Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! > Ice Fishing With Electronics
Flasher Choice- LCD's (MarCum, Lowrance, Humminbird) Which is right for you?
bpiatt:
Bean did an excellent job on his thread that includes all of the manufacturers info on mechanical flashers. This is my attempt to do the same for the LCD units. I've gathered all of the manufacturers information on them and compiled them in one location for easy comparison. Some information wasn't available online so I went ahead and contacted the manufacturers.
**Note** All prices are MSRP, most of the products can be found cheaper.
MarCum LX-9
Cost: $1199.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 800 x 600 pixels, 8 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 8° or 20°
Power level: 4800 watts peak to peak / 600 RMS
Interference rejection: 12 levels (steps)
Sensitivity/Gain: 25 Levels
Zoom: Selectable (5’, 10’, 20’ and 40’) Zoom Windows. Bottom Lock or Infinitely Adjust in selected Zoom Window Size
Target separation: 1/2 inch
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt/9 amp sealed lead acid
Battery current draw: 700 milliamps per hour. (A Fully charged 9 amp battery can last up to 12.5 hours of continuous use).
Battery charger: 3-stage automatic charger
Display colors: Four user-selectable color palettes, can have up to 6 colors to display size/hardness of return signal
Depth ranges: 0 - 240 feet, Can adjust to any increments desired
Cases: Comes standard with a weather resistant, embroidered, padded, soft pack carry case on a plastic shuttle with gimble bracket and adjustable transducer arm.
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: Sony Super HAD II CCD underwater camera, DVR for recording and on-screen playback, Can Record Video to SD card for uploading to computer, Darkwater LED lighting technology, Comes with free camera panner, 75ft camera cable, Exclusive Dynamic Depth/ Range, Exclusive Sonar Footprint Display, Water resistant, Target Adjust Image Magnifier, Adjustable Night-Vis Backlight, 8ft Transducer Cable, High Speed Transducer sold separately for open water use, Has an open Water mode with traditional graph for marking fish and structure, Upgradeable via USB port, LCD is heated, No moving Parts
MarCum LX-7
Cost: $699.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 800 x 600 pixels, 8 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 8° or 20°
Power level: 4800 watts peak to peak / 600 RMS
Interference rejection: 12 levels (steps)
Sensitivity/Gain: 25 Levels
Zoom: Selectable (5’, 10’, 20’ and 40’) Zoom Windows. Bottom Lock or Infinitely Adjust in selected Zoom Window Size
Target separation: 1/2 inch
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt/9 amp sealed lead acid
Battery current draw: 700 milliamps per hour. (A Fully charged 9 amp battery can last up to 12.5 hours of continuous use).
Battery charger: 3-stage automatic charger
Display colors: Four user-selectable color palettes, can have up to 6 colors to display size/hardness of return signal
Depth ranges: 0 - 240 feet, Can adjust to any increments desired
Cases: Comes standard with a weather resistant, embroidered, padded, soft pack carry case on a plastic shuttle with gimble bracket and adjustable transducer arm.
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: Exclusive Dynamic Depth/ Range, Exclusive Sonar Footprint Display, Water resistant, Target Adjust Image Magnifier, Adjustable Night-Vis Backlight, 8ft Transducer Cable, High Speed Transducer sold separately for open water use, Has an open Water mode with traditional graph for marking fish and structure, Upgradeable via USB port, LCD is heated, No moving Parts
MarCum LX-6
Cost: $ 599.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 640 x 480 / 6 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 8° or 20°
Power level: 4800 watts peak-to-peak / 600 RMS
Interference rejection: 12 Levels
Sensitivity/Gain: 25 Levels
Zoom: Selectable (5’, 10’, 20’ and 40’) Zoom Windows. Bottom Lock or Infinitely Adjust in selected Zoom Window Size
Target separation: 3/4 inch
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 9 amp hour
Battery current draw: 600 milliamps (A fully Charged 9AH battery can last up to 15 hours of continuous use)
Battery charger: 3 Stage Automatic
Display colors: Full Color Display
Depth ranges: 240 feet max
Cases: Soft Sided Carry Case
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: Exclusive Dynamic Depth/ Range, Water Resistant, Exclusive Sonar Footprint Display, Target Adjust Image Magnifier, Adjustable Night-Vis Backlight, 8ft transducer cable, Upgradeable via USB port, LCD is heated, No Moving Parts, High Speed Transducer sold separately for open water use, Has an open Water mode with traditional graph for marking fish and structure
ShowDown 5.6 Dual Beam
Cost: $ 399.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 6 x 1 inches
Cone angles: 8° or 20°
Power level: 8000 watts peak to peak
Interference rejection: 10 levels
Sensitivity/Gain: 25 Levels
Zoom: Auto Bottom Lock Zoom – adjusts to the bottom 25% of the water column, Moveable Zoom – Infinitely adjustable, anywhere in the water column
Target separation: 1/2 Inch
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 9 amp hour
Battery current draw: 400 milliamps (A fully charged 9AH battery can last up to 22.5 hours of continuous use)
Battery charger: 3 Stage Charger
Display colors: Grey Scale, Darker = stronger signal
Depth ranges: 240-foot Range with Auto Depth Scale function
Cases: Comes standard with a weather resistant, embroidered, padded, soft pack carry case on a plastic shuttle
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: No moving parts - Maximizes run-time between charges, Ice-Mode activates Internal Heater to aid LCD in extreme conditions, Surface clutter elimination, Daylight Viewable Backlit Display, Water Resistant, Overall dimension of Actual Unit head is 8 x 2.75 inches
ShowDown 5.6
Cost: $ 349.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 6 x 1 inches
Cone angles: 20°
Power level: 8000 watts peak to peak
Interference rejection: 10 levels
Sensitivity/Gain: 25 Levels
Zoom: Auto Bottom Lock Zoom – adjusts to the bottom 25% of the water column, Moveable Zoom – Infinitely adjustable, anywhere in the water column
Target separation: 1/2 Inch
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 9 amp hour
Battery current draw: 400 milliamps (A fully charged 9AH battery can last up to 22.5 hours of continuous use)
Battery charger: 3 Stage Charger
Display colors: Grey Scale, Darker = stronger signal
Depth ranges: 240-foot Range with Auto Depth Scale function
Cases: Comes standard with a weather resistant, embroidered, padded, soft pack carry case on a plastic shuttle
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: No moving parts - Maximizes run-time between charges, Ice-Mode activates Internal Heater to aid LCD in extreme conditions, Surface clutter elimination, Daylight Viewable Backlit Display, Water Resistant, Overall dimension of Actual Unit head is 8 x 2.75 inches
ShowDown Troller 2.0
Cost: $ 199.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 5-inch Digital Vertical LCD
Cone angles: 20°
Power level: 4000 watts peak to peak
Interference rejection: 10 levels
Sensitivity/Gain: 25 Levels
Zoom: Auto Bottom Lock Zoom – adjusts to the bottom 25% of the water column
Target separation: 2 Inches
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 6 AA batteries (upgradable to 12v with performance pack)
Battery current draw: Runs 20 Hours on 6 AA
Battery charger: Sold Seperate (with Performance Pack)
Display colors: Grey Scale, Darker = stronger signal
Depth ranges: 120-foot Range with Auto Depth Scale function
Cases: Comes with none, One is available for purchase with performace pack
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: No moving parts - Maximizes run-time between charges, Ice-Mode activates Internal Heater to aid LCD in extreme conditions, Water Resistant, Surface clutter elimination, Daylight Viewable Backlit Display, Can add the Performance Pack (includes battery, 3 stage charger, Waterproof soft neoprene case, transducer arm, wiring harness, and mounting bracket) for an additional 49.99 (MSRP)
Lowrance Elite 5 Ice Machine
Cost: $ 649.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 480 x 480-pixel / 5 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 20°
Power level: 4000 watts peak to peak / 500 RMS
Interference rejection: 4 Levels (Low, Medium, High, Off)
Sensitivity/Gain: 20 Levels
Zoom: Yes
Target separation: 3.4 inches
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 7 amp hour
Battery current draw: 750 milliamps (A fully charged 7AH battery can last up to 9 hours)
Battery charger: Charger Included
Display colors: Full Color Display
Depth ranges: 1000 feet max
Cases: Weatherproof soft-side pack; zippered access and storage pockets; mesh stow pouches; adjustable display platform riser
Warranty: 1 year
Miscellaneous: Precision internal 16-channel GPS antenna, built-in basemap with U.S. waters detail, and microSD card slot for LakeMaster®* and Navionics® cartography options, Adjustable Back Lighting, Waterproof, Can buy High Speed Transducer to make excellent open water unit, No moving Parts
Lowrance Elite 4 Ice machine
Cost: $ 399.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 320 x 240 / 3.5 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 20°
Power level: 2100 watts peak-to-peak / 262 RMS
Interference rejection: 4 Levels (Low, Medium, High, Off)
Sensitivity/Gain: 20 Levels
Zoom: Yes
Target separation: 3.4 inches
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 7 amp hour
Battery current draw: 750 milliamps (A fully charged 7AH battery can last up to 9 hours)
Battery charger: Charger Included
Display colors: Full Color Display
Depth ranges: 800 feet max
Cases: Weatherproof soft-side pack; zippered access and storage pockets; mesh stow pouches; adjustable display platform riser, includes 2 tackle trays
Warranty: 1 year
Miscellaneous: Precision internal 16-channel GPS antenna, built-in basemap with U.S. waters detail, and microSD card slot for LakeMaster®* and Navionics® cartography options, Adjustable Back Lighting, Waterproof, Can buy High Speed Transducer to make excellent open water unit, No moving Parts
Lowrance Elite 4x Ice Machine
Cost: $ 299.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 320 x 240 / 3.5 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 20°
Power level: 2100 watts peak-to-peak / 262 RMS
Interference rejection: 4 Levels (Low, Medium, High, Off)
Sensitivity/Gain: 20 Levels
Zoom: Yes
Target separation: 3.4 inches
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 7 amp hour
Battery current draw: 750 milliamps (A fully charged 7AH battery can last up to 9 hours)
Battery charger: Charger Included
Display colors: Full Color Display
Depth ranges: 800 feet max
Cases: Weatherproof soft-side pack; zippered access and storage pockets; mesh stow pouches; adjustable display platform riser, includes 2 tackle trays
Warranty: 1 year
Miscellaneous: Adjustable Back Lighting, Same unit as Elite 4 except does not have GPS, Waterproof, Can buy High Speed Transducer to make excellent open water unit, No moving Parts
Humminbird ICE 597ci HD Combo
Cost: $ 649.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 640 x 640 / 5 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 20° or 60°
Power level: 4000 watts peak-to-peak / 500 RMS
Interference rejection: 5 settings ( Low, Medium, High 1, High 2, High 3)
Sensitivity/Gain: 20 Levels
Zoom: Yes
Target separation: 2.5 inches
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 7 amp hour AGM Battery
Battery current draw: 615 milli amp (A fully charged 7AH battery can last up to 11.5 hours)
Battery charger: Charger Included
Display colors: Full Color Display
Depth ranges: 1000 feet max
Cases: Soft Sided Carry Case
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: 50 Channel Internal Precision GPS, Chartplotting, Humminbird UniMap, SD Card Slot for adding new Maps, Backlight, Waterproof, Can buy High Speed Transducer to make excellent open water unit, No moving parts
Humminbird ICE 385ci Combo
Cost: $ 449.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 320 x 240 / 3.5 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 20° or 60°
Power level: 2400 watts peak-to-peak / 300 RMS
Interference rejection: 5 settings ( Low, Medium, High 1, High 2, High 3)
Sensitivity/Gain: 20 Levels
Zoom: Yes
Target separation: 2.5 inches
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 7 amp hour
Battery current draw: 480 milli amp draw (A fully charged 7AH battery can last up to 14.5 hours)
Battery charger: Charger Included
Display colors: Full Color Display
Depth ranges: 1000 feet max
Cases: Soft Sided Carry Case
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: 50 Channel Internal Precision GPS, Chartplotting, Humminbird UniMap, SD Card Slot for adding new Maps, Can buy High Speed Transducer to make excellent open water unit, No moving parts
Humminbird ICE 345c
Cost: $ 329.99 (MSRP)
Screen Resolution/size: 320 x 240 / 3.5 inches Diagonal
Cone angles: 20° or 60°
Power level: 2400 watts peak-to-peak / 300 RMS
Interference rejection: 5 settings ( Low, Medium, High 1, High 2, High 3)
Sensitivity/Gain: 20 Levels
Zoom: Yes
Target separation: 2.5 inches
Transmit frequency: 200 KHz
Battery: 12 volt 7 amp hour
Battery current draw: 480 milli amp draw (A fully charged 7AH battery can last up to 14.5 hours)
Battery charger: Charger Included
Display colors: Full Color Display
Depth ranges: 1000 feet max
Cases: Soft Sided Carry Case
Warranty: 2 years
Miscellaneous: Same Unit as 385ci except does not have a GPS, Can buy High Speed Transducer to make excellent open water unit, No moving parts
bpiatt:
Customer Service
MarCum: I called MarCum to verify my information and to figure out how big the screens are on the ShowDowns. I called their customer service number and Chris answered the phone almost immediately after it started ringing, no menus or button pushing, and he spoke perfect english. He was very knowledgeable and was able to answer all of my questions. He was unsure of the exact dimensions of the screen on the ShowDowns so he put me on hold so he could go measure. I was on hold for less than 60 seconds and he was able to give me the numbers I was looking for. Based on my experiences with MarCum's customer service I give them an A+ rating.
Lowrance: I called Lowrance because I could not find the interference rejection, exact cone angles, target separation, or battery draw of their Ice units online. When I called I selected the options necessary to get someone on the phone. After the last option I was instantly connected with Bob, I did not have to wait on hold at all. Bob spoke perfect english and knew the answers to all of my questions and he was very nice and helpful. I explained what I was doing on this forum and he took the time to verify all of my numbers and filled in the blanks I had. At one point in our phone call we were disconnected, Bob called me back before I could even finish re-dialing their number. I have never had an issue with a Lowrance product where ive had to ship something to them so based on my limited experience with Lowrance's customer service I give them an A+ rating.
Humminbird: I was having trouble finding information about the sensitivity settings and interference rejection of Humminbird's ICE units. I called their support number and after entering a few options I was connected with Matt. Matt spoke perfect english and he was helpful and was able to answer all of my questions. He was caught a bit off guard because he had just learned that the ICE 597ci went on sale as I was on the phone with him. He quickly found the answers to the questions I had and also informed me that I can download all of the user manuals to any of their products right on their website. He never put me on hold and my overall experience was excellent. I have never had to return a Humminbird product to them and based on my experience with their customer service I rate them A+.
bpiatt:
Alright, this was a chore but its all done. I have verified all of the specifications with each company. I hope this helps anyone who might be in the market for a new LCD flasher this winter. Just incase anyone is curious about which I own, i chose the LX-7. I am slightly biased towards MarCum just because of what they have done for me in the past, but the specs of the LX-7 really are a notch above the competitors. I really like the 1/2 inch separation, the super crisp display, the 8° or 20° transducer and the fact that this unit was designed with the ice angler in mind.
Gillfisher:
Thanks for putting this together BP, should help people make a choice between the LCD units with the facts laid out all in one spot. Good job!!! :thumbsup:
I also chose the LX-7, they had a rough start last year but the update made up for it.
bpiatt:
--- Quote from: Gillfisher on Oct 23, 2012, 07:16 AM ---Thanks for putting this together BP, should help people make a choice between the LCD units with the facts laid out all in one spot. Good job!!! :thumbsup:
I also chose the LX-7, they had a rough start last year but the update made up for it.
--- End quote ---
Thanks Gill, I've been wanting to do this ever since I read Beans thread. The lx-7 definitely was definitely a little rushed but they made it right. I wouldn't trade mine for anything.
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