WHAT IS THE BEST FLASHER

[CJH]

The new HB's are the easiest to use!

[Far-I]

I would get the showdown unit. It is cheap, easy to use, very accurate and very reliabvle. I am a very happy owner of this unit, and i have inspired a couple friends to get the same unit, and even one FL-8 guy as well. I think you should definately look into this as one of your options, you won't regret it!

[pljllo]

new post

Vex s-cable

Who uses it?

Is it nessasary?

[pljllo]

Sorry, posted s-cable in wrong spot

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

get yourself a marcum lx-3 or lx-5. You will never have interference again. Best units out there. More power. Even the vx-1 pro would be a good option as it has more power than the fl-8. More power means less interference, better readings in weeds and deep water. Go marcum. You wont go back. I garuntee it.

I have to second this. The LX3 has many more features for the money than the FL8, and even the FL18 or 20. You can't go wrong with Vexilar or Marcum, but dollar for dollar feature for feature the Marcum's are no doubt better flashers that seem to have withstood the test of time.

Best bet is to try before you buy and make the decision for yourself.

[ozzie]

how long have the Marcums been around.4-5 years? This is when I started to hear about them......I am a vex guy and have tried all the rest......I don't need much for my flasher but I want it to be reliable and I want confidence in what I see on that unit. I get this with my vexilars. My fl8 is about 8 years old and runs great and never have had any issues. I bought a fl12 also and I really can't say enough good things about it. It makes no noise what so ever and I can read the thing really clearly with the flat screen. Good luck on your choice!!

[vook]

I have a vexi fl8 and have owned and used it for nearly 10 years. I have NEVER had a problem with it. I recently ordered a fl20. Vexilar, IMO, has the repuation for dependability. Marcum hasn't really been around long enough to deserve as much praise as vexilar. Just my .02.

[ec30_06]

I have never used or been around a vex that is not noisy, and I have used or been around a lot of them. Still a good unit though. My old fl-8 and my buddies fl-12 are terrible for noise. Lx-5 is nice and quiet.

[magic_minnow]

Noise? Whats that?? Showdowns have no spinning thingies. Only noise is the splash of a crop coming outta the hole.

[Sniper07]

I just went through the same ordeal about a month ago. I was going to get an LX-1 at Gander for $230 but then I looked at Ganders Guide Series GS-1 for $200 (same as Marcum LX-1). Ended up with a used 1 season old LX-5 that fell into my lap for $350 because the gentleman was up grading to the new LX-5. So I'm just starting out and got an LX-5, and to be totally honest I love this thing now that I've gotten used to it. I done a lot of research while I was shopping around and was going to get the LX-1 or the LX-1 Pro ($299) for my starter. Talked with a lot of people and even guys with the vex's told me I should go with the LX-1 because you get more Flasher for your $. Bottom line is any flasher is going to help you get on the fish!

[Tripleplay]

I started with an FL8 and was really happy. Then fished in a house on LOW with 3 other guys who had an older FL8 an FL18 and a Marcum Lx-3. Only the Marcum stayed clean from the interference and honestly I got darn dizzy from the "spinny" things! The next year my son purchased my used FL8 and I bought an LX-5.

Both will help you catch fish. At least in my case, the Lx-5 is loads quieter and handles interference much better. I love the zoom function and the dual transducer but those aren't needed for basic use. Last weekend I realized I hadn't charged up my Lx-5 for awhile and I ran her dry on the ice---luckily I had grabbed the FL8 just in case so had something to use. Deep hole for suspended crappies---I caught them with the FL8 but missed the zoom and the super fine line to clean up the screen with so many marks.

Get what you can afford and meets the needs of what you are going to be using it for. Both work and I can vouch for both companies making a very good product.

[Eckie]

Well said, Trip....

You hit the nail on the head for the top two reasons I chose Marcum over Vex....I NEVER have to worry about interference, no matter who I fish with. And, the Zoom feature...you'll be able to zoom into a 5ft or 10ft window anywhere in the water column for a "close up view" of where those fish are (excellent target separation).

[NEWTOTHIS]

THANKS TO EVERYONE I THINK ITS DOWN TO A VEX OR SHOWDOWN

[slipperywhenwet]

I can tell you this...

I've used my Marcum lx-5 next to most of the vexilars.

The marcum display is TONS brighter than the vexilar.

They are not in the same price category but the Marcum LX-5 will blow the low end vexilars out of the water.

[deadeye]

Well, either way you go with that you will be happy. I have used both the vex and the showdown and they will both show you if there is fish, and show you your lure. I guess the rest is up to you after that.

[chippewachuck]

get the vx1. don't need to spend megabucks on stuff that shows the same things. go marcum, but go vx1. the 3 and 5 aint that much better.

[NEWTOTHIS]

FOUND A SHOWDOWN FOR 220 SOUNDS LIKE A WINNER TO ME

[Eskimoman]

ok... I would really recomend the vx-1 tho

[NEWTOTHIS]

IM GONG TO GO AND CHECK THEM ALL OUT SOMEWHERE BEFORE I BUY ONE THANKS FOR ALL THE GREAT ADVICE

[CJH]

Get what YOU like best and seems the best fit.

[waterwolff]

Back in the early eighties I was fishing crappies on the Whitefish chain when this gentleman came walking out to me pulling his sled. That's what we did back than we pulled our sleds around, be sides it was only a couple hundred yards back to the cabin. Anyways he pulls out this locator with the fancy colored display and I was immediately intrigued and asked him where he got it turns out he was the art director for In-Fisherman and this new company had sent these out for trial.Here I was fishing my customary 2 foot off the bottom and the fish were all coming in at 5 foot off the bottom well it did not take Fellini to figure out I was picking one of them up as soon as I could so I bought my vex the following winter and it still runs as smooth as the day I bought it. Last year I bought a LX5 on a whim and it works equally as well I find I use the vex more only because I am more use to it.

[PerchJerker]

My opinion is that Marcums are the best ---- that's what I use myself, and that's what I have for my kid to use. But all the flashers and ice units these days are good and have some nice features to them.

You can see them all at Pro Fishing Supply Ice Units

[evans]

Note from admin, please read forum policy before posting again, thank you.

[harvey lee]

I would consider the Humminbird 35 or the MarCum VX1 if you have never used one before as a beginner. later, if you decide you would like more options in a flasher or are looking for a excellent unit now, I would take a serious look at the Humminbird Ice 55 or the MarCum LX5. Both are great units and I really like using both od them.

If I had to pick one unit that I really like the most, it would be the LX5. Super fine line is very nice and the adjustable zoom is a fine feature also.

My second choice would be the Bird.

[jeff erding]

Just got a used Lowerance Ice Machine. It works great! Not sure about the interference factor. Plan to order a skimmer transducer and use it in the other mode for summer time fishing.