Anybody using the Showdown flasher and what are your thoughts about it

[hondarider550]

I've been reading the comments about the Vexlars, Marcums, and the new Hummingbirds. I purchased a Showdown late last season and am using it this year.

I was wondering if anybody out there purchased one and what are your thoughts about the unit?

[Esox_Magnum]

I haven't used or seen one in action, but if your thinking about switching to a flaser your more than welcome to stop by my shack and see my Marcum in action.

[hondarider550]

I just may have to do that Esox... I also am really considering purchasing a different underwater camera. Last week while using mine I really became dissappointed with it. Twisting, not staying where I wanted it, not staying on the lure. Just alot of little things that disappointed me and wasted my time.

I used my showdown and I am getting the thing figured out. My only problem with just using the showdown is figureing out when to try setting my hook. I would see the fish coming up to the lure, watch the end of the rod, as soon as the tip would move I would try setting the hook and sure enough I would miss it... With my camera at least I know exactly when to set the hook...

I have a lot to learn I guess...

[thatoneguy]

Just because your flasher shows a fish rising to the lure and you see your rod tip move, that doesn't mean it's time to set the hook. You're going to miss and lose a lot of fish doing it that way.

I'm curious about the Showdown as well - hope to see some users chime in with reports.

[jigginjim]

Not using them, I have seen them at Cabelas, I was not impressed, I use a fl8 and lowrance 522. the 522 has been used the most I can get the same picture as the showdown. Plus with the gps i get the best of both.

[B-man715]

My brother in law has one and he is not all that impressed. I also have a friend who has one that keeps blowing fuses for no apparent reason (wires and connections all look good). I've tried using their showdowns but they just don't do it for me...

I'm gonna wait another year and sell my 18 and get a 20 (NICE!)

[buzbunni]

I own both a Marcum Lx-3tc, as well as the Showdown.

I purchased the Showdown this year to have as an extra unit when I take others (those who don't have gear) out ice-angling.

I have grown quite attached to the Showdown, and when I go out fishing alone, it is usually the Marcum unit that stays at home.

I would certainly not say that the Showdown is a better unit, it's just different. I have no problem reading and understanding the readout on any flasher, but the simplicity of the Showdown appeals to me.

Personally, I feel features such as target seperation and adjustable zoom are overrated, but that is likely due to my style of fishing. I want to know: a)If there are fish down there, and how they respond to my lure/bait presentation. Once a fish is near my lure, I focus more on my line than on the screen.

No, the Showdown does not have the seperation that the Marcum or Vexilar (I have not tried the Humminbird units)flashers have, but I don't feel it is necessary for me to be able to isolate/seperate my spoon from the hook that is attached to it. It's amazing technology, and it's cool to look at, but I don't feel it helps me in anyway pull more fish up the hole. This is not to imply that the Showdown does not have good target seperation...it does. Most times (if I turn the sensitivity up a tad), I can in fact see my lure as well as the hook attached to it, but the Showdown will not match the upper tier flashers in this area. I have had very few issues in regards to interference and clutter on the Showdown screen; in fact, in most cases when I am fishing with others, I find the clutter on the Marcum is worse.

Another big plus (especially for longer trips where you may not be able to charge your unit)is that the battery life is superior in the Showdown. No need to bring that extra battery or charger unit on those three day trips up North. The Showdown will last just fine.

I do not feel that the Showdown is as good of a "scout" unit as the flashers, due to the fact that the colors offered on any flasher screen help to clarify what you are seeing. This mostly applies to when you are focusing on the bottom of any water column. If the fish you are targeting are up off of the bottom, I find it doesn't matter as much at that point.

I have always enjoyed buying the newest, coolest, most expensive gizmos (I'm kinda stoopid that way ), and initially I was going to buy the Marcum Lx-5 to compliment my gear list, but I'm glad I purchased the Showdown for all the above stated reasons. The newbies that go fishing with me like the Showdown because it is simple to use and understand. I like it for the same reasons, and because it didn't hammer my wallet, and it works great.

It's taken me a long time (and a lot of $$) to learn that the most expensive gear doesn't always help to make you a better angler, and many times a product at a lower price point may fit the bill better than you could ever have hoped. Do you get what you pay for? Usually....but not always.

[hondarider550]

Thank you buzbunni!! This is great information.

Keep the comments coming guys...

[Far-I]

I got a showdown last year as well, and i couldn't be happier with it, pound for pound, dollar for dollar, it performs great! I fish regularily with an FL-8 guy, and he plans on getting a showdown. My kid loves using it, because of the vertical display, and the zoom option, with a half-inch target seperation, really comes in handy and works well. I can also tell what kind of bottom i am on and if there is tree-sturucture, etc, beneath me.

When i use some spoons i can see three seperate lines, one for the swivel i use, one for the spoon itself, and one for the treble.

Ocasionally i experience some interference, but nothing too annoying.

Never had a battery issue. And if the LCD screen makes you nervous in cold temps, don't let it, the "ice mode" has had me fishing with real-time imaging at 20-30 below zero! I really think this unit does not get enough credit, and for the price I recommend it to everyone!

And if you must have an old-school flasher, you should at least look into getting a showdown for your novice wife, kids or guests to use because it really is simple to get down pat!

oh- it can also zoom in anyhere in the water column, not just on bottom, and has a great sensitivity setting as well!