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Marcum ..... There isn't anything (option or power wise) on a Vexilar FL-18 or even an FL-20 that is better then a Marcum LX5 or even the LX3-TC for that matter. You get way more for your buck with a Marcum. More power, more zoom, better clarity, better target separation. Vexilar only equals more money.
I have an fl-20, and I've had a few of my buddies use it, and they went out and bought one right after. I've used both, I don't think you can go wrong with either the lx-5 or the fl-20. The one thing i like about the lx-5 is that you can zoom anywhere in the water column.
I have done my homework. There has been no proven study that flasher power or any fish finder affects fish, personal beliefs hold no merit. Showdown, Humminbird, Lowrance, and Marcum all use high power and perform excellent. Although 400 watts may be "sufficient", proving that all other successful flasher makers are nuts will be tough. More power will give you better target I.D. 99% of the time. The lines of true 3 color and more power are much clearer with better resolution. If more power scared fish away they'rd be a lot of flasher companies out of business. Vexilar uses old low power technology. They'd rather put a beer holder on their FL-20 then spend mega $$$$ to update their entire line. They will eventually as their marketshare will continue to drop.
You all should try rhe New Unit "Polar Bear" has all bells and whistles and even given very detailed dsplay of the size of fish in cone!
New to this site and I think it is the best thing since ??remote car starters??I have been ice fishing upstate ny and Minnesota for 20 years and have been a dedicated vexilar user for the last 5. I am in the market for a new vexilar but I keep hearing about the Markum. Never used a Markum and was wondering if anyone had any opinions on what is the better unit for the buck!
Do you have a link to this unit?
Unbelievable amount of info!!! Sorry if I bored anyone on a old topic but the info shared is very helpful!!!I am going to Canadarago this Sunday again with my old FL-8 and will hopefully do well and bring home a nice catch of Perch to make the frying pan stink!!!So far this year on Canadarago it has been very well to me with many 12"-14" (of course many dinks in between).All, please remember when bringing fish from deep water (> 20') reel them in slow to avoid blowing the air bladder and killing them. The small ones are our future and safe catching and release is key to them surviving to become SLOBS!!!!!Again, thanks for all the info and I am going to buy a new ...................... .............
Sullymon ............ Going with the above information and esox_magnum's post above I don't think we're wrong in the least. Target separation on the LX5 and the LX3-TC are indeed finer then the vexilar FL-20. The transducer with the Marcums is tuned much finer and better then Vex's ......period. I've read independant articles that have also talked about the new flasher models not needing low power settings or some special "S" cable which is ridiculous. Their units are much more in tune with their transducers. I never said Vex's weren't nice or reliable. I just said that Vex's offer nothing more then less power then the Marcums, you simply disagree. The Marcums are superior in every category. I just use my gain control in deep and in shallow water.