Author Topic: Looking for advice from you guys?? (Read 1377 times)

blackduckin · « **on:** Dec 21, 2010, 12:56 PM »

I want to buy a flasher. I dont have the budget to get top of the line model right now and don't think I really need it. I only get a fish a handful of times a year. So my question is this. What do you reccomend for a entry level, somewhat lost cost flasher? And has anybody seen any sales on them right now this time of year. I did see a Ice45 for 339 at RR online. Thanks for your time.. Ed

Rat-Man · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 01:06 PM »

Vexilar FL8 SLT

JimQ · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 01:07 PM »

You can get a Hummingbird Ice 35 at Reeds Sports for $269 with free shipping

http://www.reedssports.com/Product/product.taf?_function=detail&_ID=14267&pc=2439

I love the Hummingbird display.

Q

schaffman · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 01:27 PM »

I would say that any is better than none. I held off until this year and purchased a flasher. I have to say that it does make a huge difference. I used to drill a ton of holes and hop from one to the other without a clue as to what was below unless I knew the lake. Now, I get a depth right away, have a pretty good idea as to the type of bottom I'm fishing over and can mark fish. It saves time and makes your fishing more productive. You still have to catch the fish but it does help locate them.

fishermanna82 · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 01:57 PM »

i would go with the vexilar fl12 of fl8

Irish Jigger · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 02:06 PM »

I have to agree any flasher is better than no flasher. I don't have any experience with the Hummingbird, Lowrance, or the new digital format units. My wife got ne a FL8-se about 3 or 4 seasons ago from the vex website, it was a remanufacured unit with the full warranty for around $225 if I'm not mistaken, and it has served me well. I fish with guys who have the FL18's and 20's and I do just as well as they do. Check the companys websites and see if they have any good offers. As long as you get the full warranty I don't see any problem with buying the reman units. Good Luck and don't forget the ebay or craigslist route, if you can pick up a unit cheap and just replace a battery it may be worth it also, but be sure if it's possible to see the unit run before buying. Thats why my wife went the reman route because of the warranty and it was serviced by the manufacturer before it was sold.

beavercreekoutdoors · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 02:24 PM »

Just picked up my VX1 Pro from Reeds for $285 with free shipping.

mr.bartender · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 03:20 PM »

my buddy just ordered a vertical showdown for 199.99 shipped free from reeds sports. i use a vex fl-18. but the showdown is cool

Junior58 · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 04:16 PM »

Try the electronics sub-forum.

wilenard · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 04:38 PM »

Have used an FL8 Vexilar for 10 years and refuse to fish without it. For the price this would be a good choice but there are others so keep researching and save your pennies!

Chucker · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 08:01 PM »

Keep in mind that you don't have to buy new. Craigslist is awesome for this sort of thing. You can pick up somebody's old one when they upgrade.

Lobes · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 08:22 PM »

(takes a good look around ...)
Sooo, this is what a can of worms looks like from the inside ...
As far as entry level, the competition is very close out there. I'd say buy what you can afford best. The flashers built today last a very long time and work VERY good. There's at least five top notch name brands out there and their lowest end models do the job very well.

NBG

gulp · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 09:01 PM »

What lobes said.

blackduckin · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 09:08 PM »

what do you think?

cabelas bagin bin scarb. ice 35 233 plus i have a 20 dollar off coupon 213

ice 45 for 339 minus 45 rebate 294 or

vexilar fl8 pro pack for 279

marcum vx1 for 285

x67 for 299

What to do

DakotaElkSlayer · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 10:57 PM »

Tough choice...I would probably go with the lower price ICE35 and spend the money I save on jigging spoons.

Jim

esox_magnum · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 11:01 PM »

35 is cheap but I would got for the VX-1, great unit.

mattg · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 21, 2010, 11:01 PM »

you will be happy with whatever you buy. if budget is tight i would get the ice 35 because it is the best price, you will definitely be satisfied

JerryofWNY · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 22, 2010, 08:15 AM »

Scheels.com has the Lowrance x67c on sale. Regular $299 for $199. I just got two from them. I know they will have two more in stock because they sent me 4 and I am returning two tomorrow.

skidplate · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 22, 2010, 08:55 AM »

Marcum

ih772 · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 22, 2010, 09:40 AM »

You have to understand that 99% of the guys telling you what sonar to buy have never owned any other unit. They can't really give you a trustworthy opinion because they don't have enough experience with other sonar units.

The X67c can do anything the other units can do plus a whole lot more.

Agronomist_at_IA · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 22, 2010, 03:30 PM »

Quote from: blackduckin on Dec 21, 2010, 09:08 PM

what do you think?

cabelas bagin bin scarb. ice 35 233 plus i have a 20 dollar off coupon 213

ice 45 for 339 minus 45 rebate 294 or

vexilar fl8 pro pack for 279

marcum vx1 for 285

x67 for 299

What to do

I have a showdown & Vexliar FL 20.

After all of my experiance I would suggest a FLASHER to anyone and everyone.

Don't get me wrong the showdown is a good unit, but I've had these issues with it.

1.Fishing outside in cold weather in NW IA even with the Heating unit on with the showdown, the unit would slow down enough where the screen lagged a second or so behind what was happening. 90% of the time I haven't ran into this problem, but why spend the money if it can be a problem.

2.The Zoom feature doesn't allow you to see the entire water columb. So if you are in zoom mode you can miss suspended fish with the showdown.

If you're buying a flasher look for one with zoom on it. I didn't think I'd use it much but man is it handy, and it gives you a much better picture of how far off the bottom your bait really is.

The Marcum VX1 has a bottom zoom on one side and the entire water coulmb on the other side which is worth the money over the Vex FL8 IMO (The FL8 doesn't have zoom). The Humming Birds are good units from what I've heard, and I think even have adjustable zoom which would be very handy.

The only thing I'd really stress to a person is try to stay away from units with LCD screens. Cold temps and LCD don't work well together.

blackduckin · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 22, 2010, 04:07 PM »

Ordered a Ice 45 today. Good sale price and 45 dollar rebate made it right for me... I 've have never fished with a flasher. I can't wait. Thanks for all the responces.. Ed

Agronomist_at_IA · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 22, 2010, 04:55 PM »

Quote from: blackduckin on Dec 22, 2010, 04:07 PM

Ordered a Ice 45 today. Good sale price and 45 dollar rebate made it right for me... I 've have never fished with a flasher. I can't wait. Thanks for all the responces.. Ed

Congrats, good luck finding the fish.

steve6526 · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 22, 2010, 05:09 PM »

id go with a vex 8 or 12 off ebay usually find some good deals

mealworm · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 22, 2010, 05:33 PM »

lowrance x67c you can use it on ice or open water with no extra cost.the unit is very simple to use and become familiar with,the interference rejection is pretty good as well as target separation and battery life

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Author Topic: Looking for advice from you guys?? (Read 1377 times)