marcum lx5 vs. vexilar fl20

[TType86]

ok. lets settle this once and for all. i bought a fl20 last year. it was the first flasher i have ever used. it was a horrible experience trying to figure out which one to buy. in order to know for sure i think you just need to use both. i just ordered a marcum lx5 for this winter. i got tired of letting people that go with me use my fl20 the whole time i was fishing. so i decided to buy another unit. one for me, one for a bud. like i said its a horrible experience trying to figure out WHICH ONE. im going to use both side by side. and i am in no way biased, as i already said, last year was my first time using a flasher. Only want to compare the lx5 and the fl20. these are the 2 units that someone that doesnt care about price, is going to be stuck between which one to buy imo.

My main thing is target separation. i hear the lx5 is better than the fl20. well thats the main thing isnt it? id like to be able to get my jig to show up as a small line without blinking and fading out. on the vex, it seems i have to have it as a THICK green to stay on screen. that makes it hard to tell how close a fish is to your jig. i want smaller lines on the screen, i dont want blobs, and a big blur of colors. you cant tell how many fish there are that way. and how big they are. can the lx5 beat the vex in these aspects? IMO, that is point blank what we are looking for. If it performs the same as the vex in those aspects, the vex will never be beat. if it performs better. i will sell my vex and never look back honestly. i dont really care about the adjustable zoom. ill never use it most likely other than the bottom. but is an addded bonus. Ive read and read and read, and never been able to get a no b.s. answer about the fine line abilities of the lx5 COMPARED TO THE VEXILAR.

i live in indiana near fort wayne. if any of you ice fisherman in my area are torn between which to buy. i will gladly take you out to compare as i feel your pain. I have a pond at my house that is approximately 14-15 feet deep. or we can go out to a lake somewhere and meet up. shoot me an email.

[Marcum Man]

I'll go out on a limb and say the Marcum will win hands down

[tip-uptwo]

I think this one has been settled time and time again. Lots on information on the site, do a search through IceShanty or some research of your own in the search. You won't find better information anywhere else.

[icetechy]

TType86, Welcome aboard. If target separation is what you are after you will love the razor thin display in Super fineline. I use that feature not only for detecting bottom hugging fish but also for isolating the larger fish in suspended schools. Even if you only plan on using the Zoom on the bottom it is nice to have the flexibility to move it anywhere in the water column and there is a big difference in how each brand's zoom functions work. The Zoom on a MarCum uses an optical zoom. It actually increases the target separation to less that 3/4 of an inch. On a Vex, they use a digital zoom that just blows up the already 2.65" target separation onto the opposite side of the screen. Anglers that have consistent success know that the difference is in the details, and detail is exactly what your MarCum LX-5 delivers! You're going to love it.

[rodrunner]

+1 for what icetechy said..I love the fine seperation of the LX-5. I cought way more fish last year with my new LX-5

[Da_Roc]

Hi Gang!
  I own a Marcum.  I had the same problem deciding what to buy.  It is crazy trying to decide.  I just picked one.  That was 4 years ago and one upgrde.  I have a LX-3 up graded to a LX3tc.  I have to tell you it is amazing how nice the marcum is.  I also have to tell you I used the FL20 and the LX5tc.  I like both.  Either would be a great addition to your fishing gear Either would help you catch more fish.  Its not which is better.  Just buy one or the other you will be happy for a life time.  I like the zoom on the marcum because it helped me during tournaments finding suspended fish.  I also like the higher power marcum has.  They both stink if your bottom is rocky or your in a granite pit.  The signals bounce off the rocks and scramble/ echo and it makes the sonar hard to read.   Marcums make more noise above the ice they hum a bit.  In the shallows 5 feet or less I dont use sonar.  I use my hut closed and sight fish thru the hole.  If your a run and gun guy you need a sonar that will shoot thru the ice without drilling a hole.  Marcum and Vexlair will do that.  If your a gy who just goes out to a spot and waits on fish to come by then a FL-8 or the new FL-12 would work perfect for you.  If you plan to tournament fish buy the FL20 ot the Marcum LX-5tc.  The other option would be get a Less expensive sonar and buy a camera like the VS-250.  The camera marcum has is just great and is clear.  I let a bunch of guys use mine at Maxi last year and they all liked it alot.  Its cool seeing what type of fish is down there even in black and white.  Marcum cameras are better than those nature vision cameras thats for sure.  That is why this year nature vision bought out marcum and is selling Marcum cameras now.  Marcum comes just one way  fully loaded.  Vexes have alot of expensive add ons unless you buy the very best FL-20 there is the ultra pac.  The Marcum is less expensive I believe.  But the Vex has good reconditioned sonars on there web site.  They are good ones too!    You might consider buying a recon? 
  I am a Marcum fan but the Vexes are nice too.  You just can't go wrong when you buy the best of either!   Just my 2 cents worth!
  Da-Roc
If Ya see me on the lake stop by and say high I always welcome people to come and visit.  Ill be the one with a green arctic cat or black one with a pro clam hut and marcum gear all over the ice.  Hopefully fish too! LOL.

 

[A- bomb]

you like your buddies more than i like mine!!

i use the fl-20  for me and have 2 fl-8's for the guests!   

[Mainedog]

I have a 4yo LX-5.  This year I will have a second LX-5.  One for me, and one for the wife!

[IcedODA]

I can't tell what the first post is saying/asking.

[Mainedog]

I think the first post is saying he's willing to help others decide which unit to purchase by offering to demonstrate both the Marcum and the Vex to anyone willing to visit him so they can decide which
unit they would like to buy.

I commend him for making this offer.  Whatever his reasons for purchasing two different units really doesn't
matter, but to be willing to help others who can't decide which unit to purchase is the IS way!  I know having a first hand demonstration would have been helpful to me when I was trying to make the decision, having never owned/used a flasher before.

I look forward to reading the responses/comparison evaluations.  Sometimes just deciding which model amongst a manufacturers lineup can be difficult.

I hope someone who owns a Humingbird 55 will visit him and then compare all 3!

Cheers,
MD

[CHICKENFOOT]

I have owned both the Vex and Marcum and the MarcumLX1 is a nice unit for the money, easy to work too. If most of your fishing is in 50 feet or less you never use the zoom and do you really need 2500 watts of power?? The flashers really shine when you are ice fishing and suspended fish show up at 10 to 15 of the bottom reel up and 9 times of 10 you will nail a nice Brown trout  Smallie, or the old JERSEY STAND BY Pickerl My Hubble opinion go with Marcum you love it ......

[troutaddict33]

BUMP... trying to decide. Any more input? The 160 max depth is the only thing holding me back from an lx-5

[moonbeam]

Not interested in locators......I want your job!!!!

[Jigmup]

I suggest that if you like the marcum more and you let your buds use the FL20 that you instruct them to fish a quarter mile away from you. Even if the FL20 wins the shootout you might want to use the Marcum. The amount of interference that the Marcum puts on the Vex is cumbersome to say the least. Just my 2 cents. With that said the Marcum is a fine machine.

[TType86]

ok. sorry its.been so long. the lx5 wins hands down. way better seperation. much easier to distinguish where fish is compared to jig. the lx5 is actually brighter than the vex and much more clear and crisp. just wish it had the flat screen like the fl20 and 12. that is  a super nice feature that u dont really think so much about til ur in bulky clothes sittin on a bucket and hav to keep movin the unit to see the screen better. dont hav that with the 20. both r good units and help catch fish. but imo ur gettin more for ur money with the lx5.

[crappie66]

I have no brand loyalty so could care less what the brand name is, as long as it performs. 

I have an older FL-8, which works great when I am in the Scout, colors look bright, once I go outside I sometimes struggle to see the colors having to angle it funny, sit facing into the wind, and/or using my hand to block the light.  I did their little tips on the Vex site to clean the dust from the inside lense and did the sandpaper trick, it seemed to help some but not good enough.  Last weekend I was fishing with a few people, one who had a Marcum 5, I was about 10-15 feet away and looked over and could see his colors and fish suspended clear as day.  I see a lot of people with them on the ice, but never really paid much attention of focused in on it, but it caught my attention so I went closer to it and was amazed at the clarity and sharpness of the lines.

This summer I plan on looking around for a used one unless I find a new one for a very good price.

[gaddabout]

For you who have interference from Marcum and Vex.  I have FL20 and Marcum LX3TC, we had interference at first. I unplugged the transducers on both of them and plugged them back in....no more interference even 8 ft apart. Of course you have to set the interference setting on both of them, but then it is clear. My fishing buddy has a vex fl20 and he did the same thing...3 of them close together and no interference....Just for thoughts............Ga ddabout............... .................

[Big Josh]

I own both the lx-5 and fl-20. I have been trying to figure out which one to sell and its not an easy decision. They both have very strong qualities. With the vex I can fish all day with no noticeable eye strain unlike the marcum the display is a little small. The marcum on the other hand is better on sunny days and more accurate. The vex seems heavier duty and better quality. The marcum has better zoom options and a dual cone that's stock. The vex fits nicely in a bucket and I like the floating ducer. I have been trying to convince myself to keep both but its hard to fish with 2 and the buddies I thought would come out and use the other never show up. There are alot of things I didnt like about the marcum But it sure is accurate and I seem to like using it. Confused?

[panfishman50]

Hi Gang!
  I own a Marcum.  I had the same problem deciding what to buy.  It is crazy trying to decide.  I just picked one.  That was 4 years ago and one upgrde.  I have a LX-3 up graded to a LX3tc.  I have to tell you it is amazing how nice the marcum is.  I also have to tell you I used the FL20 and the LX5tc.  I like both.  Either would be a great addition to your fishing gear Either would help you catch more fish.  Its not which is better.  Just buy one or the other you will be happy for a life time.  I like the zoom on the marcum because it helped me during tournaments finding suspended fish.  I also like the higher power marcum has.  They both stink if your bottom is rocky or your in a granite pit.  The signals bounce off the rocks and scramble/ echo and it makes the sonar hard to read.   Marcums make more noise above the ice they hum a bit.  In the shallows 5 feet or less I dont use sonar.  I use my hut closed and sight fish thru the hole.  If your a run and gun guy you need a sonar that will shoot thru the ice without drilling a hole.  Marcum and Vexlair will do that.  If your a gy who just goes out to a spot and waits on fish to come by then a FL-8 or the new FL-12 would work perfect for you.  If you plan to tournament fish buy the FL20 ot the Marcum LX-5tc.  The other option would be get a Less expensive sonar and buy a camera like the VS-250.  The camera marcum has is just great and is clear.  I let a bunch of guys use mine at Maxi last year and they all liked it alot.  Its cool seeing what type of fish is down there even in black and white.  Marcum cameras are better than those nature vision cameras thats for sure.  That is why this year nature vision bought out marcum and is selling Marcum cameras now.  Marcum comes just one way  fully loaded.  Vexes have alot of expensive add ons unless you buy the very best FL-20 there is the ultra pac.  The Marcum is less expensive I believe.  But the Vex has good reconditioned sonars on there web site.  They are good ones too!    You might consider buying a recon? 
  I am a Marcum fan but the Vexes are nice too.  You just can't go wrong when you buy the best of either!   Just my 2 cents worth!
  Da-Roc
If Ya see me on the lake stop by and say high I always welcome people to come and visit.  Ill be the one with a green arctic cat or black one with a pro clam hut and marcum gear all over the ice.  Hopefully fish too! LOL.

 

  Roc if you read this and I hope you do, you should know who this is. I also am a Steel worker and at USS and have fished with you before. Call me ! I will be at Bass Lake this Saturday the 30th for the Shanty Shootout Tournament.

[TType86]

diddo on rhe buddies that never seem to show up. i will say this. i actually sent the marcum back. bought it through cabelas so wasnt an issue. only reason i sent back is because the screen sticker overlay that shows depths was on crooked as hell. drove me nuts cause i am super anal. maybe wouldnt of bothered some but for the price i paid shouldnt have to deal with that out of the box. but i did love it other than that. been tryin to find a new one this year and cant find one except on ebay. never used beside the vex to check interference problems. loved the fact it came with dual transducer out of the box. as for 160 depth only. i didnt even realize that but seriously who cares. never ice fish that deep anyways. definitely had better CRISP lines and better separation no comparison in that aspect. hands down the lx5 wins there. to me thats the selling point. I plan on buyin anther lx5 next year BEFORE  the ice arrives.

[FUIS]

For you who have interference from Marcum and Vex.  I have FL20 and Marcum LX3TC, we had interference at first. I unplugged the transducers on both of them and plugged them back in....no more interference even 8 ft apart. Of course you have to set the interference setting on both of them, but then it is clear. My fishing buddy has a vex fl20 and he did the same thing...3 of them close together and no interference....Just for thoughts............Ga ddabout............... .................

A vex and a marcum can run side by side.  An FL20 and LX5 were actually tested with transducers 2" apart, and interference was eliminated on both units.  The problem is when you get more than 2 units close together.  The IR's on both units are meant to block out 1 unit.  3 Marcums side-by side will have just as much trouble as 3 vex's, or a mixture of both.

[esox_magnum]

I could have saved you the trouble of buying both, I fish the 20 and LX-5 side by side now for the last 2 years, so far the Vex has never won. I'm glad I'm the one owning the LX-5. We fish 2, LX's and the 20 in 1 shack without a problem.

 We even took this farther since we sight fish in gin clear water , depth was 17' water crystal clear. The LX-5 marked several walleyes that the FL-20 didn't. Was an eye opening observation.