Lowrance X-67 Ice machine??

[ice-man/vexilar-king]

[looneyducer]

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Here is another comparison.

Back in the 50s and 60s, Lowarnce came out with the Green Box. That was flasher technology. For a comparison, back in the 50s, people were listening to record players. The sound was

dump

. Today, if you were to listen to a record player and compare it to a CD or MP3 player, there would be no comparison.

That is the same theory behind the flasher vs. sonar. Yes, flashers have been upgraded but they have, in pricipal, the same technology as they did in the 60s. Sonar is like the MP3 player. Newer and crisper images.

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There's an ad video from Nature Vision that makes this same point. I've been considering bringing it into my classroom to talk about logical fallicies. We aren't talking about playing music, for one thing. That's called a faulty analogy. The ability to play a tune and the ability to see fish are very much different things. There is also nothing inherently better (or worse, for that matter) with a piece of "newer" technology. Saying so is what we call a hasty generalization. You see the same type of argument brewing between the Bennelli Nova and the Remington 870. It's silly.

That being said, I own an Fl 18. If I ever do decide to get an Ice Machine thingy -- graph, I guess you could call it-- what kind of performance can I expect? How annoying are all the menus and buttons? I have to tell you, I kind of like the "turn the knob" mentality of the vexilar. Can you make adjustments with gloves on?

How about mitts?

[zachp]

I picked up a 334c icemachine last year and played around with it a couple times but mostly had it for a spare in case my lx3 died...I would like to get more acquainted with it this winter. I fish a few lakes that for one reason or another(might be cell phone towers too close?) get the worst interference possible after dark and my lx3 is useless...would the icemachine be the better bet for this or would it get the same interference as the flashers?

[Chode2235]

zachp

What are the primary advantages and disadvantages of the ice machine? Why do you chose to use your LX3 instead of your 334c?

Just curious as to your personal experience, as very few people own and use both. Thanks.

[minnow_03]

The ice machine will never freeze when it is running. The backlight keeps it warm. Those that say it is junk obviously havn't used it. I have had mine next to vexilars and they both do the same thing, show your jig and fish. My buddies that have vexilars like looking at the graph screen better though.

As far as delay, that is bull. each unit uses electronics to change the display and they are, for all practical purposes, instantaneous. You don't need a aqua view to see this, just pull up on your jig, and watch the line go up.

They are tough, too. I had took the battery out and had set the x67 in the back of my truck. (bad idea) On the way home I was going about sixty five when I saw my case swing from behind my truck and go into the road.

I quickly pulled into the next driveway backed up and drove to the case. I picked it up and it was empty. I looked back to see the transducer had caught something and the unit had been dragging down the road. The front was scrathed up(not the screen though), but it still works great.

[munchy71]

Quote:

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Quote:

---

Here is another comparison.

Back in the 50s and 60s, Lowarnce came out with the Green Box. That was flasher technology. For a comparison, back in the 50s, people were listening to record players. The sound was

dump

. Today, if you were to listen to a record player and compare it to a CD or MP3 player, there would be no comparison.

That is the same theory behind the flasher vs. sonar. Yes, flashers have been upgraded but they have, in pricipal, the same technology as they did in the 60s. Sonar is like the MP3 player. Newer and crisper images.

---

There's an ad video from Nature Vision that makes this same point. I've been considering bringing it into my classroom to talk about logical fallicies. We aren't talking about playing music, for one thing. That's called a faulty analogy. The ability to play a tune and the ability to see fish are very much different things. There is also nothing inherently better (or worse, for that matter) with a piece of "newer" technology. Saying so is what we call a hasty generalization. You see the same type of argument brewing between the Bennelli Nova and the Remington 870. It's silly.

That being said, I own an Fl 18. If I ever do decide to get an Ice Machine thingy -- graph, I guess you could call it-- what kind of performance can I expect? How annoying are all the menus and buttons? I have to tell you, I kind of like the "turn the knob" mentality of the vexilar. Can you make adjustments with gloves on?

How about mitts?

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Thanks, LD! That's exactly the point I was trying to make with my post. Sometimes us Engineers try to over-word things....

-Munchy

[looneyducer]

I guess all this brand-loyalty was getting to me. It seems like we are all spending our time trying to convince ourselves (and everyone else) we've made the best choice. I actually do want to know what one of these ice machines will do, and if it turns out it fits what I do better than my vexilar, I'll put it on my Christmas list without any hesitation at all. It's not like vexilar is paying me to fish, nor is Lowrance for that matter. I am paying them to make me the best fishing gear for the money -- that's where my brand loyalty ends.

[looneyducer]

Of course if either company is interested in paying me to fish...

[Todd_J]

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Does anyone have/use the M68 or the 552 ice machines? How do you guys like the integration of the GPS and your sonar for use on the ice?

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I own the M68c with GPS, but if I were to do it again, I'd get the X67. The GPS is nice for keeping track of hot-spots on the lake and bait shops, but overall it is pretty inconvenient. As mentioned before, the unit cannot use a lakemap chip which is a huge disadvantage. At least for me, sonar and gps would function more effectively if they were separated. My means of transportation (feet/car) is separate from my fishing station (sled/portable). For boat fishing, melding GPS and sonar works well, but for ice fishing melding the two functions looks better on paper than in practice. My advice is to go with the X-67 and use the $120 savings towards a handheld GPS with a chip.

All this being said, I prefer the Lowrance GRAPH over the Lowrance flasher-mode and traditional mechanical flashers. I find the separation of bottom/lure/fish more distinct than the Lowrance flasher and the Vex I have used. I also like how the graph keeps about 10 seconds of history on the screen. Concerns with freezing screens are unfounded/bullocks. With ANYTHING electronic, don't leave it outside in extreme temps for extended periods of time.

[munchy71]

Quote:

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I guess all this brand-loyalty was getting to me. It seems like we are all spending our time trying to convince ourselves (and everyone else) we've made the best choice. I actually do want to know what one of these ice machines will do, and if it turns out it fits what I do better than my vexilar, I'll put it on my Christmas list without any hesitation at all. It's not like vexilar is paying me to fish, nor is Lowrance for that matter. I am paying them to make me the best fishing gear for the money -- that's where my brand loyalty ends.

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If it helps ya sleep better at night, I don't get paid to fish by anyone either.....

-Munchy

[FishesWithKids]

Another opinion, I am somewhat colorblind and the X-67 makes it easier for me to see. I would think this to be the case with others also.

[Todd34]

Just a few observations I've experienced with my flasher's and Graph's. I have an Fl-18 (love it), and x-68 ice machine(love it), and a 332c(love it). First, love the vexilar because it is a great piece of ice fishing equipment, easy to use and flawless in its consistent performance. Also, people get pretty comfortable with a piece of equipment that has made ice fishing that much more enjoyable, so people stay pretty loyal to a certain brand for that reason. The x-68 and the x-332c I use in tandem for both hard and soft water fishing. I have the 332c in the back of my boat and the 68 mounted on the front while using the trolling motor. When I use them ice fishing, I mount the 332c with the chip in my truck to give me an idea of depths and certain structure that I'm looking for. They both have gps integrated into them, so I use the 332c thats mounted in my truck to get me to certain depths or certain spots that were good last year or just some structure that I found boat fishing that I want to try ice fishing. I always mark waypoints on both units, so when I head out on foot or atv I have my x68 to get me to the spot I was looking for or use it to mark a new one while I bounce around. One thing I like about the x68 and 332c is being able to use them in the boat and the ice, which you can also do with the vex, but the gps integrated into them makes one less purchase one needs to make. And I will agree with the post earlier about using the graph mode on the lowrances instead of the flasher option, it is in real time and if you have never seen it used, check it out sometime if you see someone using it. It is as on the spot as the vexilar color seperation we all fell in love with. With the exception of being able to distinguish how large the peticular fish is that is creeping on your jig. I love the options and combinations that I have at my disposal, but if I had to pick just one or the other it would have to be the FL-18 or 20. There is still nothing like the vexilar hum and the vex neck that comes with it. My 2 cents fellas. Lake of the woods and red lake for 6 days next thur-tue!

[Galarno]

Lowrance makes good stuff,have you thought about a 102c? It has alot of screen color options if flashers bother your eyes.We use them for both seasons with no problems and run the lights on the same battery.Oh well, just a thought,and have fun with what ever you get.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Here's my set-up with the X67c and H2Oc. Like I mentioned, I like having the sonar and GPS separate because I can just pop the H2Oc off and use it to drive or walk to my spot, but I can power it off the battery from the X67c the rest of the time to conserve the AA batteries.

[Fishook]

I have the X67C on the bow of my boat. I would like to purchase the battery, power cables, transducer, and carry case to convert this to a ice machine. I have not been able to find the kit on line (Cabelas, hsolist, lowrance, etc.) and Lowrance will not respond to my email/questions. Does anyone know where I can buy these add-ons? Thanks.

[Kyle Sandberg]

I don't believe Cabelas sells them online but if you go to the store and talk to the guys back in the marine/electronice department they should be able to hook you up.

[SalmonJedi]

I also agree completely with Federline and Todd_J. I bought an M68c 2 years ago and am in love. The GPS works but is really basic. Get an X67 and buy a GPS separate or go with one of the larger lowrance ice machines with better GPS capabilities (if its in the budget).

I've used some flashers too and for me my preference is the X67/M68 in graph mode. I love having a little bit of history on the screen in case I have to look away for a second to find my beer

My only other comment is regarding ease of use - the flashers are probably a better choice for the non-computer savy crowd. You'll want to be OK with navigating a few menus to get things setup the way you want. For me I love it but I can understand those that rather skip the complexity (flexibility).

Its all preference folks - the Vex's and Ice machines are all capable units.

[markkstanley]

lei-extras is the HSOforum that sells all the Lowrance accessories. At a mininum you will need the ice transducer the rest of the ice package is optional stuff.

[Ralph Wiggum]

Do a Google search for "LEI extras"

[Fishook]

Once again, I can count on Fishing MN and the very competant folks that use it. Thank you to all who replied. I found what I need on LEI Extras.