LX5 or Bird 55?

[TimBuck2]

I'm looking to get a different locater next year. I currently have a Lowrance M68c. Love the graph mode!! Talked my buddy into getting a X67c. He's happy too. Problem is we cant both run ours at the same time. It's mine, 90% of the time that gets bombed out with interference, hence I'm the one looking for an upgrade. I've been looking at the LX-5 and the Bird 55. From what I gather the LX-5 has the edge on target separation and overall power, plus the noise rejection. The Bird is not far off in most respects, but the thing that might take me to the 55 is that both cone frequencies are different from any of the other models out there. So do I go with the Cadillac LX-5 and give my buddy the bird by bombing him out in the house for a change, or do I settle for a 2+" target separation with the 55 and never really worry about interference again? Is the difference in target separation that noticable? Is there any other factor I should consider?

Thanks,

TB2

[jdsmi]

Strange. I fished with my brother in the same house this winter (we both use X67C's). 23FOW, holes approx. 4' appart. We had to adjust our settings a little, but we were both able to eliminate pretty much all interference. It wasn't perfect, but absolutely fishable.

Good luck. It's fun to buy new toys.

[CJH]

You should be able to adjust it out.

However the Ice 55 has been great for me!!

[harvey lee]

The Ice 55 has preformed very well for me this winter. Yes, the MarCum has the SFL which is very nice.

The Bird will catch those fish and one can just about forget about interference form other units from what I have seen this winter.

Both are fine units and they will both help you catch fish.

[TravP]

I heard that with the birds you cant fish 2 of them together because the interference is so bad.

[PerchJerker]

Both good units. My preference is for the LX-5 but they are both top-shelf units.

[Northlander]

The only thing I liked more with the bird than my LX-5 so far was the digital depth read out. Thats a very nice feature. The SFL on the Marcum still makes for a crisper read out.

When I get the chnace to play with the bird more Im sure I will find other things I like better as well. The soft grip knobs are also cool.

[harvey lee]

I heard that with the birds you cant fish 2 of them together because the interference is so bad.

I never ran into that isue once all winter. They seemed flawlwess all season long by any unit. As far as interference goes, they are #1 hands down.

[Deitz Dittrich]

as many have said, I think both units are very good. However, for me, the choice is easy.. LX-5. Love all the features, and its never had a problem for me.

[brainard6]

I do have the ice 55. I was just wondering what is the features of the LX5 have that the ice 55 doesnt have? I purchased my ice 55 for 430.00 and I see the marcum lx5 is running around 550.00. IMO there has to be alot more in the LX5 features to justify spending that much more money for a flasher. can someone please comment on this. Thanks

[PerchJerker]

IMO there has to be alot more in the LX5 features to justify spending that much more money for a flasher. can someone please comment on this. Thanks

Like I posted earlier I think they're both good flashers, but I give the edge to the LX-5. For performance, not for features.

[Bulldoggr]

I will admit I when I have read the features on the ICE55 i liked what I read. However I have no first hand experience with the ICE55. With that being siad I could never feel good reccomending a product to someone if I have had no real experience with it.

I do have experience with the LX-5 and having owned the Fl-8 made by both Vexilar, and Hondex. I endorse 100% the LX-5. Anyone that has owned one will tell you it is the Best unit they have used to help them catch Fish thru the ice.

You will not be disappointed with the LX-5.

[Big A]

I have seen the LX5 sell brand new at several stores online for $450 ..

its a great unit.

[CNY Tim]

If you ever go to a NAIFC event weigh-in look at the leaderboard and you will see it loaded with MarCum LX-5 users. I trust the tournament pros that consistently cash paychecks and there choice overwhelmingly is MarCum.

[TimBuck2]

I guess I've made up my mind. I'm going to give the Ice 55 a go. The LX-5 is the benchmark, but I have a feeling it will wreck havoc with the practically non-existent noise rejection my buddy will be left with, with his Lowrance. The different Frequencies the bird runs are a HUGE plus. Enough for me to sacrifice target separation.

TB2

[fishwater]

You're a good friend.

[KG243]

I am thinking this is how marcum gets there name out there by giving the pro's free stuff. This is a total ford-chevy-dodge debait! Personally I picked the bird and have not looked back! but all flashers are great in my eyes, it's just what you wan't!

If you ever go to a NAIFC event weigh-in look at the leaderboard and you will see it loaded with MarCum LX-5 users. I trust the tournament pros that consistently cash paychecks and there choice overwhelming is MarCum.

[CNY Tim]

MarCum didn't get there name out there by giving pro's free stuff. I am glad your enjoying your bird but that statement is uncalled for... Word of mouth and performance on the ice is how MarCum excels.

[KG243]

Sorry tim if my words came across as harsh, but all i was trying to say was, is you can't base your opinion on what you buy because that is what the pro's use. I think Marcum is a great flasher and almost bought one, but i liked the feature of the bird better. I think all the three flashers are great machienes. It turns out to be a debait that will not go very far. I don't want you to think I was bashing marcum!!

[CNY Tim]

Kevin - I don't think you were bashing at all but this is a public forum and your words could be construed as such. With that I didn't really want to imply that the only reason to buy one is that the pro's use them just was cruising through and came upon this thread and wanted to contribute something to it. I guess I have been a MarCum guy from the beginning since 2000 and I have seen them grow and evolve into the elite ice sonar unit in the industry. When the separation on the bird is more commensurate with the MarCum I would consider giving them a look but until then the best display in the industry belongs to MarCum. You will see it fairly easily on the ice which is the ultimate proving ground. The detail an LX-5 provides is just flat out sick, nothing touches it. Good luck with your bird...

[KG243]

The only thing that made me not go to the marcum is because on ther HSOforum it states "resulting in target separation down to .75 inch." My only qeustion would be how often does it "get down to .75"? with my bird I was fishing in 40' of water and could clearly see my hook then my sinker 1" apart. Just saying instead of humminbirds saying down to, they state 2 1/2". Just a thought.

[PerchJerker]

You're a good friend.

Ain't that the truth

[crazyice]

Not to beat a dead horse, but I too can speak highly of the Marcum, just last year I switched from Vexilar to the Marcum LX-5 and can honestly say I haven't had one bit of regret in the decision. Features, features, and again features, is what made me switch. Yeah Vex has zoom, but if you are fishing 40 feet of water and crappies are suspended 20 feet, what good does that bottom zoom do? None! The ability to adjust where you have the zoom window is huge in my opinion. Plus, as was mentioned before, the clarity of the display is unsurpassed I think. The target seperation is great and has definitely helped me ice more fish. I have no experience with the 'birds, so I won't even try to guess what their level of performance is, but I have heard both positive and negative from users. But then again, I have heard the same thing about ALL of the makers. Just like someone said earlier, this boils down to a Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge kind of argument, you will have your diehards of all brands with their reasons for not owning one of the others. Just go with what you feel comfortable using and what works financially for you.

[Big A]

FYI - I have an LX 5 and those who I fish with use Lowrance.. ALL MARCUM PRODUCTS GET ALONG WITH LOWRANCE PRODUCTS !! there is no fear of noise rejection issues as there is none to reject !

[brainard6]

That is incorrect. I have two and I fish them side by side and I have never had a problem