Flasher Question?

[FLAG!!]

I presently use a basic vex and it does the job just fine, but a troller seems like it would accomplish the same and be easier to carry/transport. Thoughts?

[aanderud]

IMHO, you'd be spending a bunch of money to replace something that isn't broken.

The troller seems like it fails in even its namesake function -- "trolling". When hole hopping you are going to either hold it (not a good option when you're catching fsh) or you're going to have some kind of stand rigged up for it to sit down near the ice...in which case it's back to the same thing you're carrying around now, basically.

[pushbutton]

I essentially agree. For the reasons Brian mentioned I would not buy one without the soft pack, which then just makes it a tote around flasher, which you already have. While it will have some advantages over what you are using, probably not 250 worth......well unless you don't care about the money.......then why not spend an extra hundred and get the showdown......or the extra 350 for the 6.

[Cecil]

Is a vexilar really that difficult to transport??

[bbfenatic]

IMO the Troller is very underrated. I have used it on my 3rd year now without the Performance Pack Case and I would not use a regular flasher ever again. I carry it with the strap around my neck and the ducer in my front coat pocket. I hole hop now and then, more in the Spring when the melt is on, but mostly in my portable and I just set it on my backpack I carry other things in. Marks fish very well, love the vertical display, and most of all no whirling buzz noise so it is noiseless! Can't wait for a color version Troller or Showdown.

[amateurfishing]

IMO the Troller is very underrated. I have used it on my 3rd year now without the Performance Pack Case and I would not use a regular flasher ever again. I carry it with the strap around my neck and the ducer in my front coat pocket. I hole hop now and then, more in the Spring when the melt is on, but mostly in my portable and I just set it on my backpack I carry other things in. Marks fish very well, love the vertical display, and most of all no whirling buzz noise so it is noiseless! Can't wait for a color version Troller or Showdown.

+1....i totally agree that it is very under rated & simple to use. this was my first hard water finder 2 years ago and dont regret the purchase for a second. i have the lanyard with unit around my neck and wrap ducer cord around neck also when checking locales. very simple easy & small to use. carry case is great for when u find em and want to sit for a while, only takes 5 seconds to put unit in it. i plan on teaching my 7 year old son using the troller this season. i also have a 1 year old hb 597 which i will use but think its no big deal to carry around....if your sole reason for purchase is for portability, i would pause & rethink the necessity of it but if you have $$ burning holes & u r set on it, it is a wonderful little unit to have. personally it is much easier to look at the lines on my troller than learn the color pallette on a flasher but everyone is different. the battery heater is also a great feature to keep unit from freezing up outside

[FLAG!!]

Thanks for the responses. Couple things:

CECIL- No- my vex is not THAT hard to transport but a showdown would appear to be easier..

I would likely purchase the 5.6 with the soft case, not the mini but the mini is intriguing.

Also, the 3 guys I fish with all have Vex and I would assume the showdown 5.6 or troller would avoid the interference that we often battle?

Last, I don't necessarily have money to burn but do have a few extra bucks from a poker tourney I just won.

[amateurfishing]

i am by no means an expert but a thought....

if u r looking into the 5.6, go somewhere to see it in person & check out the troller if possible at same time as well. if its the bigger screen ur after or dual beam then great and enjoy but if you happen to like the smaller portable troller you would save $$ and maybe put it towards a new combo setup for yourself with lures

[FLAG!!]

That is definitely the ideal scenario.. will have to figure out if marcum will be doing any promos and if not, just keep my eyes open for guys using them on the lake.

..and I'm sure it's only the preseason dulldrums making me think about this vs ditching out of the office and sitting on a lake!

[crappiecouple]

I have one of the original showdowns and would not trade it for anything except another showdown. The troller does look nice and compact for hole hopping but I think the 5.6 would be money better spent.