what about lowrance

[riverrat565]

looking to get a flasher and just wondering why you dont hear much about these? the prices seem to be comparable for what you get on each model. just comparing all the brands and wondering what you guy think. thanks not tring to starting a ford verse chevy fight just wondering about lowrance

[anyfishwilldo]

I haven't heard good or bad about them. I have been a vex guy since the first year of the FL8, so I never paid them much mind. There summer stuff is good, that is what is in my boat.

[fiskyknut]

I've used alot of different flashers over many years on the ice and have now ran an x67 for about 2 full seasons, works plain super and they do things the mechanical flashers simply can't. On the ice mines in flasher mode always. Ability to set upper and lower ranges, target seperation, and just what I get to see when working within a deadzone has me sold on these units. These benefits in performance outweigh any drawbacks for my fishing. A few other less important reasons as well. I think alot of folks don't know what they're missing with the Lowrance ice machines as they have'nt used one and they're are sold short.

fiskyknut

[slipperybob]

They aren't just marketed/advertised enough for ice fishing. You typically don't see them with the ice fishing package.

[markkstanley]

I run a x67c and a 522 for ice fishing as well as summer units. As Fisky said great units and you can do a lot of things with them. For example, you have three different screen modes - night mode, ice mode and regular and you can adjust the brightness to exactly where you want it. You also have a lot more colors not just green, red and yellow. You do need to learn how to run them - no one knob adjusting on the units - but the menu system is fairly clear and once you get it set up the unit will stay on those settings. I have always been able to get rid of interference from other flashers. Set ping speed to high, surface clarity to high, chart speed high and go manual for depth range and noise rejection should be set to high of course. You can use the units in either flasher mode or the regular graph mode. I'm 50/50 as to which I use but most people that run the units prefer the graph. I also have a Marcum LX5 and can honestly say the Lowrance units are just as accrurate and as fast.

[Todd_J]

Many lowrance owners (myself included) don't participate in the Ford vs. Chevy debates. I have used one for three seasons now and have not had one major complaint. Like Fishynut and Markkstanley said the Lowrance line has features that simply blow mechanical flashers out of the water. The LX-5 is just now boasting an zoom band that is adjustable. Lowrance ice fishers have enjoyed this for many years. I personally prefer the graph-mode much more than the antiquated flasher mode. I think the graph provides far more information and provides a clearer picture of what is going on under the ice.

Can you here them clamoring? I can.

[TimBuck2]

I have a M68C that I've been using for 3 years, and I love it. I will have to disagree with Mark on the noise rejection issue though. I think it is depth dependent as to how well it will play with others. I've always had problems fishing next to a Vex or Marcum at any depth. My fishing buddy liked my 68 so much he bought a 67 last year. In less than 20 feet we are somewhat compatible. We do have to play with ping speed to find a happy medium usually. Deeper than 20 feet and I think the cones overlap and cause all sorts of havoc. I e-mailed Lowrance about this and their reply was...........

"Thank you for your inquiry.

[markkstanley]

I had my Lowrance units running next to the LX5 and no major issues for me. The digital depth reading would tweak out every once in awhile but the actual graph/flasher was still reading properly. I have never run the x67 and the 522 together but if you are fishing in more than 20ft depths drill an extra hole and let one unit read both jigs. Not optimal but does work. Keeping the transducer in the hole and not below it also seems to cut down on interference. The only real solution is for Lowrance to make a dual frequency ice transducer so you can narrow the cone.

[fiskyknut]

A 150 Mhz transducer would solve any interferance issue between it and any flasher running a 200 so I'd like to see them go that route.

[TimBuck2]

I absolutely agree that running a different freq. would solve compatibility issues between Lowrance and other products. I would like to see an option to run at either though. It doesn't solve the problem of running two Lowrance products side by side if they're still both running the same freq.. I would have a 150k and a 200k so that if I'm running next to a Vex or Marcum I could run 150, and when I'm fishing with my buddy with the 67C only one of us needs to switch ducers.

TB2

[Chode2235]

I bought a 334 this past December and absolutely love it. I think the reason you don't hear much about them as that they work fine, and most of the threads here are Marc and Vex. If those guys want to debate the finer points of their units thats fine. I am out using my Ice Machine, not worrying about validating my purchase. Did I mention I absolutely love my 334?

I did a lot of research on what unit would work best for me. I settled on the Lowrance and couldnt be happier. My buddies with their flashers are pretty jealous I would say.

They offer distinct advantages over traditional flashers, and are an excellent value as well. I would get another if something happened to mine. I am glad I bucked the trend, and didnt follow the herd; and bought the Lowrance.

[Chad Halvorson]

Ive ran it for 4 years, I like it enough that I bought a backup for friends that go fishing with me. I also started staying out of the debate as its just not worth arguing about.

If you get one you will like it!

[Ralph Wiggum]

What they all said! I'm on year 3.

[duckguy]

I like mine too. Im on year 2.

[DARTER]

( Note from admin,please read forum policy before posting again,Thank-you.)

[Eric Wettschreck]

What do ya say we keep this topic on course and discuss the particular piece of equipment. Keep sponsorship and your opinion of an expert in hiding out of the conversation.

It seems there has been some good opinions about the units expressed already. Personally, I don't use one. I've never seen one in action. I don't know of anyone who uses them, so I really can't offer an honest opinion.

[DARTER]

-[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[Todd_J]

I really like my M68c a lot. BUT if I were to do it all over again, I'd get the X67 without the GPS. The M68c cannot use a chip, which kinda stinks. You can get back to a good spot just fine, but putting yourself on sweet looking contour is a bit of a hastle. I also think that for ice fishing, your better off having the GPS and Sonar separate. Other than that, the sensitivity/target separation is excellent. You can zoom in anywhere in the water column you want; great for suspended crappies/panfish. I use the graph mode exclusively.

One thing to know is that Lowance units are all very similar in that there are more options and features to learn and become familiar with. Many of them you can set once and forget about; others (like sensitivity, ping speed, noise reduction, and depth range) you use more frequently. If you can use Windows at a basic level, you can run any of the Lowance units.

Good Luck

[fiskyknut]

I hear ya on that gps feature Todd. I lucked out and mid winter 2 seasons back got my 67 for 200 beans, was a return at a local retailer and the owner told me the guy who originally purchased it just could'nt figure it out.

[slipperybob]

I'm interested in 3D graphing capability and an ability to sonar track fish like Silent Service...

On typical analog display on a flasher, weak signals typically means fish in outer cone of sonar and reads them slightly deeper vs straight down.

I'm wondering for our Lowrance units, is it typically the same?

[FatBassman]

hey folks,

im new to the forum. been fishing for a long time but pretty new to ice fishing too. me and my buddy bought a flip over this year and we're having a ball. last weekend i caught a 21 inch bass through the ice....id post it if i new how but thats a diff topic. my question is simple....if i get and ice machine and my buddy gets one too and we're fishing outta two holes 4 feet apart...will we have problems with interference?

thanks

FB

[markkstanley]

You have two staff (Fisky and me) who use and like Lowrance so Darter was a little over the line in the comment about experts and sponsorship. The truth is everyone grew up using flashers for ice fishing. A vast majority of the site members use them and are very happy with their units. It's no surprise most of the chatter is about products most of the people are using. The ice venture by Lowrance is more of a sideline to them - it is Vexilar and Marcum's main line of business so they push it harder. Ever hear much chatter about Vex's Edge graph on the open water forum?

As to the separate GPS/Sonar the the 332/334 and 520/522 make that moot. Each split screen is almost a big as an H2O and an x67c display and the units take mapping chips. And it is easier to read the 522 in full sunlight versus the H2Oc. x67 plus H2O is roughly the same cost as a 520/522.

[DARTER]

[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[hanson]

 Originally Posted By: DARTER

I was merely pointing out that opinions about non-sponsored products are a bit stifled on this site. Once they become sponsors it seems everyone has an opinion.

Do the words Strikemaster, Jiffy, Clam, Fish Trap, Eskimo, Lowrance, Lindy, Northland, Custom Jigs & Spins, Mr Heater, Coleman mean anything to you. All non-sponsors that get plenty of hype, play, and discussion on this HSOforum from members and staff alike. I don't see opinions on these topics being stifled at all.

I can't even count how many topics are around about the Lowrance H20 hand held GPS, or how about the Mr Heater Buddy Heater, Big Buddy Heater, or Heater/Cooker.

The truth is all products on the market are fair game for discussion. Products from companies that sponsor this HSOforum are allowed more privileges in the forums (direct linking, contact info, photos, etc). And remember, next time someone complains about this HSOforum running slow, it is these sponsors who help foot the bill for for hardware, software, and mainentance on the forums. If it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here.

[walleyewild]

I just built a version of the 520. I upgraded my boat unit from a 337 to a 25c, so now the 337 is an ice fishing rig, so far I like using it and can use it right next to my vex with very little interference. My question is I only gey about 5 to 6 hours use on a 7 Ah battery, is there any way to increase the battery life? like disconnecting the GPS antenna when I get on a spot? or should I get a bigger battery? Any ideas?

By the way I was seeing walleyes on my lowrance on the bottom when the vex was just showing bottom. So I will continue to use the 337 rig I put together.