Garmin vs entry level flasher?

[markinohio]

I’m looking for something for early ice outside fishing. I primarily fish in 10-20 FOW. I’m looking for something light, highly mobile, quick set-up time, good battery life, and easy to use (it will also be my loaner unit). I have a Garmin Echomap 73 Chirp that I no longer use. So, option #1 is to purchase an ice transducer (GT8HW-IF), 4 to 8 pin adapter cable(?), and mount on a Genz box.

I’ve never used an ice transducer on the Garmin (Panoptix only), but I’ve seen a few vidoes that make me believe that it would be just as effective as an entry level flasher in 10-30 FOW.

However, it would be bulkier than a flasher, lower battery life, and probably not as simple to use.

Price wise, it looks to be pretty much a wash (used flasher vs ice transducer, adapter, and shuttle).

So, what would you suggest?

Thanks,
Mark

[Skywagon]

I personally like a graph better than a flasher, so would suggest using your 73 (it's nice to see history of what went by), put a 10 amp battery on it that will last all day.  Another thought would be to let the loaner be the Panoptix and get a Livescope for yourself.   

[hardwater diehard]

Well ...making maps ..using past way points..multiple screen choices ..getting a transducer seems to be a no brainer as you have a good unit already ..and are familiar 

maybe getting a Garmin kit would be a better option

 https://www.garmin.com/en-US/search/?query=ice%20fishing%20case

[Mancaveburnett]

Marcum is updating their line of flashers this year, you can pick up a great deal as they are on sale now of a m3 or m5 flasher. Just a tip of something on sale you might be interested in.

[WALL E GATOR]

I have the Garmin Panoptix lvs22 73cv ice kit and it has a regular puck ducer and the lvs22 panoptix both. I use the simple ducer when hole hoping or checking depth as it much quicker than dealing with the whole panoptix on a pole n such. The simple ducer works well and I have fished with just it at times. Not sure but if you can pull your Panoptix ducer off your boat, use it, you won't regret that either.

[hnd]

man the menu on the garmin is so good.  i'd just buy the transducer and call it good.  obviously a bit more is entailed then turning a knob but for just a backup, no reason to do anything else IMO 

[RStock521]

Another vote for just using your 73.  Hodges Marine has the small ice kit for $163 with shuttle, bag, GT8 and battery.  The battery is only a 7ah, but I upgraded to the Marcum brute that I got on a black friday deal.

[sra61]

That Garmin is far better than any flasher. IMO. If it's a plus model you could add Livescope at a future date too.

[kpd145]

In use the 73sv for open and ice.

The gt8 is a great ducer too

Love it.

[burtmcgurt]

Another vote for just using your 73.  Hodges Marine has the small ice kit for $163 with shuttle, bag, GT8 and battery.  The battery is only a 7ah, but I upgraded to the Marcum brute that I got on a black friday deal.

Any post season reviews on the marcum
brute?

[filetandrelease]

Any post season reviews on the marcum
brute?

  I bought 2 on sale last year 10amp 12v
 Almost 3 months averaging 4 days a week and no complaints