Flasher: VX-1 or Vexilar, Ice fishing and canoe?

[acarroline]

I have limited my choices down on a flasher to a Marcum VX-1 or a Vexilar Fl-8 (or up to FL-20 if the price is right).

Which of these flashers would I be able to use on the ice and in a canoe? Would I need to purchase any additional accessories?

[so haaad]

You could use either unit with a high-speed ducer. Although you might not get the best results moving around so much in a canoe.

[KTapper]

As far as I know the Vexilar is the only flasher that you can use in open water and Ice fishing right out of the box.

Marcum and humminbird are not capable. Your smart for looking into that I did not when I purchased my flasher and am very dissapointed in my choice.

[tearin' lips]

Ktapper you can use any unit for both summer and ice fishing right out of the box. There is not difference between any of the ice fishing units as far as being universal for summer and winter fishing. Marcum and Humminbird both offer a high speed transducer so their units can be adapted to a boat as well. You can just drape the ice-ducer over the side of the boat, but I would not recommend it.

I agree with So Haad though...I don't know how well it would work in a canoe.

Now down to the nitty gritty...It depends on what you are looking for in a unit. In my opinion, bottom zoom does really little in the summer time, I only rely on my Fl-8 in my boat to give me a depth, or stay on top of suspended crappies.

As far as ice fishing goes. If you spend alot of time fishing perch and walleyes on the bottom, you would be better off with the VX-1. For alot less than a Fl-18 you get a 5' bottom zoom feature.

All units are quality units, its just boils down to personal preference.

[deadeye]

I guess i have always just set the ice ducer from my fl8 in the bottom of my canoe with a little splash of water and have gotten a reading. Its not perfect, but it tells me the depth within a foot or two and can read some fish.

[Ed Carlson]

Humminbird does NOT recommend use of the new flashers for open water use, and the summer ducer will not work on it due to the processors ability to read changing bottom content, it is designed for stationary use only.

It's odd I know, but I got this right from the Humm Tech's.

Try this.

Use the ice ducer to shoot through the hull of the boat, it will work very well. Select the location to fit your needs and be sure it is in a area that stays in the water completely when in use.

A couple of ways to accomplish this are, silicone to seal it to the hull or to make a ring around the puck to hold it in place.

If you use the ring method you will also need a piece of felt under the puck and keep the felt wet. This allows the sonar signal proper contact with the hull and it will shoot through it cleanly.

With the silicone under the puck to hold it in place semi-permanently, you need to be sure to squeeze the air bubbled out of the silicone so it keeps a clean read to the hull. I recommend a small bag of sand or led shot to hold the ducer in place tell the silicone completely cures.

You can set the ducer in place permanently with ACE epoxy, this is the best of all methods but requires a extra puck to remain with the boat.

IMPORTANT: Do not tun the unit on for 12 to 24 hours after the silicone or the epoxy is set as to allow it to dry and set completely. If you do, the sonar sound waves may produce an air pocket under the puck and you will not get a good read through the hull. Just allow it to dry completely overnight and make sure the sand bag is not going to slide off.

[BK19]

vexilar also has the alumaducer which you epoxy to the bottom of the boat/canoe

[hondarider550]

This is a good question... I have a Showdown and a fiberglass canoe so now I am wondering if that tool will work with my canoe this summer... If so that would be great to be able to use it for more than just ice fishing...

[Ed Carlson]

It may work, try the silicone method I described above and your not our much if it doesn't work...it will be removable and will not damage your ice puck on the showdown.

[hondarider550]

That sounds like a great idea... Cant hurt to try it anyway... Thanks!