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You can get a darn nice flasher for $450. I personally have an LX6 and the LX3-TC. I got the LX3 on sale and shipped to my door for $263 last year. Nice unit. Love my LX6 but little more than you are looking to spend. Moral of the story. Any flasher in your price range will do wonders. No sense in opening this up into a brand war. I like my Marcums but my buddies like their Vex's. To each their own. Nothing wrong with finding an even more expensive retail flasher that is used. Have seen some nice used FL-22's and 20's in that range. good units there too. good luck.
Where did you get if for 263? and thank you
the lx5 is the best flasher on the market for what you get. its converted so many vex guys is unbelievable. a nice fl20 would also be a real solid unit but i'd lean towards finding me an lx5. or you can buy a fishing buddy and build a float tube gyroscope contraption. good luck!