Marcum versus Vexilar?

[FatBassman]

Hey folks,

I'm gonna bite the bullet on a new flasher this week and can't make up my mind about the FL-20 versus the Marcum Lx-5. Can anybody weigh in on it? They seem pretty comparable in functionality and price....just wondering if anyone has strong opinions or whether I've missed something.

thanks,

FB

[Burnham]

well i have a vexilar fl-8 so i am not of much help...but the fl-20 only has zoom on the bottom 6 ft and a lot of marcum people talk about how they can zoom in on anywhere (suspended fish), i have also heard vexilar people say that marcum has too much power(you see way too much stuff on the flasher)... chances are you will be happy with either one, i am happy with my fl-8...thats my 2 cents

[PerchJerker]

Hey FatBasstard, welcome to FM.

I have one strong opinion, and that's for everyone that's going to post on this thread to please keep it civil and imformative. It's way too often that these types of threads turn into 'mine is better than yours' contests that don't help anybody.

Try searching through the archives, this topic comes up quite a bit.

My opinion - you can't go wrong with either unit. I have the Marcum LX-5. I like the adjustable zoom windows, so you don't have to zoom in on just the bottom, and I like that I can change the size of my zoom window from 5' to 10' without changing depth scales. And I like the better resolution of the Marcum, especially with the Super Fine Line feature, and I like that it's a little more compact than the Vex.

[EBass]

Ah man - you'll get mixed opinions on this. Ford vs Chevy type thing. Both are great, but that being said I have a FL-18 and love it. Also, I'm sure you can do searches on past posts. We've beat this to death for years now. Good luck on what you decide.

[harvey lee]

The adjustable zoom on the LX5 is a very nice feature for sure. As far as the power being more, this has never been a bad thing for me. Once a person gets to know what to adjust and how to do it, either the LX5 or the Vexilar FL 20 would serve you well.

If you are a fisherman who targets the suspended fish alot, the marCum may be a better choice for you.

have fun shopping.

[Chode2235]

I really like looking at my buddies FL-20 face. The screen is so bright and readable from a distance. I have a Lowrance ice machine, which I love, but I also really like the displays on the Vex. Honestly, though, you can't go wrong with either.

[Scott K]

Either unit will suit your needs, this will go on and on, it has, and if you search there is a couple threads still going. Either way you made an excellent choice to buy a new flasher. Good luck!

[roadkingclasic56]

I was just looking at the specs for the Marcum flashers and see that the LX3tc also has the adjustable zoom. The only difference I could see between the LX3 and the LX5 is the watts peak to peak. The 3 has 1500 and the 5 has 2000. The early flashers only had 4 to 600 watts and worked fine so maybe the high power isn't such a big deal. The LX3 will save you almost 100.00. I have seen both units, the Marcum and the Vexilar and as stated before they both work great. I also watched a fisherman use the new Showdown unit from Aqua-Vu. That unit worked very well aslo. It's a little different not having the color display but it was easy to see the fish and the lure and it had all of the other features advertised on the flashers. It is also a little less expensive but value packed. GOOD LUCK on your decision!

[Schloogs]

 Quote:

I was just looking at the specs for the Marcum flashers and see that the LX3tc also has the adjustable zoom. The only difference I could see between the LX3 and the LX5 is the watts peak to peak. The 3 has 1500 and the 5 has 2000.

This is true but it is not the only difference. The LX-5 also has a dual transducer, can be set to either 8 or 20 degree cone and it also has the Super Fine Line feature. If you can do without these then the LX-3 would be a good choice. I personally have the LX-5 and love it. But there is nothing wrong with the Vexilars either so I would suggest flipping a coin

[shads]

I am a vexilar FL-18 user and love it. Very durable, easy to read and use, never has let me down. I tried an Marcum LX-3tc and found that the adjustable zoom is overrated. Most times people use the zoom to find fish hugging bottom. To do this you had to manually move the Marcum zoom window from the top to the bottom (note - bottom was not always obvious if you have fish/weeds/etc mixed in). With the Vex it automatically zoom in on the bottom without having to do any adjusting. If you need to look at suspending fish, the full window view on the Vexilar is almost always more than sufficient to do the job (IMHO).

[slipperybob]

People will have their very strong opinions...

I think the Vexilars are like your carburator gas engines with an engine timed distributor sending about 10,000 volts from the ignition coil. The Marum are like your electronic timed ignition with sending about 30,000 volts.

Regardless of voltage, pressurized ignition goes on. Engine turns and wheels go forward. You just steer the wheel to where you want to go.

Marcum may have adjustable cruise control throughout your driving speed. Vexilar has an on or off cruise control. That's like your adjustable zoom vs bottom lock zoom. No big deal how often do you need to adjust cruise control?

LOL's

[tisosy11]

All good units - depends on the Brand you've had in the past and what you like to do with it. I myself use the new Showdown and its been great. You can see everything and the zoom and auto adjust features are excellent. I am kicking myself for not bringing to the Extravaganza to see how the noise reduction works in a setting like that. I have had zero issues with noise otherwise.

I think personal preference will finally come down to it so go with what you know. I will say the Showdown is extremely easy to use right out of the box.

[markkstanley]

The dual frequency is a big plus if you fish with someone in the same shelter. Narrow the cone and get rid of your buddy's jig showing on your screen. Also very useful if fishing deep or on steep breaks (smaller dead zone). And being able to zoom to to the desired depth is a big plus. I often fish suspended crappies in 40 to 50ft depths and being able to zoom in to the right depth helps catch fish. For same $$$ I'd go Marcum.

[Big Dave2]

I was looking to upgrade from my FL-8 last winter and I was thinking about buying a Marcum LX-5 all the way because of the rave reviews they recieve here on FM. I actually had a hard time finding one at first so I started to look at the FL-20s a little harder.

Long story short I ended up buying an FL-20 and don't regret it 1 bit! I love the screen with night and day vision settings, and the fact that I can see it from almost any angle unlike my old FL-8 which would be a similar screen to the Marcum. I have to believe that Marcum will eventually put a screen like this on thier units.

Also, just for the record, the FL-20 may not have an adjustable zoom like the Marcums(which might be nice)but it does have an adjustment that allows you to zoom in on the bottom 6 feet or the bottom 12 feet. I personally have never had a need to zoom in on the middle of a deep water column but maybe you will.

Bottom line is, you would be very happy with either unit!

[JP Z]

The FL20 has a 6' and 12' zoom if I remember correctly. Just an FYI.

[iceman16]

i myself have the LX-5 love it. i have uced the fl-20 loved it. i bought mine at the ice fishing show and looked at both very hard. what sold me was the zoom. the lake i fish the most crappies are in the 40' hole and never on the bottom. being able to adjust up to where they are was what i needed. i like the soft pack with the marcums. all in all youll be happy with your new unit when u deside what one to buy. good luck and have fun fishing with a great flasher.

iceman

[WildSpirit]

Well, I'll jump in here. I too did some research and studied these two models. I've seen the FL-18 and the LX-3 in action, both were good units, BUT about a month ago i bought the FL-20 and very happy with my purchase. Here's why...

Here are the things i considered:

(1) most of the lakes i fish don't reach 80-100 feet deep (most of the time i'm in 40ft or less) so i don't need the adjustable zoom, because I typically fish the bottom, and the Vexilar FL-20 can zoom to the Bottom 6 ft OR the bottom 12ft. Both units have a split screen view so you can still see the entire water column, so if i do see fish higher than the bottom 12 ft (which i haven't run into yet) i can flip back to full screen view of the water column (that'll be sufficient enough for me).

(2) i also liked the little bigger viewing area, and the flat screen of the fl-20. some people say this doesn't matter, but i like it, and you don't have to be straight on to see the display. i stand/walk around a lot and i can see it from different angles.

(3) i really like the day/night viewing mode on the FL-20. You can turn down the intensity of the display for after sundown and it is a lot easier on the eyes which allows me to use it continuously for longer periods of time without strain on the eyes.

good luck with decision...

[Big Dave2]

Wildspirit,

I should have just waited for you to post and I could have just said "ditto". That was my answer almost exactly, only you said it better!

[Bulldoggr]

I own both a FL-8 and a LX-5.I have had The FL-8 for close to 15 years now. There was no way you could have gotten me to switch from the FL-8. I watched the other flashers come and go. I even remember when marcum first came out. To say the least i ws none to impressed when marcum first came out with their product.

Like anything else after a period of time things wear out. My FL-8 still marks fish. but the lines on the screen have gotten thicker and thicker, I suspect the brushes are getting worn.

The LX-5 was just coming out and i did alot of research. The thing that impressed me the most about the LX-5 is the power of the unit, I would say that the next thing would be the extremely clear crisp and very defined presentation it has on the display.

Next is the Movable Zoom. I fish for all types of Spieces thru the ice. The marcum gives me the ability to move that Zoom anywhere in a water coloum.

The IR features on the marcum are really awsome. I i have fished inside my Otter Lodge with a friend running his FL-18 and my Marcum. the only way he would not get any IR from me was when i adjusted my IR. when he tried his he could never really get it to completely clear up on his unit. Which to me was a Bonus discovery after owning the Marcum.

Another thing i really like is when you get someone that you don't know come in and park right on top of you. drilling holes all around you. then sets up with in 10 yards of me. I just turn that gain up a bit. It floods out their elctronics and get them to move.

I only use my FL-8 now if i go out with a friend that does not own a flasher and i let him use it.

I've own both and both are great Products, but In my Opinion the Vexilar Flashers are Now dated and need to catch up to Marcum. This is my opinion, it is not Right, nor is it wrong, only you can decide what works best for you

[WildSpirit]

BigDave2,

you beat me to it, i was too slow typing the reply...

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

I literally JUST went through this exact situation last week. I had an FL20 on order, but cancelled it. I'm coming from an FL8, and everyone I know uses Vexilars, so I originally went with the familiar option. I read the reviews on about 5 different forums, and found a bunch of people that switched from Vexilar to Marcum, but I have yet to find someone that did the opposite. I picked up my LX5 on Friday and was really impressed at how well put together the package was. The soft case is awesome, the digital charger is very handy, and I love the adjustable zoom, and the dual transducer.

At the Extravaganza on Saturday, I was the only person in my group of 7 that was able to use a graph, and the only person in my area that could use one. I actually borrowed mine out for an hour or so so that people could see what was going on. I had zero interference.

[Chode2235]

Since we are seeing recommendations other than MarCum and Vex I will quickly plug my lowrance ice machine. I love that thing and would never trade it for either of my buddies LX-3 or Fl-20. It has more than the 3 colors, a graph view (which I love), a great balance of power and battery life, GPS, infinitely adjustable zoom and tweakable settings, great separation,and it can be used in the softwater season as well on your boat.

I think these are great units, and a great value. Not to muddy the waters more, but I recommend them to everyone looking for ice sonar, andthink they are worth looking at.

[Kyle Sandberg]

I also have a lowrance ice maching. I love this unit as well.

[DTro]

If you're ever going to fish in deep water (over 40 ft) with a hard bottom, that dual beam will be a savior. I experienced it this weekend up on Burntside. People were having issues fishing within 40 yds of another flasher with all the sonar being bounced around. Quite frankly I had some interference as well until I switched to the narrow beam. Clean as a whistle after that.

Just something to think about.

[Grogan]

All good points. I still like the fl-18 cause it is awesome for summer and Ice. The one thing they are missing on the 20 is the bottom lock for moving on soft water. Again you cannot go wrong with either your fishing will improve no matter which way you go.