Camera vs Flasher

[elkhunter1834]

Looking add to my Gear? What does everyone think about flashers or cameras. And what is the best product for the money?

[Burt Lake Ron]

I take it you didn't like the replies on the Idaho board.

[elkhunter1834]

I have aready been leaning towards flashers but have a buddy that swears by his camera, he generally fishes places with really clear water and no deeper then 15 to 20 feet. So just looking for more advice from people that actually use the products. Also is one brand better then another?

[Alex Delarge]

If you don't already have a flasher... get any flasher before any camera, IMO. A camera is only going to see in 1 direction at the height it is at, and then you have a cable to deal with when fighting a fish. And all that cable to carry around with a camera. While a flasher will give readings in 6,8,10 ft diameters etc..., depending on cone angle and DOW, in the entire water column. And with a flasher the only cable you have out is the thickness of the ice, if you're fighting a trophy fish you can easily pull that ducer out with one hand. Camera's have their place, but YOU need to determine what is best for the type of fishing you do.
The best product for the money is going to be a matter of opinion. People usually swear by whatever they own. Marcum, Vex, & Bird are the 3 big players for flashers. You would probably be happy with any entry level flasher. Look at features you might want in a flasher for the price. If you have the coin... I believe some manufacturers are making a unit that has a combined flasher/camera in one.
This will probably turn into another Vex vs Marcum thread.

[churdad]

I have a marcum Vx-p1 flasher it was easily the best 300 piece of equipment for ice fishing

[fishbone]

yup get a flasher

[SpitzoMT]

Flasher first.....Camera later if you feel you need one.....

[Townie]

Camera will provide more hook ups. Flasher will find fish easier imo

[Lj]

I have both and the camera rarely come out of the case I have the ice 35 bird flasher I really like it its a great price and does everything my Buddy's ice 55 does besides the LCD depth screen but for the 2 bills more it costs it wasn't worth it besides bragging rights saying its worth more but I recommend the vexlar carrying case it fits perfectly and has the clear front panel if the weather turns bad

[mackdog75]

Flasher!

[pike4some]

I have both a flasher and a camera. The cam has not gone with in 4 years. Get the flasher and be happy. If the water is as clear as you say then just look down the hole and take a look and save the money you would have spent on a camera.

[bnybstr]

I am loving my showdown, for me easier on the eyes

[bobberbill]

Camera will provide more hook ups. Flasher will find fish easier imo

Best answer..

[missoulafish]

Flasher now, camera later.

[teamlund]

Cameras are to keep kids interested for a bit longer... If you just want to put fish on the ice then get a flasher!!!! I own a flasher and a camera and the camera stays home 99% of the time.

A camera shows you 1 direction at one level of the water column.. .A flasher shows you the entire water column and 360 degrees of coverage..

Also, does your friend that swears by his camera own a flasher?

[Collierscc]

get a flasher. had a camera and i wouldn't be bothering with one again.
I have a lx7 and its perfect for my fishing needs 

[IM-POUNDING- R -U]

Muddy water a flasher always works. A camera does not work.

[fishm_n]

Your friends conditions sound perfect for a camera.

What do you fish for??

If you are leaning towards a flasher, you probably have your mind made up.

Do you fish with your friend a lot??

One of each would be best.


Cameras dont work in mucky water and are hard to get down real deep like 100 foot.  I have a flasher for those reasons but would love a camera too. But I just dont get to fish enough to justify it yet.

[Kilbourn]

I had both. Sold camera and kept flasher. Never looked back. I could name more cons for a camera than I could pros for both the flasher and camera put together, that's my opinion though. Like fishm_n said if you fish with your friend a lot than it would be cool for both of you to have one of each and than decide from there.

[DAPOS]

If you don't already have a flasher... get any flasher before any camera, IMO. A camera is only going to see in 1 direction at the height it is at, and then you have a cable to deal with when fighting a fish. And all that cable to carry around with a camera. While a flasher will give readings in 6,8,10 ft diameters etc..., depending on cone angle and DOW, in the entire water column. And with a flasher the only cable you have out is the thickness of the ice, if you're fighting a trophy fish you can easily pull that ducer out with one hand. Camera's have their place, but YOU need to determine what is best for the type of fishing you do.
The best product for the money is going to be a matter of opinion. People usually swear by whatever they own. Marcum, Vex, & Bird are the 3 big players for flashers. You would probably be happy with any entry level flasher. Look at features you might want in a flasher for the price. If you have the coin... I believe some manufacturers are making a unit that has a combined flasher/camera in one.
This will probably turn into another Vex vs Marcum thread.

Bingo......a perfect deduction. I love my cameras......yes pleural.....but the finder is #1.

[teamlund]

My camera has spooked a lot of fish... Times when I am crushing walleye and whitebass with the flasher I have tried to drop the camera down to watch the chaos and I don't see a fish on the flasher or camera... Pull the camera out and the chaos starts up again...

[bobberbill]

Quote: A camera is only going to see in 1 direction at the height it is at..

A bit off topic, but my Marcum can be horizontal or fixed in a vertical orientation. The vertical view covers quite a large area but the higher you are the more difficult it is to see fish and /or your bait..Just like looking down the hole..

[Burt Lake Ron]

My camera has spooked a lot of fish... Times when I am crushing walleye and whitebass with the flasher I have tried to drop the camera down to watch the chaos and I don't see a fish on the flasher or camera... Pull the camera out and the chaos starts up again...

Hey, that only happens to millwrights.  They're hard on things like that.

[Chaser19]

Just bought the lowrance elite 4 ice machine for $350 with $100 mail in rebate.  This thing is GREAT!  $250 for this unit can not be beat!  I say go with a lowrance elite 4 or 5 ice machine

[Purple Floyd]

Just bought the lowrance elite 4 ice machine for $350 with $100 mail in rebate.  This thing is GREAT!  $250 for this unit can not be beat!  I say go with a lowrance elite 4 or 5 ice machine

+1.

I have the elite 5 and my son uses the X67c. I just ordered the Cfish underwater camera and it should be here in a few days. It has a camera with a 360 degree viewing angle and I think it will be a great addition for the times when we are trying to see what type of structure we are fishing over and what fish are under the ice.

[ASATMillerbluegill]

If I was only fishing shallow water, a foot off of the bottom for bluegills, eyes, crappie, and perch...I'd get the marcum 825sd. There are times we wouldn't catch hardly any fish; especially light biting gils, w out the camera. Bigger lakes w deeper water, fish may be suspended, and w out a flasher, you'd never know they were there, and u can't set a camera up for suspended fish. A serious fisherman benefits from both, and I wouldn't want to give up my marcum lx5 or my marcum 825sd. Btw, we have NEVER ever witnessed our 825 cameras scare a fish. They ignore it, or they might inspect it, but they seem carefree around it.

[1moslab]

did someone say flasher ???I cant believe anyone who has both wouldn't