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vexilar vs marcum vs hummingbird

Lost Cause

By Lost Cause
in Ice Fishing

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Lost Cause Contributor

Lost Cause

Posted
Posted

I know this has probably been brought up multiple times before but I was wondering if there were any real differences between the brands that made one superior to the other or if it's more like the Ford vs Chevy argument. Any input would be great. I would really like to know which seems best with interference, if that could be answered.

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CaptainMusky Grand Master

CaptainMusky

Posted
Posted

Yes, this is a tired discussion. The details you seek are littered all over the place on posts on this forum.

Its pretty much a ford vs chevy vs dodge argument. Each one has benefits over the others in various things.

Buy what you like or maybe buy what your friends have because Marcums have so much power they tend to leave guys with Vexilars frustrated with interference.

You cannot go wrong with any of them.

Having said that, Marcum makes the best ice electronics. laugh

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STUDLYdarter Rookie

STUDLYdarter

Posted
Posted

VEXILAR and its not close. u can't beat the fl-20 or 22 with the big flat screen. and idk y everyone says oh fish a marcum next to a vex and vexilar has all these interference problems.. i have a vex and my buddy has a marcum when we fish by each other he can't even see his jig its so bad..mine clear as day. VEXILAR>marcum>humming dump . not a fan of hummingbird at all the colors look awful imo and who wants to deal with 10 diff buttons. same with the marcum wayyyyy tomany buttons vex just turn a dial once and ur good to go

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ClownColor Mentor

ClownColor

Posted
Posted

Don't listen to ANYONE who says one brand is better then the next. ANY of the top 3 (vex, bird, marc) will be the best investment you'll make towards ice fishing.

Here's what you NEED to consider:

What model is the best for your needs out of the top 3 brands. I like simplicity so I stuck with vex model 12 with flat screen for veiw purposes only otherwise I would have gone with the trusted and tried vex 8.. Others, who like to have everything and the newest and best technology will go with the marcum 7. bird has some great features as well and was recently the best priced out of all 3. Vex does has some interference problems when running with other nodels but the rejection button DOES work and will fix that.

If I had to do it all over again...I'd go with either of the three...but which ever had the best deal at the time!

[sits back and just sneezed all over their popcorn]LOL

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chad austin Experienced

chad austin

Posted
Posted

crazy [wondering if JW & GB will share their popcorn?? If need be, i have an extra auger extension you can have in trade for said popcorn. You WILL need it soon you know.] crazy

Actually, nevermind, I just seen ClownColor sneezed on said popcorn. Auger extension will go back in the garage for a later barter.

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PFUNK Proficient

PFUNK

Posted
Posted

Totally agree with ClownColor. If anyone tells you one brand blows the other out of the water they are stretching it. No matter which brand you buy, take the time to learn its ins and outs and you will benefit greatly. I would urge you to not only look at mechanical flashers, but also check out the lcd units from lowrance, bird, and now MarCum. They have a lot of great capabilities inlcuding GPS in the Lowrance and H'bird. Also, there are a lot of used units out their with great price tags on them... something to consider.

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Jarrod32 Veteran

Jarrod32

Posted
Posted

They all give you the same information...the main differences are whether or not the unit has a zoom feature and how it works (if it is a set bottom zoom or if it is a variable zoom throughout the water column). The other main difference is the display in terms of color and brightness. The Humminbird 45 and 55 will also give you a digital depth readout and what I consider to be a nicer display.

It all gets down to a matter of preference...a previous poster mentioned that he didn't like the Humminbird colors and display; I happen to think that the Humminbird is the best display, particularly in terms of color.

I currently run a Vex FL-18, and I don't see enough in any of the new units to cause me to want to spend the money to upgrade. If I did, the Humminbird 55 would be the one I would get.

The best bang for the buck right now - again, my own opinion - is either the MarCum VX-1 or the Humminbird ICE-35. Both of those can be had for under $300 and give you all the features you would need.

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Mike Walerak Mentor

Mike Walerak

Posted
Posted

I have personally owned all 3. They all have some sort of detail that makes one stand out from the other. If you are strickly a walleye fisherman on really need the separation tight to the bottom you will want to look at the Marcum LX-5 or LX-3. If you fish multiple species in different depths I'd go with the Hummingbird. If you want to old standby go with the Vex.

For me since I started using the Hummingbird I have become accustmed to some of it's features. One being the depth display in the center of the screen. 2 is the size of the display. I also like the way it is able to adjust the zoom through the water column. Has the most features for the dollar in my opinion.

It pretty much does all that I want from a flasher so I can't complain. Heck if one of them had a catch fish garantee I'd buy that one in a heart beat but I don't think the technology is there yet!

mw

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Jarrod32 Veteran

Jarrod32

Posted
Posted

Totally agree with ClownColor. If anyone tells you one brand blows the other out of the water they are stretching it. No matter which brand you buy, take the time to learn its ins and outs and you will benefit greatly. I would urge you to not only look at mechanical flashers, but also check out the lcd units from lowrance, bird, and now MarCum. They have a lot of great capabilities inlcuding GPS in the Lowrance and H'bird. Also, there are a lot of used units out their with great price tags on them... something to consider.

Yep...somewhere around here is a thread about the Humminbird 385ci being used on the ice...it is well written and has some photos. Lots of options for ice units...just depends on personal preference.

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bogeyman1 Enthusiast

bogeyman1

Posted
Posted

Cant we all just get along. I have a Marcum,friend has a Vex. We both catch fish, we both have fun, that's what it's all about. buy the one you can afford then upgrade in a couple years. If you have unlimited resources, then buy the most expensive one on the market, you won't go wrong and you'll never fish the same again i'm sorry to say.

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CaptainMusky Grand Master

CaptainMusky

Posted
Posted

I fished beside a Marcum last night with my Vex FL18 and didn't have any interference problems, never touched the button once.
it doesnt always happen, really depends on depth and bottom content.

I have an LX3TC, one of my buddies and FL8. He putzes with the IR on his and still can never get the interference to completely disappear. So I just tell him to turn his off and watch his bait (along with mine) from my marcum. LOL

They all work just fine.

I would suggest just buying a used one (whatever you find) from C List and trying it out. You can always sell it and most likely wont lose any money.

I found my lx3tc for $175 a couple years ago. Thing works perfect.

If you consider graph models, dont overlook the ones you have in your boat either.

A lowrance unit like an HDS or 522 or something would work great too. its sometimes nice to see the "history" on the screen rather than just a flasher so using the graphing mode can really show you the fish's reaction to your presentation.

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tsande00 Experienced

tsande00

Posted
Posted

My brother and I fished next to each other last night. Him with his Vexilar FL-8 and me with my Marcum LX3tc. Neither of us had any interference problems and didn't even have to bother with IR. I did notice the "blobs" that people refer to now with the Vexilars (whether that is good or bad I'm not sure) Only negative I can think of was holy smokes does that vex make a lot of noise. As far as pure performance though, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the units.

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Tipupdown Contributor

Tipupdown

Posted
Posted

IMO

Hummingbird is what i use..

1. Price

2. Big LCD Screen

3. Water Colum Zoom

4. Mention Price!

They all work, they all mark fish, so it's just a matter of whatever one you like the best... My group of friends have just about every kind and to me not one makes a big bit of difference!

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Pooh Experienced

Pooh

Posted
Posted

I agree with tip up.

my 2 cents: I now use an Ice-55, started with an fl8. 3 buddies with marcums one lx3 one 5 and one vx1. the one i saw with the least interferance was with my bird. Fishing 80 FOW for tulibees. At that depth cones cross and interferance is amlost a given. I had the least with my bird, but it was still there. My fl8 was a pain to use in the same situation, it worked but needed some tuning and constant attention.

they all have their own features others dont have. maybe you cant live with out that

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