Looking to buy my first flasher.

[Gekhang]

x2 on used one. i just bought my first flasher, a vexilar fl-18 for $200!! all i needed was a charger and the propack carrying case as it didnt come with it.

right after i assembled her.

for $250 im not going to complain for a system that sells for $450 at the big c

[Iambjm]

I actually had the FL18, but sold it when I got my HB55. I did like the Fl18 a lot, but had a hard time reading the face of it with these tired old eyes. I really like the flat screen much better, had I compared the Fl18 and the FL12 at first I would have gotten the 12.

[Steve Foss]

I also prefer the flat screens, by a huge margin. Not just because they're flat, but because they are bigger and easier to see at a glance. I have an FL-20 and likely will pick up an ICE 45 as well for the coming ice season. The ICE 55 doesn't have any added features over the 45 that I'm interested in.

[V-12 Merlin]

marcum showdown troller flasher its under 250 dollers.199.99 to be right. small as a ipod and is easy to use.

I was looking at those, just so I have less to carry on the ice. That looks like a good product.

[Gekhang]

anyone have any problems with seeing their flasher well with the big non hooded flashers in direct sun?

[Iambjm]

I just turn myself and the flasher till it views the best.

[Steve Foss]

anyone have any problems with seeing their flasher well with the big non hooded flashers in direct sun?

I either position myself so the flasher is in the shade cast by my body (gotta move a bit now and then, of course), or I directly face the sun so the dial is shaded by the unit, and then I make sure to have a good brim on my cap.

Either way will do you well.

[mww24]

I had an FL-8 that I liked, that got stolen. So i bought the marcum VX-1 and love it and the zoom. Plus the interference rejection on the vx-1 is very good in my opinion. That being said. If christmas treats me right I may be buying a ICE-35 and letting my son use the VX-1. My vote goes to the H-Bird.

[silverbulletguy]

Steve-the big difference between the 35 and 45 is the digital depth display. Personally i went with the 35 because as long as I can mark fish/jig I don't care what the depth is. Just something else to possibly go wrong that they can charge you more money for.

[stretch1975]

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.

I will be fishing mostly for Walleye and panfish.

[robert aldrich]

MarCum Showdown troller flasher would work best for that situation. what are the main lakes you fish on and how deep are they.

[stretch1975]

MarCum Showdown troller flasher would work best for that situation. what are the main lakes you fish on and how deep are they.

The lakes here are not very deep in NW Iowa (Spirit Lake). But I also plan to go up to the Bemidji and Brainard areas a couple times a year also. I don't know the depths off hand.

[Gekhang]

so i was looking at mine again and wondered if i would like the bigger screen. any other reason i shold get like a hb ice 35 over vex fl 18? performance wise?

[silverbulletguy]

Ice 35 is much cheaper than FL-18. It has adjustable zoom and dual cone transducer. The bigger screen is really nice if you fish for any extended periods of time. Much easier on the eyes and the wallet with all the bells and whistles you really "need".

[dfeste]

Gekhang, comparing the ICE35 to an FL18 is a bit unfair. The 35 is price wise equal to an FL8. Even hardcore Vex guys would have to admit the 35 smokes the Vexilar. I'm just trying to stir the pot a little since I'm a Marcum owner myself, however, to be fair you should compare apples to apples.

[Esox_Magnum]

I will be fishing mostly for Walleye and panfish.

Since I fish the same waters I might be of a little help.. West you don't need anything untill dark, then the LX series will shine for the eyes after dark, Sprit again the LX series is great for the light biting jumbos, If for some odd reason ( happenes every now and then) you get cludy water on West it's hard to beat the narrow beam and SFL of the LX-5 when in the thick weeds for gills... Just my observations from using most the current flashers on the market, with the exception of the Showdown, hear good things about it just not fer me unless they go color then may change my mind....

[robert aldrich]

I like the size,weight, great depth range, auto find depth range, heated screen,interferince reduction is the best, comes with a strap to hang around neck, can get a carrying case for the MarCum Showdown troller flasher, takes less room then a big flasher, great for finding the fish under the ice, turn on light for night, plus many more positive input for the marcum showdown troller.

[mww24]

That showdown looks like it would be very tough to see in the daylight on the ice. reminds me of the old cell phones screens that you couldn't read outdoors.

[robert aldrich]

it is easy to see in the day time.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

That showdown looks like it would be very tough to see in the daylight on the ice. reminds me of the old cell phones screens that you couldn't read outdoors.

Truthfully, the grayscale is easier to see durring the day then the color flashers.

[Gekhang]

Gekhang, comparing the ICE35 to an FL18 is a bit unfair. The 35 is price wise equal to an FL8. Even hardcore Vex guys would have to admit the 35 smokes the Vexilar. I'm just trying to stir the pot a little since I'm a Marcum owner myself, however, to be fair you should compare apples to apples.

well im only comparing because i just got it and if its worth it, i could sell it for alittle more than a hb ice 35.

[mww24]

thanks for clearing up the ease of seeing the showdown. was just inquiring

[Hardyboy]

I own a showdown troller and it is a quality unit for hole hopping and definitely very easy to see in bright conditions. For someone getting in on a budget and doesnt want to spend a ton of money but wants something new the troller is a quality piece i would certainly recommend.

[trro0901]

For the price difference between the ICE-35 and 45 I went with the ICE-45, after the 45 dollar rebate that is on right now it was only 50 bucks difference between the two. But I haven't used it yet so I can't tell you how it performs on the ice, all I know is that its not suppose to have the troubles with interference like the vex's do. Good Luck!

[stretch1975]

Well I have a friend that has a Vex and a Showdown. I will just use his for the first part of the season so I can figure out what I want and like. There have been some good suggestions in this thread and I appreciate it very much.

Thanks fellow hard water fisherman.