What flasher unit do you suggest?

[Perch Crazy]

Fellow icemen

I'm debating on buying a flasher this year for the ice.  I'm looking at vexs, showdowns, hummingbirds and marcums but can't seem to make up my mind between them.  Any suggestions on what you like about your units I would greatly appreciate the help.

Alan 

[wyoutdoors]

fwiw, i recently picked up a FL-20 vex and dig it... overall i think they're all pretty good... get one which fits your budget and your comfortable with (whichever brand)...

[LT]

But by all means get one...you'll never go on the ice without it again fer sure     LT

[doggbiter]

 I have had the VPG [showdown] since the first year they came out...3-4 years now.  Have had zero problems, works great and battery has lasted me 3 days on one outing. There are 6vpg's[with the upgrade] and a showdown in my ice family. No problems except one blown fuse, and it was a one time deal.

 Never used a flasher, but have observed them being used.  Don't know why you would want the dial, and noisy motor.........and have to do algebra to figure out your depth

 Get the Showdown!  you will be happy!

 especialy when the flasher-dudes come over to watch you pounding fish with it   and they go    wow thats easy and makes sense.....and how long that battery last?   "think i'll be trading my vex for one of them" 8)

[Hardwater Problem]

I just bought my first flasher today, getting it out on the ice tomorrow morning!!!  I did a lot of what your doing, and on several chat sites.  It really boils down to budget.  I had a truckload of gift cards to Cabela's, so money wasn't an issue for me.  It is for most.  They are pricey!!!  Bottom line on these things is people have what they have, and are generally fanatical about them.  They all work!!!  VEX, MARCUM, SHOWDOWN, HUMMINGBIRD, are all these companies are still around and are all making good products.  If they were bad, there would be a monopoly and everyone would be using one maker of flasher.  My best friend uses a basic marcum, and I have sat next to him for two years and watched him pull fish at two to three times my numbers, consistently.  I went with the vex fl-20.  It has the most features, including a dual beam transducer, two zooms, built in tackle box, rod holder, battery level meter, etc...  (ALL BELLS AND WHISTLES).  Plus it fits in a bucket, is L.E.D., and looks like something that should be on the international space station.  I thought it would be difficult to use, but I watched the DVD and it is very user friendly.  IN CONCLUSION...  Check the features, then decide what you can afford.  I'm now a Vexilar man!!!

[Baiter]

I own a vexilar FL-12 SE and love it.  I don't know about the other brands but vexilar offers Interference Rejection on all their models.  And if you plan on fishing near others with sonar systems this is a must have.  Vexilar all the way.

Baiter

[IcenEyes]

I suggest the Vexilar. I have had the FL-8 for 13 Years and have had Zero Problems. Vexilar is the only one i have ever used so it might be a biased suggestion. But as the LT mentioned, it is a very important tool to add to your equipment.

[SLAYERFISH]

I have fished blind for 30 years.  This winter picked up a used Marcum LX-1 for $100.  It is funny how freekin easy it is to catch fish on a jigged lure now.   Watch them come in, stare at it, then grab it.  This marcum is a very basic unit and I honestly think its all I'll ever need.

Its funny but there are people out there who are totally lost without a flasher-

[BigZee44]

I converted my hummingbird from my boat to an ice fishing set up this year.  I really like it even though most people swear by flashers only.  My buddy got a Markum and between the two of us we have signifigantly increased our catch rates.  I think slayer is right all you really need is a basic model espically if you are on a budget, like me.  As long as you have a unit that can see your jig and detect fish in the water column you are going to increase your bites.  Be warned that having one can sometimes make you crazy.  Until this year i have never realized how many fish cruise in and take a look at your lure and dont bite.
Zack

[LT]

What was it the Dogg called me until I bought my Marcum...oh yeah, "Caveman"  LT

[WYOICER]

I have used both but still prefer the standard LCD fish finder (have used a Lowrance X-70 for years)

[wyoutdoors]

there ya have it... the votes in! get yerself a unit!

[wyohikeit]

I fished blind till last year when I bought an  Eagle   fishmark 320  It works fine. I fish beside vexilar most days and they let you tell whats going on down there too but I don't like the noise and the flash gets annoying. I thank you doggbiter for you comments about the showdown  I have been wondering about them ---Looks like what I will upgrade to!

[augergas]

That LX-1 looks hard to beat for the money. Bottom zoom, fairly high wattage. I bought a Bird 35 for this season, so far so good with it.

[dwilliams]

I have a VPG (showdown) that I've had for just over a year.  I have definitely caught more fish because of it.  It's easy to use and it just makes sense in my mind that the water column is vertical on the screen.  Excellent battery life, good sensitivity, etc.  The only problems I've had are that it takes a bit of time to 'warm up' when it's really cold out and I get quite a bit of interference from my buddy's Vex.  I would NOT trade this unit for a flasher.  Oh, and you guys are right, once you've used some kind of unit it's tough to go on the ice without it. 

[Seedtree]

The Vexilar FL-18 has served me well.  I also use it in my boat.  For bottom hugging fish like walleyes, the autozoom/bottom lock feature is worth getting.