LX-5 vs FL-20?

[CNY Tim]

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Not for me. I use the zoom

exclusively

for seeing bottom hugging fish that I can't see in regular mode. That's what it was designed for. For everything else the non-zoomed view works just great. That includes following my jig thru a school of suspended fish, determining where the bigger fish are in the school and even seeing individual fish within the school...

Zooming on suspended fish just seems like overkill to me. Kinda like watching TV with binoculars.....

-Munchy

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Munchy the zoom issue is another quality that MarCum has over Vexilar. Vexilar still blends two colors to make there medium signal color, thus the wider band ., they lose a critical feature in my opinion of isolating and defining targets without that 3rd LED, most zooms magnify the bottom and Vexilar quite frankly modifies the blobs and it's not just zoom, the regular mode blobs are still there. MarCum uses 3 LED's and does not blend that is why there signal return is much crisper and cleaner in zoom, period...

The question one has to ask themselves before purchase is do I feel the zoom feature would benefit and enhance my ice fishing experience. The question has been answered by MarCum and it all comes down to getting the most out of power, receiver and transducer. Hand's down the LX-5 and LX-3 (TC) delivers the goods in zoom better and cheaper than Vexilar. It's the technological advancements that deliver the zoom in the way zoom should be allowing you to see those stacked targets and isolating them instead of blobbing them together. The consumer see's first hand the zoom advantages of the MarCum. I haven't even mentioned the enhanced interference rejection that MarCum has.

Your comment that "Zooming on suspended fish just seems like overkill to me" Yeah I would have to agree with you there especially on the FL-18, binoculars didn't help it either.

[btetzl50]

Thanks for the info, I just plugged it in and will check back on Thursday am, hopefully the LED is back on then!

-brad

[slipperybob]

Sales people always say turn up the power on the LX5 and bump your Vexilar buddies out...Hmmm. I've never had to do that, but how would I do that if I wanted to?

Is it just turning the gain up on it?

[trapperdirk]

No Slipbob changing your gain will not have anything to do with bumping your vex buddies out as the actual signal strength does not increase or decrease by turning the gain on a Marcum .All gain does is allow you to see more or less by using less or more filtering of the actual signal .Your not going from 0 watts to 2000 watts by the gain knob .

TD

[slipperybob]

Thanks TD,

so that still leaves me with the question of turning the power up on the LX5? How is that suppose to work? Increase the depth marker?

[Sutty]

I think your best off talking to some users of both products, not pro's who speak in absolutes of a must have nerd knob. I am glad there is competition, that should help spur continued innovation. I myself am upgrading from an FL8 as well this year. I will be staying with a Vex because I have never had a problem with my FL8 it still works as good today as when I bought it. I have not heard as good of reviews of the dependability of marcums yet.

[CNY Tim]

The MarCum is good to 160' max depth. I don't know what your trying to ask but you may get a better answer by contacting MarCum directly.

[cRaPpiEMaN8265]

i have had no problems with my marcum vx-1 but i walk into my buddies shack where he has a vexilar fl-8 and it sounds like he has a world war two plane going through his ice shack that thing is so loud!

Ryan

[Thunderman]

I own a FL-18 I have had it for 2yrs and caught alot of fish with it.I purchased a LX-5 at the end of last season my Vexilar is sold as of today don't get me wrong it worked good for the 2yrs I owned it. Now that I have the Marcum I am very pleased with its features more so than the Vex that is just my opinion.

[Corey Bechtold]

Brad, did you find any good places to fish at your buddy's wedding?

Later,

Corey Bechtold

p.s.

You can e-mail me at [email protected]

[slipperybob]

Haven't had a need to fish more than 40 fow. I would think that increasing the max depth knob the unit would output a stronger signal to get a return signal, but in terms of feet I doubt that would be much of a difference.

So then I can pretty much assume that the next person who says...Turn the power up on your Marcum is full of talk and their video presentation in the store shouldn't be saying something in reference to that.

[Carp-fisher]

Ok I bought the LX-5. Even the guy at Cabelas told me it beats the FL-20 in everything. Everyone, thanks for your input. I'll be testing it out on Saturday!

[Cletus]

Chevy, not Ford!

Oh, wait, wrong debate.

You will not be disappointed. The LX-5 is the perfect addition.

[walleyebw]

Good Morning,

There are alot of good/bad points for both units. What is the price difference between the two?

[CNY Tim]

LX-5 - $479 Dual beam and softpack standard

FL-20 -$485 to $549.95 depending on where you go and what pack you want. You have to pay extra if you want a softpack as well so that's another $32 to $35 more for that.

[jigginjerk]

I'm sure you will like it. I Have one of the first lx3s with the upgrade and have been very satisfied. Last night I went to gander and picked up the lx5 as an early xmas present to my self. With the credit card app. the 1st purchase was 10% off so I paid 431.99+tax,what a deal! I to am excited about getting out now to use it. Happy Fishing and be carefull to all!!!

[MuleShack]

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Ok I bought the LX-5. Even the guy at Cabelas told me it beats the FL-20 in everything. Everyone, thanks for your input. I'll be testing it out on Saturday!

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Funny...I was in N metro one and i was being sold Vexilar as the "only thing to buy". I guess it boils down to who's pro staff they are.

Congrats on the purchase! I'm sure you will enjoy it. As far as myself, i have no decided which way i'm going to go yet.

[perchking]

LX-5 all the way....

[Hotspotter]

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I guess it boils down to who's pro staff they are.

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Sales folks are just that, trying to make a sale! At the same time, I think it helps to get multiple pitches from salespersons as well. The benefit is that they're typically far more knowledgeable about the product in question then most anglers will be; primarily because they're experienced fishermen that have fished with several product lines, they will likely be privvy to information about the company that most anglers aren't, and they're probably a pro-staff member or salesperson for that product because it works best for them!

It's up to the consumer to determine the salespersons' knowledge, demeanor, and ultimately their credibility; then synthesize that information from every angle along with other sources, and make the best decision possible.

What's even better, is that nowadays with how common these flashers are, is to fish with your buddy's units and see which one you like best. Then buy that unit.

In such an instance, it's still valuable to be as educated as possible regarding a product you're likely to buy. For me, the litmus test is always to realize the difference between a "pitch" and someone that truly believes in the product they're selling. Ask them what they own. Then ask why. Ask them their affiliations. If they're nervous about disclosing that information to you, ask yourself why? Bias can be a good thing provided they're the type of person that is crazy about fishing and has to have the best. Then, you'll have a person that's already done the hard work for you.

Joel

[Orlip]

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I guess it boils down to who's pro staff they are.

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Sales folks are just that, trying to make a sale! At the same time, I think it helps to get multiple pitches from salespersons as well. The benefit is that they're typically far more knowledgeable about the product in question then most anglers will be; primarily because they're experienced fishermen that have fished with several product lines, they will likely be privvy to information about the company that most anglers aren't, and they're probably a pro-staff member or salesperson for that product because it works best for them!

It's up to the consumer to determine the salespersons' knowledge, demeanor, and ultimately their credibility; then synthesize that information from every angle along with other sources, and make the best decision possible.

What's even better, is that nowadays with how common these flashers are, is to fish with your buddy's units and see which one you like best. Then buy that unit.

In such an instance, it's still valuable to be as educated as possible regarding a product you're likely to buy. For me, the litmus test is always to realize the difference between a "pitch" and someone that truly believes in the product they're selling. Ask them what they own. Then ask why. Ask them their affiliations. If they're nervous about disclosing that information to you, ask yourself why? Bias can be a good thing provided they're the type of person that is crazy about fishing and has to have the best. Then, you'll have a person that's already done the hard work for you.

Joel

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Good information!

[palisade1kid]

Both are very good units.Let me repeat....VERY GOOD!

The main issue for me is getting shut down from interference.

I've had Vexilars for years ,still do.I will continue to have them.

I am also going to get a Marcum before months end.

Why?

The reason is that when I'm in the middle of a bunch of anglers,I'll see my small jig without interference in the Marcum whereas I've had to move out of the pack with my Vexilar.

That's it in a nutshell.

Both of the companies make very good electronics and they both have excellent service.

Either way you'll be way better off than you were without a flasher.

[MuleShack]

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I guess it boils down to who's pro staff they are.

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In such an instance, it's still valuable to be as educated as possible regarding a product you're likely to buy. For me, the litmus test is always to realize the difference between a "pitch" and someone that truly believes in the product they're selling.

Then, you'll have a person that's already done the hard work for you.

Joel

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That is the reason i go to different places on products that i am "looking" at so i can get different opinions, similiar to on this board the only difference is that i can get a hands on visual at the same time. It really is interesting on the different points of view you get on some products from different locations. Whether it be boats and motors, locators, troling motors, fishing rods and reels, tackle...you name it.

you can tell the people who just want to sell, and the ones that are pitching what they believe in. Either way i take it all in and like Joel says, it still comes down to what you like and feel comfortable with.

I also want to say that i was not trying to make fun of any pro staff guys, but rather that you will get different opions at some stores based on how involved in the industry certain people are...one guy could be just salesman X and the other guy could be pushing brand X.

[bondersma]

Hi guys

Well I am a new owner of a vex fl-20 ultra pack, dual beam, havent had a chance to use it yet, no good ice here in southern Michigan. I spent weeks and weeks searching on + and -'s on both units. It sucked -haha- i couldnt decide for the life of me and finally went with the vex, reason being is it came down to what i hope is product reliablity. I shall see, my freinds all have vex's and for many many years they have provided trouble free use, I called and talked to associates at over 5 different gander mountain stores here in MI and they all recomended the vex over the marcum. They all said they were haveing problems with nobs breaking off , batteries not holding charges for long, ppl leaving them in the vehicles over nite and having them not powering up, and funtion correctly the next day . One did say that was when they were first come out with the lx-5 , im sure them prob are fixed by now. My local gander told me they had 10 lx-5 units in stock at beginning of last year and only sold 2 , and one was returned because of a problem, the same guy said he sold over 3 times as many vex units and none returned . Now i am not sure if its just this area or what but it seems that most guys around here are vex fans.I wish I could have just taken both units out and tested them my self but unfortunatly that cant happen. I am sure like everyone said so far, that whatever unit you go with you will be happy with.One thing i do know that if it is like almost everyone elses vex is that years down the road i know it will still provide me with the dependablity i need to still catch fish, with marcum I just didnt ( with my gut feeling after all the weeks of researching ) think that was gonna be there down the road. The vex is more pricey , was 519 here with the ultra pack, dual beam. But without a soft case. Last i knew the lx-5 are 479 with dual beam and nice soft case ( deff a plus ) and the marcum charger is nicer with the plug it in and forget charger, were the vex you have to wait for the lite to come on and unplug it , im not sure if there is a poss of overcharging if you forget about it. I know a soft case is gonna set me back some more for the vex. Nother plus is the flat screen on the vex seems like a nicer readout and bigger view reading , Either way have fun fishing and tight lines

[Nate McVey]

I agree with Joel here (along with many others) and it seems that you have received A LOT of info. It comes down to what you want to do with it and what you are comfortable with. I am in the process of deciding on a Vex or Marcum, and I am leaning torwards the Marcum. I purposly try to "invite" friends to go fishing that have one or the other so I can see how they use them, how they work and what they like best, and so far the Marcum seems to have the features I want. It's kind of like trying to buy a truck......if you want to find out which one is best, make some friends with different brands and take a "test drive" Good luck and let us know how you like your choice!

[slipperybob]

Before I purchased my first flasher (which happens to be an LX5) I went through the whole pro's and cons of everything.

-you don't need that, fish bite on bottom few feet

-if they suspend, just use slip bobber

-you have to remember to charge after every use

-you have to remember to unplug once it's charged

-you're carrying extra weight, if you want to be portable

-there's a time delay in sonar, what you see fish, is that there were there

-you can't tell if a fish is two feet away from your bait or it's ten feet away

-don't leave them in the truck bed, they won't work, cuz they can freeze

-they knobs will fall off on you

-can't see it in sunlight anyway

***personally***

I wanted a vex, all my buddies have vex's...I like the look. Then I thought what if we got confused with who's vex is who's? So I bought a Marcum, just to be different. For just three features that made it different for me. The Super Fine Line feature, the adjustable water colum zoom, the three stage digital charger.

Super Fine Line, so that I can see a fish or two fishes looking at my lure and still see the lure.

Adjustable water colum zoom, so I can set the bottom of it where I can tell if there's a little rise on the bottom, it shows up clearly on the zoom side. Or for suspended fishing, better view of two/three fishes looking at lure action.

The digital charger, because I do forget to unplug.

Only because I get to see and hear all about the vex from my buddies. They tell me about the precautions about it too. Most important of all, do charge up your battery from time to time.