Showdown vs used flasher?

[jbell1981]

I've never owned a flasher, always just borrowed them. Looking to finally purchase one. I only want to spend a couple hundred at most so i have been looking at used marcum vx-1's and lx-3's. However i seen on their HSOforum that you can get a handheld showdown troller for less than 200 and another for only 130.

How do these units compare? Am i better off getting the new showdown vs a used flasher? I only get out half a dozen times a year so I'm think the showdown might be for me.

Looking for any input to convince me one way or another.

[Fowlmouth]

Never used a showdown but if you do go with a flasher check on the vexilar HSOforum for there refurbished flashers. You can usually get a good deal.

[Northlander]

I would get into a intro level flasher like a LX-1 or a used LX-3. I feel the troller is great for hole hopping but I feel the screen is a bit small to look at all day as a main means of looking for fish and bottom content.

If you do decide to go with the troller get the cradle for it. Then its more usable as a main graph.

[Twins Guy]

I will normally reach for my traditional flasher given the choice but the showdown troller really shines where weight, bulk and battery life are issues. For example-say you want to fish lakers in the bwca and don't want to haul in your bulky heavy vexilar with a 12V battery and no outlets to recharge it. The troller is super compact, light and runs off of 6x AAs (for a decent amount of time). I have used it in the softwater season for fishing out of my canoe too and have caught fish, summer and winter, thanks to it! If you plan to do any of those types of trips go for the troller. If not you will probably be better served by a traditional flasher-whether its a used vexilar fl-8 or Marcum vx1 or hummingbird ice35. As mentioned the showdown troller is also great for hole hopping and is my backup if I bring buddies fishing.

troller version 2.0 costs more and adds some features like zoom but the standard troller found on sale for 110-130 is not a bad deal at all.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I never had the showdown troller, but I did have the showdown. If I had a choice between any flasher and a showdown, I'd take the flasher without a second thought.

I was never impressed with the showdown, and the reason your more then likely finding the showdown troller that cheap is because it needs an update that would cost quite a bit of $$$$.

I could really get into the details of why I considered the flashers better, but I'll just keep it short. Go with a flasher regardless of new or used.

How many guys have had the flashers since they first came out, and are still using them. Solid Performance and bullet proof durability.

[gonehunting]

If you can find a used Marcum VX-1 or Vexilar Fl-8 SLT for under $200 you are set.

[hamms-scooter]

I would get the troller. I had one but it wasn't the 2.0. You get zoom with it and it is a fun unit for sure. The pack is a good thing to get with it. Go for it and you may find yourself getting out more and more. Upgrade the fuse to a 5 amp right away and your set.

[jbell1981]

Thanks for the input. It seems I should be leaning towards a flasher.

Another question on the showdown - It appears that the case is water resistant but does it float? It seems it would be easy to do the cell phone in the toilet trick with it.

[jbell1981]

and the reason your more then likely finding the showdown troller that cheap is because it needs an update that would cost quite a bit of $$$$.

These prices are for new units on Marcum's HSOforum. I would hope they would be up to date.

[Deitz Dittrich]

As many have stated, either way you go your better off than not having one. Just so there is another opinion out there. I have 5 flashers, I just cant bring myself to sell off my units as I replace them. I often borrow them to friends when they head out. Anyway, I own a showdown as well. My wife, when she fishes, can grab any of the units, and often grabs the showdown. She says its easiest to read for her.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

The showdown troller is a slick little unit. You get a lot of features for the money, especially now with the 2.0. I use mine quite a bit even with owning a higher end unit. Staring at a circle flasher screen bugs me after using my troller for a few outings.

[DaSwede]

I've owned a Showdown for about 4 years. I LOVE it. I've used the dial flashers, but prefer my Showdown. The only thing I would change on it is it's not color. That is one of the reasons I upgraded to an LX-6. Other than that, the Showdown is a great tool to have on the ice.

[magic_minnow]

It's really up to what species you target and how you plan to use it. You really can't go wrong with any unit VX-1, LX-3, FL8, FL12 etc.....with that beign said i've owned Vex FL8, Marc LX3, Vex FL12 and Showdown. I'm happiest with my Showdown, best battery life and responsive. I mainly fish down to 30fow and for pannies or walleyes, if you are targeting lake trout in deeper water....i would opt for a dual beam ducer. But all around, hands down the Showdown.

[ParaPro]

If you can find a used Marcum VX-1 or Vexilar Fl-8 SLT for under $200 you are set.

better yet just get a NEW VX-1 they run about 250.00