Author Topic: Entry level flasher  (Read 4363 times)

Offline tca126

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Entry level flasher
« on: Jan 24, 2018, 04:35 AM »
I’ve been weeding through reviews and older posts about entry level flashers. I’m going to purchase one today and have around $300-$350 to spend. I am new to ice fishing and have never owned a unit. Before I make the purchase, I want to solid concrete reviews from you guys and advice on which one to go with. I fish mostly smaller ponds/lakes that are less than 30’ deep. Thanks I’m advance.

Offline hardwater diehard

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #1 on: Jan 24, 2018, 04:41 AM »
https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/vexilar-fl-18-genz-pack/0000000006544?Ntt=vexilar

all you will ever need or want ...has low power for weeds/shallow water and bottom zoom for bottom hugging fish...like perch.
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Offline UFCreel

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #2 on: Jan 24, 2018, 04:49 AM »
x2
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Offline Fishwacker1

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #3 on: Jan 24, 2018, 05:36 AM »
X3

Bought my first flasher fl-18 back in 2001-2002 when introduced. Absolutely trouble free. Low power and zoom are great features that you will use. Doubled up in summer by placing transducer directly on the aluminum boat bottom of my fishing boat as long as I coupled it with a dab of Vaseline. It was hard to mark fish but gave me depth all the time. Replaced the battery one time in all them years.

Offline Iceassin

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #4 on: Jan 24, 2018, 05:50 AM »
Vexilar Fl-8...doesn't have all the bells and whistles as other units but does the 3 most important things you need...indicates depth, structure and fish. And you can still get one for under $300 ( got my 2nd one from Reeds for $270 back in the fall).This is the only unit I have owned for over 20 years and have no regrets. Good luck no matter what you choose.
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Offline slipperybob

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #5 on: Jan 24, 2018, 05:53 AM »
Don't forget to come back and tell us which one you bought.  ;)
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Offline cwavs1982

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #6 on: Jan 24, 2018, 07:26 AM »
I would suggest either the Vex FL8 or the Marcum VX1.  Either one of these will work for what you fish and at the depths.  Look at the Vexilar website, they usually have reconditioned units for a good discount.  They still have all the warranty. 

You need to ask yourself if you want to include the zoom feature to look at a section of the water column.  If you don't care - then either will work for your price point.  If you do want to see either the bottom 6' or move the zoom up the column, then you are going to go to the FL18 - the VX1 has the zoom. 
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Offline deerefishyfishy

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #7 on: Jan 24, 2018, 07:35 AM »
I love the Vexilar FL-18. If you have the $ to spend I would go with it over the FL-8 simply for the zoom feature where you can see the whole water column on the right and the bottom 6 feet on the left side. The low power mode is also nice for shallow water and weeds as you can eliminate a lot of the clutter and still mark the fish. Never used anything else to compare against though!!
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Offline tca126

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #8 on: Jan 24, 2018, 07:50 AM »
How important is the zoom function?

Offline tca126

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #9 on: Jan 24, 2018, 07:54 AM »
Also do these units come with soft cases?

Offline slipperybob

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #10 on: Jan 24, 2018, 08:00 AM »
How important is the zoom function?

Not.

I own Marcum LX5 and next to never use it.  As I don't bottom fish that much.  Even when I do target bottom hugging fish, I don't require the use of it.  The LX5 has enough display clarity that when I see a flickering on bottom, I can determine that there's activity down there.

Whereas my M1 would be less likely to discern that.  There's a bottom zoom on the M1 but I don't require the use of it.

Some people do always use bottom zoom though.
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Offline hardwater diehard

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #11 on: Jan 24, 2018, 08:02 AM »
How important is the zoom function?

Zoom lets you see the bottom 6 fow  on a Vexilar...important for bottom hugging fish perch in particular

Also do these units come with soft cases?

Vexilars do not ... some/most Marcum units do ....Trophy Angler makes a bag for about 20 bucks
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Offline Hooked up

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #12 on: Jan 24, 2018, 08:08 AM »
How important is the zoom function?
I would compare having the bottom zoom to watching your TV in your living room, to without bottom zoom sitting 40 yards away from your TV.

Offline DR.SPECKLER

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #13 on: Jan 24, 2018, 08:37 AM »
vexilar fl18.

Offline Bull Herbie

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #14 on: Jan 24, 2018, 08:37 AM »
Vexilar sells reconditioned flashers. I bought a FL22 four years ago got it cheap same warranty as new. Vexilar customer service is out standing.
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Offline slipperybob

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #15 on: Jan 24, 2018, 08:59 AM »
I would compare having the bottom zoom to watching your TV in your living room, to without bottom zoom sitting 40 yards away from your TV.

That just made me thought of when I used to watch cable TV at neighbor's house...from outside across the street.  ;D  free cable.
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Offline JohnnyO19

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #16 on: Jan 24, 2018, 09:07 AM »
I would say Fl-18 or the ice 45 would be your best bet. I think you'll be better off in the long run spending a little x-tra dough and not getting the Fl-8.

Offline mattthehairy

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #17 on: Jan 24, 2018, 09:19 AM »
When I was in this position I picked up a Marcum LX3tc on clearance for $275. Before that I used a hummingbird clip on canoe fish finder thing that I attached to my sled. The marcum is a nice unit but I know people rave about the vex. I rarely fish super deep ponds and as a result don't use the zoom ever really. If you're not tied to a brand I'd check out any local spots for deals, coupons, etc and snag up anything that doesn't totally suck.

I know my Marcum is a toy compared to some of these units folks have, but it's been a good partner for me.
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Offline bobberbill

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #18 on: Jan 24, 2018, 09:53 AM »
Some nice Lowrance graphs/flasher combo for a couple hundred. Some seasonal end sales, too. Look at graph units. Flashers are popular, but outdated.

Offline Martian

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #19 on: Jan 24, 2018, 10:00 AM »
 vexi fl-8. I have had one for about 12 years, only changed batterys, and ducer once, I bought a second one last year for a spare, but the old one just keeps running. Do a full search the prices can vary quite a bit, I think mine came from fish USA, , free shipping and all, but not for sure

Offline Martian

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #20 on: Jan 24, 2018, 10:00 AM »
 vexi fl-8. I have had one for about 12 years, only changed batterys, and ducer once, I bought a second one last year for a spare, but the old one just keeps running. Do a full search the prices can vary quite a bit, I think mine came from fish USA, , free shipping and all, but not for sure

Offline shermanpup

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #21 on: Jan 24, 2018, 11:10 AM »
Marcum M1 is $319 at the same place . Has zoom . I have an old Marcum Vx-1 600 watt that has worked great for 6 years. Paid $180.00 new

Offline Papa Sly

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #22 on: Jan 24, 2018, 11:14 AM »
Any thought to the Marcum Showdown duel beam? Pretty much gives you everything..zoom, duel beam transducer for both shallow and deep water, verticle display so more realistic.
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Offline oleike

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #23 on: Jan 24, 2018, 11:15 AM »
You might have to pay a little more but I would consider the Hummingbird Ice 45.  I have an Ice 55 and purchased an Ice 45 for my son.  We love them.  Lets put it this way, I would fish with a hook on a string and no rod and reel, before I'd fish without my bird!

i was fishing in a tent with a guy that had a humminbird 45 just yesterday....very noisy compared to my vexilar..he had to keep moving it around on the snow/ice to try stopping it from vibrating. I could not hear my vexilar

Offline hnd

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #24 on: Jan 24, 2018, 12:15 PM »
from a mechanical flasher standpoint you are looking at the m1, fl8, or ice 35.

all 3 of those flashers will do everything you need them to do in 80% of ice fishing applications. you just have to figure out if you fish the other 20% often enough to need the features that accomodate you.

for me those situations are drop offs where dual cone/frequency would help, shallow water less than 10' where having a true zero gain would help declutter, and fishing in 30+ feet of water where zoom is needed.

The FL8 shines in 10-20' of water. its where it works the best and is a pretty typical depth for most anglers out there. but when you are fishing shallow, you can't turn the gain down enough and the screen is very cluttered and blobby. your option is a S cable but thats not always practical taking the cable on and off. When fishing deep you have no zoom option. What you get though is a unit that you can drop off a truck and have it bounce down the highway go collect it and it will work. Another benefit is the 30' option. with the bird/marcum you are stuck with 20' or 40'. having the 30' helps when you are fishing in 18-25' of water.

The Ice 35 can accomodate most of that 20%. However, what i feel you give up is crispness/shaprness. Everything seems like its just too big. almost atari like sharpness. its dual cone/frequency mode is nice but isn't AS nice as a true transducer with 2 crystals. Its zoom aplifies the blockyness of the display. I say this unit gives you a good taste at a fully optioned unit even though those features are much better in the 45/55 models.

The M1 has the other 2 beat in sharpness. you can also dial it down to completely clear the screen which really helps it be the better unit of the 3 in shallow water. its zoom is not just a magnification of the bottom. its tech is designed to give you similar sharpness as regular mode.

You are going to catch a crap ton of fish with any of these 3 units. Just make sure you understand the features of each and determine what you need.

don't let interference deter you from anything. I've never been in a situtation where we've not been able to clear multiple units regardless of brand.

Offline tca126

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #25 on: Jan 24, 2018, 12:22 PM »
Ended up purchasing a marcum m1 at an awesome price from a retailer. Looks like at has a zoom function and reviews appear great. Looking forward to receiving the unit and testing it out. Thank you all for the assistance.

Offline IceholeFisherman

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #26 on: Jan 24, 2018, 01:12 PM »
You will be satisfied. With any unit you buy (Marcum, Vex, Humminbird, etc) take care of the transducer. Don't bang them around or drop them on the ice. None of them like abuse.

Charge your battery after every use. Those are the two biggest problem areas with any flasher or sonar.
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Offline hole_hopper454

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #27 on: Jan 24, 2018, 01:56 PM »
Humminbird 35 - $300

Offline fishville

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #28 on: Jan 24, 2018, 08:37 PM »
Have a Vex FL-8 can sat in happy with. Looking side by side the Macum VX-1 has more bells for the money.  If I had to buy new electronics I would go Garmin or Lowrance. I guess I'm cheap I hate all that money sitting idle 9 months a year.
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Offline IceBalls

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Re: Entry level flasher
« Reply #29 on: Jan 24, 2018, 10:07 PM »
For my first flasher I bought the Vexilar FL8.....was very pleased with it for many years, but it got destroyed in hurricane Sandy back in 2012.  At that time, all the "buzz" was about these new Marcum units and I let myself be convinced that I should abandon Vex for the new kid in town.  Marcum LX7 works fine, but I do still miss my Vex !!
Since you're new to this game...don't overplay it!!  The KISS rule applies here - Keep It Simple Stupid !! You can get one hell of a deal on Facebook in either the "Ice fishing for Sale" group, or the "Fishermen's Garage Sale" group.  I've seen FL8 units there for $100 to $150, used, but in perfectly good condition.  GET A VEX...... YOU'LL NEVER BE SORRY !!!!



 



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