What (do you look for) in a flasher?

[deerminator]

Getting more and more into this ice fishing thing. Right now the kids and I have a lot of fun setting up tip ups for Pike and fishing/warming up inside my insulated pop up shelter. But the one piece of equipment I'm missing that I know could help make us more successful is a flasher. I'm not necessarily looking for what brand or a chevy versus ford debate. But rather what features are important to helping you catch fish and have fun! If there's an existing thread to that someone could help point me to that they feel is a great one, that's great too! Thanks.

[dairyman]

just go to the search icon and type in flashers and you'll come up with a "ton" of postings

[Lusid]

My number 1 thing I look for is - bomb proof reliability. When I click the dial to ON it works.

2nd thing is where is companies main headquarters.

[Scott O.]

For a new flasher user, I would recommend simplicity and some basic options like zoom, battery gauge, and easy to read depth readings. Two I'd recommend checking out with these features are the Humminbird 45 and Marcum Showdown.

[ppreston]

My number 1 thing I look for is - bomb proof reliability.

2nd this...

[JBMasterAngler]

Vexilar FL-8. Cheap(er)! Simple! And gets the job done!

[fishersofmen]

I would agree with the fl-8, except for the fact that I almost never fish without zoom anymore. I am thinking about getting my son a flasher for his b-day and was looking at some used fl-8's, but I just kept thinking why wouldn't I pay a bit more for a flasher with the zoom feature. When he uses my 20 he has the zoom on constantly as well. I don't think I could ever buy another one that does not have zoom.

[Esox_Magnum]

Zoom anywhere in the water colum, seperation,dual beam transducer and quiet are the biggies I consider....I have also grown fond of a unit I can adjust the brightness on to...

[PurpleFloyd]

Graph mode.

Ability to change background color, Colorline and sensitivity.

[hamms-scooter]

I also love ability to change the background light and colors. I like the separation and having multi screen displays. And silent!

[deerminator]

Thanks guys. All very helpful. I think I will go into one of the local bait shops after the holidays to check them out.

[fishwater]

I prefer flashers that fit in 5 gal buckets. That's my biggest gripe about the digital marcum units off the shelf.

[Vitreus]

Reliability, portability, accuracy.

[Juan Grande]

Target separation is very important. The ability to zoom to any spot in the water column is nice too. I'd say go with a mid range Marcum (LX-3) or a Vex (Fl8) and you will be happy.

[mtwalleye]

For anyone looking for a used flasher my son posted his FL-18 on the for sale forum today. Very good unit.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...ato#Post3174377

[deerminator]

So, thanks for all the advice on this. I actually was thinking about a FL-18 as a local store has a deal on them. BUT, is it worth it to bump up to the FL-20? I know it has an extra zoom setting but does the flat screen make that much of a difference?

[09ultra]

I like the Marcum lx3 very easy to use and very accurate

[Brad B]

So, thanks for all the advice on this. I actually was thinking about a FL-18 as a local store has a deal on them. BUT, is it worth it to bump up to the FL-20? I know it has an extra zoom setting but does the flat screen make that much of a difference?

the only thing extra the 20 gives you is the extra zoom like you said and it also adds a option to turn the unit to night mode which cuts the power to the display to half of the normal level. this helps to keep you from getting sore eyes from the brightness when using the unit after dark. plus the flat screen is nice because there is no where for snow to collect on the display. snow can get down on the screen of the 18 if you don't have the shield to cover the opening of the sun shade. the 20 also has a max depth of 300 feet and the 18 has a max depth of 200 feet. the 20 also has a built in low battery light to warn you when the battery is about to go dead. the only negative thing about the 20 is that you loose the bottom lock mode. this is not a big deal if you don't plan to use the unit in your boat during the summer. if you do plan to use it in the boat then I would get the 18 or even one of the 22's (can still get from Vexilar until supply runs out) since these are the only units with bottom lock in vexilars line up.

[deerminator]

So I got the FL-20 mounted on a Genz pack. Looked at the Marcums and Hummingbirds too. Those looked pretty nice as well. A lot of it had to do with what was in stock and on sale too. Got the last unit they had, which was on display behind the counter. Tried it out today and had a good time hole hopping with it and trying out new to me technology. Caught a few perch in the process. Nothing big but they proved to me the sonar was working. Very cool. My only complaint is the guy that sold it to me said the Genz pack would fit inside a 5 gallon bucket if you tipped it on its back. Tipping it and showing me how sans a bucket on hand. Sadly it does not. I ordered the soft pack for it today with a gift card I had and in the meantime, keeping it in my soft sided tackle box used in the summer when I go out. Thanks again for the advice and good luck.