New flasher Suggestions

[calli4120]

I am looking to upgrade flashers and could use some suggestions.

I currently have an older MarCum lx3 pre true color display which I have enjoyed and has been a great unit for the most part. I initially bought the LX3 because of the full water column zoom, but I have found that I rarely use this feature for anything other then bottom zooming.

Being on a bit of a budget I was looking at the Vexilar FL20 but as I have been looking around more the FL22 seems like good buy and should work great for me. I know the fishing depth on the 22 only goes to 60' and I don’t remember ever fishing that deep. I did a quick google search of max lake depths and all the lakes I fish are under that 60 mark.

I do hope to fish Lake of the Woods at some point as I have never been up there and hope to be able to make it annual trip soon. I know that lake is quite a bit deeper but what depths are being fished on that lake? Are most people in deeper water? What happens with the FL22 if you are in a deeper spot? Does the display just show nothing? What about lakers? I have never fished them but again it’s something that I hope to do someday. How deep do you normally fish them?

If you were in the market would you buy now or are there better deals to be had in the offseason?

I appreciate your input.

Adam

[leechlake]

LOTW a lot of 28-32' fishing this time of year and later. Looks like you'd have plenty of depth on that flasher. Ice fishing in too deep of water leads to a lot of dead small fish from my experience. Not worth doing if you have much of a conscience.

[fish_eat_sleep]

Buy an lx-5, similar set up but with TC, dual beam dicer, and fine line. sounds about what your looking for. solid piece of equipment.

[Jdjulik]

I picked up a FL22 for a good price earlier this year since the FL28 is taking over its place in the Vexilar line up. I have got to say that I really like it and I know I will never fish deeper than 40ft let alone 60ft. Make sure you get the Proview transducer and not the tri-beam as many have problems with the Tri-beam transducers. I think I got mine brand new for $475 shipped with the Pro pack from Reeds through Amazon. There are deals to be had if you are patient and look for them.

[calli4120]

Thanks for the input guys.

At lunch I stepped out of the building and visited a local store to get a first hand look at the flashers. I had not even considered them but the LX6 and LX7 are pretty sweet when you see what you get features to dollars next to the vexilars at the same price.

The sales guy really got me thinking about them now.

[Blackhawkxp]

I would definitely look at the LX5 as well. I have an LX7 and my son has the LX5. The fine line feature is nice as well as the movable zoom. I still wouldn't give up my LX 7 though. Fished with my cousins FL18 this weekend to compare. It worked pretty well but the lines were to big for my tastes. I guess its what you are used to. Any flasher is better than no flasher.

[DIESELDAN]

I think you should also look at the hummingbirds I have a ice55 and really like it. The different frequency is nice when around other flashers.

[dan z]

If my fl-18 ever dies I'll buy the fl-22 because of the range scales. I would love to have a 30' scale for fishing 20'-30' without having to jump to the 40' scale. My brothers bird(55) is nice too.

[walleye44]

I am looking to upgrade flashers and could use some suggestions.

I currently have an older MarCum lx3 pre true color display which I have enjoyed and has been a great unit for the most part. I initially bought the LX3 because of the full water column zoom, but I have found that I rarely use this feature for anything other then bottom zooming.

Being on a bit of a budget I was looking at the Vexilar FL20 but as I have been looking around more the FL22 seems like good buy and should work great for me. I know the fishing depth on the 22 only goes to 60' and I don’t remember ever fishing that deep. I did a quick google search of max lake depths and all the lakes I fish are under that 60 mark.

I do hope to fish Lake of the Woods at some point as I have never been up there and hope to be able to make it annual trip soon. I know that lake is quite a bit deeper but what depths are being fished on that lake? Are most people in deeper water? What happens with the FL22 if you are in a deeper spot? Does the display just show nothing? What about lakers? I have never fished them but again it’s something that I hope to do someday. How deep do you normally fish them?

If you were in the market would you buy now or are there better deals to be had in the offseason?

I appreciate your input.

Adam

60 ft is plenty deep for LOW. Never fished over 40 ft.

[Northlander]

If you want to stay with a true flasher go LX-5 if you want to move up the flasher chain the LX -6 or 7 is a great choice. I have the 6 and love it for moving around but when just sitting in the house I wish I had the 7 for screen size.

[Vitreus]

If you want to stay with a true flasher go LX-5 if you want to move up the flasher chain the LX -6 or 7 is a great choice. I have the 6 and love it for moving around but when just sitting in the house I wish I had the 7 for screen size.

Agree.

[DLD24]

I have the LX-5 and love it, them LX-6 and LX-7 do look sweet...

[Esox_Magnum]

Pay less get more with the Marcums or pay more for less with the Vex... Wife and I both now run LX-7's, had 5's before that and FL-18's before those...Would not go back to mechanical after having digital going on season 3...

[slurpie]

My brother has a 5 year old fl 18 and a new lx7. Still using the vex don't even bring the marcum out any more. The marcums weigh a little more if your sitting there it don't matter hole hopping holding chest high the weight is a difference. All new units are nice just gotta get what works for you. But yes the deals will be better at the end of the year.

[Esox_Magnum]

Other than battery weight the untis themselves weigh about the same, the 7 has a 9ah battery thats the extra weight over the 7ah in the 18... I hole hop with my 7 all the time no heavier or harder to carry than my LX-5 was or my FL-18 was

[DLD24]

My brother has a 5 year old fl 18 and a new lx7. Still using the vex don't even bring the marcum out any more. The marcums weigh a little more if your sitting there it don't matter hole hopping holding chest high the weight is a difference. All new units are nice just gotta get what works for you. But yes the deals will be better at the end of the year.

Hit the weight room

[EyeChsr]

anyone use a lx6 with a 7-8 yr old fl8 do they work well together

[aquafang]

Have a friend that owns both an LX 5 and a hummingbird 55. he hates his bird! i have an LX 7 and also a pre true color LX 3.

Love my LX 7! but truthfully cannot say that it catches me any more fish than my LX 3... it is fun to tinker with.

I guess the one feature i really like is the dynamic range. lets you use the whole graph for the water column.

Definately a plus when fishing 21 ft on the 40 scale on my 3!!

[DarthBaiter]

If budget is a big concern go with a Marcum Troller 2.0 and get a performance pack to go with it. That's what I use and I love it. So many pluses: Quiet, easy on batteries whether you are using 6AA or 12volt(perf. pack),Quiet, Vertical display top is top bottom is bottom now with automatic bottom lock zoom, that's what the 2.0 is all about. 4,000 watts peak to peak which is great for such a unit. Quiet.

literally drill a bunch of holes, walk from hole to hole (6ft. cord), pick your spot, toss the troller into the performance pack and fish. No interference from other electronics like you see when multiple vex's and what not are used. Quiet with no motors humming. Oh and you can use it in the summer if you choose over the side of boat(6ft. cord)!! Plus right thru the bottom off the canoe or Kayak if you want to use it that way. AND did I mention how quiet it is....lol.

[FISHINGURU]

The marcums weigh a little more if your sitting there it don't matter hole hopping holding chest high the weight is a difference.

Right when I thought I've heard it all!!

LX5 here, nothing has came out to make me feel like I need to upgrade.

Still rollin with the big blobbin FL-18 for a back up or when the ol' lady comes out. One day when I do upgrade the LX5 will be the backup and I'll probably sell the FL-18.

[Jim Uran]

The 22 is discontinued due to the X28 coming out, but the 22 is a sweet unit, I used one all last year, I even went up north and chased Lakers with Steve Foss and used it and the depth was never really a consideration even while Laker fishing. I agree with what a poster said above, go with the Proview ducer, you won't be disappointed in this unit whatsoever. Great battery life, sharp read out, and easy to read depth dial.

[Ziesmer]

Reeds has the LX-7 for $549 free shipping...You can't beat that for such an awesome flasher.

[walleye44]

Reeds has the LX-7 for $549 free shipping...You can't beat that for such an awesome flasher.

Wow. Nice price on that.