How good is the ICE 55?

[dfeste]

My intention was to purchase a Marcum LX5 once flashers started going on sale this year. I just came across a deal where I can get the Ice 55 for $385 after the rebate. If I'm not mistaken the Ice 55 typically runs in $500 range(correct me if I'm wrong).

I have had one customer service experience with Marcum and they were fabulous. I dropped my flasher in open water and they got it working again for no charge. They even shipped it back at thier exspense. My point with this is that I intended to buy Marcum electronics exclusively

My questions are is the Ice 55 on par performance wise with the lx 5 and is that a good enough price to jump ship from Marcum. I know either will be an upgrade from my current vx 1.

[DTro]

Its a great unit and I don't think you will be disappointed.

[Esox_Magnum]

LX will give you crisp sharp lines, HB is similar to the Vex fuzzieness

HB has a bigger screen and ability to change color,LX does not

LX can be used on the boat with the additional open waterkit, HB can not

LX has better target seperation than the HB

I have used both and prefer my LX but many like the HB....

[Brad B]

LX will give you crisp sharp lines, HB is similar to the Vex fuzzieness

HB has a bigger screen and ability to change color,LX does not

LX can be used on the boat with the additional open waterkit, HB can not

LX has better target seperation than the HB

I have used both and prefer my LX but many like the HB....

The LX 5 can't change colors but if you step up to a LX6, LX7, or LX9 then you can.

the thing that sets the HB 55 ahead of the Marcums (any of their models) is that they run on a frequency of 455Khz and the Marcums and vexs for that fact run on 200Kzh. so unless there is other birds around you there should be no issue with interference from other units in the area.

[Pooh]

The ice 55 was a huge set up from FL8

[bigbad401]

The ice 55 was a huge set up from FL8

My Ice35 was a huge step up from my FL8!!!

[CaptainMusky]

The zoom on the marcum is far superior than the bird. Its not infinitely adjustable like the marcums are. You can set it in ANY location on the depth scale vs like 5 foot increments on the bird.

I fish with a few guys who have lx5 and they are pretty amazing, but they can be troublesome to other units due to their power output causing interference. Typically if they leave their IR alone and let the other units fiddle with their's it can be removed. The second they put the IR on though its a [PoorWordUsage] match. I actually think they do it on purpose to try and get an advantage. LOL

[DTro]

Dont forget that when hole hopping you have to keep toying with the zoom on the marcum and no auto depth feature either like the Bird has.

[leech~~]

I had a Ice 55 for a few months. It had a lot of pretty lights and things I never really used but most of all it $ucked "new" batteries up like coolad! I ran my Ice 55 in one hole and my FL18 in another out on Red Lake last year for two nights and days and the 55 died in a day and a half and the FL18 was still going when I shut it off and put it in the truck! Sold it!

[DTro]

Yep Vex is great on power consumption. The FL20 should be considered in this discussion too.

[CaptainMusky]

Yep Vex is great on power consumption. The FL20 should be considered in this discussion too.

It could, but it wasnt a model the OP inquired about.

[fisherman-andy]

My current main unit has been the Ice55 the last couple years. Until the LX-6 is in my possession the 55 will be the flasher im using on the hardwater.

Don't complain on battery life if you want a top of the line unit. Pack an extra battery for long trips, general use dont go over a day. My 55 has consistently last for 2 days/nights. The auto depth is well welcome for hole hoppers and the digital scale and large screen is easy on the eyes. Backlight LCD is useful in low light. I run mines exclusively on the 6 colors in ways one would interpret fish size or movement behavior.

What I don't like about the unit? Zoom is really just a magnification on screen and pales in comparison to the Marcum. Surface clutter or interference gets annoying. Not great on target separation either but no big deal as once I see the fish in screen. The wide beam tranducer is worthless in shallow water with the amount of interference it picks up so you likely switch narrow beam just to make due.

All in all been pretty happy with the unit. Vex users should adapt well if switching over to a bird.

[fishwater]

If it's possible, I have too many sonar units. Allowed only to bring one on a trip any further than an hour from my house, it'd be the lx5. I'd leave the fl22, ice55, lx7, showdown5.6 and hds5 all at home. The Hbird has self interference issues in algae blooms and a B-grade dualbeam as Andy suggests. Works awesome for your typical walleye fishing, especially as a second unit in close proximity.

[hamms-scooter]

Battery life is a big deal for me. I like knowing it will run. When I went to LOTW last year the fl-18 I had at the time ran for 3 days and went into truck still going. The gain was turned up a tad more but still kickin. I have the fl-20 now and it is a great unit. The night mode option is a big power saver too. The only things I don't like about the unit are the glare from the sun and no bottom lock for open water. I might pickup a fl-18 again because it is truely a bulletproof unit. If I had to pick between the bird and the lx-5 i think the marcum would be the winner. My buddy runs the 55 and has sent the head unit to be replaced 2 times.

[dfeste]

Well I ended up finding one for $325 after rebate so I pulled the trigger. The reviews have be as expected and similar to those found on other sites. Not sure whether or not I'll love it but I figured at that price it was worth a shot. I also have a buddy that buys all of the ice gear that I've upgraded from so worst case it will cost me $50 or $75 and I'll wash my hands of it.

[hamms-scooter]

Cant go wrong there then. Goodl luck

[Kyle]

Nice unit in comparison to the lower end models of marcum and vexilar. Last winter was my fishing buddy's second season with it. It all of a sudden started not targeting bottom when turning it on, and gradually got worse. Then it stopped working all together. He sent it in twice in one season. We'll see what happens this year, but that was enough to make me not want to buy one, and for him to want to throw it in the trash. I would stick with Marcum or Vexilar.

[CaptainMusky]

Kyle those are some very common issues that I have heard of too.

[JuanArellano]

I don't think you will be unhappy with whatever you choose. It all comes down to the brand you like.

[harvey lee]

All I can say is the Ice55 unit I have has been flawless in performance.

[Fishin4fun_MN]

What makes this unit so good? I have never used a flasher. I have a portable eagle that i use for ice fishing and can also take in my buddies boat when we go out. Have recently looked at them online now thinking about upgrading.

[silverbulletguy]

I'm gonna try and upgrade from me 35 to a 55 this year and keep the 35 as a back up or for my son to use in a few years. Love my bird !

[MN BassFisher]

I have had the ICE 45 for two full seasons and I have had not one problem. I really like the large displays on the 45's and 55's. Looking at my buddies ICE 35, I'm glad I spent the extra coin for the digital layout.