Anything new for next years flashers?

[FISHINGURU]

Does anyone have any knowledge on what new features the major flasher companies are coming out with for next season if any? Vex, Marcum, Birds, ect?

[NCLaker]

I'm a vex guy. I prefer the Pro Pack II over the Ultra Pack. I wish they had some additional accessories for it. My list would include:

(1) Adapter for the battery terminals that had a master off switch (so battery indicator didn't drain battery) & charging terminals so you didn't have to disconnect the cables. It would also include additional jumper termals for extra accessories (like flex light)

(2) 12v lighter adapter (use for extra lights, GPS, etc)

(3) Deadstick holder on top. Like a rod rocker 2 design, except the post extended up and down for storage (like an antenna)

(4) Magnetic strip on back of handle for holding loose tools, jigs, lures, etc

(5) "Lure Lightning" product - modified so it had a cupped end (keep light from blasting the guy next to you & reflects light completely around lure) and motion sensor so it automatically turned on/off when you dropped a lure in front of it.

[Ed Carlson]

A very interesting wish list...and I think you may like some of the new things now coming down the pipe from Vexilar in "2010".

[hamms-scooter]

out with it ed!!!

[FISHINGURU]

spill the beans ed!!

i'm a vex guy also but i might be trying one of the other brands next year if vex doesn't get a zoom that can move anywhere in the water column.

the bottom 6-12ft zoom doesn't do me very much when i'm fishing in 40fow catching crappies and walleyes suspended 20ft off the bottom.

nice ideas nclaker....i'll take those additions along with adjustable zoom lol.

[mwodziak]

I just heard today from the Sportshow at the Vex booth that they are testing a new flasher and the one feature that they are likely adding is the adjustable zoom... He couldnt tell me more than that.

[Bigslugger]

I heard from someone (reliable) that Vexilar is going to be going to 2400 watt units instead of the 400 watt they use now

[fishnowworknever]

Wow, all the things the LX-5 has/can do already.

If that is true, the Marcum already has them beat at 2500 watts.

[Flip37]

Well I for one am a Marcum man(LX-3), but if Vexilar came out with more power and adjustable zoom like the LX-5 I would have to get one. I would love to upgrade to the LX-5, but not until they get a better screen like the new Vexilars.

[mwodziak]

I had a good conversation with the Vex guy yesterday. Here is what I got from it:

Marcum uses a much less sensitive receiver in the transducer which will require more output power to get a reading. This does 2 things: shortens the life of the transducer and creates alot of feedback on more sensitive transducers in the area.

He claims that increasing power in the new Vex will solve nothing. I'm no expert on this but this is what I was told.

[NCLaker]

When did the Vex guy confirm what new features/products are planned for next year?

[mwodziak]

He only knew that they were testing a new design that will be better than previous models. He didn't have any other info.

[Ed Carlson]

I wouldn't hold your breath on the 2500, 4000, or even 2,000,000,000 watts of power deal, that is not likely a "New" innovation model Vex would need to pursue to achieve additional enhanced performance.

[TMF89]

One thing I'd love to see is a better signal definition system. Like one that told you if the signal is strong because it's right beneath the cone (a jumbo perch), or because it's a huge signal (nice walleye). Maybe just use different colors? Like the new Bird' 55 has a six color display, two could be for weak, two for medium, and two for strong, and then just have one each for what type of signal it is. No idea if that's possible, but that's about the only big innovation I could think of.

[wishing for walleyes]

Just bought a lx-5 for $309 shipped to the door.Brand new.Will be interesting to see if i`ll like it better then my fl-18.

[NCLaker]

Sure that thing is legal j.k.

That is a rediculous deal for an LX-5. Congrats on the big score.

[Bottle Fish]

Sounds HOT to me.

Congrats if its not though.

[Esox_Magnum]

Reeds is selling them for that price, call to order only.

[Drewski]

I'm pretty sure vexilar isn't going to "more power".

[Tyler Voss]

Just bought a lx-5 for $309 shipped to the door.Brand new.Will be interesting to see if i`ll like it better then my fl-18.

Did you say 309! Where?

[Ed Carlson]

One thing I'd love to see is a better signal definition system. Like one that told you if the signal is strong because it's right beneath the cone (a jumbo perch), or because it's a huge signal (nice walleye). Maybe just use different colors? Like the new Bird' 55 has a six color display, two could be for weak, two for medium, and two for strong, and then just have one each for what type of signal it is. No idea if that's possible, but that's about the only big innovation I could think of.

Basically what you wish can be achieved now on the FL-12 and FL-20. It is more of a gain calibration thing and a transducer cone angle consideration to achieve this goal.

A duel beam transducer (9/19 angle) offers a narrow beam and a wide beam, in the narrow mode and with a proper gain setting you have enhanced target ID due to the narrower field of focus onto the targets bellow. This makes acute size and target orientation to the center of the cone an easier task to achieve.

In the wide angle mode, once again a careful adjustment to the gain as it relates to the jig your offering will also help to achieve better target ID, yet not as focused so it is a tougher game to tune in some situations...but it can be done. Adjusting the gain to fit the jig after changing baits is often the key to getting the optimal target ID calibration for that particular situation.

With that said, there is always room for improvement and innovation to add convenience, performance, and value. With the aid of new more cost effective and far more powerful and accurate digital signal processors we may soon see significant advances that will achieve never before seen acuity in an on the ice/water sonar.

Even finer segments on the display would be a great advancement, as that would allow for greater detail that would fallow with enhanced digital processor. Higher segment counts coupled with more brains, spells an extremely fine detail capability.

In the end, if the segment count was ultra fine, and the processor is that enhanced, a zoom would no longer be needed, as you would have extreme target ID at any depth at any point on the display.