Vex vs. Marcum

[Morgs]

I'm looking to get some advice\opinions on which way to go.

I've got about $600 to spend on a new flasher and I'm not sure which way to go. I've heard the sales pitches from the usual places and done a ton of looking online, but still can't figure out which way to go.

I'm looking to use it during the winter primarily, but will have a handful of times to use it in the summer.

Thanks in advance for all of the help.

[aanderud]

I'm looking to get some advice\opinions on which way to go.

I've got about $600 to spend on a new flasher and I'm not sure which way to go. I've heard the sales pitches from the usual places and done a ton of looking online, but still can't figure out which way to go.

Here's the 3400 results I got in 0.21 seconds when I searched for

vexilar marcum

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...amp;sa=Search

You must not have done as much looking online as you think, if you have to ask!

There's been the same question asked at least 50 times on this forum in the last 10 years -- I'd say more than that probably. Maybe a dozen times a year. So, I suggest that you do a search -- use the search feature on the left side here (under the ads). I don't want to sound mean, but am answering with wisdom that will do you well on the internet beyond this forum.

Think about this -- first, on a question like this, you have to assume someone who was knowledgeable about this topic had already spent time posting that valuable information in the past. Now, knowing that a bunch of good information is out there, what makes you think those people are going to spend the time to re-post that same info here now? 99% of the responses you'll get by posting the question here as your own thread will be almost-useless information OR information that already exists in this forum. What's worst -- you'll have to wait to get that information.

Instead, spend some quality time searching and reading the posts from the past. Not only can you get the information immediately, but you'll get 10x more information than will ever appear in this thread.

My 2 cents.

[eyeguy 54]

3 marcums and 3 vex over the last 10 years but just for ice fishing. love the fl18 the best but that's just me.

[DLD24]

If you fish suspended crappies the movable zoom is awesome and I really like the super fine line on my LX-5...I have loved both my Marcums and my brother said his next flasher will be a Marcum... There both good products, both catch ya fish...For me though the movable zoom was what I wanted...

[eyeguy 54]

sounds nice. I have just zoomed the bottom.

[cableguy2]

It is the chevy vs ford debate

[Rope]

Wow.Better start getting the popcorn and pretzels ready,it's going to be a long one! These topics always crack me up. Do some research and make a choice.

[silverbulletguy]

Here we go again........don't forget to look at the Humminbird. Adjustable zoom in their cheap model.

All will do the job, but like the whole Ford vs. Chevy vs. Dodge debate they all sell for their own reasons and can all help find fish and all can end up in the shop also. Good luck and like Aanderud said do some research.

[BlackLabGuy]

The answer is very clear, just go buy a Marcum LX-7! Very simple to use, many options and far superior to just a Flasher. I was able have my wife that doesn't fish be able to use and understand what was being displayed quickly. Split screen flasher and graph is great.

[DTro]

[Morgs]

Forgive me for asking for some CURRENT opinions.

I have done a ton of searching on the web, watched youtube videos and spoken to multiple friends who have used both.

And honestly, I've never used the search function on here. So, I'll check out the link you posted

Thanks for all of the good info....

[leech~~]

Forgive me for asking for some CURRENT opinions.

I have done a ton of searching on the web, watched youtube videos and spoken to multiple friends who have used both.

And honestly, I've never used the search function on here. So, I'll check out the link you posted

Thanks for all of the good info....

Run a search for "Flasher Shoot out" That comes up every year but never happens! You should get some ideas of "Whos best" there!

[Morgs]

Thanks! I'll check that out. Sounds like that could be really helpful.

[brian6715]

The answer is very clear, just go buy a Marcum LX-7! Very simple to use, many options and far superior to just a Flasher.

I have an LX-7 and it is an amazing unit. I looked into this a couple years ago, and I went with the digital LCD LX-7, because I believe the future is digital and the noisy mechanical units will eventually be "old" technology. To me buying a mechanical flasher today would almost be like buying a desktop computer, sure it works perfect but there are better options out there (and more of these better options coming)

However, if you hole hop, I would NOT recommend an LX-7. I find myself bringing my old LX-1 on days where I know I am going to be hole-hopping (which is most times on the ice). The LX-7 is a great unit that does everything as well or better than any flasher on the market; if you have the money to blow you might as well go that route (I got mine for free essentially with credit card points).

Almost any flasher on the market will do what you need it to do. I am a Marcum guy because of the fine crisp lines.

[DTro]

Unfortunately the title of this thread will be its demise.   The vast majority of folks that regularly visit this forum are fanatics and a title like that just begs for a bundle of horse manure thrown back and forth at each other in total disregard for your original post. 

 

Its like going to a tractor forum and asking “green or red”

Its like going to a Football forum and asking “Vikings or packers”

Its like going to a gaming forum and asking “xbox or playstation”

 

 

The red team rubes will say Marcum while the blue team rubes will say Vexilar, followed by a bunch of babble about low power/high power, cone angle, interference, customer service,  reliability, pixel resolution, staged photos,  etc etc. 

 

How do I know this?   I’m a recovering babbling rube.

 

Out of all the flashers I’ve used, the Ice-55 is still my favorite...

[Mike Walerak]

Morgs,

Whay type of fishing do you do? I have and do own many different flashers and found they all have a niche. Believe it or not, I do not use a flasher very often as I mostly fish 3 fow or less.

But when I do I like:

For walleyes I like my Marcum LX-5. For open water I like the old FL-8. For the money I like the LX-3's options. For crappies I like the Bird 55. The FL-22 is great all around unit but it doesn't work deeper than 60 feet which doesn't work for fishing Green Bay whitefish all the time.

I would say the best all around units are the Bird-55 or the FL-20.

Good Luck!

mw

[CaptainMusky]

Its funny how some people can answer a question without first even knowing more about how the person intends on using it. Mike you are definitely on the right track.

If he said he fishing deep water lake trout, well, that eliminates some of the options because of their limitations.

What species do you fish for?

Do you fish with buddies who have electronics in close proximity and what units do they have?

Do you fish in weeds, shallow, deep???

If all your buddies have vexilars and you come in with an LX5 they will hate you. Seen significant issues with getting the interference eliminated on the vexilars (mostly older cheaper models).

I actually like to use my HDS icefishing more than my flasher, plus, for the $600 you have a GPS built in with a map card slot. The LX3 is nicer to hop around with mostly because I bought a 12 amp battery for the HDS because I didnt want to run out which makes it a bit clunky.

[Getanet]

Personally, I would buy a mid-grade flasher in the $350 range and use the remaining $250 on an ice fishing trip this winter where I could really test it out.

But that's just me. I'm only am able to get out a handful of times a winter and having any flasher over no flasher made a huge difference. I got the FL-18 when it went on sale at Fleet Farm and just being able to know exactly what depth you're at and mark suspended fish - which any flasher will do - was a tremendous leap over fishing "blind."

[dust_stl]

Marcum….I have the lx9 for when the kids are around and want to use the camera. Personally I like the target separation and never thought I would but I love the graph Im slowly being converted to using the graph only. Its super heavy but thats why I have my lx5 and mini showdown for hole hopping.

[leech~~]

Unfortunately the title of this thread will be its demise.   How do I know this?   I’m a recovering babbling rube.

 

Out of all the flashers I’ve used, the Ice-55 is still my favorite...

I had one them Ice-55's. Nothing but a lot of power sucking fancy flashy lights!

Went back to the old FL-18.

[Invader440]

Who's got the popcorn? Best advise, go to the store, look at the different units and buy the one that works best for you.

[brian6715]

Looks like someone should plan some sort of flasher competition. We could call it a "flasher shootout"

[leech~~]

Looks like someone should plan some sort of flasher competition. We could call it a "flasher shootout"

Is there an echo in this post?

[Rick G]

Every fish finder has it's ups and downs, weather it be Vexilar, Marcum or the Hbird. The Marcum lx7 and 9 the screen sucks to read with polarized glasses, the Vexi's are a bit loud and the Hummin' birds are a little quirky imo. In the long run they all do the same thing no matter how much you spend, some units just have more bells and whistles. Now, you really can't go wrong buying a unit from any of the big 3 manufactures, you just have to do a bit of homework to see witch model fits your fishing needs best.

[FISHINGURU]

I've owned or fished with them all, I still grab the LX-5 when I go out.