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Looking to buy my first flasher.

stretch1975

By stretch1975
in Ice Fishing

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Pooh Experienced

Pooh

Posted
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The big 3 are h-bird, vex, and marcum. Take a look at the ones in your price range and see what you like and dislike about each. All 3 make a good unit. Might even be able to throw the showdown in the mix too.

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bigbad401 Rising Star

bigbad401

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The Humminbird ice 35 gives you dual beams and a moveable zoom. I'd take those features over those offered by an FL-8 or VX1-pro.

This is the reason that I bought the Humminbird ICE 35 a couple years ago over the Vexilar FL-8 and the Marcum VX1. And I have not regretted the purchase. The bigger screen is also very nice compared to the other two. If you are on a budget, the ICE 35 is the way to go.

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Agronomist_at_IA Veteran

Agronomist_at_IA

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Depending on the deals that come out & the options avalible on the units they are all fairly solid. I would look for a sale on a unit and try to get one with at least a zoom feature. Many times a used midrange unit will be the way to go. HB looks like a good buy, but when they first came out I know guys were having problems with them. I think HB fixed them though.

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DRH1175 Veteran

DRH1175

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I am a Marcum guy myself i have the lx-5. But as stated above best bang for the buck in a lower priced unit would be the ice 35. IMHO the #1 feature on any unit is Zoom so to me that is why the Ice 35 would be #1 in that price range. I have even thought about picking one up as a back up unit. Remember no matter what you buy it is a million times better than nothing at all. All 3 manufactuers make great units none of them are actually better than the other they all have features that they excel at. The best unit would be a combo of all 3. Good luck with your purchase.

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bigbad401 Rising Star

bigbad401

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The adjustable zoom is so helpful for me when I am crappie fishing and they are up in the water column. I used to own an FL-8 before the ICE 35 and I will not go back. For flashers I am not brand loyal, my money goes to what gives the most and best bang for the buck and that is the ICE 35. If I had a lot more money to spend then I would look at something different, but I don't and didn't so I needed to spend wisely. The ICE 35 was the way to go.

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dfeste Community Regular

dfeste

Posted
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Stretch, either flasher would serve you well but I would have to agree with the majority that the ICE35 is the best bang for the buck. The only gripe I have heard about this unit is that it did not come with a case but I just checked out TBs site and that is included free as well. Good luck getting back into things.

Dave

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stretch1975 Explorer

stretch1975

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Stretch, either flasher would serve you well but I would have to agree with the majority that the ICE35 is the best bang for the buck. The only gripe I have heard about this unit is that it did not come with a case but I just checked out TBs site and that is included free as well. Good luck getting back into things.

Dave

Sorry this might be a newbie question but what is TB? Thorne Bros?

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gurkster Proficient

gurkster

Posted
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My vote would be for the Humminbird Ice 35 for the best bang for the buck flasher. My friend bought one last year and it is a real nice unit. I fished side by side with him and got to play a little. $250 - $275 retail for it, cheaper if you can get a used one.

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Steve Foss Grand Master

Steve Foss

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Stretch, what species do you generally fish for, and how do you fish them? Knowing the answers to those questions will help people advise you. Example: For panfish you'll want a unit with excellent resolution, adjustable zoom and target separation. For lake trout, you won't care about any of those things, but will want a narrow-cone transducer, depth capacity to or beyond 120 feet and great interference reduction.

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Twins 57 Fan Community Regular

Twins 57 Fan

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I would reccomend looking online to try and find a used one. A lot of people are upgrading to high end units and getting rid of their entry level electronics. You can get the same units for half of the price. The good news is that vexilars do not lose thier value. The FL8 is still sold in stores!

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Twins 57 Fan Community Regular

Twins 57 Fan

Posted
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I would reccomend looking at the HSO online classifieds to try and find a used one. A lot of people are upgrading to high end units and getting rid of their entry level electronics. You can get the same units for half of the price. The good news is that vexilars do not lose thier value. The FL8 is still sold in stores!

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