Vexilar FL8-se or Marcum LX-3

[nluchau]

I found both of these units for around $299. I am kind of wondering which one I should go with. I have been reading some of the posts on here but I'm still not sure. I heard vexilar has a better reputation. I know the LX-3 has zoom and the FL-8se doesn't. This is one drawback. I could live w/o zoom I think.

Can someone sell me on one or the other?

Thanks

[Dry_Fly]

I would have a real problem living with out the zoom feature. Once you use it and understand it I think you would not fish with out it. I use my zoom feature all the time I just switched to the LX-5 and nothing like the adjustable zoom feature.

[nluchau]

I've also never owned a flasher.

[Doonbuggy]

Both are good units. It may depend on what type of fishing you do. If you fish shallow water most of the time then the zoom option may not be as important.

I bought the LX-3 - my first flasher - and I just used it for the first time yesterday. I like fishing crappies which a lot of the time can be suspended over deep holes. I think the zoom feature will be valuable then.

Might be best if you check out each unit in person to get a feel for them. If you do a checklist by option I think the Marcum will come out top. Also consider if it has a soft pak, how easy it is to recharge, etc.

DB

[Rick]

This has been discussed and then some.

Click Here to review the entire discussion.

[gonefishin11]

Everyone is going to have their opinion about which one is better and will probably be firm in his/her decision. Its just like Ford vs. Chevy. Both are good trucks but you couldn't convince a Ford guy to buy a Chevy or vice versa. I use the FL-8 SE and love it. If I were you I would just pick one and try it. You will love either of them as soon as you get used to it.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Dennis Steele and I were out fishing yesturday in a deep hole, probably 40 feet of water. There were 5 of us total fishing this deeper water, dennis and I each had our XL-5's the other 3 that we were not fishing with had Vexlar FL-8.. Dennis and I were able to take care of most if not all the interfierence on the units. The vex guys had a very hard time seeing their jigs. If you plan on fishing a lot of comunity holes, the marcum do a lot better job of cutting out the interfierence of the other units.

[trapperdirk]

Well the FL-8 is a good unit no doubt but if you have a choice of the two at the same price why would you limit yourself and deprive yourself of having the zoom feature . Also with the Fl-8 you will have to buy the bandaid "S" cable for shallow water if you fish it and the soft pack too . Too me anyway having the zoom is like having a 4x4 in the winter. When you need it is the time you will want it bad and with the Fl-8 you can't lock in the hubs .With the LX-2 you can and with the LX-3 you even get quadratrack which is both differentials locked .

TD

[schweady]

Can't imagine ice fishing any more without my Marcum LX-3. Take last night: when that big slimer hammered my partner's bait and I saw it charging up and filling the zoom screen with red just before he felt the hit, it was like watching a feature presentation - helped me share the fun. Oh, and I had one of those experiences of "hey, I think that was the minnow head falling off my jig" last night, thanks to Marcum's unbelievable technology. Thanks to FM for connecting me with the fella who sold me the unit last October and to Marcum for the tc upgrade and their excellent service. Merry Christmas.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Get the LX-3!!!

Much more for your money!

MarCum's service is great! I had a problem and they sent the new part to me as soon as I called. All I had to do was send the old part back in the box the new part came in. 2 day delivery time for me!

PS, you can not live with out the zoom feature!! Once you have used it you will see why.

Cliff

[fishingpainter]

i have a vexilar it has never let me down 270 dollars at cabelas

[harvey lee]

If the Marcum units are as dependable as the Vexs,and I own a vex then I would buy a Marcum. No S cable, and the marcum seems to hace a clearer graph signal than my vex. The marcum seems so much clearer and crisper than mine,but I may need new brushes also as mine is 5 years old and Ive done nothing to it.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

If you can live without the zoom you can get an LX-1 for $200 at Dick's, very similiar to the fl-8.

I got an LX-1 and so far its been great. Would I have been just as happy with a new FL-8? Probably, but it would have cost more. Plus, like Dietz pointed out, the interferance rejection is better with the marcums.

[nluchau]

Im leaning towards a marcum lx-3 now kinda. I only have abuot 300 to spend. Does anyone know if Scheels or Gander Mtn. carry these around this price? I know online at some place in the cities I can get it for 299. I now have gift cards for Gander Mtn and Scheels where I'd like to use them.

Thanks guys.

[CrappieJohn]

See if you can find the old lx3 right now....3 clams should get you one. Then save your lunch money for a few weeks and when the end of the ice season rolls around you can take 49 dinero from you change kitty and have the up-grade done on the machine to the lx3-tc. You will not be soory if you do this.

[iffwalleyes]

Hey Nick as others mention you will be getting a better unit with the LX 3 more options especially since they are similar priced. E-mail me sometime and you can maybe met up with me to see how the LX 5 which would be pretty similar works.

[nluchau]

What about the LX-2's. This one seems to be a sweet machine. It's also around the price I want to pay. Does Gander in Fargo carry these?

[76k20]

I have an fl8 se it works great for me. the brighter red, yellow, and green display is nice on the se models whether its is the fl8se or the fl18se I have never bought an s cable and have never had any problems with it. If I am fishing in less than 8 feet of water its in weed cover and the flasher picks up weeds that blind out the bottom foot anyways. I think any unit will act the same in moderate to heavy weed cover. Thats usually when i drop a cam in an unused hole a few feet to the side of the fishing holes and watch the jigs. The zoom is kind of important to some, most of the fish I have caught are within a foot of the bottom and the bottomlock takes the guesswork out of where the zoomed range is (automatically zooms on the bottom six feet).

I have not seen markems new display yet but I understand It has been updated with intro of the lx5 this year to a brighter more vivid display than the previous models.

[nluchau]

Ok now I am thinking about getting an FL18. The zoom drawed me into it. Also whats the low power all about. Can anyone explain LP. I think the extra 100 bucks is worth it. I looked at the Marcum LX-2 and LX-3tc but didnt like the bracket system holding the 'ducer. I wanna put my flasher where I want w/o having it 6 inches from the sonar like Marcum. FL18 here I come. Vexilar wins again.

[Deitz Dittrich]

nlu- I am not trying to talk you out of your purchase.. the FL-18 is a great unit. I have one myself. However the LX-3tc and regular LX-3 and LX-5 have a swivel arm that pivots in the middle.. if you want your unit sitting right over the hole you can. Its not sitting 6" from your sonar... Just thought I wouldlet you know.. like I said, I have a FL-18.. and it hasn't been on the ice in over a year.. the lx-3 was with me all last season.. and the LX-5 all this season.

[nluchau]

Deitz,

The LX-3's seem so cheap I guess to me. The 3 color is nice but now they are the same as vexilar. The swivel arm seems like a pain in the butt. Some rep at Scheels said I can remove the ducer from the arm and attach a vexilar float for 5 bucks. This is possible I guess. Also my drawback from the LX series was while in the demo mode I dont like how the fish is choppy coming up to the lure. It doesn't seem like realtime to me. Maybe this is just in demo mode though. Another drawback is how loud the 'ducer is. Click click click, the vexilar head unit makes some noise but not the 'ducer so I guess that might equal out.

Another thing I dont like about the Marcum's is that they have too darn much power.

[nluchau]

I found out what LP was for on the Vexilar's, shallow water.

[Paul Waldowski]

Quote:

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Another thing I dont like about the Marcum's is that they have too darn much power.

---

????

I'm interested in hearing why you don't want the power.

[Mr. Pike1]

I love my FL-18 and would most likely not switch over no matter what. I have used it for many years and it is now more of a comfort thing for me.

I am sure which ever unit you select you will be very satisfied. Each have the technology to do one thing and one thing only. They mark a taget in the water column. Nothing more and nothing less. Don't get lost in all the details. I have noticed the new marcum and the upgrades they offer are now in the red and green like the Vex. The color vs. the stale yellow display for the old marcum is a definate plus.

Enjoy which ever you select. Once you can mark that target you can get to the business of selecting the correct presentation to catch that fish....

[gspman]

This too much power thing is beginning to border on hysteria.

Does everyone realize that the venerable Lowrance depthfinders have wattages ranging from 2500 watts to over 8000 watts??? I never ever hear of these having too much power and every pro walleye fisherman worth his landing net has this or some other high powered finder in their boat in every location they fish from. Their boats have more electronics than the NSA. Many of us fishermen have one or more of these in our boats as well. You never hear the pros or anyone else for that matter whining about too much power. If the power was a problem you can bet your sweet kister that the pros wouldn't be running them in their boats because they wouldn't be catching fish and winning money with them.

How this suddenly becomes an issue when the lake freezes over is beyond me. This too much power thing doesn't have a leg to stand on. Show me some scientific research that proves one way or the other that this is an issue. There isn't any because it isn't an issue. Get past it and move on. If you like the Vex then buy it. It'll help you catch a bunch of fish and you'll be happier because of it. Just don't try to justify your buying decision with misguided info that has no basis in fact.

gspman