Locator Recommendation?

[trapperdirk]

Even my cat Spook knows which locater to use . LOL

[Captain B.R.K]

"The Marcum has a bit better target separation and more power."

When reading the spec's on each unit, the above does state that for the Marcum over the Vexilar units. I have fished with both units and I can't tell the difference w/ target seperation and I sure can't tell the difference of the power.

Someone mentioned that the Marcum is better because it has the interference feature built into the unit. The Vexilar unit has the same features.

I guess I'm more comfortable with my Vexilar because of the confidence and the number of years I have had with it. I know how to read the graph and when I do graph a fish and move my jig up/down to the fish, there isn't much seperation between the two.

(you can see I'm a vexilar guy)

It really comes down to millions of factors as why someone picked a Marcum over Vexilar or vice versa. Maybe a friend has one, heard of another fisherman on the site talking about it, personal preference, possible "deal" one got a unit, etc., etc.

There are so many factors in your decision that all I can say is.........GOOD LUCK. Whatever you go with, I know you'll enjoy your unit on the ice! See you on the water, I mean ice that is

[CNY Tim]

Hey Dirk.... Dam that's one smart cat

The display on the MarCum is crisper, cleaner and more defined than the vexilar period.... Zoom options on the MarCum are there in spades and with the Vexilar there are no options. MarCum is engineered and built in the U.S., need I say anymore. There is no doubt that the MarCum LX-3 gives you more versatility in more ice fishing situations than the Vexilar...

[katoguy]

basscatcher, my understanding is that there is no inexpensive (relative term, of course) transducer rated for over 400 watts. If one would look into the $multi-grand sonars there are transducers specially manufactured with crystals capable of handling the higher power.

Some sonar companies elect to hit the crystals with more power than they are rated for (although there are no real positives in 50 foot of water or less, other than MARKETING), but then they open themselves up to a multitude of transducer related issues/failures.

Other companies choose to use less wattage (more adequate for fishing situations) that works better with inland fishing markets. They more than more than make up for it in the superior software. Although it may be good old-fashioned Japanese technology, it is time-proven. Now thats engineering, eh? (at the possible expense of the marketing dudes, but the sales speak for themselves!) One of the above mentioned companies even got some boat OEM business (Stratos).

Watch out for some of the real hard proponents of any product... they may have ulterior motives???

I am sure this is old news to many of the people that frequent this board. (investigating)