Conv. fish finders VS Vexilars et al

[mjhowe]

What are the differences between the finders that all you ice fishers use and the ones the boat people use? Finders like Bottom Line, Garman and Hummingbird? Are these no good under the ice? Is it a mounting thing? Readout? Whats the diff between a simulated picture showing the bottom contour and fish and the readout of a Vexilar?
I really want to try a finder but plunking down $300+ on a vexilar VS $99 for a bottom line finder is a little confusing.

Help!!

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Mike
Kalispell, MT
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[MnSportsman]

Here is some places(Topics& Posts) where this question has been asked before:
http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/000743.html

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/001134.html

http://fishingminnesota.com/ubb/Forum30/HTML/000499.html

You can find more of these using the FishingMinn. Search engine[Located at the top of this page under Post Reply
& type in "FL-8","Zercom", "fish finder", etc.(don't use the "s)
Good Luck on your decision!

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Good Luck & Watch your bobber!
MnSportsman
Proud to be a member in good standing, of the
"Church of the Divine Wilderness"!

[Piker]

I think the main reason is the refresh rate and accuracy. A flasher is instantaneous and always up to date. Since there is no moving around this is necessary.

[hawgTime]

A flasher displays a image in "real time" so you know exactly what's under you at all times, which is most useful when icefishing. A bottomline/lorance-type graph doesn't represent the bottom in "real time", rather it draws you a picture which represents the structure you just passed over. This is more useful when fishing from a boat and moving because it gives you a clearer picture of the structure you are fishing, but doesn't necessarily show you what is under you at any exact moment.

mike

[Guest]

Forgive me if I sound biased or snotty on this issue, but, graphs are for people that like to watch T.V. and flashers are for people that truely want (or need) to understand fishing. As stated, flashers are real time. In other words, depth changes while I'm boating across the lake, depth changes on the flasher. Fish approaches the bait as seen on the flasher, rod tip twitches (under ideal circumstances).

I've always encouraged people to opt for flashers instead of graphs. I find them more consistently reliable when trying to decipher variables such as weedgrowth, bottom content, thermolines, and the presence of fish.

The best use for a graph is as a complement to a flasher.

[rap]

u can use a graph on the ice. i've never done it, but i have seen them being used on an in-fisherman ice fishing video i have... they tell you all you need to do to get your graph ready for ice fishing. i think the video is 'ice fishing secrets 2'. the graphs aren't nearly as good as a flasher, but you can still see your lure and any fish, but it isn't in real time, it's about a second behind what actually just happened.. i'd try it if i didn't have a flasher...

[Guest]

The problem most people have with a LCD graph is they dont know how to use it. For open water nothing is finer than a LCD or even better a color video recorder. I run a vex in open water for the "real time" to find edges. But a fine graph is a must in open water to find "real" fish...

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MILLE LACS AREA GUIDE SERVICE
651-271-5459 http://fishingminnesota.com/millelacsguide/

[Guest]

Some of it too is the ability of Vexilars iceducer transducers to shoot perfectly straight down. Plus the speed of the flasher makes it far far superior to LCD's. Add to it that the liquid in the LCD to slows down in real cold conditions. If you are on a limited budget and already own an LCD, use your LCD but make sure the transducer shoots STRAIGHT down. You can get Vexilar FL-8's used now for 200 bucks or less.

Every client I introduce the Vexilar to loves it. The serious fisherman who sees the differnce between the new FL-18 and the regular FL-8 will probably make you a good deal on a FL-8 and upgrade.

You can use the Vexilar on your boat if you buy the appropriate transducer.

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Kevin Neve's Devils Lake Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/kevin-neve-guiding/
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 701-473-5411 or 701-351-4989
Minnewaukan ND

[Guest]

D-Man,

You are correct implying that many people do not know how to use a graph to the fullest extent of its capabilities. That's why I don't use them, and why I don't reccomend them. Too much fiddling to get them to perform. But, hey, I'm no expert when it comes to electronics.

But, are you telling me that I'm viewing "phantom" fish and not "real" fish? Geez, those "phantom" fish sure put up a good tussle. I wonder what a "real" fish fights like.

[Guest]

I just have a hard time justifying fish on a vex on Mille Lacs. I can say i havent used it on other lakes in open water. But when a split slot can show up as a red target, just think of all the things your marking in open water unlike winter when most things have settled. But i will pay more attention this year as i will be running an FL-18 along side my LCG.

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MILLE LACS AREA GUIDE SERVICE
651-271-5459 http://fishingminnesota.com/millelacsguide/

[Ferny]

Hey Guy's, Here's my 2 cents. You can use a LCD (I have) They work fine but the display gets slow in the cold. Your lure shows up as a line going across the screen. The fish show up as a line too. The transducer is much harder to level and spot your jig on.
My Vexilar on the other hand is quick and there's no leveling the ice-ducer just plunk it in. It never slows down in the cold and it just plain ROCKS! You have to fish with one to realize it and when you do you'll NEVER ice fish with out one...right guy's?
I also use it in the summer next to my LCD as a sanity check to the LCD! It's also instantanious for high speed running, with a LCD you can be yards behind ie. look out lower unit!
p.s. I can give you a deal on my FL-8SLT Propack with Ferny pro light and battery charge switch. I really need a FL-18 after seeing the bottom zoom and how bright and crisp they are You can also check the Vexilar.com site for refurbished units at a good price.

Later,

Ferny.

[mjhowe]

Ferny,
Email with your "deal" on your fl-8
Mike
[email protected]

[Matt D]

Well, here's my two cents. I'd love to have a Vex, but I'm on a pretty limited budget (see occupation in profile & you'll understand!). Last year I needed a graph for the boat. I picked up and Eagle FishEasy for $100 and got very familiar with it over the summer. Rather than spend the bucks for a Vex, I made a small wood box to hold the graph, 2 6volt lantern batteries, & cable/transducer. Yes, the 'ducer needs to point straight down, but I came up with a quick, simple device that takes care of that (Email me if you're curious about the setup details)

I'll be the first to admit a Vex would be easier to set up and use, but when set properly, my graph will tell you JUST AS MUCH as a Vex -- though without the pretty colors. And the return is effectively real-time, unless you consider 1/5 sec. too long of a delay. I can even tell how big the fish staring at my jig is! (just ask the fella I fished with two weeks ago). Setting it properly involves changing the diplay mode, sensitivity, zoom/range, & grey line. It takes more time obviously than just plopping in an ice-ducer and turning the thing on, but hey, $200 is $200! It'll work 'til I'm ready to spend the extra dough. Lastly, it is slow when cold, but I usually fish in a portable with a heater this time of year so it's a non-issue after a few minutes of heat.

The Bottom Line: Graphs work just fine through the ice, just about as well as a Vex, IF...IF...IF set up properly. The biggest advantage of having a Vex for ice fishing as I see it is that's what they're designed for; they just simplify the inconveniences of transducer angle and feature settings associated with typical graph designs.

[This message has been edited by Matt D (edited 02-05-2002).]

[This message has been edited by Matt D (edited 02-05-2002).]