Marcum Power vs Vexilars "HD"

[hamms-scooter]

I will say that screen on the bird is easy to look at...

[WhiskeyPete]

I will NEVER own a Vexilar since they make so much noise when they are on. Same goes for a Hummingbird. Flat out NOISY!!

[Crappyfisherman]

This is Fun!!! My turn. I have a FL18, Bird55 and HDS-5 The HDS-5 is great if you are stitting but not good for run and gun.I use the HDS for gps and then hole hope with the 55. Can fish the hds and 55 right next to each other with out interferance. My wife likes the FL18. My point is use what works best for you.

[hamms-scooter]

I have read that the birds have 2400 watts of power. Funny the vexilar guys are fine with it having that much juice only cause it doesn't interfer with their sonar. Are the same claims out there that the bird transducer won't be able to handle that much power like people say about the marcum, That they will go bad sooner then the vex would. I read that the transducers are only rated for 400 watts. This came from a vexilar article saying theirs will last longer then the competition because of only using the 400w... Spoke to many guys with older marcums that have the same ducers...

[PerchJerker]

I read that the transducers are only rated for 400 watts. This came from a vexilar article saying theirs will last longer then the competition because of only using the 400w...

Each company uses crystals that are matched to the wattage of their units .... what that article should have said is that Vex uses crystals that are only rated for 400 watts. The old wives tale that more watts or more power leads to faster failure is nothing more than a myth (but it is pushed awfully hard by some guys in the Vex camp). Watts have nothing to do with transducer failure ---- more watts equals a cleaner signal with less distortion, and it really is that simple. As noted by others, the ShowDown and many open water sonars use higher watts than marcum flashers.

[hamms-scooter]

Thanks Perch I feel the same way about that article. I find the same reaction from the guys at the big stores. That is if they are vex guys... The last time I went in to look at some of the latest units out there it was the opposite for the first time I can remember. I went in to check out the marcums to get a little more informed on what they all have and can do. Out of the 4 guys working in the department 3 had a marcum unit first time seeing that. one with a vx-1 one had both lx-3tc/lx-5 and one had the lx-5. Was nice to get an overview from each guy. The other guy had an fl-20. The vex guy went on and on how the ducer will never last on the marcum units. I said instead of bashing one unit you know nothing about or have zero experience with tell me something good you like about your unit that stands out to you...

[CrewJones]

I just upgraded from my FL-8 , searched forever and ended up with the LX-5 best choice for me and my thing was that I hated how noisy the other ones were. that ice 55 was my second choice Vex seems complacent

[hamms-scooter]

I use a fl-8se now a it is a good unit. I have caught many fish using it. It does make you guess more though...Is that a fish on the bottom those types of things. That guessing has made me a better fisherman as well. Time to step it up though. I have my eye on a 1 yr old lx-5. Also found a fl-22 for cheap. Leaning toward the 5 though. want more time on the ice by guys who run either that will allow me to check it out.

[hamms-scooter]

I just upgraded from my FL-8 , searched forever and ended up with the LX-5 best choice for me and my thing was that I hated how noisy the other ones were. that ice 55 was my second choice Vex seems complacent

Do you fish by other brands often with your lx5? Any issues? I guess the only thing keeping me from going with the lx-5 is the issue of to much power causing problems for others. I mainly fish alone or with someone else but hole hopping 95% of the time. But for the occasional trip to mille lacs or Low in the big perm houses is this even an issue or not? I see segments on tv of guys in a perm shack with all makes and models ....

[Esox_Magnum]

I have fished close with several flashers and other brands, 99% of the time not an issue, have never had a porblem tuning any out, can't say the same for a couple of my vex friends with older 8's or 12's

[IcerRon2010]

Hamms,

If you want a side by side comparison, let's go fishing at Pelican or a local lake around the metro that has shallow weeded area. I have both units. PM me if interested.

[iceniowa]

i own 3 fl8 1 fl20 1 ice 35 1 ice55 1 lx5 and one vl1 all will put fish on the ice with them all. the fl8 was my first and always goes with you can buy a used one pretty cheap hence i have 3 the marcums do best for fish righ on the bottom that being said my vexs and birds do well also the ice 35 does very well for the money and has features you have to spend $100 or

more for on the others i have never fished in over 60ft of water so depths arent a concern zoom and switchable cones are nice as you get into deeper water the vexs do get more interfearance but a simple gain adjustment cures it most of the time iu have found the seperation issue many speak of is a non issue for most. the birds bigger screen is nice. i personally have never had an issue with any of my units but knobs have been issue with a buddy on his marcums the vexs and the marcums seem to have a thicker and more durable plastic than the birds just on observation tho never had a case break on my birds they just seem to be thinner plasics the power out put of any of these units dont seem to be and issue. just my semi educated opinion of the units i own owened or used. i call it a ford vs chevy vs vs vs debate myself in the regard that you can have all the great equiptment in the world hut poles jigs augers atvs but no electronics on the ice you are wasting a lot of time and missing a lot fish sorry for my choppy post i did it from my phone and am not an english major just a crazy icefisherman

[Bigslugger]

When dealing with target separation are you expecting your flasher unit to tell you when the fish is on your line or to tell you that the jig is .5 inches away from the fish? Personally my eyes transfer from the flasher to the rod as the fish is near or coming up. Within that 6" range any flasher with zoom can justify the same thing.

It depends on what you like. More blocked lines, more blended, more colors, adjustable zoom, flat screen, customer service, low power modes, automatic depth, etc etc

When it comes to power I am sure Vexilar could boost the power in their units to match the birds and Marcums, but why re-invent the wheel to do the same thing, or vis versus. It gets old hearing about the power in the units with no such facts to really back it up on what it does. One could argue saying that Vexilar has old technology, but I am sure if anyone was to look into it you would be able to find high new quality part in their units.

I run the Fl 22 HD love the thing and wouldn't trade it for the world. Low power mode is a life saver in the weeds. I have also used the lx 5 but did not like it due to the fact it is not a flat screen, otherwise I would own both units. Did own the 55 for 1 day and realized it wasn't for me (not to cut it down), just did not care for it.

Either way any high end flasher will serve the same purpose to tell you where the fish are located in the column.

[Bigslugger]

I have read that the birds have 2400 watts of power. Funny the vexilar guys are fine with it having that much juice only cause it doesn't interfer with their sonar.

Have yet to not be able to clear interference with any other flasher with the 22.

[NoWiser]

Hamms, I think what you need to do is quit looking at these message boards, and fish a weekend with each flasher you are interested in. Then buy the one you like better. People have their brands they like, and will defend them to the end, forgetting their weaknesses, and exageratting their strengths. I love my FL-18, and you couldn't pay me to trade it for my buddy's LX5 (that he absolutely loves.) They all make good units, and chances are whatever you get used to using will be your favorite. I think you should find an LX5, use it for a weekend, then find an FL-22 and use that for a weekend. Forget what everyone else says and buy the one you enjoyed using more. There has to be someone that would be willing to loan you one, or a place to rent them. Either way, I guarantee whatever you buy, you will be happy with.

The only way I'd be slightly biased towards Vex is if you have a lot of buddies you like to fish with in the same house that have Vexilars. An LX5 may just get you kicked out of the house. If it is just 2 or 3 units, they shouldn't have much trouble cleaning up interference.

[herefish101]

All units work in all situations, its just a matter of learning how to fine tune the unit you have, even an fl-8, no unit can see through weeds.

[hamms-scooter]

No Wiser I was done posting on this a couple days ago. I am looking for a lx-5 used. BTW BigSlugger the power of the marcum is for the good separation and interference rejection. I have seen the 22 in action and I would like to try the crisp display of the lx-5. I have never had the flat screen so won't miss much there. If I don't care for the marcum i'll try the vex 22. Thanks to all that gave their 2 cents.