Least Interference

[Black_Bay]

I have an FL 18 right now and would like to add another for myself and let my son use the FL 18. We'll be in the same hub so I'm looking for a unit that would have the least interference with the Vex. I like the Vexilar but I'm open to either Marcum or a Hbird too. Most of my fishing is in water less than 40 feet and usually less than 20.

[Rick]

Get a Humminbird or

get another vex

or

sell the Vex and get two MarCums

[Steve Foss]

You can fish two Vex units side by side if one has IR and not have problems. I've done this many a time. It's when a third flasher is introduced nearby (either another Vex or a Marcum, which use the same frequency) that all hell breaks loose. Happens whether you have 3 Vexes, 3 Marcums or 3 Birds in close proximity.

So buy another Vex if you like, making sure one has IR. Should be just fine.

If I was in your situation, however, I'd buy a Humminbird ICE unit. It operates on a different frequency than the Vexes and Marcums, so there's no potential for interference even if a third person joins the group.

[fish-a-man]

I have an older fl-8 and recently bought a marcum lx-3tc they have little to no interference issues. but the lx-3tc has interference rejection so it clears it up if there is any issues

[CJH]

HB. Three years w/out any interference and loving it!! (That includes 4 guys in a fish house w/ 4 brands of sonar).

[robert aldrich]

marcum is good.

[silverbulletguy]

Get a Bird ! ! !

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Get a Humminbird or

get another vex

or

sell the Vex and get two MarCums

X-2

Either another Vex. or a Hummingbird will work well with your present Vex.

I prefer the MarCums also!

Cliff

[skyhawk]

How about 2 birds in the same house? Any interference probs?

Thanks

[silverbulletguy]

The birds play well together. Even with the others.

[fisherman-andy]

I fish with buddies and we have HB55, LX5, FL20, LX3tc all in the hub together at the same time spread out on each end of the corners. They all work as long as you tune it a little and dont over do the gain. A FL8 is definitely a no no in this group of flashers.

[Fred_Bear]

In shallow water you shouldn't have trouble with interference no what you use. Deep water is where the trouble is. I'd get another vex... 12, 18, and 20 all do well near each other; 8's do well with each other but can cause problems with the other vex's. A marcum fished near a vex in deep water will cause all kinds of interference on the vex. No experience with birds but I hear good reviews on them for interference.

[PerchJerker]

The easiest way to avoid interference on the Vex is to go with a HB unit --- different frequencies, no interference.

Going with another Vex is a good option too, you will be able to fish 2 Vex's next to each other with no issues.

A Marcums is likely to give your FL-18 some issues that you won't be able to clean up completely. You'll be able to use the 18 but you will not be able to tune out all the interference on it (the Marcums won't show any interference though).

Quote:

It's when a third flasher is introduced nearby (either another Vex or a MarCum, which use the same frequency) that all hell breaks loose. Happens whether you have 3 Vexes, 3 Marcums or 3 Birds in close proximity.

That is true for HB and Vex but it is not true for Marcums. Marcums have the best interference rejection and it's not even close. We fish 4 LX-5s, or 3 LX-5s and 1 LX-3s, in a small hardsided house in 35 fow on LOTW every year. When you turn them on there is interference on every unit, but it only takes a minute or two to clean up every one of them to the point where there is zero interference on any of them. Then all 4 of us fish all day long on interference free units, and it is VERY NICE