Flasher vs. TFT Units

[Dano_the_jigasaurus]

I know there has already been a ton of talk over which unit to go with, but I am still torn between the LX-3 or a Lowrance Ice Machine w/GPS. Any more input would be greatly appreciated.

dano

[slick814]

GO with the unit that you feel fits your needs the best. I love my m68c Ice Machine, the GPS could use a little better mapping (contours would be awesome, but the screen's a bit small to really read them anyway), but I like the fact that I can change the background colors to suit my needs for the day, the sonar options to go with the flasher, and that it's easily adapted to the boat for open water fishing.

Go with what you feel is going to fit what you're looking for, and you'll be happier with whichever you decide.

[CrappieJohn]

I would think that a handheld gps would be of far more usefulness. To add to the quandry, I would prefer the flasher over an lcr any day, and I don't care how refined they lcr may be

[luv2fish]

Isn't there also a thread on here about the interference from the TFT unit? I bought the old Marcum LX1 this year (mainly for the cheap price I got it for). I was out on Sunday, I could not be more happier. The lake I was on probably had 40 portable fish houses in a group. I could not imagine using something with bad interference problems...

[EJ]

I agree with CrappieTom that a handheld would be better than the X68, it is more versatile plus you can use mapping chips. I disagree about that flasher though. I think a graph is easier to read and provides more information than a flasher. As I stated in another post I am considering using a 102C from the boat this year. If you are going the flasher route you may consider the X67 and then use a handheld GPS.

EJ

[Hotspotter]

I keep going back to what I read, and posted, from the M68 user manual.

Any damage occurring from operation of the unit under -4 degrees Fahrenheit, and you're voiding your warranty. It just doesn't seem like the thing should be used under these conditions. Guys have, and say they work, stating that as long as the battery has not been too cold, for too long, that it will work. I just hesitate when I see that. My marcum has performed well in any temp, including those much colder than -4.

Quote:

---

NOTICE!

The storage and operation temperature range for your unit is from

-4 degrees to +167 degrees Fahrenheit (-20 degrees to +75 degrees

Celsius). Extended storage or operation in temperatures higher or

lower than specified will damage the liquid crystal display in your

unit. This type of damage is not covered by the warranty. For more

information, contact the factory's Customer Service Department;

phone numbers are listed on the last page.

---

Joel

[EJ]

Joel,

I read that and saw that it says the same thing for the 102C I plan on using. While I think they are just being precautionary since TFT displays can generally handle colder temperatures, if I was planning on doing a lot of sub-zero outside fishing I would probably go with a flasher. I am not as hardcore as some of you, if it is sub-zero I am fishing in a heated environment. I also do not think a company with the reputation of Lowrance would market a graph for ice fishing of all things if it would have problems if it got cold out.

EJ

[federline]

I'd go with a handheld GPS, personally, so you can use it everywhere else without lugging a sonar unit with you. (That said, the idea of having an LMS-332c on the ice sounds great to me!)

Note that color GPS screens have the same freezing problems as a TFT sonar, it is all the same technology. The black-n-white GPS screens are as bad, or more susceptible, to freezing. It is what it is.

As for opting for a TFT unit for ice fishing over a flasher, go with what you are comfortable living with. There are those of us who have taken the chance on the Lowrance graphs on ice (x67c, m68c, LMS-332c, and I'm sure someone here will start using an x102c someday).

I've gone out of my way to give some straight talk opinions about my views on living with my x67c over the past year on ice. The sonar landscape is changing all the time now. Pretty soon (read: within 5 years) I believe it may just come down to personal preference for mechanical flasher display technology vs. computerized display technology.

Here's a few links to threads I gave my $0.02 on. Good Luck! Ask questions if you have them.

Thread #1

Thread #2

Thread #3

Thread #4

[Snag]

My Dad doesn't have a flasher and was always wanting to use my vex so, instead of buying another flasher, I bought the ducer and cords to use my 332-c for ice fishing. I also own an FL-18. I've been experimenting with them side by side for a couple of weeks and I now prefer the 332-c. I can adjust the depth of the upper and lower limit on the flashgraf(That is a pretty cool feature). I've marked my minnow head falling off my spoonin 25 ft. I have had zero problems with interference. It doesn't make any noise and has GPS(I don't have hooked up right now, but plan on hooking it up for Mille Lacs next week) I really like having more than three colors. You do have to be more careful as to not damage the screen. I haven't tried it in below zero weather and don't plan on it either. It works great with the Lakemaster chip and is great in the boat.

[MetroEye]

Joel,EJ, and others,

Here is a qoute from an on-line article from In-Fisherman -12/05:

"Lowrance Electronics has tested their TFT screens to minus 32F with no decrease in performance. And when properly engineered, TFT screens produce wide viewing angles, vibrant color, and minimum washout in direct sunlight. The changes brought about by the TFT technology, along with faster processors, increased sounding rates, and fast scroll rates for the screens, have produced technically efficient units."

Granted, I am a satisfied X67C owner and I do chuckle at the occasional bashing and misinformation presented here. When I bought my unit two years ago from Thorne Bros. at the ice show, the rep (i believe he was a Lowrance rep. but not sure) told me they were using these units up in Canada while fishing hard-water lake trout and they performed flawlessly down to -30 to -40 degrees F. That was good enough for me. I have never experienced a cold weather performance failure but I usually fish out of a portable. For the individuals who fish in -20 to -40 degree weather...the electro-mechanical unit would be your best bet.

BUT, how many participants on this site, if honest, actually fish in those temperature extremes?????

[Quickstrike]

not without a shack, heater, and full propane tank!!!

[trapperdirk]

Well Metro eye I agree that the x67c has no issues in cold climates and yes I'm one of those crazy canucks that fishes without a shelter often and at -20 to -40 its done in .Some friends had this unit and they were out with me often and not once did that unit fail in cold temps but it did have interference issues when my marcum lx-3 and its signals overlapped and the vex fl-18 as well . My friends are going to marcums because of this but definitely not because of cold temp affect issues . I liked it and graph mode was slick too .No need to bash it as it gets the job done .

TD