GPS or Flasher?

[KG243]

I am going to purchase one of these but I am having a hard time deciding. I want to get either Humminbird Ice-55 or Lowrance Expedition with a chip. Witch would you choose?

[Bigslugger]

I would buy the Humminbird Ice-55 any day before the GPS!

The chips are not to the point where they put you on exact depths, and they don't show you fish.

I have no problem finding fish with out the GPS, with just a flasher.

You wont regret buying the flasher for on the ice

[KG243]

That is what I was thinking but just wanted get others opinions.

[Tyler23]

agreed. i would go that route. but i would get the ice-45 instead. IMO the 55 isnt that much greater than a 45 and isnt worth the extra $100

[Scott K]

Flasher here too.

[moparmarv]

definably a flasher I have both and always use the flasher i do not use the gps on spots that i know

[Sandmannd]

Flasher all the way. You can fish without a GPS very easy, but a flasher can make or break a day.

Look for used items, maybe you can get both. Especially this time of year. I got an LX-5 for $400 this year. I hear Reeds is having a heck of a sale as well online.

Another route you can go is get a Lowrance 522c with the ice kit. They you have an awesome GPS, fish finder for the boat and great ice machine.

[Bottle Fish]

Flasher without question. You can always find a different way to mark a location such as landmark references or even simply bring a map with you and mark where you think you are on that. If you are somewhat close to where you mark it you can usually find the fish again summer or winter.

[WyoChris]

Yeah definitly the flasher....... I caught like 500% more fish once I bought my vexilar.

I have a a GPS/Fish Finder on my boat.... I actually don't have a chip for it and mainly use it for the fish finder. If I find a good spot, i'll mark a waypoint but i obviously don't have the depth contours on it.

[Tyler23]

how much is a ice kit for a 522c?

[Wanderer]

Transducer is about $60 then there's roughly another $60 to $80 in gimbal mount, carrier, power cord and battery.

I picked up my ducer new, but everything else came out of the Bargain Cave at less cost.

The 522c is an awesome unit and gets even better as you figure it out more, BUT it burns battery power big time.

Make sure you get a 9 amp/hour battery for it - 2 would be better if you fish longer or multiple days. Keep the screen light on the lowest setting you can. It's the best you can do.

[IndyEFI500]

Lots of cheap used GPS units out there. But don't leave home without the flasher. A GPS won't show you when someone is lurking below or if no one is home.

[NCLaker]

Definitely Flasher - Assuming you don't already have some type of flasher. If you don't mind surfing classified, you could get a decent used flasher and GPS for the price of a new ice-55.

[deadeye]

If it were between the 2 I would get a flasher, however Im pretty sure you could swing both (in a lesser model) for the price of the 55. Now that I have both I wouldnt leave home without either one.

[TravP]

You could get a used FL8 and a new H20 with a lakemaster chip for the price of the 55.

[Ed Carlson]

The GPS you can use year around, the Humm 55 is for ice only, something to consider. The 55 will not function with a hi-speed ducer for boat installations.

[MNice]

You could get a used FL8 and a new H20 with a lakemaster chip for the price of the 55.

Now there is some good old fashioned common sense!!

[BassnGill]

A loy of guys dump their flashers at the end of the ice fishing year. And during the sportshow you can probably pick up a lowrance h20. If you play your cards right you can get both, and a lakemaster chip for the price of that 55...

[BobT]

I disagree that a GPS with a good data map can't accurately put you on structure. Good mapping software will be able to do that but I agree, go with the flasher.

Bob

[KG243]

Thanks for the ideas guys. My reasoning for going with the 55 is I want something that will give me the best for years to come, I know a lot of you guys are vex or marcum fans, but I am really impressed with the bird. Also as far as the price goes it right in line with the rest of the top of the line flasher for vex and marcum. So I think I will be getting the bird this weekend.

[TravP]

Originally Posted By: TravP

You could get a used FL8 and a new H20 with a lakemaster chip for the price of the 55.

Now there is some good old fashioned common sense!!

Ya. I was made for thinking.Haha

[Scott K]

Thanks for the ideas guys. My reasoning for going with the 55 is I want something that will give me the best for years to come, I know a lot of you guys are vex or marcum fans, but I am really impressed with the bird. Also as far as the price goes it right in line with the rest of the top of the line flasher for vex and marcum. So I think I will be getting the bird this weekend.

You wont be sorry with the Bird, I love the display. The top 3 flashers on the market today make a great product, and they each have something that is better then the other. You made the right choice with choosing a flasher over the gps

[FishinChad]

Flasher is an essential, GPS is just nice to have! Although in the summer I dont use my flasher at all, but its a must have when ice fishing. I would say if you dont think you will be able to get a flasher and a GPS by next winter, get a flasher! If you want to get something to use this summer, get a GPS.

[Mainehazmt]

you guys are lucky that you have access to good mapping in your neck of the woods most of the maps accessable to me are 1958 vintage maps and to put them to use Ive had to use my magellan software topo maps blow up the lake to fit a printed copy (on overhead transparacy film) and try and match up the lakes and putting waypoints on the map and converting it over to the gps I have and maybe you can get close! and modify on site This year I bought a used h20 (still waiting for it to come) for 58 bucks and an 08 navonics map chip 99bucks for the one lake I travel to yearly and there is still only 2 high def maps in maine my vote is for the flasher and learn to read map! lol if you can get good maps! the flasher will tell ya the truth!

[hamms-scooter]

i would definately go with the flasher! i'm thinking about returning my gps for another flasher.just dont go to many lakes i dont know very often. mille lacs is the only big lake i go to that its most useful. thinking about another vex!