Marcum vs. Vexlar

[farmislandeye]

Does anyone know which one is better? Vexlar or Marcum????

[ChuckN]

kato,

I've gone through 5 transducers on my FL-8, I've borrowed friend's FL-8 SLTs, I purchased a couple for friends, used them and I've seen the FL-18 in action.

You are right, you really cannot compare the two (or three). From how Marcum LX-3's crisp and clear screen, the zoom feature, the awesome case, incredibly easy charging system and the intense target seperation....

That is my honest opinion and experience in the field. I have grown to love it.

[Chris Haley]

I'm another HUGE LX3 fan!!!! I have both a vex and a Marcum LX3, and I prefer the LX3. I don't have any problem seeing the color seperation even standing on the ice with the sun straight over head. I love the charging system also, in fact I'm thinking of ordering a Marcum charging system to put on the wifes vex!! Before I was jealous of the wifes vex against my zercom, but now I have the LX3!! She can keep her vex!!

[CNY Tim]

Don't see where Pete had a response so I'll help him out here. Pete is referencing the FL-18's recall for the "zoom jump" that was an issue for the early FL-18's. You would notice over certain bottom types your zoom scaling or the bottom 3' in zoom went red... Vexilar performed a software upgrade to correct the problem as MarCum is correcting the bad batch of ducers that had the wrong epoxy mix. MarCum has the new pour transducers in so there should be plenty to replace the few that have gone bad out there.

The FL-18 just has to much unwanted signal clutter for my liking. It has less zoom options than the LX-3 and a point missed here the LX-3 is a much more user friendly unit, less time adjusting and more time fishing. The FL-18 has to be reprogrammed every hole you set the unit to stay in zoom, not the MarCum, to coin a phrase ... "Once you set it, forget it... I saw a couple of folks on hsolist sell FL-18's because they couldn't figure them out. That's not Vexilars fault they do a good job on there web site, videos and manuals explaining the unit. The LX-3 can be taught in about 5 minutes it's that easy. The base features of the LX-3 are more than the FL-18 can handle even with Vexilar's added $ options, it still can't hold a candle to the LX-3 on the ice.

I have owned both the FL-18 and the LX-3 and fished both side by side and even the weekend angler can see the difference instantly that you just get more with the LX-3

More and more ice anglers are leaving Vexilar for the MarCum advantage.

If there was no MarCum products I would either stick with my FL-8 or maybe upgraded to an SE but the FL-18's 6' bottom zoom only is not enough for me. Here I am fishing perch in 37' of water and there running 7-9' off to strike and I have an FL-18 and I can't see those fish with that smaller 6' bottom only zoom window. Now I have to switch the zoom off and fish it like my FL-8. Did I pay an extra $100 for something I couldn't even use? You betcha. With the MarCum LX-3 I can put 5' to 10, 10 to 20' and 20' to 40' anywhere I want in the water column. That's a huge advantage to put all that target area in 1" target separation HUGE!!!

I can use that effectively on those high flying perch. Who knows maybe in Minnesota all fish seem to stay in the bottom 6' only. Not in NY. There's something to say about loyalty and Vexilar users are the loyalist folks I know but guys that have fished them for years are pulling back and giving the LX-3 serious considerations. I know I have seen it flourish and expand here out east the last 3 years.

[katoguy]

Be careful when using the "recall" word. It was NOT a recall. (upgrade, yes) These opinion boards get a lot of misinformation thrown around. Say it enough and masses start believing it to be true.

I must respectively disagree with CNY. The latest FL18's have less clutter! If you have to "reprogram" a Vexilar everytime you drop it in a new hole you must be moving from 40 FOW over soft bottom to 8 foot rocks. LOL

I think if any weekend angler can compare the two side-by-side they will go FL18. Again, me opinion (and 40,000 others annually).

[tashit]

Quote:

---

With the MarCum LX-3 I can put 5' to 10, 10 to 20' and 20' to 40' anywhere I want in the water column. That's a huge advantage to put all that target area in 1" target separation HUGE!!!

---

Are you saying you can only zoom to 20' if you're on the 40' scale? I know I've read about this before and I can't recall what the zoom levels are but I thought it was better than that. I would also think that you would only get the 1" separation when you're using a shallower scale.

Which leads me to my next question, is 1" separation compared to 3" separation really that big of a deal?

I've read a ton of these threads but I still haven't found the answer to my battery question either. How long do the respective batteries last? Being that the LX-3 is so much more powerful I would also think the battery would drain much quicker.

I'm leaning LX-3 at the moment but ideally I would like to compare the two side by side. My buddy has an FL-18 so I will probably get an LX-3 next year and see how they compare. I can always return it right?

I was going to wait to ask these questions until next season because that's when I'll be making my decision, but since this thread is going strong I thought I may as well ask now.

[CNY Tim]

katoguy - You have to reprogram the FL-18 each time you change holes if you want to utilize the zoom function be it 8' to 8' or 40' to 40' or 8' to 40' it does NOT lock from hole change to hole change and that's fact.

Oh so the latest FL-18's have less signal clutter geez that makes me want to run right out and buy one...:^)

The colors on the 18 are sweet I'll give you that but from what I saw and others it's a bit better than FL-8 and certainly not worth an additional $100. No offense but a 6' zoom is not enough. Vexilar gave us a taste of zoom but MarCum delivered big time with options...

You want to talk about misinformation. I remeber not too long ago when Vexilar loyalist bashed the first MarCum that hit the street. I remember the Vexilar hit men blurting out patent infringements, copied I.R., colorpoint knock off, believe me I heard them all, on this site and others as well. I challenge you to dispute my claims. I have done the research and have taken the time to pick these units apart and stand by my statements.

Neither unit is going catch you more fish but if your looking to get a quality flasher loaded with options at a better price that's American engineered and manufactured in the good old U.S.A. MarCum Technologies has set the bar... MarCum fans are as passionate as Vexilar fans that's what makes these discussions interesting. I love it...

When it comes to icefishing you just simply get more bang for you buck with the LX-3.

[CNY Tim]

ta[PoorWordUsage] - Here's the breakdown on the zoom and battery life...

5 to 10 ft. zoom window in the 20 & 40 ft. scale, a 10 to 20 ft. zoom in 80 ft. scale and a 20 to 40 ft. zoom in 160 ft. scale.

Is 1" separation that big a deal. Well it's hard to explain the difference with words it's best to see it on the screen but I will give it a whirl. When a fish shows up in 1" zoom as it is on MarCum LX-3 it's more like a timing thing for me I can glance from my flasher to the jig and the fish is right there. On my FL-18 I have to pull off my flasher earlier because the signal clutter corresponding with my jig and the fish pursuing left alot of dead area where the blobs would meet. With the LX-3 I can use the thin line display to my advantage in developing a timing mechanism. It's really hard to explain it unless you have seen it and used this unit. There is a sharp contrast in screen display between the two units, the precision gain adjustments on the LX-3 are phenominal.

The battery will last 18-22 hours on a fully charged 7 amp. battery. The charging system on the LX-3 is the best I have seen that came standard with a unit.

That's what I did ta[PoorWordUsage] I compared the two side by side and that's the best comparison. Your going to love the interference rejection on this unit it's an awesome feature that works fantastic.

[Pete Riola]

There's no question in my mind that the weekend angler would rather see more targets easier in all kinds of fishing conditions without the need for multiple options like suppression cables and different cone angles. The Marcum is engineered so you don't need supression cables and multiple ducer angles.

The Marcum right out of the box is more user friendly and easier to use for Jon Q Public. Not to mention it's a product of the USA that comes with a 2 year warranty and a digital charging system. Bang for the buck plus performance equals a good purchase. My 2 cents.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

For what it's worth I have been beating the heck out of my Colorpoint for about 5 years. I believe they are the predecesor to the Marcum? It works great and I have had no reason to buy a new unit but you can guess what I will buy.

Target seperation is great. My only complaint over the years is interference from other units. I'll probably stick with it until it breaks.

[katoguy]

CNY, Are requesting me to "Challenge you to dispute your claims?" Claims that someone else supposedly got offended on an opinion board years ago? Relax, dude, you are sounding a little defensive.

I am not bashing anyone's product, but there is from time-to-time misinformation from so-called ProStaffers and Field Staff. You are correct that often one needs to either drop the ducer in a hole a couple times or switch the control from auto zoom to normal and back to get the zoom to read. Is this what you refer to as "reprogramming"? You make it sound so confusing. I guess you need to "reprogram" the Marcum when you change depth scales?

Open discussion is always good as long as the information is correct and not misleading.

Someone stated Marcum engineered the LX so multiple ducer angles aren't needed? I love the dual beam Vex. The 19 degree cone is a good option for shallow water. I use the 9 degree cone for anything over 20 FOW. (Dual beam ducer is also good in extreme drop offs/ledges). Although, both beams are not needed, a mid-angle would suffice in most situations. BUT, each shines when used correctly in the proper situation. Also, to clarify, no suppression cables are needed on the newer FL18. There is a half power location on the knob for extreme shallow water. Just clarifying and trying not to mislead anyone. Also, Vexilar offers a 2-year warranty and is a 45-year old company that makes their product in the good ole’ USA.

I am not a fan off the push button switches used on the Marcum units. These contact switches used in other applications do wear out. We’ll have to see how they hold up over time.

I think both are set easily setup right out of the box. It’s a flasher! You don't need a college education to use one. (Some LCDs almost require a Master's Degree to use all the functions like my new color LCD with multiple ducer beams, gps, barometric pressure, etc... LOL)

I am really locking forward to the bottom lock feature of the FL18 on the boat this summer. I jig for bottom hugging walleyes and (especially when bass fishing) pay a lot of attention to structure and the bottom hardness/softness transitions. I do not need to zoom on anything other than the bottom. I do have 2 other sonar units (1 with GPS) on board, also. All are tools with pros and cons!

[CNY Tim]

katoguy the recall statement may have been the spark that ignited the flame and I apologize for that. It's just that Vexilar has been in the business a very long time like you said, and you would have thought they would have thoroughly tested the 18 before it hit the streets like MarCum did before they released the LX-3.

It makes a big difference to me when the guys whom design the product actually ice fish. These same engineers ran the LX-3 through the motions extensively to make sure the LX-3 was designed to do what it's supposed to do.

How many FL-18's went out to retailers with the zoom problems before the updates were announced? Why weren't retailers notified not to distribute these 18's without the upgrade instead of continually selling them and letting the consumer worry about it after the fact? I know I was one of them. Were not talking about a handfull of units here, there were many.

You are correct when you change depth scales with the LX-3 you need to reprogram the zoom on the LX-3. When I am hole hopping flats I can move effortlessly with the LX-3 but the FL-18 needs to be reprogrammed every single hole I repeat every single hole to stay in zoom. Now if you cut 30 holes on a flat and you utilize the zoom feature with the LX-3 you spend more time fishing and no time adjusting. You cant say that with the FL-18 in zoom mode. I don't fish steep drops or go from a 8' to 40' in a flash. I know zoom isn't for everyone but man it's nice to have all the bells and whistles with the LX-3. High flying perch and walleyes to suspended crappies it delivers from top to bottom.

There's a reason vex needs those knobs because your constantly adjusting to stay in zoom and you better have solid hardware if your gonna be continuously flipping switches on and off.

I thought the 12 was the perfect setup for the 18? It seems more guys run 9/19's off of them than 12's around here. Doesn't that add more money to the base product?

Since you discussed the Normal/LP mode let's talk about it I found the LP mode to be more of a gimmick than a tool I still couldn't reduce all the blobbiness in my display and your talking to a former FL-8 user... The only unit I have used that can perform in shallow weed cover well was the LX-3. Even with the FL-18 and 12 deg. transducer you have zero to little reaction time in shallow water. With MarCum's wider 20 deg. beam you have a little extra early warning to get up to that suspended crappie or gill and the adjustability of a highly sensitive gain to reduce weed clutter. It's truely amazing in heavy cover.

Look if you buying a unit for zoom features alone the clear choice is MarCum. The LX-3's 10' zoom in 40' or less is incredible.

Finishing up season 3 with the LX-3 and no contact switch problems to speak of and maybe it's because I spend less time adjusting the LX-3 and more time fishing maybe that's why you do not here alot about contact switch problems.

Look it's easy to rest on your laurels when your the only game in town but I truly believe that the LX-3 has delivered out of the box more exciting features than the competition at a competitive price plus a two year warranty to boot.

Fish both units side by side and you'll see what I mean.

Until you have done this there's not much further we can go on this subject. There both tools in an ice fishermans arsenal designed to help you catch fish and eliminate unproductive holes. They go about each a little differently but in the end a flasher has made ice fishing more enjoyable for me.

[katoguy]

Tim, agreed - I think a flasher is a must. I'll eat crow (and admit it) if I try the X67 and truly feel it beats out the other 2. I know no one personally that has one a X67. Maybe next year I will be able to try one on ice. I do like the idea of a built in gps.

Good luck the remaining ice. Ours will be gone soon.

[rod bender]

Change is difficult for everyone, especially those that are used to the vex. My brother switched to the Marcum after years of using a vex and is having a difficult time accepting/learning how to use the Marcum. I've used mine for 3 years now and wouldn't trade it for the vex. I won't be without a variable zoom. Give it some time and some patience and you'll see what all the hype is about. Go with the Marcum! As far as customer service goes, Marcum is GREAT. I have not dealt with the vex on this issue but have talked with the people at Marcum on a few occassions. Bottom line, they are fisherpeople too and know how to please us.

[katoguy]

I am totally open for change - always looking for an edge up on the competition (fish and fellow anglers)!

[loadmaster]

Just wondering how long has Mercom been out?? I own a Zercom colorpoint great unit, but after a few years the company sold out to Eagle I believe and discontinued the Zercom line no repair or parts that is why I am wondering about Mercom>>>later the load

[CNY Tim]

Well most of the guys here are into there 3rd season with it now so the LX-3 is probably 3 years old. MarCum also made the Strikemaster Polar Vision hand held depth finders.

[riverrat56]

Another point in favor of the LX-3 that has been touched upon but not really explained is how much cheaper it is, When you buy it you get everything, no need to by a supression cable, soft case, differnt transducer, or anything else. It comes out of the box alive and ready to rumble. I think that vexilar could include everything right away, but don't, they see it as a way to make more money. Plus when I purchased my LX-3, I looked at both the 18 and the Lx-3 and the fact that it was cheaper by 30 bucks, came with a soft case, ( another 30 bucks saved ), and didn't need any special add on's for use in shallow water or on breaks sealed the deal.

The variable zoom is aweasome and i have fished next to old fl-8's new fl-8's and 18's and i get no interference and my screen is so much clearer, no flicker what so ever, even the new FL-18's have a slight flicker that i pick up once having my crystal clear screen.

The only thing that vex has on marcum is the screen colors, They contrast much more, but once i adjusted to the differnt colors i was just fine.

RR56