Flashers

[Jimmy from Cottage Grove]

I have heard the fl-18's zoom feature is incredible. How does the marcum's hold up to that? I currently use an fl-8

[Ray Esboldt]

I really like MarCum's zoom feature for ice fishing. I've never found in neccesary in the boat. Two nice things about the MarCum's zoom:

1) It can be adjusted through the water column.

2) There's a five and ten foot zoom setting.

The 10 foot adjustable zoom is nice when you have a pack of suspended crappies. And, zoom on the bottom is something I don't want to live without for winter walleyes.

I never thought I would get into the zoom feature much after I bought the MarCum LX-3 three years ago, but now I wouldn't buy a flasher without it.

[kslipsinker]

I have been using the FL-18 since they came out, about four years or so. The zoom is like putting a magnifing glass on the bottom six feet. It is well worth the extra $100 over a FL-8.

[Dave]

No doubt, both brands zoom is the ticket. Many times though, I've had to move the zoom window up for some suspended fish, that's one area where the Marcum has the edge. Plus, the Super Fine Line really adds crisp resolution.

[Tyler Holm]

Either product LX-3, or FL-18 is well worth the extra $100 for the zoom feature. I am a proud owner of the FL-18, and I can honestly say I never take it off the zoom mode.

If I was in the market for a new Flasher now, I'd look hard at the LX-5 models, or wait till next fall to see what either company comes out with as a new product.

One thing to note is like Dave said, the Marcum has the super fine and better target separation than the Vex. The scenario I see alot is with my Vex, I might mark a fish, near my bait. All I can really see is a blob of red in the exact area of my bait. Just one big red blob. For all I know there might be 10 fish starring at my bait within the red blob. The marcum does a better job of separating each fish with its super fine lines and better target separation. With the marcum, you might see 2, 3, 4, etc smaller lines that indicate individual fish.

Either way, the bottom line is, if your already spending around $300 for a unit, another $100 for the zoom is money well spent in my eyes.

[CNY Tim]

There is no way in heck I would recommend an FL-18 over an FL-8. Everyone know's the zoom is way to small and separation of targets is lame when stacked. You have to fish it out of zoom more times than not and it's still old school tech., and not worth the extra $100.

One thing I guarantee is that you will know exactly where the extra money went when you purchase and use the all American MarCum LX-5. It's simply the best!

There's not a mechanaical color flasher that delivers, performs, captures and accentuates better than the LX-3 and LX-5. Knowing what I know from using them all I wish I could have jumped from the FL8 to LX-5. Hindsights always 20-20.. Just my .02

[Ralph Wiggum]

Although not technically a flasher, I've got a Lowrance Ice Machine, and I also think that the zoom is a very important feature, especially when your catching fish off the bottom. It really allows you to see fish on the bottom that you might not see in the non-zoom mode. I don't use it without the zoom on the ice.

[tashit]

I ALWAYS have the zoom on my LX-3...and the movable feature is awesome for the suspended crappies. Just the other night I was out and there was one about 6-7 feet off the bottom so I just moved the zoom up. I actually completely forgot I could've just switched to the 10' zoom which would've made more sense!

[CNY Tim]

ta[PoorWordUsage] - the zoom is incredible and the options that you have with the Marcum makes it just that more versatile. The other day fishing 39' I had the MarCum in the 80' setting and utilized the 20' zoom because some of the bigger perch we were catching were 13' to 18' off the bottom. Had a couple what I believe were walleyes swim through high like that as well but couldn't get them to take. If your looking to get the most in zoom from a flasher MarCum delivers in spades. I love it!

[Ralph Wiggum]

Also should mention that you can zoom 2X and 4X and move the zoom throughout the column on the Lowrance.

[Guest]

That Lowrance ice machine is nice. Not knocking anyones product, but I prefer the screen display over a flasher any day... and its much easier on the eyes than bright blinking lights. If I were in the market, I would spend the money on the ice machine. If I had to settle on a new flasher, it would be a marcum.

All of the products are good out there these days.. even my old clearwater pro(Zercom) does a great job, but has no zoom.. I guess if you dont have it, you dont need it?

Personal preference is what it comes down to. I can honestly care less what everyone else has(no pun intended).. I shop for what works best for me and my preference. I wouldnt knock the ice machine if you havent seen them in use.

[CNY Tim]

I started with a little LCD years back a Fish I.D. 128 mounted on a blue box before I moved to a flasher. Lowrances evolution in to TFT technology definitely deserves mention and I would be more than willing to give these babies a go if I didn't already have a flasher. Other than interferences issues I hear it's a fine unit.