Which FLASHER would you choose?!?!

[TrapMan13]

If you were to go out and get a new flasher and had these options, which would you choose?

Lowrance x67c

Vexilar Fl18

Marcum LX3 TC

Humminbird Ice35 - 45

Thanks!

Chad

[OnAFly]

The FL18 or the ICE45. I have one and hear great things of the other.

[Random guy]

What features are you looking for? Screen style, target seperation, made in America, battery life zoom capabilities?

[muc33]

I recommend what I began with, power, reliability, local live body if by any chance you need technical support, separation, interference reduction that is incredible and great features like adjustable zoom.

I started with a Marcum LX3-tc and am glad I did, I have now progressed to the LX5 and this year will start with the LX7, and won't look back, well, I look back with a smile.

[paceman]

FL-18

[Knoc]

Humminbird or vexilar.

[Chad Peterson]

The H-Bird 45 or 55. I really like them and would recommend them to anyone looking for a solid Flasher.

Sniffer

[Esox_Magnum]

I also vote for the LX-3, way more unit for the money than any vex on the market, personaly not a fan of the HB but thats just my preference...

[PurpleFloyd]

X 67c if you like to watch the graph mode. If you like watching lights flicker buy a flasher.

[Random guy]

X 67c if you like to watch the graph mode. If you like watching lights flicker buy a flasher.

Or look at the new LX-7, you get the round flasher, showdown style display and the graph style all in one.

As for product I started using Marcums when the Marcum LX-3 first came out and I have not looked back, and I make my living from catching fish.

[mww24]

For the people who recommend one brand or the other. Why do you recommend that brand or model over others? Another thing when comparing the power (watts) of each model if it says 2000 watts peak to peak is that accurate? I know in car or home theater amplifiers you want to look for the RMS wattage to see what the amplifier will put out under normal operating conditions. Does the same thing apply to sonars when dealing with watts? thanks

[Rippinlip]

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Biggest thing is to learn how to read and use it properly.

Anyone can buy the "best", but if you don't know what you are reading, than why waste the money?

[Matt C]

I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

Biggest thing is to learn how to read and use it properly.

Anyone can buy the "best", but if you don't know what you are reading, than why waste the money?

Well said.

[harvey lee]

Used them all and I really like the Bird Ice units. Both the 45 and 55 would be great units.

As stated above, learn to use all the features.

many educated people here on HSO so if u have an issue with an option, ask here or call the company.

[philly35]

I am a humminbird fan I have the 35 and I love it. IMHO though I would have to say I believe that Vexilar has way better separation. I dont care tho because I'm staring at my pole when theres a fish on it, not my flasher.

[Esox_Magnum]

Vex hand Hb have similar seperation both around 2.5"

[polarsusd81]

Trapman,

What kind of water do you fish? What species do you typically pursue? Do you want to use the unit in the boat? We need more information to help you out.

My choice though is the Vexilar FL-18 for several reasons. First off, that unit set the bar for zoom flashers. All the other flashers with zoom where based on what that unit did for the ice angling world. Second for me is product reliability. I have been running Vexilars on the ice for a long time, nearly half of my life, and haven't had any issues in all that time. I also know that if I were to have any issues, I can send it or bring it to their service center and they can take care of any issue encountered. The Vexilar is also available one the Blue Box. I won't purchase a flasher without the Blue Box. It is the best flasher carrier in my opinion, based on the customization options for it. I built rod tubes and a slot to hold a rose creek jig box on mine. I like to run and gun, and do so with at least three rods the way I have mine set up. You can't do the same with a soft pack.

Take care and have fun with whatever you choose. And most of all, like others have already stated, learn how to read your flasher and it will make you a better fisherman.

[leech~~]

I have been a Vex guy for years and have had a 8 & now 18. Works great but I do like the depth read out on the Humm 55 and since I Hate Math and get tried of trying to figure out how many times around the dial I am each time I move to a new spot! I'm picking up a pretty new/used Humm 55 and will try both of them for a while. One or the other will end up on the List in a month or so after ice up!

[Random guy]

Ok these Flasher threads get pretty gnarly and I try to stay out of them but, I have to say it at least once every year and here is my speech in reference to above posts and a few others I have seen.

First off setting the bar for zoom flashers? Yes others have a bottom locking zoom, what about moving that zoom anywhere in the water column? A great feature for trout, crappie, suspended gills, perch off a side hump and a numerous list of occasions bottom locking zoom just doesn’t have it. A zoom that is infinitely adjustable anywhere within the water column is the answer. Marcum has adjustable zoom on the LX-3, LX-5 and LX-7

While talking about zoom there is a huge difference in a digital processed zoom and expanded optical zoom. Most just blow up a picture and make it bigger, just like zooming in a picture on a computer, now you have a bunch of fuzzy edges and poor contrast. Marcum actually processes the zoom display so you have a true zoom that is a crisp clear zoomed picture that is displayed finer, not an exploded view of what you are already looking at.

Target separation. This is such a ridiculous argument I can’t believe it is even brought up any more. The competition brags about 2.5 inch separation. The LX-5 takes it to ¾ inch and the LX-7 along with the Showdown has it down to ½…ya that’s target separation.

Many say how great it is they can have their units sent to a service center. At Marcum you can just bring it by to their Minnesota based company. Some say assembled in America, some say “distributed” in America, Marcum is truly made in America by Minnesotans none the less! This does not mean they put an off shore unit in cardboard box made in America calling it American. Marcum units are truly built from the ground up at Marcum headquarters right in the Twin Cities. That’s Minnesota jobs and economy!

Quote:

For the people who recommend one brand or the other. Why do you recommend that brand or model over others?

Well for many of the reason above I chose to buy Marcums but why do I use them?

1) My living comes from catching fish. If I don’t catch fish I can’t heat my home, pay my light bill or put gas in my truck. I need tools I can push to the limits and I can rely on to hold up. That is why I drive late 70 ford trucks, wear Mickey boots, run old Jiffy augers, carry a simple compass and use Marcum products. They hold up even for a guy that’s spends 90-100 days on the ice every year.

2) Marcum products work and work well. From flashers with target separation that show me bottom hugging fish to cameras so clear I can tell the difference between a school of Spottail shiners or Emerald shiners. They do what they do very well. No hiding behind accessories or gadgets, they outright perform right out of the box. You can buy a compact truck and put mud tires on it but it’s still a little baby truck with big tires. Or you can just buy the 1 ton 4x4 with the big engine from the start and be done screwing around…that’s why I chose Marcum.

3) Customer Service. Marcum will take care of you I have seen guys who wreck their units out of pure abuse and Marcum took care of them. I have had guys in rentals shacks have me send a unit in for whatever reason and it beat them to their own door step. You can’t go wrong with Marcum customer service.

And thats what I have to say this year.

[Hardyboy]

If you were to go out and get a new flasher and had these options, which would you choose?

Lowrance x67c

Vexilar Fl18

Marcum LX3 TC

Humminbird Ice35 - 45

Thanks!

Chad

Holding true to the original question i would say the marcum lx3

[MN Mike]

Given that list of Flashers, I would pick the Marcum LX3 also.

Mike

[Pooh]

For what its worth I have an ICE 55. Went from the FL8SLT to the Bird. big upgrade. only reason I bought it over the Marcum because of the bigger flat screen. If your looking for a flasher that will just work any of the ones mentioned will do that. Some just have more or better features than others.

[leech~~]

Umm, you don't by chance sell, rent or get a nice discount on Marcum in your bizz do ya!

[muc33]

Umm, you don't by chance sell, rent or get a nice discount on Marcum in your bizz do ya!

Of the 3 Marcum units I have bought, I chose to buy my first used from another member here on HSO, The second I did receive a discount, the third I paid full price. I chose Marcum, because I can, because of it's reputation, working ability, and continued service if needed, and most of all, because in my opinion it works the best. Those are answers to the original question and your implied suggestion that all speaking on Marcum's behalf are paid or dealers, or spokespeople. I am not. I chose it.

[leech~~]

muc33 thanks for the reply. I was just ribbing Jonny P because he is a guide up on Red.