LX-5 only went to 160. And the 160 had a dead spot at the bottom so it was more like 150s. That depth really limited spots when out bobbing. It was my only grip with the LX-5, otherwise it's been a great unit for me.

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tsande00 Experienced

tsande00

Posted
Posted

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure they will have a place just not the main replacement for the LX5.

I still don't understand, based solely off your post, why people would go back to an LX5. The only thing you implied that was worse about the LX7 was the weight factor. Is there something I'm missing? And also, is the LX7 significantly heavier than the 3's and 5's?

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GrizzlyAdams Community Regular

GrizzlyAdams

Posted
Posted

I have the Fl-22 and like it if I am out by myself. If any other person is any where near you with a flasher then you will get nothing but interference. My girlfriend has the fl-8 and we can't even use the two units near each other with out constantly clearing out interference. Does not play well with marcums either.

As stated the Fl-22 is a great unit for shallow water and fishing by yourself, but if you plan on fishing with other people that have flashers or near them then I would highly consider the H-birds. Might look into getting one of those for this year for when I am fishing with others.

We had the fl22 an fl8 and an lx5 in a rental on Mille lacs last winter and the interference was way too much. When I turned on the fl22 the other 2 units went haywire immediately to the point they couldn't even use them. Turn it off and no issues at all. Never had near the problems like that with my fl18. Still have it and love that unit. But like I said, might have to pick up an h-bird this year so the girlfriend and I can sit next to each other in the portable and use our own flashers instead of always sharing one unit.

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ihc1 Contributor

ihc1

Posted
Posted

I know this is off the topic but I think there may be a issue with your fl22, maybe bad transdeucer? I have a fl22 and a fl12 and have used them side by side in a 2 man portable many times without ever having to touch the IR on either one. I have also fished next to a buddy with a fl8 with no problems.

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IcerRon2010 Contributor

IcerRon2010

Posted
Posted

If you want to get a clearer flasher and a friendly signal, with other flashers, get rid of the tri-beam, and your problems will dissapear. I love my Fl-22 and the options. Buy a 9,12, or 19 degree transducer. Dido on fishing by yourself with the Tri-beam, no problems. 2 Tri-beams together, or a single Tri-beam and a Marcum Lx-5, not a good combo. Just my reaserch, yours might very.

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Werewolf Contributor

Werewolf

Posted
Posted

As far as problems with the FL 22, I had gone thru three transducers last year and maybe going to a 12 degree may be the best idea , I was fishing last year next to my buddy and he was marking fish , I switched units and found my transducer would not mark them..

The LX7 looks like a nice unit but if you plan on using it on your boat you can buy a better unit for $700.00, I would buy the lowrance HDS 5 with the gps ,mappimg, and sonar, I love the GPS when I am trolling , lock the spot in and fill up the cooler with fish , you cant do that without a GPS!! and keep your old flasher for the ice.

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Esox_Magnum Grand Master

Esox_Magnum

Posted
Posted

Flashers are a great tool on the bow of a boat for jigging up fish... When I used to chase eyes my flashers were always used on the bow.... Only 2 flasher options for open water use are Marcum and Vex, HB don't offer a softwater conversion kit....

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