why do all you icer's prefer one flasher over another

[dkibat]

was wondering why some of you prefer either a Vexilar or a Marcum, going to get one or the other just don't have any experience with either one, thanks for all your help.

[skee0025]

I really havent seen a real difference in units. For some its brand loyalty, others went for a particular bell or whistle another brand wasnt offering yet. Others like me went for what was available and didnt break the bank to get. I have a very old Vex and after seeing what some of the new units go for, I wont be looking for a new one anytime soon. I have 2 requirements, does it mark fish and is it dependable, if they meet those its all about how much it costs.

[Ryan_V]

simply a Ford/ Chevy thing. just go somewhere that carries both, and talk to a salesman about each. I had a Vexilar for ten years, now have a Marcum. nothing wrong with either one.

[CAMAN]

It is a Ford Chevy thing more than anything. As long as they are in the same class they both do about the same. But having owned both I prefer the Marcum. For one reason they are considerably quieter, I can have my LX3 running and a buddy using his FL18 10-20 yards away and can hear his over mine right next to me. I also prefer the smaller profile and soft sided case of the Marcum. I also never liked the way the Vexilars have the free floating transducer that always seems to get in the way.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

I agree with Ryan. I have a vexilar (old) and my son has a Marcum (also old). I think both work well. Having said that I played with the new Vexilar FL 28 about a week ago and I think it is really neat!!! $600 neat??? I am not so sure!!

Mike

[PerchJerker]

All of the flashers these days work great and do what they're supposed to do, ie. mark the bottom, mark your bait, mark the fish, have good target separation, etc. You really cannot buy a bad flasher these days.

I have my favorites, and it's all based on what I see on the display. The ones I like have what I think are the best displays .... the sharpest, crispest images, the finest lines, the best separation between targets, the most options to allow you to customize the display, etc.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Last time I bought a flasher I told the guy to give me whatever he had the most of. Honestly, that's what I said. He didn't even have any LX3 or whatever the newest Marcum was, this was many years ago. That FL18 has been great. I just sold my loaner, an FL8, and I am probably going to sell that 18 so that my two girls and I all have brand new flashers. That should stop the bickering for several minutes on one day at least. My wife is gonna drop a load when she sees that CC bill.

[raymondk]

Vexlars are the workhorse and will take more punishment then the rest of them and will outlast. if you are like me I run everything thing til it quits(Had a Marcum for 1 season had a few more bells and whisles but didn't help me catch any more fish) I will keep my fl 18 til the day I quit fishing.when it needs new brushes I will pay the $100 to have it done.

[TruthWalleyes]

I prefer my marcum only because i got a great deal on it, my buddy won it at an ice tournament and sold it to me for a great value. It's been nothing but good ever since. Broke once out of warranty - shipped and returned to me within 5 days and repaired at no charge. Can't complain there. VX-1P It's no spring chicken, but i have zero urges to upgrade at this time. Had it been a vex that my buddy won, i would likely have similar results. Throw in humminbird and you've got 3 companies with great customer service. Customer really can't lose with a flasher.

[dfv87]

I think I am of the same opinion as others... Ford-Chevy or Lund Crestliner... Yamaha Susuki... which ever.

I have an FL8 and LX 3 and both are good. I just got a FL20 and suspect that will be my new favorite due to all the bells and whistles.

[blue_healer_guy]

Im a dinasour here, got 3 fl8 and wouldnt trade them for nothin.

[Jeremy airjer W]

was wondering why some of you prefer either a Vexilar or a Marcum, going to get one or the other just don't have any experience with either one, thanks for all your help.

Welcome to HSO dkibat!

The answer to your question is, it's a ford, dodge, Toyota thing! Gather as much info as you can on the units your looking at. Visit your local outdoors store and turn them on, hold them and play with the adjustments. Whichever one feels right, has the options you want, and has the display that looks right to you is the one to go with.

[Savage Brewer]

I must be the oddball here and have a humminbird Ice-55.

The only thing I don't like about Marcums is that they are more apt to cause interference on other peoples flashers if they are near you.

[CaptainMusky]

I must be the oddball here and have a humminbird Ice-55.

The only thing I don't like about Marcums is that they are more apt to cause interference on other peoples flashers if they are near you.

That could be a good thing. ;-)

[ClownColor]

I'd buy any of the top three, but whatever had the best deal. However, since I own a vex and they are located in the same city, plus i'd never had issues with it, I'd buy again unless I score a big deal else where

[dkibat]

thanks for all the input i also seen Humminbird has a ice 597 ci hd combo seems like a lot of bells and whistles along with compatible lake maps card and GPS unit is a tad big i have 2 898si birds on my boat and really like the idea of mapping a card on the boat and using it on the ice also with the gps would be nice but then again i have 2 hand held GPS units that would work the same, i guess the Map card of lakes would be something to consider. don't know how dependable they are but birds have been well represented in the boating industry.

[CaptainMusky]

My next piece of ice electronics will be a graph. I already use my hds units on the ice (one on ATV and the other in the house when I need 2 units).

Once you've tried a graph you won't go back. The round dials are a thing of the past.

Buy an ice ducer and rig up your summer unit. You won't regret it.

[bobbymalone]

Once you've tried a graph you won't go back.

Can you see your lure on the graph?

What good does it do you to see what was happening 20 seconds ago?

IMO the graph doesn't have a point unless you are moving and can see the contours. Maybe DI might be cool.

[pushbutton]

The graph is really fun to show the kamikaze fish, don't really see it helping with the finicky fish though, but don't really know if being able to see the finicky fish blow you off really matters either. Can say for sure that I can see, for the most part, if I still have my bait on with a more traditional unit, but would only really matter either way in deep water; which ultimately leads us to ....just get what floats your boat

[CaptainMusky]

Bobby I have one unit mounted to my ATV that us using map chips for navigation while the other is used in the shack. by seeing a history on the screen you can absolutely see the mood of the fish. Yes you can see your jig on the sonar display and easily see how a fish reacts to your presentation. Plus if you happen to look away from the screen you can also see what you missed. So many features that are automatic already on your open water electronics that most go without to have a "flasher" like auto depth, an actual GPS no interference issues because they function on a completely different signal, no translating a dial into depth scale when at higher ranges. I think a graph shines for finicky fish in seeing how they react to your presentation.

Don't get me wrong I still use my lx3 most of the time because its more compact than my hds but I do use my hds plenty especially when the kids are with because they easily understand the graph because they spend so much time in the boat.

[Lusid]

Here's why I went with Vex.

GF's dad owns a vex so I do now. Had he owned a marcum I would prob. own a marcum.. It's a comfort level thing.

Plus - I like vex's power consumption slightly better compared to marcum. (but this is nickle / dime territory)

[mainbutter]

Can you see your lure on the graph?

I use my fish finder in regular graph mode while ice fishing. I can mark fish and my panfish jigs. My FF is not a particularly expensive one and most flashers exceed it in performance.

[amateurfishing]

Bobby I have one unit mounted to my ATV that us using map chips for navigation while the other is used in the shack. by seeing a history on the screen you can absolutely see the mood of the fish. Yes you can see your jig on the sonar display and easily see how a fish reacts to your presentation. Plus if you happen to look away from the screen you can also see what you missed. So many features that are automatic already on your open water electronics that most go without to have a "flasher" like auto depth, an actual GPS no interference issues because they function on a completely different signal, no translating a dial into depth scale when at higher ranges. I think a graph shines for finicky fish in seeing how they react to your presentation.

Don't get me wrong I still use my lx3 most of the time because its more compact than my hds but I do use my hds plenty especially when the kids are with because they easily understand the graph because they spend so much time in the boat.

+1, I walked into the worlds foremost outfitter 3 years back asking for the best fish finder under $500, I was told HB 597HD hands down, this thing has yet to disappoint me, ESPECIALLY on the ice. you can see your lure easy peasy & in graph mode as the screen scrolls you can see the "history" underneath you. I have many times seen those red marks come up a foot or 2 off the bottom only to go back down. the fact that you can constantly see the colored lines changing depth you know u r on fish. bottom zoom, weeds, soft structure is no problem for this machine. it actually comes with a flasher mode but I don't use it cause graph mode is simply so much better and you can see the fish (red marks) checking your bait/lure and seeing the rod bend or red mark leave.

I am certainly not saying others are inferior in any way, I have no experience with any other, this is my first finder for both ice & open water and like it very much....and so does my wife, 4, & 8 year old. if they can learn it, anybody can

[dkibat]

I am leaning to the Bird ice 597ci HD combo after talking to customer service i like the idea of fishing a lake with my 898 SI in the summer and marking good spots with my map card then putting the card in the Ice 597 and going to the spot, maybe not having to drill so many holes and seeing really what is down there.

[hamms-scooter]

I have seen the 597 in action great unit with gps all in one. I have hds5 gen 2 that might see some ice time if I need a second unit...I prefer the lx7 on the ice. They will all help you become a better angler.