Marcum vs Vexilar

[harvey lee]

I am looking to upgrade from a FL8 to either a LX3 or 5 or the new Vexilar.My question is for the guys who have had both and any info on the new Vex.Tell me why I should buy one over the other.

Most of my winter fishing is for panfish and 20% of the fishing for eyes.What is so much better about one or the other?Will the LX3 do the job I need or should I opt for the LX5 and why.

Thanks

[CNY Tim]

Your not going to find much operational experience on the new Vexilar FL-20 other than the info on there HSOforum, it's just too new and should be available in October. However, my opinion is that nothing has been done to improve the internals to justify the upgrade from the FL-18. Now the FL-18 is a decent unit but not the best right now. Most anglers like yourself and I as well fish predominantly panfish and waters generally under 60' for the most part. Now if you fish over 160' than the clear choice is the Vexilar as MarCum does not have a deeper unit than 160'.

Here's some of the hard core facts about the MarCum LX-3TC that makes this unit the cream of the crop at a midlevel price. I must tell you first and foremost that I have had a FL-8 and FL-18 and I have also owned a couple LX-3's and currently run a LX-5. Here's what the LX-3TC has over the current FL-18 from my experiences.

Quality - From the power head to the charging system this unit broke serious ground and protected it with a padded softpack standard. American engineered and built by naval sonar engineers that not only develop great products but are active icefisherman as well.

Zoom - This feature alone gives the angler the ability to narrow target seperation, amplify a larger target area and hole hop flats while maintaining zoom, less adjusting. Versatility of the zoom feature of the MarCum units are un matched. There is no question that detail is an overlooked component when purchasing a flasher and it shouldn't be. We as icefisherman be it the weekender or competitive want to know exactly what is below our feet on ice and MarCum has given us exactly that in the finest of detail.

Interference rejection - Knock out other sonars and leave your screen virtually clean in most given situations. The LX-3 delivered.

Price - MarCum has you covered there as well. The complete package retailed for $399 but if you scan the web you will find some true steals, I have scene refurbed units with a one year warranty for a remarkable $299 price and new units as low as $355 including free shipping.

Availability - Vexilar reigns supreme, there basically all over the place and beside units you have additional accessories that allow you to trick your unit out. MarCum's are so hot that they just can't produce enough of them. Point being the LX-5's sold out very quickly and not near enough of these top flight units were available. That is something that needs to be addressed by MarCum.

The LX-5 harvey lee is worth well more than it's current $479 retail price to me and it's heavy weed performance leaves Vexilar in the dust. Thats' a stone cold fact the 8 deg. transducer incorporated into the LX-5's standard package delivers the ultimate in shallow water for panfish. Stacked targets that blob on Vexilars are clearly identified with the LX-5 it's detail in this area is the most important feature. Why sit and catch small fish when in the midst of that school is a slobasaurus. It is this detail that MarCum provides that gives you the power to disect, capture and connect with that pig.

All this plus it's deepwater ability are yours standard with the LX-5. MarCum has it all in performance, price and it's reputation is growing.

With todays foreign in flux and outsourcing it's very rare that a product comes along that was designed by ice fisherman, was tested and engineered in Minnesota and gives you everything you need at a great price.

It's all in the details and MarCum stands alone.

Good luck with whatever you choose harvey lee and I hope I have provided you with some good operational information.

[gman2002]

man this one started early. do i need an extention on my auger ?

[Northlander]

I cant believe its only Aug. and we are seeing the Vex. V.S. Marcum posts.

From what I saw of the new Vex I will stay with my Marcum.

[Gordie]

Ive got an older FL-8 and I think I'm going to Marcum myself .sounds like the only thing Marcum wont do is set the hook.

[hanson]

Harvey Lee-

There are a few things that have me sold on Marcum.

- Adjustable Zoom (If you are fishing suspended crappies in 30-40' of water, you got to have it!)

- Target Separation (Marcum can tell me if I lost the minnow head off of my jigging spoon)

- Soft carrying case (Love it!)

- Digital battery charge meter

- I do not like the Vexilar 'blobs'. Marcum can show me my bait as a 1/16th inch wide line or finer now with the Fine Line Display on the newer units. Vexilar shows me that same bait as a 1/4" wide 'blob'.

I think this holds true for both companies as well and that is customer service. You need help, they are there for you.

[huntnfish]

I have an FL-18 and loved it until I saw my buddies LX-5 last year. I was very impressed at how fine and sharp the lines were compared to my Vex. Don't get me wrong, I love my Vex and it does a great job but the Marcum seemed to be a better finished product. I have never had a problem with my Vex and it has put a lot of fish into the bucket but I think I may have to pick up an LX-5 this year. Another thing that I thought was great about the Marcum was the adjustable zoom. We were fishing crappies in about 45 feet and I was stuck with a FL-8 when they were up high in the water column. Whichever you get you will be very happy with and it will provide you years of service. Good luck in your decision.

[so haaad]

Harvey, check E Bay tonight ASAP. There's a LX3 on there for CHEAP that ends tonight!

[Kylersk]

I owned both the FL8 and LX3. I had the FL8 and had no complaints about it. It worked very well for me and I couldnt imagine fishing without a flasher. The only reason I bought the LX3 was the price. Cabelas had them in their bargain bin, you may remember the talk.. Long story short. I ended up getting the LX3 and really loved the ability to zoom, but didnt like the colors compared to my old FL8. So, this summer I sent it in for the true color upgrade. I imagine that will fix the color problem that I had with it.