New Showdown

[thirtysomething]

CNC Mike, I'm so jealous that you're Showdown is working so sweet. I loved the concept, bought one at the Ice Show, but have had nothing but bad luck. Mine worked great for about two hours, then I started having a variety of problems. Every time out, it worked so-so. I attempted to contact Nature Vision, but that's harder than getting the unit to work properly. The GREAT folks at Thorne Brothers have been nice enough to swap the unit out three times for me, the latest is what it is, so now I'm switching off from the Show Down and my old reliable Marcum.

[CNCMike]

Dang. I must be lucky. Sorry you have had bad luck with yours.

Aside from the people on this forum, I haven't heard a bad thing about the showdowns.

[aquafang]

I'm not saying it's a bad unit. I'm not bashing them. their customer service was great and they returned it (repaired) promptly. It is just my opinion that I prefer a traditional flasher more. I have no intention of getting rid of it. It will work great in the fish house to have over another hole. I used it this morning and it really did work very well, just if I would move my jig quickly it would "sometimes" dissappear off the screen. I prefer my marcum over my vex also but will not give that up either. Nature Visions customer service was great both times I dealt with them. the first was for the upgrade and then this last time. They were very friendly and prompt with their service.

[jbird68]

Well I thought you guys had talked me into my VPG having a problem seeing my jig. I went out on Sunday and initially had a problem locating my jig on the display. After playing around with the sensitivity and such, I realized that the transducer was not completely underneath the ice. Once I lowered it a few inces, I had no problems seeing my jig at all. With the recent cold spell the ice was a bit thicker than it was last week. Apparently, if the transducer is sitting against the side of your hole, it affects the visibility of small jigs. It worked for me. Just something I thought might be worth mentioning.

[CNCMike]

jbird, good point! it hadn't occurred to me that the ducer could be to high in the ice for those with problems.

I haven't had any issues with the showdown in that regard, but my old clearwater classic would do that. if the transducer was not fully below the ice i would have trouble seeing my bait. if i made sure it was below the bottom of the ice, problem solved.

Now I wanna go out and see if i can replicate the problems people are having here by moving the ducer up higher.

nice tip!!

[tisosy11]

I've had no problems with the Showdown - has worked great each time I use it. Havn't had any problem with noise either, but never really had a chance in a big group to use it!

It sounds like any problems have came from upgraded older models. I wonder if nature vision didn't work out all the kinks and come up with a solid product...

[skee0025]

Has anyone been able to find any units latley. I Went to several stores at the begining of the month to purchase one and no one has them. I went to both Cabelas, 3 Gander Mountains and Joes and there are none to be had

[tisosy11]

I have been to Dick's a few times in the last two weeks (the one in Minnetonka on 394). They have had one on display...i've never asked if they had them in stock, but i would assume they did.

One could always call and find out...952-525-0200 is there number i think...

[bozosdad]

I was very interested in getting one about week and half ago and went to local gander to pull the trigger. They had none, matter of fact when I asked if they had any Showdowns the store manager looked puzzled and confused. After I told him it was an Aqua View Showdown then he told me that they were not carrying any of them this year. He basically talked down the Showdown as a sublevel unit. kind of made me upset that he at first wasnt up to date on A.V. new model and then talked it down. Basically said they had so many problems with last years models and wouldnt recommend one.

Frustrated! I read many posts here and heard mostly good things about the Showdown for the price point I was looking for.

Hopefully you will find one out there and have as good luck with it as most others in the forum are.

[jdsmi]

I just saw them at Joe's yesterday. They were even on sale but I can't remember the price.

[tisosy11]

I've heard about these problems that the old version of the Aqua-View Flasher had, but it sounds like that was all taken care of with the new Nature Vision Showdown as well as updates to the old units. I swear by mine and wouldn't ice fish without it...except i forgot to take it to the extravaganza last weekend! DOH...

[CNCMike]

If you make it up to the Brainerd area there are still many to be had. Fleet Farm and a couple of the local bait shops carry em.

I'm with tisosy11, I can't imagine being on the ice without it nor using another unit.

[jbird68]

I bought mine at Thorne Bros. Last year. I'm sure they should have them.

[CNCMike]

Another update.

I was sick as all get out last weekend. Really suffering badly but I had to get out on the ice. Made it out of course, cuz I am a die hard. Problem was that in my haze I forgot to bring in the Showdown from the truck. Left it out there until yesterday morning when I remembered it in a panic. All week we have been in the 10 - 20 below zero mark overnight so I am figuring the worst. Cracked or broken LCD screen.

Turns out, my worrying was for nothing. Good as new. No cracks, no issues. I brought it into the house to thaw and charge then used it on the water last night. Lo and behold it worked as well as ever.

As much as I love this thing, I am very surprised that it made it through that long in the cold without a crack of any sort on the screen.

Kudos again to Nature Vision for creating this little gem.

[tisosy11]

Man o man - if i could leave it in the portable in the garage that would be amazing. The wife is real sick of all my 'fishing rooms'.

Probably will wait until i finish the garage before taking that chance but its nice to know.

[CNCMike]

Fished Sunday in 49 FOW with grubs,minnows and minnow heads. My buddy and I were the only people on the entire lake. With my sensitivity on 3 and no noise rejection I had no problem seeing my bait at the bottom. Thank goodness for electronics. I would have caught at least 50% less fish without the Showdown. If I marked em, I moved to them and caught em. Simple as that.

This thing is amazing. Had it in ICE MODE since I was on a bucket in the wind and I couldn't detect any delay or issue of any sort. I switched to an 1/8 oz jig for awhile and had to turn down the sensitivity to 1 as it marked my lure too big. Ran a dropper spoon as well for a time and could separate the minnow from the lure in 40+ FOW. 1.5" drop from lure to hook with a crappie minnow and I could easily see them as 2 different marks.

Fish started suspending about 12 feet off the bottom, so I moved my ZOOM to that level and went from there. I love the adjustable zoom!!!

Still a great unit, still no problems to report. Best darned investment I have made in years.