Fish Finders/Ice Flashers

[Ruhman1225]

Anglers,

In the market for a Ice Flasher/Fish Finder. Budget about $400. I can read what is online as far as reviews, but wanted to hear from those using them what they thought.

Vexilar, Marcum, Hummingbird, or Lowrance.

[adkRoy]

I have used a vexilar fl-8 for the past 12 years. I love it. No issues with it. I have tripled my catch rate since I have been using it.

[hardwater diehard]

SEARCH upper left ....numerous threads/post ...plug in your make/model .

[Chris338378]

I have a Showdown Dual beam for the past five years and no problems.  It's super simple to use and understand, in about five minutes you'll operate it like a pro, the top of the screen is the top of the water column, the bottom is the bottom, and any mark in between is either your jig or a fish.  Some guys don't like it because it's a black and white screen but I don't mind it.  One other thing is supposedly they're not making the dual beam but they were selling them in the beginning of the season so I'm not sure about that. 

[Spider1]

in that budget you have several options. if you want something for hard and soft water, you could get a Lowrance chirp or hook so you could have a graph for the boat and a flasher or graph for the ice. If you want something strictly for ice you can get a fl-12 , an ice-45 , a marcum lx-5... Just gotta look around for deals. Personally, I'm intrigued with the Lowrance ice machines. I have a 4x-chirp for my kayak and wonder if it would be as easy to use on the ice as my bird.

[builtright716]

I used a flasher for years, and I caught tons or fish. This year I set up a lowrance elite 7 for the ice and what a difference. Way more information with the sonar history and added benefit of GPS. It allows me to see my jig cadence and the fish's reaction so I can adjust accordingly. It has really "stepped up" my game so to speak. With that said, since that setup has found its way to the bottom of Chaumont Bay, I will be using my trusty old Marcum Lx3tc should I get out anymore this year.

[filetandrelease]

I currently  own lowrance and hummingbird graphs and used graph type for many years  , just sold my Vex and have used  marcum  they all do the job , the graph type also have a flasher mode ,it really depends on your needs and wallet , I'm sure the one you purchase will fill your needs

[jiignut]

You cant go wrong with a Marcum vx-1. No bells and whistles. Just all you need. And I think $299.00.

[NYBasser]

Currently own the Humminbird Helix 5 ICE Sonar/GPS. Amazing machine, great battery life that lasts for ages. I use it for 8 hrs at a time, and the battery is more than half full when I'm done. The sensitivity is also amazing, it can detect the tiniest of jigs. Sometimes I have to turn the sensitivity down because it detects the line LOL. Has many different view modes including the graph and flasher modes. What sets this machine apart from flashers is that you can take it out of the bag and put it on a boat as a graph in the summertime. Can't do that with a flasher.

[FishDoc_1]

I have the Humminbird Helix 5 ICE Sonar/GPS too.  I don't have much experience with other units but I think the Humminbird is great.

[ship of fools]

Clear as mud??   

Any and all of them will help. If you are near any crowded waters take a walk around and see the various units in action.

I've used a Lowrance X67C and a Vexilar FL18 - both were great

[RedWolfUSAF]

You cant go wrong with a Marcum vx-1. No bells and whistles. Just all you need. And I think $299.00.

What he said!

[Yotecatcher]

I've had the Lowrance Xc67 ice machine for about 10yrs no problems with it. User friendly. 

[Felix77]

I know you didn't call out this brand but I had to share that I bought a Deeper Smart Sonar PRO+ and I absolutely love it.   The ice fishing setting works perfect for me.   I can see even the smallest jig when jigging the bottom.  Also made setting the depth on my tip-ups a breeze.   It also keeps track of my holes and the depth in each of them.

At $239 it was the best investment I made to my ice arsenal this year.

[Yotecatcher]

That should of been X67c 

[iloveacrappiedinner]

I have the basic Marcum VX-1i and I love it. However if I were to do it again, I would have spent the extra to get the LX-3TCI. The adjustable zoom would be so much nicer than only having a bottom zoom.

[3300]

400$ puts you into a marcum showdown dual beam.

look at digital units for the budget you set. you could get the marcum lx6 for another 100$ at overton's with a code.
use code UTAHSHOW2017  in the coupon box. last i knew this was working.
http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=331034.msg3669218#msg3669218

i didn't care for the mechanical sonars. i operated a few of the top brands and owned one of the most expensive units.

they are all fun to use.

[Ruhman1225]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I can't go wrong with whatever I choose.  Personal preference and ease of use I imagine. Thanks again, good luck out there.  Be safe.

[bowski76]

Looks like a good time to buy a flasher, sales all over the place, Fish307 has lots of models on sale including the Showdown 5.6 for $333.00 and the Marcum LX-6S for $540.00.

[alfed]

Your going to find that this conversation is alot like cars. Ford, Dodge, Chevy or Toyota. They all get you where your going. Me personally loves my Huminbird. Cant put any brand down they all work well, I close mine for a few reasons. Dual beam, zoom, and the fact it goes to 200 foot, I fish for Lakers occasionally on Owasco in 120 plus. I guess buy what your wallet can afford, like you I read reviews and discriptions for weeks before before deciding.  Good Luck

[meek48]

Just like you I spent the off season researching and asking questions . I bought an FL- 18 at Reeds $340 ( Genz pack) and love it the 6' bottom zoom is great and with low power mode for shallow water. You don't need to spend a lot . Good luck!!

[KeukaZ71]

I like my lowrance unit. I have the old model x67c. The newer ones are probably better and have GPS.

I'd get dizzy and nauseous looking at a flasher all day.

[TheWasp74]

I have a Lowrance X-4 Pro and I bought the ice conversion kit. Came with the bag and mount, battery and ice transducer. I think the finder was $99 and the kit was like $125 when I got it. It's been a few years so don't totally quote me on the price. I love having it because I can cut a hole and at least check depth and tag fish. If I don't like the spit I move.

[Spider1]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I can't go wrong with whatever I choose.  Personal preference and ease of use I imagine. Thanks again, good luck out there.  Be safe.

yup, that's about it. get what looks good to you. Basically, whatever you get (if it's a reputable machine) will work. And after a season on the ice with it, that's what you'll be used to and you'll probably judge all other machines by the first one. Good luck.

and remember, after a mark moves to your jig, you stop watching the machine and consentrate on the line and rod tip.

And I've used both finders and flashers, the flashers don't actually spin or anything... at least you don't see it spinning... if you go that route, don't worry, you're not gonna get dizzy and nauseous. You might develope the one yard stare but you'll get that with a finder too, lol!