The "Great Debate"

[FishBonz]

Good morning all!

I have been reading many posts on this site and others in regards to the Marcum vs. Vexilar vs. Lowrance debate. I have just one question that I am hoping someone can answer. The Marcum units are listed as having more peak power than the either the Vex's or Lowrance's. Here is my question: Does having more peak power help in anyway to eliminate or minimize the interefernece that often happens when fishing in a group where other flashers are being used?

I have compared all of these units and the two things that stand out the most to me are the peak power issue and the fact that the Marcum's zoom feature can be used anywhere in the water column.

I look forward to your replies.

Jamie "FishBonz" Hanshaw

[Matt Johnson]

The added power can play a role in several factors. The MarCum's ability to knock-out opposing signals is apparent. When fishing side-by-side with other units, the IR (interference rejection) on the MarCum unit can be set to knock-out the opposing signal so the screen is crisp and clear. Other units might not been as clear in some cases. However, two MarCum units side-by-side can indeed see two clear screens, where the IR can be set so neither recieve any interference or clutter-up. When guiding or with other fishing partners, it's not uncommon that we'll have 3 or more MarCum's in one area without any screen clutter at all. A great feature in my opinion that saves a lot of frustration. However, other units have IR features as well that will knock-out opposing signals, but I've experienced MarCum to be the most effective.

The target separation with the MarCum units is also distinct and the line edges are very crisp and clear. This is a feature that I've grown to charish when using a MarCum unit. You see more in my opinion.

The "Great Debate" is really matter of personal preference, where all the different options for flashers and sonars offer something different. Myself, I prefer MarCum because it suits me the best for my style of fishing. Others might have different opinions, and that's the beauty of it... there are options out there for ice anglers, many of which have been proven to be successful for different people...

[suick100]

Hi Matt,

I am counting down the days to secure the new Marcum LX-3tc. I am color blind and this enhanced coloring system will be just the ticket for me this ice fishing season. I am looking forward to the ice series get togethers this winter. I intend on trying to get to most of them. Especially, the Winnie and Lake of the Woods contests. I spent Halloween night on Mille Lacs with Paul W. and even though the fish werent biting had a great time. Look forward to all the ice fishing adventures coming this winter and setting the line with all of you awesome Fishing MN Pro Staff. Thanks again for a great and informative fishing site!!

[icehousebob]

The great debate between Vexilar and Marcum is like asking who makes the greatest pickups in the world, Chevrolet or GMC. Its personal preference or what suits your needs. Although I did hear a clergyman say that no Marcum owners will be allowwed into heaven.

[CrappieJohn]

Gotta tell ya BOB, Marcum owners are already there!

[gspman]

Chevy or GMC??? That's subtle but funny.

[Green&Gold]

I have a Vex FL-18 and have found its IR to work just fine around other Vexilars. (You can't eliminate all interference 100% of the time, but usually you can get pretty close.) Having said this, throw one Marcum into the mix and all heck breaks loose. It has been my experience that my Vex cannot cut out the interference from the Marcum. I have learned that if someone else wants to fish in my house with a Marcum, its gonna be a pain in the butt as far as interference goes. Just what I've witnessed...

[Duffman]

I can fish next to a Marcum with my FL8, and we can tune each other out, but when you add a third flasher to the mix, it gets tough and I just end up watching the monkey races on my display.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Chevrolet or GMC? Everyone knows its Toyota!!

I've had a Vexlar for 4 or five years know. Can't....WON'T fish without it. Like Matt said its just personla preferance. I myself am thinking of assimilating and bying a Marcum. Just to see if all the braging has some merit, which I'm sure it does. Next thing you know I'll have a Nils Auger and will be driving an S-10 Pickup.

[schweady]

Quote:

---

two MarCum units side-by-side can't indeed see two clear screens, where the IR can be set so neither recieve any interference or clutter-up. When guiding or with other fishing partners, it's not uncommon that we'll have 3 or more MarCum's in one area without any screen clutter at all.

---

Matt

These two sentences seem to contradict each other:

In the first sentence I hear you saying 2 Marcum units side-by-side don't play well together. So, next to each other in an Otter Medium Cabin, we'd need to just rely on one unit? How about at opposite ends of an Otter Magnum Village? In other words, how far apart is too close for 2 Marcums?

In the second sentence, you seem to say you can have 3 Marcums in the same area, no problem. Again, how big of an area?

[Matt Johnson]

Oops... I didn't mean to use the word "can't"... it was suppose to say "can indeed..." not "can't indeed..." My bad... it should read better now.

I've been in situations where we had 3 or 4 MarCum units within 10 yards of each other in about 13-14 feet of water without any problems... Deeper the water, the more problems you will encounter however...

[cold one sd]

I still believe that it isn't so much the power of the transmitter, but the sensitivity of the receiver that counts. Maybe in deep water you need all of that power, but in shallow water I think sensitivity means more. Just my humble opinion.

[aquafang]

I believe that it's more the IR capabilities than the power. Power does help though.

[Rick]

This message is only for those who feel they HAVE to upgrade or need a new fish finder.

I know a lot of you Vex guys love your vex. I truly appreciated mine as well. You will do great hanging on to what you have right now. It's a trusty and true unit.

For this years units though I was hoping we might see an upgrade from Vex but looks like no dice. Why are we defending 5 year old technology. We love our old fords or chevys too but believe me that antique Chevy or Ford we all love is still old. It does the job though.

Of course it does the job and there's no need to go out and get a new locator just because it's old technology. It works and so does the old green box.

If you are considering getting a new locator then why go after old technology just because someone wants to sell you their good name at a premium?

I've tested a long time before saying this and after 2 years of testing and seeing the quality of this years sonars coming out here goes:

The Power is important and it costs more to incorporate it. Vex is banking on their good name to keep prices up and costs low. There is a very good reason why they have a good name. Great service and what used to be a cutting edge product.

It used to be a good business move for them to not improve their power level and pretend it's not needed. It's also good business for them to spread things like the "it scares fish" idea rolling or that it's all about sensitivity. Heck, I was confused by it. Not anymore.

Sensitivity is important and it's built into the MarCum units as well. Now add power and you get all the little things that we've all been asking for for a long time.

Let's put it this way there is no need for an s-cable on the MarCums in shallow water. Their shallow water S-cable is a band-aid for the Vex's lack of power to match their sensitivity.

The MarCum case is darn near waterproof - Do not get your Vex wet. It costs extra to make a case and connection set that is as good as MarCums.

In sonar it is really all about the power. A company doesn't add the power lightly because it costs more to do so.

The crispness of the MarCum is clearly advanced. The target separation is more than 3 times better-You can see those low cruising walleyes and perch sooner and easier. The target ID size is well below what a vex needs-You can pick up a smaller jig at a greater distance using less gain.

Your zoom does not have to be locked on the bottom unless you want to get a MarCum LX2 which is still an upgrade over the FL18.

Fact is the New Cabelas VXR and the Gander Mountain Guide Series do everything the FL18 will do and they don't need an s-cable and they are crisper and have more power. IR is a slight cut above and that is a power issue as well.

Ask yourself:

Why hasn't Vex improved their unit to at least meet the competition?

I'd like to see them do it. Wouldn't you?

Save yourself some jing until the FL18s come down in price if you are considering an FL18 and go to Gander or Cabelas and get the Guide Series Locator from Gander or the VXR Locator from Cabelas. You'll have a slightly better unit thasn an Vex FL18 and save a bundle.

If you really have to upgrade then go to the LX2, LX3tc or the MarCum LX5.

BUT It's likely what you have right now will do you just fine!!

[aquafang]

Great reply Rick!

Like you said, the LX-2 is an updrade over any Vex. At $319 how can you go wrong? Got my new LX-3 this year at a clearance for $300! If you ask me, that's the best deal of the year. I don't have any trouble reading the color scheme of the LX3. I fished next to one for 2 yrs. now with my vex and have borrowed it from time to time. I love it. Like Rick says, there is no need to upgrade, the Vex will work flawlessly. I just wanted a new toy. I kept my old FL-8 and plan on using it right along side my new LX-3 this year.

Ty

[Deitz Dittrich]

For me the issue is target seperation. I have both a Marcum LX-3 and an Vex FL-18. I often get questions on the ice on which unit I like more. Each time I do the same thing. I get my Vex from my truck, put both tranceducers down the same hole, do my best to get rid of all the feedback and drop a jigging spoon(without bait) down the hole. The jigging spoon shows up wonderfully on the Vex 18, however, when you look at the Marcum LX-3 you see at time 2 very tight lines moving in parrellel. The spoon, and the treble hook attached to the lure. Now that, is target seperation!

Is the Vex unit a great unit for ice fishing. You bet it is!.. Will it help you catch more fish?. You bet it will.. Is it the best unit on the market? Not anymore.

[CrappieJohn]

Wonderful statement Rick and Dietz....that is a great comparison.

I spent a little time last Friday at the new Cabelas and was working with those new units that Cabelas offers. They are indeed a sweet deal. Even with the transducer out of water the display is sharp and clear and was much easier to decipher than that of the 18!

[schweady]

I just upgraded this year from a green box Lo-K-Tor to a Marcum LX-3. Think I'm gonna notice a difference??

C'mon, ice!

[Rick]

Now that you're not a newbie anymore of course

[Deitz Dittrich]

LOL @ schweady... not one bit!

[TNFL]

What is the difference between the cabela's vxr and last years lx-3? They are both $300 but at different stores, thing is i'm a cabela's club member and currently have about $130 worth of points (discount). If the lx-3 is better I really don't have a problem saving my points for ..um more fishing stuff later

Also one difference nobody is talking about is the cone angle. Can some one who remembers the "pathagorean therom?sp" and the ASA angle side angle formula use their geometry to figure out the radius of the cone per foot of depth? I'd like to know i'm jigging for a fish under my hole, not my neighbors. Maybe Deitz could walk across the hall and ask a math teacher .

[Deitz Dittrich]

I can answer that for you TNFL... First off, the LX-3 has more power. I believe it has 1500 watts peak to peak.. the VXR has 600 I think...Second the LX-3 has variable zoom, which means you can zoom in on anypart fo the water columb. THe VXR has bottom zoom on the bottom 5 feet of the water, like the vex FL-18...

In my opinion, the LX-3 is the better of the 2 units! You might want to wait till the LX-3tc comes out and buy that?.. OR even wait till the Lx-5 hits the stores and give that a go...

[Rick]

The VXR is similar to an FL18 only the VXR has more power. The LX2 has a better case (almost waterproof) and more power yet and the LX3 from last year has more power, a better case and an adjustable zoom in 5', 10' and 20' ranges rather than the bottom zoom only feature.

The Guide Series Locator from Gander is similar to the VXR. Very little differance at all between those two.

[tashit]

As far as the cone angle, Marcum's 20 degree cone covers about 3.5 feet per 10 feet of depth. You can figure it out for other angles using the tangent of the angle (tan=opposite/adjacent). Remember soa cah toa from math class?

Total coverage = two times the depth times the tangent of half of the cone angle.

i.e. for the 20 degree ducer at say 20 fow...

Total coverage = [20 X tan (10)] X 2 = 7 ft of coverage

[Ortlo]

When is the Lx-5 suppose to hit the market? I've checked around and havn't seen it.

Thanks!