2 FL-8's here. One goes back 11 years and have fished WY, MT, CO, MD, and PA with it and caught nice fish in all those states. Retired that one to use by my now 14 yr old and got a new FL-8 a few years back as my main one. Now have a budding 9 yr old so am looking to likely retire the 8 again and maybe try a Marcum this year since I've seen and been impressed with others using them in recent years. Can't think you can hardly go wrong with the Vex, Marcum, Humminbird, Showdown, etc. Just get out there and use them well to fish smart.
I think it would be great at any ice gatherings to maybe set a time at maybe midday for when people are gathered to have people with different brands kind of do a little demo with theirs to show special features and/or maybe partner up with someone who has one that you're interested in to see how it works in action. No better way to help people decide which way to go then to test try different makes on real ice under real fishing conditions.
jjT
