vexilar vs marcum vs hummingbird

[Mracekvb23]

I was looking at the ICE 55 since they were $429 with a $55 rebate, which seems like a pretty decent deal, but I was reading it has 2.5 in target separation? Really? Vex and Marcums are at like .75, .5, and .25 and the birds are all at 2.5? Am I missing something? Are the birds doing something different or different technology or something? Any input?

[robert aldrich]

marcum showdown troller

[CaptainMusky]

I was looking at the ICE 55 since they were $429 with a $55 rebate, which seems like a pretty decent deal, but I was reading it has 2.5 in target separation? Really? Vex and Marcums are at like .75, .5, and .25 and the birds are all at 2.5? Am I missing something? Are the birds doing something different or different technology or something? Any input?

Be careful when comparing those feature on vexilars. They do not have the target separation of the lx5 or even lx3. They call target identification, but it may confuse two fish as one fish where the marcums would show clearly two fish.

[Doalhe]

I have a vexilar, loved it, My neighbor just bought a Marcom. Appears to be pretty nice. I also have the humminbird, LOVE it.

[amateurfishing]

i agree with getting something used if possible and just going with it for a year or two, whatever will fit your budget & current needs (which i assume is just finding fish). if that the case, whatever u choose will work. you really have to start somewhere b4 u really find out what u need/want or like/dislike features wise. and if comparing .5 target separation to 1.5 or 2.5 is a big deal (which in reality is jus a flick of your wrist up or down)u may be targeting the wrong features. pick a budget & go with it. starting with something is better than nothing at all and after using your first and hearing features of others that u may not have, you will learn what is/is not important to u. this is the tech world and everything is ever changing every year. the best this year will not be the best next year, just like computers & tv's, impossible to keep up. best thing to do is pick a price point and go to several retailers and find out what they recommend, pros, cons, differences, then maybe see what u can get used IMO. u can drive yourself crazy looking for the perfect one but only u will know it when u find it. all based on personal taste & preference.

[Esox_Magnum]

I was looking at the ICE 55 since they were $429 with a $55 rebate, which seems like a pretty decent deal, but I was reading it has 2.5 in target separation? Really? Vex and Marcums are at like .75, .5, and .25 and the birds are all at 2.5? Am I missing something? Are the birds doing something different or different technology or something? Any input?

Marcums LX-7 and Showdowns are .5" LX-5 is .75" in zoom and SFL not sure seperation on the LX-3 all the rest, Vex and HB are in that 2.5-2.68" range....

[muskiemanAD]

I have a Humminbird 597cidi. Got the ice transducer adapter and I am very impressed. I have my maps and the option to zoom in on bottom with normal screen, can have the typical ice fishing screen. The details that this unit has is as good as my old fl8. The nice thing is for 65 bucks this unit goes from map/depthfinder for summer fishing to the same setup for ice fishing. not bashing others as I have used them all but you cant beat the bird if you want one unit for ice and open water fishing....

[hamms-scooter]

lx-3 is 1 " separation

[leech~~]

Dmit! Here we go again.

Some one call a lake-date and lets meet and have it out once and for all!

I have a Vex FL-18 / Humm ice 55 / X67C and a cam. Some one bring a marcum Lx-5 and a Troller and lets do this. Flasher GTG and contest!

We can drill some holes, grill some dogs and have a few pops! Once we all have had a enough "pops" we should be able to do some good scientific studies on which unit can do what! We can collect some data by category, separation being one. Then once we all agreed on our finding post them for all the other none believers that could not make it to the event about how their units are peices of junk! Or this will never end! I know Marcum did this few years ago! Who cares it's still not done! So lets do it again!

PS bring some different augers and we will take care of that mess at the same time!

[chad austin]

"Pops" and non-sneezed on popcorn. I'll bring the couch from the garage. Hey leech, "do you think we'll need an extension?"

[leech~~]

Hey leech, "do you think we'll need an extension?"

We will if like everything else in this world we wait to long and the ice gets thick. So that part should only change the auger testing part.

Here's how this post will go. I few will make jokes, some will be gungho to do it, but never will and then at the end it will start all over again with mine is better!

So, lets do it. All we need is 5 guys all with different locators and we could answer all the worlds problems! But, then we would have to find some other fishing item to disagree on!

[amateurfishing]

Dmit! Here we go again.

Some one call a lake-date and lets meet and have it out once and for all!

I have a Vex FL-18 / Humm ice 55 / X67C and a cam. Some one bring a marcum Lx-5 and a Troller and lets do this. Flasher GTG and contest!

We can drill some holes, grill some dogs and have a few pops! Once we all have had a enough "pops" we should be able to do some good scientific studies on which unit can do what! We can collect some data by category, separation being one. Then once we all agreed on our finding post them for all the other none believers that could not make it to the event about how their units are peices of junk! Or this will never end! I know Marcum did this few years ago! Who cares it's still not done! So lets do it again!

PS bring some different augers and we will take care of that mess at the same time!

LUV IT!!

U know what they all say, opinions are like butts (not exact verbage), everyone has one and they all stink!

......and dont forget to test slick jig vs darter vs live minnow vs rapala vs waxies vs .........

[PFUNK]

I love it. I'll bring the Bird 385ci and my favorite flavor of "pop".

[opsirc]

seems this post comes up every year. research the finders and look at the features they hage, then pick the one that best meets your needs. as someone mentioned before, should be able to find a used one to try out. bottom line all work for what u need them to do.

[Hardyboy]

Dmit! Here we go again.

Some one call a lake-date and lets meet and have it out once and for all!

I have a Vex FL-18 / Humm ice 55 / X67C and a cam. Some one bring a marcum Lx-5 and a Troller and lets do this. Flasher GTG and contest!

We can drill some holes, grill some dogs and have a few pops! Once we all have had a enough "pops" we should be able to do some good scientific studies on which unit can do what! We can collect some data by category, separation being one. Then once we all agreed on our finding post them for all the other none believers that could not make it to the event about how their units are peices of junk! Or this will never end! I know Marcum did this few years ago! Who cares it's still not done! So lets do it again!

PS bring some different augers and we will take care of that mess at the same time!

Count me in! i can bring a Showdown Troller, LX7 and an old school FL8 slt to the table. Make it somewhere thats not a 4 hour drive. Really i dont care which one ends up better but sounds like a good time.

[leech~~]

How about Sat Jan 7th on Mill lacs or some where closer to the cities like Buffalo or Clear lake? I'm open. Say maybe meet up at 1pm or so? Do some dogs on the grill and then go head to head! If we do get enough interest it maybe good just to get off this post and post a GTG by it's self?

[chad austin]

If we do get enough interest it maybe good just to get off this post and post a GTG by it's self?

Just start the post and see what kind of interest there is. Good idea leech. Lets put this issue to bed... Then maybe the moderators will pin the final results to the top if the ice fishing forum for future generations... and the guy next week

[leech~~]

Just start the post and see what kind of interest there is. Good idea leech. Lets put this issue to bed... Then maybe the moderators will pin the final results to the top if the ice fishing forum for future generations... and the guy next week

Done! Go to HSO Events and Activities and help pick a lake. This may end up being a good event to sell and buy some used Flashers when people find out theirs is c&ap!

[Esox_Magnum]

We have and do fish all brands side by side both sight fishing and with a camera to see subtle or in some cases not so subtle differences, quite an eye opening experience and the reason I'll keep running the brand I currently do and so glad I sold off my old units....Somw will never belive their old 8 tracks/walkmans are outdated in todays I Pod age....A Taurus is a great car if thats all you have ever known, but once you drive a Porsch the differences are easily seen...

[hamms-scooter]

What was the final decision on the flasher selection?

[Lost Cause]

went with a vexilar fl-18 genz pack. Price point was the final decision maker. Fleet Farm had them for $383.00