VEX versus MarCum

[WadeSt]

Last year there was as very detailed post that explained the difference between not only vex and MarCum but the differences between the high and low end units. Can anyone send it to me or find the link???? I've tried searching for it, but have been unsucessful, kinda like when I fish!!

[Rick]

Are one of these what you are looking for?

Click Here - Choosing the Right Flasher Unit

or

Click Here - MarCum Details Revealed

[rippinlipz]

I have both, my battery in my vex lasts twice as long as my marcum. I like them both, but the marcum sends out a really strong signal and will kill my vex.

[MNice]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! Not the which is better thread

[CatManLee]

I was also gonna say "NOT THIS AGAIN"...Vexilar!!!

It's a unit that has proven itself over time. I have nothing against new things, I just didn't jump on the "Marcum Bandwagon"! I just havent had anyone show me a significant reason to switch and until my unit lets me down or a guy fishing near me is windmilling fish because he has a Marcum and I'm not because I have a Vexilar...I'm stickin with the name I trust.

Now Marcum guys, don't jump all over me and tell me how much more power and all that stuff the Marcum has compared to the Vexilar because this is just how "I" feel.

The End.

[Bob Horn]

CML, if you come to a get together than you will see why so many have switched. We can let you use a unit and you will see the difference first hand.

[WadeSt]

Didnt mean to open any old wounds , just looking at getting a flasher this year, probably a lower end one, and wanted to be prepared with the specs of each level. Just trying to be ed-jew-ma-kated.

[Bob Horn]

Marcum has a new unit coming out this year that is entry level. I have only heard about it don't know much yet. Maybe someone else could shed some light on it.

[CNY Tim]

WadeSt - Both manufacturers make great ice fishing products so you can't go wrong with either companies flasher, but the best deal and most features for the dollar goes to MarCum.

The new VX-1 that will be available 1 Nov is the best deal going from both manufacturers for a brand spanking new flasher @ $249. Here's an opportunity to get a taste of zoom at or below non zoom prices for those that wanted a flasher but were reluctant because of price.

Follow that up with the $50 rebate starting 15 November through December 31st and it's only $199. I wish this baby was around when I first started ice fishing I paid $150 for my LCD Fish I.D. 128 set-up.

What depth will you be fishing, MarCums read as far as 160' max. depth, over that my choice would be Vexilar. Most of the fishing I do is under 40 ft and I have owned quite a few flashers and have hands on experience with Vexilar, MarCum and Zercom and the two flashers that have benefitted me the most are the MarCum LX-3 and LX-5.

Take the VX-1 stats in the sponsor showcase forum and do the comparisons and you will see this little baby packs alot of punch for the price. All I can tell you from my experience and history with flashers is that there has not been a deal this good as long as I can remember for a new unit. MarCum is making great strides in technology, performance and now price. Whatever flasher you choose, learn it's features, spend lot's of ice time with it, as I like to say "become one with all your tools" and you will be more productive and have more fun.

[davidr]

I have vex FL-18 and have never had issues nor have I ever wanted anything more...so to me, the name says it all...vexilar has been around since i was knee high to grasshopper. like they say either is better than nothing....i just wouldnt concern myself about the high power remarks....if vexilar though higher power was better they would be making it.

[Note from admin: clarification - Actually Vexilar is dependant on what Hondex Manufacturing out of Japan produces for them and the demand world wide dictates what they will be able to offer for the most part. Hondex actually makes the Flasher and Vexilar imports them with their name put on it.]

[Paul Waldowski]

davidr,

Quick question...have you ever fished with a Marcum??

[augernaut]

I know, I know, I know. It's WAY too early to begin this annual debate. However, I will throw in here. I have yet to find a hardcore vex owner insisting how great their unit is that has actually used the Marcum units. I fished with an FL-8, then an FL-18, then picked up an LX-3 last year and sold my FL-18. Best move I could have made. There is an ice fishing group that is loaded with pro-VEXers. They are so happy with their units and so free to bash Marcum. However, in all actuality, virtually none of them have ever bothered to use a Marcum. How subjective of an opinion is that?? So, take it from one who actually has substantial ice time with both units. Price not even being a factor - the Marcum units are superior. The new FL-20 vex may be a nice upgrade from the FL-18, but in my opinion, they are cosmetic changes, and do nothing to fix the shortcomings of the Vex - mainly the "blobby" display, and the necessity for the Low Power mode - all that is, is a workaround for a poorly matched receiver and transducer. Seriously, you want the best on the market, go with the LX-5. Want the second best? Go with the LX-3 :-)

[rubber duck]

Is the VXR close to the VX1?

[stmichael]

Do the marcums come with the high speed transducer? and can the transducer be mounted inside the hull of a boat? Are these 12 volt units? I suppose if I did some research I can find the answers to the questions I have asked, but, it is Friday and I feel lazy.

[CNY Tim]

That is so true augernaut... A majority of us are or were happy Vexilar owners. That all started to change with my in-depth comparisons from on ice use of both the FL-18 and LX-3 and the rest is history.

One of my big gripes with the FL-18 was the 6' zoom window being too small, second when hole hopping flats you had to recalibrate the zoom every time you changed holes to stay in zoom mode , and third stacked targets were blobby and lacked clear resolution, the detail in the zoom was not what I hoped for and in heavy weed cover it was worse.

Another feature I did not like was the I.R. performance around multiple flashers, you could minimize the interference but not totally eliminate it like I could with the LX-3 and LX-5

The LX-3 and LX-5 comes standard with a 10' zoom window that's expandable in size for multiple fishing situations. The zoom also stays locked in so when fishing flats and multiple holes you can hole hop effortlessly after adjusting in the first hole. Zoom display provided the cleanest and crispest display that I have ever seen. These features trumped the competition when it comes to my style of fishing. One other plus about the MarCum units that I have found is how much quieter they are compared to my vexes, makes it much easier to have a casual conversation with your buddy, when your in your fish houses.

MarCum has given us zoom the way it was meant to be.

Most of the argument back then by loyalists was that you didn't need to zoom other than 6' and that most fish stay within 6' of the bottom. I got punished by this supposed useless zoom theory by loyalist that it was nothing more than a gimmick. Well then I see that the new release FL-20 offers a 12' zoom, enough said

With the MarCum LX-3 and LX-5 you get a padded softcase, DCS 100 charging system, two year warranty and made in the U.S.A. and it's a win win win...

It's up to the masses to decide between the LX-5 dual beam 8/20 @ $479 or the new release dual beam 9/19 FL-20 for $570.

Just keep in mind the LX-5 has been out for a season and it has received praise far and wide and will continue to serve it's users with quality fish catching features at a very affordable price. Way to go MarCum!

[davidr]

Actually i have fished with a marcum....good friend of mine listened to others and got a good deal for his fl8 so he bought the LX3...and yes its a nice unit...there all nice units. I think after reading some of these posts that people rely on there electronics a little too much...what ever happened to punching a hole and fishing ? One thing i can say life is difficult for me and the vex when the buddy is in the fish house with his marcum so yes that is a good advantage to marcum...but what i wonder is in 30 years will we be talking about marcum like we do vexilar ? Anyway, i love the fact we are already pumped for ice...personally i wish we had ice 9 months a year.

[CatManLee]

One good point made that I do agree with...The fact that you can get a zoom with the entry level Marcum!! I think that will get alot of new buyers to check them out as well, and for Vexilars sake it would be good for them to follow.

Either way, I'm looking forward to gettin out on the ice.

[Bob Horn]

Marcum does have high speed transducers available for your boat. Yes they are 12v.

[riverrat56]

When I was buying a flasher 2 years ago, I had wanted to get a Vexilar because thats all I'd ever used, but after reading some things on here and then talking to the salesmen at Cabelas, I picked up and LX-3, which oddly had the charger missing from the box. Marcum sent me a new one with in the week for free no questions asked.

First few times out I never had another person with a flasher with me so I couldn't compare much, although I noted just from my previous experience with an FL-8 that the screen was much crisper, there was very little flicker on it. First time using it with a Vexilar around it drove the 2 guys with Fl-8's nuts, first because they had so much interference and second becasue when a group of fish would come in I was catching 2 to there 1 and the main reason was I could see individual fish in the school and they had only a blob to focus on.

After awhile I caved in and let one of them use it, they were sold, the display was so much sharper and the Marcum was also much quieter.

Point of the story was that although Vexilar makes a decent product and it will help you catch fish, the Marcum flashers are just flat out better, no one that I have fished with since that day that has any time infront of a flasher has disagreed with that statment.

A question, how come Vexilar makes so many differnt cosmetic improvments to try to sell there product and Marcum only offers 1 configuration? I think Vexilar is relying on there name to sell products and trying to lure in buyers by having flashy advertising and low-tech improvments.......

Another thing, does anyone know someone who bought a marcum and wasnt happy so they switched to a vex? I know alot of people who went the other way though

[Northlander]

All I know is I want the best unit I can get. I used Vex's in the past but after using the Marcum LX-3 I sold my Vex and have been with Marcum since. If I thought "UseeUm" made the best flasher I would buy theirs. Right now I feel Marcum is hands down a better all around Flasher. The only time I like a Vex better is when I fish Lakers deeper than 160'. The Vex will read below 160' where the Marcum wont.

One thing I would like to see is Vex drop their prices and truely improve instead of making minor changes and then raising the prices. We need more competition in the flasher market just as we do in the open water graph market. Very few true players in either. Marcum took a chance and challenged Vex when nobody else dared to and they took the title with a knockout! Is Vex now happy being a challanger after being Champ forever? I hope not.

[OldBear]

A year ago I was in the same boat trying to weigh the pros and cons of the two units. I think both are fine units. Do I think their equal, I don't know yet. I think favorites tend to vary with preferences both way and I also think their are regional favorites. What did I go with was the Vex fl-18. With that much money involved I expect it to be a lifetime commitment. (The unit not me). Next time I'd give the Marcum a shot.