WHAT IS THE BEST FLASHER

[snoozebutton]

I would consider the Humminbird 35 or the MarCum VX1 if you have never used one before as a beginner.

I wouldn't. If you can afford it, get the top of the line. If you buy a cheap one, you'll end up selling it and upgrading anyway and it'll cost more in the long run. It's not rocket science learning how to use one so you won't be needed "training wheels."

[hamms-scooter]

showdowns arent as "real time" as a flasher is. there is a delay in those LCDs. vex!!

[tonkapat]

not really a bad flasher made anymore. I have not had very good luck with the customer service at nature vision. That would cross marcum right off my list. I would say get the one u get the best deal on. good luck

[CJH]

HB Ice 55!!! Best looking, easiest to use, least amount of interference.

Alright, have we had enough flasher comparisons for the season yet???!!!!

[GrumpyOldCrappie]

hamms-scooter is right. There is a slight delay.

I bought a Showdown and returned it because it wasn't picking up the depth consistently.

It would read 232 ft on the digital display. I would take it out and drop the transducer back in a bunch of times, shut it off and on and it would still do it.

I was impressed with the display of fish on the screen. Easy to read with the vertical water

column.

Without the colors like the other flashers you can't really tell if the fish are schooled or bigger though.

The lines do get thicker to give you some idea but it doesn't work as good as the colors of a Vex or Marc.

Overall I think it will work just fine and is a good starter flasher. When I returned mine to Nature Vision (I bought direct from the Manufacture because they're located in Brainerd) the customer service gal said a few of the units have been know to have the problem with the depth reading malfunctioning and the engineers are working on correcting the problem.

I still love my Vexilar FL18. Very reliable and it helps me detect and catch fish almost every time.

A friend of mine works at Nature Vision and he said in the spring- usually April sometime- Nature Vision has an auction on returned/reconditioned products and you can pick up AquaVu cameras or Marcum flashers for usually less than 1/2 price- sometimes as low as $50.

Just thought I would throw that out there in case anyone is interested.

Happy Fishin'!

[Shack]

Quote:

HB Ice 55!!! Best looking

Now that is a bold statement and that can be said only from a mothers eyes

I have to say, what attracted me to the LX-5 was the eye catching brilliant red case, adorned with the black fishnet pockets and the bright colors of the LX-5 logo Do not get me wrong, the HB (55 even more) is a very cool unit, but put all makes on a shelf and the LX-5 catch’s the eye first

[CJH]

I'd disagree with you there. I just bought mine this year, and the bright six color display was what caught my eye out of all the flashers sitting on the shelf. And I must say, its is slick to use, and has operated flawlessly. They have similar cases, and I personally prefer the black.

[OTBASSER]

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.

Agreed!

I got the x67c last winter and I love it....it can cut out all the interferance. Also it works great in the summer on my boat..I thouhg I would like it for the flasher display for ice fishing but I prefer the graph in ice mode. I also like having the history with a graph because if you aren't watching a flasher when a fish comes into the cone you can miss it, something you don't have to worry about with the graph. Also the ice Lowance x67c is fairly cheap compared to most flashers. As far as a delay on it well there practically is none. If there is it may be 1/10th of a second or something but it isn't even noticeable..especially with the hyperscroll on the x67

[jdsmi]

It's been hashed over before. There is no delay on the X67C. None. I purchased my X67C for $240. Love it! Dollar for feature, there is nothing that comes remotely close. That's my opinion though. I know most Vex, Marcum, HB, and maybe even a few X67C owners will disagree with me. That's great. They're all good and do what they're supposed to do.

Just get what you can afford, learn to use it.

[MN English]

Have any of you used a Lowrance LMS 522 with the ice pack that's available for it or know anyone that has ? I bought one recently but two out of three times I used it the depth was all over the place and kept losing bottom lock when in 20 feet of water or less. Already sent it back am thinking about getting another one from Cabelas and giving it another try with a different unit. There is a software beta patch for it, does anyone know if it works to fix the bottom lock issue or not ? Any input welcome, thanks !

[mike morris]

Yeah, just go with Vexilar........ Most reliable product on the market, has been and always will be.

[slabbin@thecabin]

i didn't know there was anything other than a vex.

[Bottle Fish]

Here we go again!!! = + = = ?

Hold on to your hat's boy's and girl's this might get windy soon.

[KTapper]

Vex

[eyeballs]

I peronally own both the Fl-18 and the LX-5. I use the 18 ninety percent of the time and only pull out the LX-5 for particular applications. I just like the way the 18 reads better. I do have a buddy that I fish with who has the Lowrance ice unit, but will ask to use my LX-5 everytime were fishing together and he leaves his lowrance at home. The lowrance seems to have a lot of interference issues when we fish in a house together.

[TravP]

Vex here too!

[bassphish2005]

It starts with a V...and "thats all the people need to know"

[TravP]

It starts with a V...and "thats all the people need to know"

Aint that the truth.

[TonkaBass]

I don't know, I own a vex, but they are all better than fishing blind. A flasher in general is better than a delayed image when you can keep your eyes glued to it, imo.

[gusdawgg01]

Well those are a lot of great points that everyone made!! I own a vel 20, and I cant tell you enough how impressed i am with it ! But I did have question bout the other brands, for example low power settings ,zooms, different degree transducers. Do the other guys give those options too?

The low power setting from the fl-20 is by far one of my favorite options. No need for s-cords or unneeded colors because of to much gain. Great for when your not in deeper water. Just my 2 cents worth. Any flasher, as long as it works, is a good investment..

[Ed Carlson]

That's easy...it's .. MINE!

Eh ... Don't touch that!.... MINE!