What flasher to get for a back up?

[MNMONSTER]

My Ice 55 went down and I am sending it in need to get a back up what do you think?

[leech~~]

I would find a used cheap Marcum. They are ok for a "backup" behind a Vex or Bird!

[Esox_Magnum]

Whats your budget?

[MN Mike]

I would find a used cheap Marcum. They are ok for a "backup" behind a Vex or Bird!

You startin' something leech!?!?!

[Lawrence Luoma]

I'm confused why would you need a backup? Oh, you bought a Marcum or Hummingbird....... Seriously, I see every brand except Vexilar's bomb out on guys on the tournament trail. Funny, lot's of those guys still run a FL-8 for a backup or when weeds come into play.

[leech~~]

You startin' something leech!?!?!

Who ME?

[MNMONSTER]

Looking at a vex like fl 20, or fl 22. I know luoma said they dont dump out but they do, I have some friends that have them and not to happy. They told me not to get one but I would like to try them.

[minnbowhunter]

Just looked on that Craig guys list, there is a Zercom LCF40 listed for $100. I own one, great unit, no color, great grey scale unit, runs forever on a charge. It would be a great backup unit.

[Esox_Magnum]

If your looking at a 20 or 22 save some money and get a better unit in the LX-5, or 6/7 if you have the coin... The 7 is a sweet machine

[MNMONSTER]

The LX7 looks sweet but that is a lot of coin looking to stay around the 500 mark. Maybe can wait and get one on sale.

[Esox_Magnum]

For $500 or less you can get into a new LX-5, dont think you can get a 22 for that or a 20 for that matter and you give up alot of options for more money...

[silverbulletguy]

A backup? Get a bird 35. Still has the adjustable zoom and bigger screen. You'd still have money left over to buy more tackle. And new auger blades. And....you get my point.

[Brad B]

fleet farm currently has a sale on both Vexilars and Marcums. Vexilar FL-8 and FL-18 Genz box units and the Marcum VX-1, LX3TC, & LX 6. all these except the LX 6 would come in under your $500 budget.

[snoozebutton]

I was looking into getting a Bird, can you tell me what went wrong with it? And how's their customer service? Thanks!!

[wally diver]

I would take my vx1 over a fl8 any day. Also great service from marcum if your unit doesn't look like it was drug behind the pick up to the lake.

[ammoman16]

I'm a little partial to Marcum, but I'd probably get a Bird 35 if I was in your shoes, since you'd be familiar with the controls, plus it seems like it's easier to get units from the same manufacturer to play together with minimal adjustment.

[raymondk]

get a vevlar and you will not need a backup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

[hnd]

get a vevlar and you will not need a backup!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

what are these vevlars that you speak of?

i'm still chuckling at a fl8 for the weeds.

[CaptainMusky]

$500 is a lot of money to spend on a "backup" unit.

Just get a used LX3TC. Can buy them under $350 all day. Bought mine for $250 (but I practically stole it).

A vexilar is too annoying to listen too buzzing all the dang time and their cartoonish "flat screen" models with the big blob lines dont do it for me.

[PFUNK]

I would have to agree on the Bird 35. My girlfriend got one of these as an Xmas gift and after seeing it on the ice several times I really like it. It plays really well with others and is easy to dial in to get your jig to appear as a single green line. Quieter than a vexilar by quite a bit too. I don't know that there are any other units out there that give you the same bang for your buck as the 35 does. I will be looking into one at the end of the year clearance sales for sure. Fleet farm already had them for around $270 earlier this year, which I think is a great value.

[TruthWalleyes]

I'd like to have a 2nd flasher for taking people fishing who don't have one. I'd get a marcum vx1. $250. I currently own a vx1, purchased 2 years ago for the same price, purchased from a friend who won it at a tourny.

[fisherman-andy]

A backup unit? Id say look on the classifieds and spend no more then $200.

If going new unit then per price point @ mark down or clearance:

1. Showdown Troller

2. Ice 35

3. Marcum VX1

[Esox_Magnum]

Me to my 5 blows the 8/18 away in the shallow weeds....7 is as good or better to and all without a LP mode...

[bee]

For $500 or less you can get into a new LX-5, dont think you can get a 22 for that or a 20 for that matter and you give up alot of options for more money...

Second That

[dougger222]

The back up to my flasher (FL20) is a FL22, then a FL18. Most trips just bring the 20 and 22 unless one of the people fishing with me doesn't have a flasher then bring the 18 too.

Too many problems with the Marcums to recommend one as a primary unit let alone a back up unit! I can see a new truck needing some reflashes but a fish finder? LOL!!!

Yes, the Vex is behind on technology compared to the others but they work and will work for decades...

BTW, saw that $100 color point on the list and that's a good price for a decent unit, used to run one. The picture shows the two dials have the plastic on them which means it must have been used only a couple times. Every other one including my old one had the plastic on the knobs break off after a couple weeks.