IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Equipment => Topic started by: spiltmilt on Dec 30, 2019, 03:27 PM
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I'm just curious why people still shell out $400 for flasher nowadays? What makes them superior in any way to sonar which at the same cost delivers the same resolution, speed, and portability plus the benefit of chartplotters, and history of fish response to lures.
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Probably just because that's what they are familiar with using. Love my marcum, but also like a lot of the features on my son's Garmin.
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Durability, dependability, ease of use, battery life. Panoptix is the only reason I see to switch, and that is quite a bit more expensive.
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Durability, dependability, ease of use, battery life. Panoptix is the only reason I see to switch, and that is quite a bit more expensive.
Other than superior battery life none of those features are exclusive to flashers.
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Other than superior battery life none of those features are exclusive to flashers.
Time will tell. Flasher is as simple as it gets, and will run for 3 days straight on 1 battery. Everyone is different, we all like what we like, use what you like and be happy.
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Time will tell. Flasher is as simple as it gets, and will run for 3 days straight on 1 battery. Everyone is different, we all like what we like, use what you like and be happy.
My Humminbird Helix 5 runs for 36 hours on one charge.
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Time will tell. Flasher is as simple as it gets, and will run for 3 days straight on 1 battery. Everyone is different, we all like what we like, use what you like and be happy.
Yup. I don't get, that people don't get, that people get what they have and want because it's what they chose to get and use. Got it? ;)
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Puzzles me too why some seem to cling to an obsolete technology. I find them very annoying to look at. I don't go fishing to stare at a screen and get a headache.
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Who cares what people use.they are not writing my paycheck.some like tech,some dont.why do people think they need all that tech for pulling a fish thru a hole in the ice is crazy to me but i could give a rats a$$ what people fish with.call me grumpy today..lol
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My Humminbird Helix 5 runs for 36 hours on one charge.
But you conceded to the point that flashers have better battery life?
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Puzzles me too why some seem to cling to an obsolete technology. I find them very annoying to look at. I don't go fishing to stare at a screen and get a headache.
Obsolete? A one ounce lead weight attached to an alligator clip is obsolete. Flashers are still alive and well. Just ordered a new one...and can't wait to stare at it. :blink: :wacko: :roflmao:
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I'm just curious why people still shell out $400 for flasher nowadays? What makes them superior in any way to sonar which at the same cost delivers the same resolution, speed, and portability plus the benefit of chartplotters, and history of fish response to lures.
$400, that's pretty cheap.
Flashers fish faster when you're hole hopping and can work a bit better in heavy weeds compared to the 2d graphs I've used. A simple vex setup is far more portable and has a proven dependability as well. I've had issues getting a graph to work well over 150', but that was all older prechirp hbird and lowrance setups, I've not yet tried the gt10 ducer deep on a Garmin.
The truth is, if you're on fish, a functional flasher is all you need. The graph history is of minimal value IMO. If a flasher makes you dizzy or gives you a headache, that's something else I guess. Maybe a bad ducer is showing too much erratic noise? ;D
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Yup. I don't get, that people don't get, that people get what they have and want because it's what they chose to get and use. Got it? ;)
This is the best argument so far.
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I've used a Vexilar FL8 for years and years, now I've upgraded to a Helix 5. I haven't used it yet, but will be trying it out tomorrow. Time will tell if it's what I really want. This discussion doesn't bother me much. What really bothers me is the nonstop discussion over how to put a hole in the ice. That topic is beaten to death daily.
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Obsolete? A one ounce lead weight attached to an alligator clip is obsolete. Flashers are still alive and well. Just ordered a new one...and can't wait to stare at it. :blink: :wacko: :roflmao:
Hey I still do that too lol
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Who cares what people use.they are not writing my paycheck.some like tech,some dont.why do people think they need all that tech for pulling a fish thru a hole in the ice is crazy to me but i could give a rats a$$ what people fish with.call me grumpy today..lol
You're not grumpy Doc.You nailed it! Spiltmilt spilled his milk...he's the grumpy one.🤣
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Who cares what people use.they are not writing my paycheck.some like tech,some dont.why do people think they need all that tech for pulling a fish thru a hole in the ice is crazy to me but i could give a rats a$$ what people fish with.call me grumpy today..lol
Alright...you are Grumpy Today. :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
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This is the best argument so far.
Why is your setup better? Charts mean nothing, got that on my phone. And what does the "history" of the fish moving tell you? Fish came up, didn't bite, went back down. I don't understand what else you can see, what am I missing?
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Hey I still do that too lol
As do I. I prefer them when setting tip ups.😉
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After thinking about it more,my answer is longevity.theres flashers that are still working after 40 years and more.think of the tech graphs as a computer.how many computers last that long?none..graphs might last that long but with software updates or motherboard replacements..i still like my flasher for simplicity and reliability.i also get about 70 hrs run time on a charge.i bought a garmin striker 5 to try but mostly for my boat.
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I fish with a Marcum M-5 and absolutely love it! Quiet, simple and easy to read and use. You can have the “new” technology...I’ll stick with my “obsolete” flasher!
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Alright...you are Grumpy Today. :roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:
lol i am today.probably the 4th xmas party put me over the edge.by the 2nd one i about started drinking again.ugh
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I have a marcum lx5i and love it. It's simple, turn the nob on and go. Maybe get crazy and put the zoom on if I'm over 20' of water.
I want to be fishing not fiddling around. I don't need gps as I know where I'm going.
There's a reason why a lot of people still buy them. I have also seen many people with a sonar using flasher mode hmmmmmmmmmmm
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Simplicity ..as simple as it gets .
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You're not grumpy Doc.You nailed it! Spiltmilt spilled his milk...he's the grumpy one.🤣
I'm not grumpy about it just trying to better understand. I've been selling sonar/fishfinders alongside flashers for years. I always have hard time explaining to new customers the advantages of flashers. The only customers who seem interested in them are those that grew up using them.
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Reread the posts, and you will find several reasons to use a flasher. We “old-timers” know and appreciate durability and simplicity...and catching fish! ;D
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I like my flasher.... Its pretty easy to use... And i do t really see anythi g bit the panoptix thats leaps and bounds ahead of my fl20 and since that unit costs as much as my truck... Whats outdated about a flasher? Seems pretty advanced to me lol
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Reread the posts, and you will find several reasons to use a flasher. We “old-timers” know and appreciate durability and simplicity...and catching fish! ;D
Yeah the reasons given don't really separate them from flashers. I've had several "old timers" replacing their Vexilars this year because their old (5 to 7 years old) Vexilars crapped out on them. In fact I don't see much of a difference between the number of Humminbird or Garmin units returned for defects versus Vexilars. Lowrance is a different story.
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I have a marcum lx5i and love it. It's simple, turn the nob on and go. Maybe get crazy and put the zoom on if I'm over 20' of water.
I want to be fishing not fiddling around. I don't need gps as I know where I'm going.
There's a reason why a lot of people still buy them. I have also seen many people with a sonar using flasher mode hmmmmmmmmmmm
I use sonar in flasher mode. I don't like the flickering lights of a traditional flasher but I do like the simplicity of a round display.
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I don't like them there graph type flashers because them fish keep a movin to the left and I keep a follerin them and drillin more holes tryin to ketch up to em. Pretty soon I'm a long ways from where I started and have a long walk back. One day a feller told me if went to the opposite side of the hole them fish would lead me back to where I dun started. It worked and that's why I like them round, flashy, whirlygigs better. Other than the fact I've been usin em since 1975. ;)
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Changed because I got tired of the noise. Don’t use the flasher on my bird or Garmin. Prefer my gamin ice bundle in down view best. But to each their own.
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I own the marcum lx5i and have my helix 9 mega gen 3 set up for ice fishing because I like seeing lake maps for lakes I'm not familiar with. I'll fish my lx5i any day over my helix. Love my marcum! Not to mention it hardly using any battery.
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Terminator T-800 will always be more cool than Terminator T-1000. ;)
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Yeah the reasons given don't really separate them from flashers. I've had several "old timers" replacing their Vexilars this year because their old (5 to 7 years old) Vexilars crapped out on them. In fact I don't see much of a difference between the number of Humminbird or Garmin units returned for defects versus Vexilars. Lowrance is a different story.
Would any of them old timers like to sell me a ancient vexilar 5-7 years old ? I like vintage junk
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Yeah the reasons given don't really separate them from flashers. I've had several "old timers" replacing their Vexilars this year because their old (5 to 7 years old) Vexilars crapped out on them. In fact I don't see much of a difference between the number of Humminbird or Garmin units returned for defects versus Vexilars. Lowrance is a different story.
Crapped out after 5-7 years? Doubtful.
*see related topic in Equipment Board *
If wrong I'll eat my words.😉
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I'm going to chime in here...
We all are guilty of advancing our strategies for fishing AT SOME POINT!
As well as others, I still use the 1 oz lead weight on a gator clip for checking depth for my tip ups..(faster, less gear to haul hole to hole) however I use my marcum 5 (which is 8 years old and still working great) for jigging on lakes i do not use tip ups on..
Personally I think the industry is getting out of hand.. panoptix for ex.. man it sure it awesome technology but the price????!!!!
And honestly who REALLY CARES what guys use?
Does it matter if a guy uses a 24' HT M walleye rod versus a 36' custom build???
Sometimes I think we get caught up in the slop of "needing to catch fish"
Sure it's nice to catch fish and be successful, however... personally I go out to get away from life and enjoy the serenity that mother nature gives me
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Good Morning John, nice post! :clap:
LX-5 user here as well, it has always been good to me since I got it...and I always have an old sounder clipped on my bibs for good luck! I find these things “ relevant “ each trip. Big fan of Ugly Stiks also...get the popcorn ready! ;D
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(https://i.postimg.cc/f3C7qcDb/B6072-B3-E-61-FC-4-BF2-B080-1499471-F70-E1.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/f3C7qcDb)
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:roflmao: :thumbsup: :bow:
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I fished with a buddy who has been ice fishing since he was a kid and had been using a Lowrance sonar for years. (I've only been ice fishing a few years and he basically showed me the ropes.) I bought a Humminbird Ice 35 (not touting the brand or unit, but for those who don't know, it is the cheapest round display flasher out there). After 2 trips out with me, he bought a flasher.
I find especially in weeds it is easier to distinguish fish from weeds with my flasher because you can see some movement in the weeds that I can't always distinguish in the sonar, but that's just me. I'm sure if I spent more time with a sonar unit I would get better at that.
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I started with an fl8se. I literally wore it out. I sent it to vexilar and they put a new motor in it and cleaned it up. In the mean time I got a stryker 4.
Flashes are like revolvers. They are durable, and dependable. They also hold value like an old farm tractor. Look at Craig's list or marketplace. 10 year old fl8s are still going for $200. A 10 year old graph has no value.
The stryker4 was half the cost if a new fl8se, and it has the features that are close to an fl18. If it quits working, it's disposable. I highly doubt Garmin is going to take it apart and restore it to new condition. My echo map 93sv is as much cost as a top end flasher, and is just as disposable as the Stryker 4.
The issue for me, that I don't think anybody else has addressed, is open water use. My dad has a boat transducer for his fl18. It's pretty hard to read. Obviously, graphs are meant to used in open water. To me, this makes the graph am excellent choice for anybody that fishes on the hard and soft water. The flasher certainly doesn't seem relevant on open water any more. I think as 3d sonar develops the flasher will become less relevant on the ice too. I thing it'll be 2030 before the 3d technology has matured, so the flasher is going to be useful for a while.
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its petty well guaranteed the vast majority of young and or new to ice fishing people looking to purchase electronics these days for fishing will gravitate towards whats new and improved digitally. they just want to keep up with technology.and what people are telling them on youtube blogs..lol. as for the older crowd most are fine with what they know or are using in their units. some are stubborn, some don't feel the need to change what works, some can't justify the $. what ever it is it is what it is. nothing to get over.. or to concern yourself about what other people use. get out fishing drill a hole deploy whatever electronics you use and have fun.
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another 5 years flashers will be a thing of the past.
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another 5 years flashers will be a thing of the past.
That's what they said about the television. 😉
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another 5 years flashers will be a thing of the past.
Really???? I#$@t
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Really???? I#$@t
Not mine. Just bought it so I'm good for another 20 years. 😁
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From what I've seen, the Panoptix is a game changer. Being able to see 100' or more in any direction from your hole instead of just what is directly under you obviously is a huge advantage. But the price......................................I'll stick to my flasher until the Panoptix technology comes down closer to the flasher price range. No way am I paying well over $1,000 for a fish finder! ::)
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I had an old Humming bird portable graph type that I had used going back 15 yrs. It died and I bought a Lowrance X67C around 2012 which has the option for graph or flasher mode thinking I wanted the graph mode. For years I have used it in flasher mode on the ice because I can see the fish moving in and out of the cone better than when it is in graph mode.
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From what I've seen, the Panoptix is a game changer. Being able to see 100' or more in any direction from your hole instead of just what is directly under you obviously is a huge advantage. But the price......................................I'll stick to my flasher until the Panoptix technology comes down closer to the flasher price range. No way am I paying well over $1,000 for a fish finder! ::)
But think of all the money you will save on food!!
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Gone are the days of looking at a paper map, grabbing 'ye ole fish finding stick and catching dinner.
One the upside, there has to be a way to hack these new machines. Kinda like hitting your buddies rod while he's not looking. Just newerer and betterer
;)
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I think a lot of guys who use flashers rather than graphs do so because they already own them and it's hard to justify spending money on something that, in their eyes, they already have. Most of those people are casuals who wouldn't benefit from the advanced features (mapping, waypoints, sonar history, compound zoom, etc.) so their flasher truly is all they need. If you plop an ice house down in the same spot on the same lake every Saturday all winter long, drink 21 beers and catch a few fish, what good does mapping do you?
Graphs are for people looking for one more advantage when switching spots, switching lakes or working extremely difficult/negative fish. Some guys just don't care to put that much effort into getting drunk.
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I think a lot of guys who use flashers rather than graphs do so because they already own them and it's hard to justify spending money on something that, in their eyes, they already have. Most of those people are casuals who wouldn't benefit from the advanced features (mapping, waypoints, sonar history, compound zoom, etc.) so their flasher truly is all they need. If you plop an ice house down in the same spot on the same lake every Saturday all winter long, drink 21 beers and catch a few fish, what good does mapping do you?
Graphs are for people looking for one more advantage when switching spots, switching lakes or working extremely difficult/negative fish. Some guys just don't care to put that much effort into getting drunk.
I think that there is a lot more truth in this post than many would care to own up to.
Some think that fishing is a recreational activity and excuse to get together with the guys. (Flashers)
Others think that it is a matter of life and death. (Graphs)
Then there are those that know that fishing is much more important than life and death. (Livescope)
That is how I see it... ;D
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another 5 years flashers will be a thing of the past.
Idk ive had mine for 5 and unless someone gives me a panoptix for my birthday ill have it for 25 more lol
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I think that there is a lot more truth in this post than many would care to own up to.
Some think that fishing is a recreational activity and excuse to get together with the guys. (Flashers)
Others think that it is a matter of life and death. (Graphs)
Then there are those that know that fishing is much more important than life and death. (Livescope)
That is how I see it... ;D
Exactly, I don't see the reason for debate and getting butthurt about it from either side of the argument. It's all about what you want from the sport.
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That crap doesn’t make any sense.**censored**getting drunk has something to do with liking a flasher or graph?lol im as hardcore of a fisherman as anyone and definitely not a casual fisherman and still prefer a flasher.maybe i dont need all the hoopla and spend 1000s of dollars to catch fish is all.i dont dont drink at all either.
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I think a lot of guys who use flashers rather than graphs do so because they already own them and it's hard to justify spending money on something that, in their eyes, they already have. Most of those people are casuals who wouldn't benefit from the advanced features (mapping, waypoints, sonar history, compound zoom, etc.) so their flasher truly is all they need. If you plop an ice house down in the same spot on the same lake every Saturday all winter long, drink 21 beers and catch a few fish, what good does mapping do you?
Graphs are for people looking for one more advantage when switching spots, switching lakes or working extremely difficult/negative fish. Some guys just don't care to put that much effort into getting drunk.
Completely wrong. Mapping and waypoints are both on my phone, still noone has said how sonar history helps at all, and most of my local lakes are shallow so I have no need for compound zoom? (is this where you can zoom on a certain level of the water column? Don't some flashers do that?), and I don't get drunk on the ice.
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That's what they said about the television. 😉
it is like the difference between a tube tv and a flat screen.
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it is like the difference between a tube tv and a flat screen.
Between a 20 inch tube TV (and 6 channels) and a 75 inch flat screen (and 400 channels).
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Right but its still icefishing..pulling a fish up thru a hole in the ice.just depends how many $$$ a guy wants to put into doing it.
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Like 1080p vs. 4k, no reason to upgrade, zero advantages, can barely tell the difference.
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Completely wrong. Mapping and waypoints are both on my phone, still noone has said how sonar history helps at all, and most of my local lakes are shallow so I have no need for compound zoom? (is this where you can zoom on a certain level of the water column? Don't some flashers do that?), and I don't get drunk on the ice.
History is very valuable for a couple of reasons. First, I often look away from my sonar throughout the day, history shows fish that came through and left during that time. While fishing suspended crappies it has been incredibly useful. Second, for neutral/negative fish you can see what cadence/depth/etc. the fish responded most to when changing it up to draw a response.
Sonar/waypoints on your phone cant be used in the summer to mark the exact location of submerged structure. I run a side imaging Helix so I can mark every brush pile, tree, crib, etc in an area with extreme precision on a single pass over it in open water. Its impossible to do this on your iPhone. Plus it's a pain in the ass to get your phone out every time you want to move when hole hopping compared to pushing a button on the graph.
Compound zoom refers to being able to run split screen with a higher zoom near the bottom on one side and a lower zoom above that on the other, leaving only a small portion of unzoomed water column, generally near the surface where there is much less action.
Cut, dry
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I'm a proud gas auger user but I have panoptix and can't stand the buzz of a flasher. People use what they like. Gas augers are "obsolete" as well but still plenty being used in my area
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I'm a proud gas auger user but I have panoptix and can't stand the buzz of a flasher. People use what they like. Gas augers are "obsolete" as well but still plenty being used in my area
But spoon augers are not being used anymore - because they are MORE obsolete than a gas auger. Also, when your gas auger breaks down and dies, my guess is that you will go electric...
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I think that there is a lot more truth in this post than many would care to own up to.
Some think that fishing is a recreational activity and excuse to get together with the guys. (Flashers)
Others think that it is a matter of life and death. (Graphs)
Then there are those that know that fishing is much more important than life and death. (Livescope)
That is how I see it... ;D
LOL...this made me chuckle.
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History is very valuable for a couple of reasons. First, I often look away from my sonar throughout the day, history shows fish that came through and left during that time. While fishing suspended crappies it has been incredibly useful. Second, for neutral/negative fish you can see what cadence/depth/etc. the fish responded most to when changing it up to draw a response.
Sonar/waypoints on your phone cant be used in the summer to mark the exact location of submerged structure. I run a side imaging Helix so I can mark every brush pile, tree, crib, etc in an area with extreme precision on a single pass over it in open water. Its impossible to do this on your iPhone. Plus it's a pain in the ass to get your phone out every time you want to move when hole hopping compared to pushing a button on the graph.
Compound zoom refers to being able to run split screen with a higher zoom near the bottom on one side and a lower zoom above that on the other, leaving only a small portion of unzoomed water column, generally near the surface where there is much less action.
Cut, dry
Bingo!!!
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No I'll fix it because a trip to the hardware store and a bit of cussing and it'll be good to go. I'll switch to electric when fixing it isn't buying a new drill or sending in a powerhead for warranty work. Part availability just isn't there yet.
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History is very valuable for a couple of reasons. First, I often look away from my sonar throughout the day, history shows fish that came through and left during that time. While fishing suspended crappies it has been incredibly useful. Second, for neutral/negative fish you can see what cadence/depth/etc. the fish responded most to when changing it up to draw a response.
I do the bolded part with a flasher too, and don't see much advantage to seeing a fish that blipped onto the screen while I look away for 5 seconds.
Sonar/waypoints on your phone cant be used in the summer to mark the exact location of submerged structure. I run a side imaging Helix so I can mark every brush pile, tree, crib, etc in an area with extreme precision on a single pass over it in open water. Its impossible to do this on your iPhone. Plus it's a pain in the ass to get your phone out every time you want to move when hole hopping compared to pushing a button on the graph.
Not impossible, I mark spots on my phone in the summer all the time, by feel, and by catching fish. Maybe not with EXTREME prescision but fish have eyes.
Compound zoom refers to being able to run split screen with a higher zoom near the bottom on one side and a lower zoom above that on the other, leaving only a small portion of unzoomed water column, generally near the surface where there is much less action.
Sounds useful for deep water but I'm in 20' or less 98% of the time and have no need for that
Cut, dry
What you didn't want to leave in the part about me being butthurt? I was wondering why so much interest in my butt.
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I bought a used Micronar FL8 in about 1980 and used it until 2003 or so when the FL18 came on the market and I bought one. Later on I bought a Marcum LX5 which is also a good choice. A couple years ago I got a Helix 7 G2 with GPS for my 14 ft boat. I also bought the ice kit for it, but haven't used it on the ice .so far. Been wanting to use it on the ice this winter, but have been waiting for thicker ice. We just got another 16" or so of snow dumped on us and it looks like the wait goes on. My son is still using that Micronar FL8 which is now more than 40 years old and still going strong. I guess that tells me something about the FL8 units.
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it is like the difference between a tube tv and a flat screen.
I'll clarify. Many people said, when the television first came out, that it was just a fad; it'd never last. Same is being said about flashers now. They'll be gone in a few years. I say no.
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Because they are mechanical devices, not computers or digital.
Also, because the flasher users possibly don't need that much extra help to catch fish as others, so don't need charting, graphs and history reports to catch the same amount of fish that others do.
Technology can be a blessing but it can also be a crutch.
Exactly. Maybe if going county to county, state to state fishing on lakes that I have never fished, locating structure, points, dropoff, weeds, etc. could be helpful. But I don't. I fish basically the same half dozen or so lakes that I have for the past 50 years so I know exactly where that "stuff" is and the general area the fish are in. I just need to know if they are at the particular hole I just drilled. If not, I'm not to far off. Drill another. Bingo. Found them by that little blip on the screen. Going to a lake I've never fished? Either going with someone that has or check near the crowd...usually the former.
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Exactly. Maybe if going county to county, state to state fishing on lakes that I have never fished, locating structure, points, dropoff, weeds, etc. could be helpful. But I don't. I fish basically the same half dozen or so lakes that I have for the past 50 years so I know exactly where that "stuff" is and the general area the fish are in. I just need to know if they are at the particular hole I just drilled. If not, I'm not to far off. Drill another. Bingo. Found them by that little blip on the screen. Going to a lake I've never fished? Either going with someone that has or check near the crowd...usually the former.
Also a lot can be learned about a lake though navionics and google maps.
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I have both graph and flasher... use my flasher over the digital a lot more and I consider myself probably a lot more hardcore fishermen than most that have the livescope technology. Live for it! So what u own is not always a testament to how hardcore you are.
This might strike a nerve but I think the panoptix is great technology for some fishermen that had trouble catching or locating fish before or for those that might not have the highest fish IQ.
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I have both graph and flasher... use my flasher over the digital a lot more and I consider myself probably a lot more hardcore fishermen than most that have the livescope technology. Live for it! So what u own is not always a testament to how hardcore you are.
This might strike a nerve but I think the panoptix is great technology for some fishermen that had trouble catching or locating fish before or for those that might not have the highest fish IQ.
Spoken so eloquently.... ;D
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This might strike a nerve but I think the panoptix is great technology for some fishermen that had trouble catching or locating fish before or for those that might not have the highest fish IQ.
OUCH! :o
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I have both graph and flasher... use my flasher over the digital a lot more and I consider myself probably a lot more hardcore fishermen than most that have the livescope technology. Live for it! So what u own is not always a testament to how hardcore you are.
This might strike a nerve but I think the panoptix is great technology for some fishermen that had trouble catching or locating fish before or for those that might not have the highest fish IQ.
DANG....I've been thinking like a fish for so long my brain isn't any bigger than a perch's brain.
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I have both graph and flasher... use my flasher over the digital a lot more and I consider myself probably a lot more hardcore fishermen than most that have the livescope technology. Live for it! So what u own is not always a testament to how hardcore you are.
This might strike a nerve but I think the panoptix is great technology for some fishermen that had trouble catching or locating fish before or for those that might not have the highest fish IQ.
Yup...us flasher guys are beer drinking, dope smoking, shanty sitting, screen staring has beens and wannabes. So how much will a graph increase my IQ to the level of where you're at...which I'm guessing to be about 12? Jk...as much as you were.😉
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My .02, use a flasher on ice. Use a graph/flasher on ice. Depends on my plan for the day! Both are great tools. I am pretty sure I could talk my little wife into letting me get the pan optics system. Just don’t want it. To the folks who think that flashers are obsolete please send me a PM I will be happy to provide my address and pay shipping if y’all want to send me your obsolete flashers!
Keep it safe! JDL
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bout time to file this thread under "GRUMPY OLD MEN" and call it a day. ::)
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bout time to file this thread under "GRUMPY OLD MEN" and call it a day. ::)
Who's grumpy? 🤔 It's Happy New Year!!!😜
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Who's grumpy? 🤔 It's Happy New Year!!!😜
im still grumpy !the site that has been great is sort of turning into facebook with all the drama and bullshat theories.
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im still grumpy !the site that has been great is sort of turning into facebook with all the drama and bullshat theories.
I think that the "conspiracy theories"are the best part... ;D
I don't facebook. Hate Zuckerberg - he makes me grumpy.
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I think that the "conspiracy theories"are the best part... ;D
I don't facebook. Hate Zuckerberg- he makes me grumpy.
i don’t do facebook either.joined for 2 weeks and it was drama and couch fishermen looking for spots..deleted it.
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i don’t do facebook either.joined for 2 weeks and it was drama and couch fishermen looking for spots..deleted it.
Too funny! For what ever reason I am not allowed to open a FB account. Never bothered to find out why? Grumpy you bet I am! No ice and no cold temps in the short range forecast!
Keep it safe! JDL
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im still grumpy !the site that has been great is sort of turning into facebook with all the drama and bullshat theories.
Just like anything else in life Doc...take what you need and throw the rest of the s**t away. You and I both know what it takes and how to catch fish. A lot of those "theories" that are posted/talked about? That's the s**t I throw away...and laugh at after I do it.😉
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This might strike a nerve but I think the panoptix is great technology for some fishermen that had trouble catching or locating fish before or for those that might not have the highest fish IQ.
YOURE GONNA MAKE SOMEONE MAD
I agree though
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Yup...us flasher guys are beer drinking, dope smoking, shanty sitting, screen staring has beens and wannabes. So how much will a graph increase my IQ to the level of where you're at...which I'm guessing to be about 12? Jk...as much as you were.😉
Not only that, but were so old and stupid that we thought flashers actually used sonar technology. Guess I spent too many years using Time Domain Reflectometers (TDRs) and OTDRs at work.
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YOURE GONNA MAKE SOMEOME MAD
I agree though
I was thinking that the IQ issue was with the ones that couldn't understand the value of the Livescope - or maybe it was the beer they were drinking?
Just sayin... ::)
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Not only that, but were so old and stupid that we thought flashers actually used sonar technology. Guess I spent too many years using Time Domain Reflectometers (TDRs) and OTDRs at work.
Nope...flashers use the old tin can/ string method...you big dummy. 🤣🤣🤣
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Not only that, but were so old and stupid that we thought flashers actually used sonar technology. Guess I spent too many years using Time Domain Reflectometers (TDRs) and OTDRs at work.
I think that Garmin Panoptix Livescopes use artistic elves to paint the images.
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I have both graph and flasher... use my flasher over the digital a lot more and I consider myself probably a lot more hardcore fishermen than most that have the livescope technology. Live for it! So what u own is not always a testament to how hardcore you are.
This might strike a nerve but I think the panoptix is great technology for some fishermen that had trouble catching or locating fish before or for those that might not have the highest fish IQ.
I can agree with this to some extent even as a panoptix owner. Fisherman who caught lots of fish before flashers and other tech were/are much better fishermen than most fishermen today.
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im still grumpy !the site that has been great is sort of turning into facebook with all the drama and bullshat theories.
I can remember going around on IS some years ago with a person who insisted that on a flasher, sonar or whatever you call it, Gain controls output power. I still read about someone having interference because someone nearby is using a unit with the gain turned all the way up. I think they should label gain as sensitivity as they did years ago when we old farts started using "flashers" on the ice.
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I can agree with this to some extent even as a panoptix owner. Fisherman who caught lots of fish before flashers and other tech were/are much better fishermen than most fishermen today.
But the Frostbite crew use flashers!
(of course they also use some other stuff from time to time.) ::)
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I was thinking that the IQ issue was with the ones that couldn't understand the value of the Livescope - or maybe it was the beer they were drinking?
Just sayin... ::)
Value of a $20 perch. Nope don't see the value...
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But the Frostbite crew use flashers!
(of course they also use some other stuff from time to time.) ::)
I don't support frostbite. I just see the bashing as unnecessary and not humorous. Many seem to enjoy it though so carry on @)
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Why look at a screen when you have virtual goggles ;)
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I'm just curious why people still shell out $400 for flasher nowadays? What makes them superior in any way to sonar which at the same cost delivers the same resolution, speed, and portability plus the benefit of chartplotters, and history of fish response to lures.
Mostly preferance. All of the units are using sonar, it just depends on the way you want to display and use the technology.
Sure on the boat when I'm trolling I use the graph and lake map dropping points when I catch fish. Trolling shore line depths, and watching the graph to see when I go over humps or come off a steep drop so I know to watch my rods close for strike. I never use/watch the vertical display when open water fishing. 95% of this fish I catch when trolling are never even marked on my graph. So it really is more of a unit to help me position/fish structure and areas. Not a sonar that I actually use to catch/hook fish.
When I'm ice fishing, I pick my structured spot that I target. I'm not trolling in a boat trying to keep on a depth contour. I found if I auger holes on something like that a phone with a map is easier to hold/use when augering holes.
I don't really care about the scrolling history. The signal on my vex will tell me if the fish is moving closer or farther from my lure and up or down. Simple solid info. The flashers don't need updates to work right. They just work, and I actually use it to hook and catch fish.
When Ice fishing if I forgot my flasher I will turn around and go get it. When my graph doesn't work on open water, I'll still troll areas and catch fish.
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As a FORMER hard headed Vexilar worshipper. I thought that was the apex of ice fishing electronics.
I am a 72 year battle scarred veteran of many years. But seeing is believing . Its not only Panoptix tech.
Humminbird used to make a quadbeam + transducer. That made finding fish a lot faster and easier than any flasher. Why ? because its beam covered twice the depth it was being used in. Fished in Wisconsin with a guy that used a 787 Humminbird with the quadbeam. Everyday I went with him he was on fish one helluva lot quicker than me with my Vex.
Upon returning home I setup my 788 Humminbird with that Quadbeam. First year I still packed the Vex every trip just in case. Second year it became a garage queen. Third year I finally sold it. Haven't looked back since.
Been ice fishing since I have been 12 years old. Have always caught fish. Before I used electronics and after. I now use a Panoptix PS 22.
My observations over the years ;
1. I go fishing to catch fish. Not to drink , chase women , or eat gourmet meals.
2. I don't buy into the just being out there. To me like going bowling and just staring at the pins.
3. Saving money does not enter into fishing. No matter how economical your approach. Still cheaper to go to your local fish market.
4. Long time ago oldtimer taught me ice fishing tea. Which is Nestles mix in with coffee. That way no policeman ever has to have me standing on one foot. Sing the star spangled banner backward to determine if I am soused or not.
5. saving money over rated. You came in this life naked and broke. Checkout the same way.
6. Always do what you like not what someone else thinks you ought to like.
7. I have spent almost my entire fortune on fishing tackle. The rest I wasted on shelter , clothing and food.
8. Politics and religion ought to be debated often and loudly. Freedom of speech not about discussing the weather. Good fishing partner understands this and often disagrees with you.
Figured I better end there as God only needed 10.
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As a FORMER hard headed Vexilar worshipper. I thought that was the apex of ice fishing electronics.
I am a 72 year battle scarred veteran of many years. But seeing is believing . Its not only Panoptix tech.
Humminbird used to make a quadbeam + transducer. That made finding fish a lot faster and easier than any flasher. Why ? because its beam covered twice the depth it was being used in. Fished in Wisconsin with a guy that used a 787 Humminbird with the quadbeam. Everyday I went with him he was on fish one helluva lot quicker than me with my Vex.
Upon returning home I setup my 788 Humminbird with that Quadbeam. First year I still packed the Vex every trip just in case. Second year it became a garage queen. Third year I finally sold it. Haven't looked back since.
Been ice fishing since I have been 12 years old. Have always caught fish. Before I used electronics and after. I now use a Panoptix PS 22.
My observations over the years ;
1. I go fishing to catch fish. Not to drink , chase women , or eat gourmet meals.
2. I don't buy into the just being out there. To me like going bowling and just staring at the pins.
3. Saving money does not enter into fishing. No matter how economical your approach. Still cheaper to go to your local fish market.
4. Long time ago oldtimer taught me ice fishing tea. Which is Nestles mix in with coffee. That way no policeman ever has to have me standing on one foot. Sing the star spangled banner backward to determine if I am soused or not.
5. saving money over rated. You came in this life naked and broke. Checkout the same way.
6. Always do what you like not what someone else thinks you ought to like.
7. I have spent almost my entire fortune on fishing tackle. The rest I wasted on shelter , clothing and food.
8. Politics and religion ought to be debated often and loudly. Freedom of speech not about discussing the weather. Good fishing partner understands this and often disagrees with you.
Figured I better end there as God only needed 10.
One word...Nice
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I can agree with this to some extent even as a panoptix owner. Fisherman who caught lots of fish before flashers and other tech were/are much better fishermen than most fishermen today.
Agree. In my statement before I said SOME fishermen and NOT ALL. And like I said before it don't matter what you own that determines if your more 'serious' or actually more knowledgeable fishermen. I admire the people that fished with just a hand line thru a chiseled hole in the ice before electronics. I'll admit that technology advancement can and usually will improve catch rate for most anyone, hence that why I adore the electronics but I hear some people on here (not talking bout you Hweber) suggest that your not really that serious of a fishermen if your a flasher guy ???
If they only knew.... ;D
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Let's cover the facts, panoptix covers a WHOLE lot more area than a traditional flasher, and traditional flasher is a WHOLE lot better than nothing at all. So the more technology at hand, the less need to guess and think.
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I was thinking that the IQ issue was with the ones that couldn't understand the value of the Livescope - or maybe it was the beer they were drinking?
Just sayin... ::)
Yup, that's what it is, lol. I just dont have the mental capacity to understand the benefits. Thankfully someone pointed that out..... ::)
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Yup, that's what it is, lol. I just dont have the mental capacity to understand the benefits. Thankfully someone pointed that out..... ::)
🤣🤣🤣
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I can agree with this to some extent even as a panoptix owner. Fisherman who caught lots of fish before flashers and other tech were/are much better fishermen than most fishermen today.
What makes you a better a fisherman is experience and knowledge. Anglers have 10 times the information available to them and are more knowledgeable and fish with the best equipment today than ever in history. That does not mean all anglers choose to learn and take advantage of that info...........but its there. I can not believe how many walleye anglers I talk to who still have no sonar, and don't know what a Lindy rig, a spinner rig and a slip bobber rig are. We are all constantly learning that is what makes fishing so much fun.
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What makes you a better a fisherman is experience and knowledge. Anglers have 10 times the information available to them and are more knowledgeable and fish with the best equipment today than ever in history. That does not mean all anglers choose to learn and take advantage of that info...........but its there. I can not believe how many walleye anglers I talk to who still have no sonar, and don't know what a Lindy rig, a spinner rig and a slip bobber rig are. We are all constantly learning that is what makes fishing so much fun.
X2
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I can not believe how many walleye anglers I talk to who still have no sonar, and don't know what a Lindy rig, a spinner rig and a slip bobber rig are. We are all constantly learning that is what makes fishing so much fun.
Well if you use the train of thought that it's useless because of new technology all you need then is a lead head and twister tail
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As a FORMER hard headed Vexilar worshipper. I thought that was the apex of ice fishing electronics.
I am a 72 year battle scarred veteran of many years. But seeing is believing . Its not only Panoptix tech.
Humminbird used to make a quadbeam + transducer. That made finding fish a lot faster and easier than any flasher. Why ? because its beam covered twice the depth it was being used in. Fished in Wisconsin with a guy that used a 787 Humminbird with the quadbeam. Everyday I went with him he was on fish one helluva lot quicker than me with my Vex.
Upon returning home I setup my 788 Humminbird with that Quadbeam. First year I still packed the Vex every trip just in case. Second year it became a garage queen. Third year I finally sold it. Haven't looked back since.
Been ice fishing since I have been 12 years old. Have always caught fish. Before I used electronics and after. I now use a Panoptix PS 22.
My observations over the years ;
1. I go fishing to catch fish. Not to drink , chase women , or eat gourmet meals.
2. I don't buy into the just being out there. To me like going bowling and just staring at the pins.
3. Saving money does not enter into fishing. No matter how economical your approach. Still cheaper to go to your local fish market.
4. Long time ago oldtimer taught me ice fishing tea. Which is Nestles mix in with coffee. That way no policeman ever has to have me standing on one foot. Sing the star spangled banner backward to determine if I am soused or not.
5. saving money over rated. You came in this life naked and broke. Checkout the same way.
6. Always do what you like not what someone else thinks you ought to like.
7. I have spent almost my entire fortune on fishing tackle. The rest I wasted on shelter , clothing and food.
8. Politics and religion ought to be debated often and loudly. Freedom of speech not about discussing the weather. Good fishing partner understands this and often disagrees with you.
Figured I better end there as God only needed 10.
Another word---brilliant!! Thx for posting that.
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As a FORMER hard headed Vexilar worshipper. I thought that was the apex of ice fishing electronics.
I am a 72 year battle scarred veteran of many years. But seeing is believing . Its not only Panoptix tech.
Humminbird used to make a quadbeam + transducer. That made finding fish a lot faster and easier than any flasher. Why ? because its beam covered twice the depth it was being used in. Fished in Wisconsin with a guy that used a 787 Humminbird with the quadbeam. Everyday I went with him he was on fish one helluva lot quicker than me with my Vex.
Upon returning home I setup my 788 Humminbird with that Quadbeam. First year I still packed the Vex every trip just in case. Second year it became a garage queen. Third year I finally sold it. Haven't looked back since.
Been ice fishing since I have been 12 years old. Have always caught fish. Before I used electronics and after. I now use a Panoptix PS 22.
My observations over the years ;
1. I go fishing to catch fish. Not to drink , chase women , or eat gourmet meals.
2. I don't buy into the just being out there. To me like going bowling and just staring at the pins.
3. Saving money does not enter into fishing. No matter how economical your approach. Still cheaper to go to your local fish market.
4. Long time ago oldtimer taught me ice fishing tea. Which is Nestles mix in with coffee. That way no policeman ever has to have me standing on one foot. Sing the star spangled banner backward to determine if I am soused or not.
5. saving money over rated. You came in this life naked and broke. Checkout the same way.
6. Always do what you like not what someone else thinks you ought to like.
7. I have spent almost my entire fortune on fishing tackle. The rest I wasted on shelter , clothing and food.
8. Politics and religion ought to be debated often and loudly. Freedom of speech not about discussing the weather. Good fishing partner understands this and often disagrees with you.
Figured I better end there as God only needed 10.
Well put! I would say however, that I discovered Cabot Trail Maple Crème can be a nice flavoring for your coffee. ;)
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I still like to fish blind with no electronics occasionally so I don't forget what is was like without before the electronic era which is how I started out my first few years. Makes u appreciate what u have a little more. Most would never try fishing blind again once they played with any technology.
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ive spent 100s of hours looking at flashers, mostly marcums, a decent amount on birds and some vex. fishing relatively shallow lake Winnipeg I prefer them in that order. ive also spent 1 whole season on digital marcums and sat beside the bird helix. my take on it that for claritys sake nothing touches a Marcum flasher first and bird second. really dislike the huge blobs on vex on shallow water.
I find the digital units jittery and jumpy in there lure return on flasher mode. they suck. on graph mode there much better. bottom hugging walleye are so easy to see! but when you spend 2 minutes coaxing a fussy walleye up and down this is where flasher mode is superior. my flashers are not going anywhere.
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I started with a lugnut tied to a kite string, two nails in a broomstick to wind line on and an axe. Anything more advanced has to be good.
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I still like to fish blind with no electronics occasionally so I don't forget what is was like without before the electronic era which is how I started out my first few years. Makes u appreciate what u have a little more. Most would never try fishing blind again once they played with any technology.
I fish blind quite often, usually offer up my marcum to others that aren't as fortunate as I am, put out the green hornet with a bobber. But even with the flasher still not a guarantee to catch fish, last weekend it let me know they were there, but still had to watch the rod tip and line to detect the very slight bite.
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I fish blind quite often, usually offer up my marcum to others that aren't as fortunate as I am, put out the green hornet with a bobber. But even with the flasher still not a guarantee to catch fish, last weekend it let me know they were there, but still had to watch the rod tip and line to detect the very slight bite.
Absolutely....tests your patience and focus.
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Absolutely....tests your patience and focus.
No patience for that. I quit ice fishing after high school until I rediscovered how technology had improved it after I retired. Now, even if they aren’t biting I know that fish are down there because of my AquaVu and Livescope (or Helix). Way more fun. I ran out of patience in high school.
Kudos to those that have it and want to foster it by fishing blind on holes drilled by a spoon auger.
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Where I find my marcum excelled past my helix 9 mega gen3 is when I'm fishing thick weeds. Just seems easier to decipher what's goin on in thick vegetation with a flasher over a graph.
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Yes it does, reminds me of the days before I had electronics. Still trying to get that point across to my boy. Last trip last year the perch we hit would grab a jig on the jig fall and only could feel the weight when you took up slack, no real bite. Electronics showed they were there, but had to still work a bit to catch them. I like reading a lake, points and bays with inlets are a great place to start looking, also like to look and see were others are fishing, that'll tell you alot, worked for us last weekend on some new water.
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No patience for that. I quit ice fishing after high school until I rediscovered how technology had improved it after I retired. Now, even if they aren’t biting I know that fish are down there because of my AquaVu and Livescope (or Helix). Way more fun. I ran out of patience in high school.
Hey that's alright, I understand. There's no way I would probably continue to ice fish without one now that I have one. Just try to remind myself how good I have it when I am using my electronics. I like spending a few days without it each year just to see how good I can do. Obviously not as good with it, but still manage.
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Hey that's alright, I understand. There's no way I would probably continue to ice fishing without one now that I have one. Just try to remind myself how good I have it when I am using my electronics. I like spending a few days without it each year just to see how good I can do. Obviously not as good with it, but still manage.
I believe that the electronics are only a part of the puzzle to catching fish. Some map reading, reading fishing reports, knowing fish habits, talking to other people are all key steps. Just all comes together with the help of electronics in the end.
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I don't like them there graph type flashers because them fish keep a movin to the left and I keep a follerin them and drillin more holes tryin to ketch up to em. Pretty soon I'm a long ways from where I started and have a long walk back. One day a feller told me if went to the opposite side of the hole them fish would lead me back to where I dun started. It worked and that's why I like them round, flashy, whirlygigs better. Other than the fact I've been usin em since 1975. ;)
Im quoting this from the first page. Ice Dawg already cleared it all up. Flashers are used because they tell you which ditection the fish are going, you just need to be sure yiu sit on the proper side of the hole so you dont end up too far from where you started like Ice Dawg.
In short, the technology of flashers is still far advanced, just most people didnt know this is how they work ;)
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The other side of this question is why do people buy sonar that wont work in 3 years and costs twice as much up front? Yeah, idk why folks do what they do. Sometimes it just doesn't make a lick of sense.
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The other side of this question is why do people buy sonar that wont work in 3 years and costs twice as much up front? Yeah, idk why folks do what they do. Sometimes it just doesn't make a lick of sense.
Amen, I can't wrap my head around that either. Forever having to send them back for updates, batteries that won't work right out of the box, etc.
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OK---here's another thought: The main purpose of a FF, apart from telling depth, is to keep the fisherman entertained and a bit hopeful. Otherwise if getting no bites he gets bored and goes home. You catch more fish with a FF because you stay longer! ;D ::)
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OK---here's another thought: The main purpose of a FF, apart from telling depth, is to keep the fisherman entertained and a bit hopeful. Otherwise if getting no bites he gets bored and goes home. You catch more fish with a FF because you stay longer! ;D ::)
Certainly true in my experience. Happy New Year.
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You catch more fish with a FF because you stay longer! ;D ::)
You could say that about a good pair of boots....h2l
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You could say that about a good pair of boots....h2l
Boots, coat, mittens are all about comfort (lack of suffering) more than motivation.
If I am motivated, I will endure suffering.If I am comfortable and unmotivated, I will still go home.
A FF (and a camera in the right conditions even more so) delivers motivation.
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Gunflint, I use up all my "motivation", just getting out of bed. When I get out there, I am staying. ;D ;D ;D...h2l
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Gunflint, I use up all my "motivation", just getting out of bed. When I get out there, I am staying. ;D ;D ;D...h2l
Agreed, I use up my motivation trudging out there toting 100+ pounds of absolute essentials. The REAL problem comes in finding motivation for that trudge back. :P
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I dont get out enough and have crazy short ice seasons lately.i stay all day regardless of motivation.i guess im am out of my mind but im pretty happy and enjoy just being out there and i dont catch anything o well.maybe next time..I think my persistence/patience is key over any electronics.only fishing i even use electronics is icefishing.to many guys think fishing is about catching and stringing up limits of fish everytime.but for me its just getting out and take it all in for the day.idk what this has to do with the thread.lol
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To be honest, I wasn't sure what the thread was about....h2l
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To be honest, I wasn't sure what the thread was about....h2l
It was about the relevance of something but it has since become irrelevant...like most threads. 😉
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I dont get out enough and have crazy short ice seasons lately.i stay all day regardless of motivation.i guess im am out of my mind but im pretty happy and enjoy just being out there and i dont catch anything o well.maybe next time..I think my persistence/patience is key over any electronics.only fishing i even use electronics is icefishing.to many guys think fishing is about catching and stringing up limits of fish everytime.but for me its just getting out and take it all in for the day.idk what this has to do with the thread.lol
My wife gave me 'the look' when I came home from fishing the other day, that lets me know I'm in big trouble. The ONE time I could make it out this year I was on the ice sun up to sun down without having the decency of letting her know via phone....I definitely hear where your coming from, opportunities seem more and more limited every year that goes by to go out, so you try to soak up as much of it as you can. I just lose track of time and everything else on my mind when I'm out there. The way the forecast looks in our region for the next coupe weeks, we may have scene our last ice...hopefully not though.
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My wife likes fish as much as I do. When the guys ask when I have to be home my std response is "If I don't have any fish I must be home by 5. If I have fish I can come home any time I like"
As for 'motivation' to stay-----My bad and I were out on a sunny, fairly mild day but catching few if any fish. Around 2 PM I said we might as well go home as we were not catching anything. His one word response---"Why"? ;D :) ;)
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I find flasher screens easier to read in sunlight. Battery lasts longer. Whole unit will generally last longer, too. Obviously being able to see the structure like on sonar would be great, but I also don't want to be replacing it every few years. Got my flasher used for $150. Well worth it considering how long they last
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I find flasher screens easier to read in sunlight. Battery lasts longer. Whole unit will generally last longer, too. Obviously being able to see the structure like on sonar would be great, but I also don't want to be replacing it every few years. Got my flasher used for $150. Well worth it considering how long they last
Yup. I also use a small coffee can over the outer screen collar. Keeps the glare and snow off the screen. Fits perfect. Easy on and off.
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Paint the inside of the 1# coffee flat black
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Paint the inside of the 1# coffee flat black
Did. Outside too.
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As a FORMER hard headed Vexilar worshipper. I thought that was the apex of ice fishing electronics.
I am a 72 year battle scarred veteran of many years. But seeing is believing . Its not only Panoptix tech.
Humminbird used to make a quadbeam + transducer. That made finding fish a lot faster and easier than any flasher. Why ? because its beam covered twice the depth it was being used in. Fished in Wisconsin with a guy that used a 787 Humminbird with the quadbeam. Everyday I went with him he was on fish one helluva lot quicker than me with my Vex.
Upon returning home I setup my 788 Humminbird with that Quadbeam. First year I still packed the Vex every trip just in case. Second year it became a garage queen. Third year I finally sold it. Haven't looked back since.
Been ice fishing since I have been 12 years old. Have always caught fish. Before I used electronics and after. I now use a Panoptix PS 22.
My observations over the years ;
1. I go fishing to catch fish. Not to drink , chase women , or eat gourmet meals.
2. I don't buy into the just being out there. To me like going bowling and just staring at the pins.
3. Saving money does not enter into fishing. No matter how economical your approach. Still cheaper to go to your local fish market.
4. Long time ago oldtimer taught me ice fishing tea. Which is Nestles mix in with coffee. That way no policeman ever has to have me standing on one foot. Sing the star spangled banner backward to determine if I am soused or not.
5. saving money over rated. You came in this life naked and broke. Checkout the same way.
6. Always do what you like not what someone else thinks you ought to like.
7. I have spent almost my entire fortune on fishing tackle. The rest I wasted on shelter , clothing and food.
8. Politics and religion ought to be debated often and loudly. Freedom of speech not about discussing the weather. Good fishing partner understands this and often disagrees with you.
Figured I better end there as God only needed 10.
Love it.
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the longevity of the mechanical flasher on the ice is a combination of many things. ultimately a mechanical flasher is all that is required for about 80% of all ice fishing situations. The key is the fact that it is used in a stationary position. Many of the advantages of a Traditional fish finder are seen in a moving environment. mapping, 2d sonar, side imaging, down imaging etc (lets remove the 2000 dollar elephant in the room that is the panoptix. a game changer but a pretty penny comparitively). since you are sitting still and looking at a column of water, outside of historical charting (does absolutely nothing for me) there is no real advantage of a traditional 2d finder.
I've used sonar 20 years in the boat. many brands and have really only gotten so many hours out of them before issues arise. Buttons not working, doors for chips not working, software issues etc etc etc.
A mechanical flasher while obviously not bulletproof we've had for 20+ years with no real issue.
So if i'm using a product that seems to have a much longer track record and will suit me in 80% of all ice fishing situations and I have no other use for the other bells and whistles it makes sense why i'd purchase a mechanical flasher.
I've used 3 traditional units while ice fishing. An 67c lowrance, a humminbird 798ciHD, and a Helix 5. All are gone (798 is on the boat) and the LX5 is more accurate, easier and quicker to tune, and I feel way more comfortable running and gunning with it. And it last longer on a battery (not a huge deal).
The Helix 5 went to an older gentleman who said that his vexilar flasher hurt his eyes as he had some condition. Which makes a ton of sense. looking at an LCD screen was easier on his eyes.
basically in short, in a stationary position, there isn't a ton more advantage running traditional vs mechanical .
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So it started a long time ago when digital tech got into the ice fishing scene.
Everyone used a mechanical flasher. The response was instant because it was mechanical. That's why they are noisy as well. The dial is spinning in the head unit.
Digital flashers sucked when they first came out, the lag was terrible because it was digital. Not mechanical. It took time to create the image on the screen. Flasher dont create anything. They just spit out an mark, instantly.
Then graph modes became the sexy open water look, that also migrated to ice. Same issues, the lag.
While the newest digital graphs and flashers are much better, some guys still swear there is lag, although very little of it.
I switched over to graph mode a few seasons ago and I like it only because I see a history of the marks I have gotten. I cam check what I did to trigger the bite.
Was it dead sticked, did I jig at a fast cadence, slow cadence, how high did I pull jig when I was working it....graphs and the ability to record them give me alot more info on how I fish and what makes me successful on the water.
There is still a need to flasher tech but the digital side is catching up.
My vex is now a back up. Ill always keep it, for nothing more than it is a very reliable tool for ice fishing that works with minimal effort and alot less things to break
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This is a real easy question. It’s because they work very well and are quick and easy to use. I kind of doubt most of the flasher bashers have ever used a well tuned quality unit like a LX5.
The Americans spent tons of money developing the pressurized ball point pen so it would write in zero gravity (outer space) and the Russians just used a pencil.
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Yup. I also use a small coffee can over the outer screen collar. Keeps the glare and snow off the screen. Fits perfect. Easy on and off.
I am having trouble visualizing what you just described.thx
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This is a real easy question. It’s because they work very well and are quick and easy to use. I kind of doubt most of the flasher bashers have ever used a well tuned quality unit like a LX5.
The Americans spent tons of money developing the pressurized ball point pen so it would write in zero gravity (outer space) and the Russians just used a pencil.
The US used pencils at first too actually. But there were problems, like the concern of graphite breaking off and messing up instruments and the potential of being flammable (especially after Apollo 1). A private person/company (Paul Fisher of Fisher Pen Company) actually created the pen and spent their own money on development and then sold them to the US AND the Soviets at a discounted price of....$2.39 each.
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Fishing in weeds I don't see how anyone can use a flasher. Its all I can do to sort out where my jig is on the LX-7 chart, and being able to see a blob that follows the jig is key.
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Weed mode on a vexilar is pretty nice.takes out the clutter of thick weeds and shows the fish hiding in them.
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X2
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Weed mode on a vexilar is pretty nice.takes out the clutter of thick weeds and shows the fish hiding in them.
X3. Color mode 2 on the vex28 is pretty sweet too. Graphs ain't got that functionality
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I dont get out enough and have crazy short ice seasons lately.i stay all day regardless of motivation.i guess im am out of my mind but im pretty happy and enjoy just being out there and i dont catch anything o well.maybe next time..I think my persistence/patience is key over any electronics.only fishing i even use electronics is icefishing.to many guys think fishing is about catching and stringing up limits of fish everytime.but for me its just getting out and take it all in for the day.idk what this has to do with the thread.lol
You nailed it Doc.
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I have an LX-5 that worked fine but I wanted something else. Bought a Helix 7 and will be using it this Saturday. I almost sold the LX-5 for $280 on Craigslist the other day but decided against it. I don't think I can find a flasher with all those capabilities for under $300. When my kids are ready to fish, I will let them use the LX-5 or else I will be stuck with it. No problem to me.
I go to work and want to enjoy my time when I get out. I bought a nice hunting rifle I only use 1-2 weekends a year. I don't see any reason why a Helix 7 can't last many years if it is taken care of. Having fun costs money.
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Sonar technology is well over 100 years old now. There is very little magic behind it. You can make the clicks look fancy or you can keep them simple, but it all works the same, exact way for all intensive purposes.
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Sonar technology is well over 100 years old now. There is very little magic behind it. You can make the clicks look fancy or you can keep them simple, but it all works the same, exact way for all intensive purposes.
intensive purposes.. must be auto correct, hahahaha.