used flasher info?

[npauls]

I am wondering if anyone can give me any info on flashers? Like what brands to look for, what features, which will be best for all different water depths, which is going to work best in complete darkness and sunny days. I am also wanting something that isn't going to cost alot. This will be my first flasher so I would rather get a used one and learn to use it before I step up to something really good which will be the plan a few years down the road.


Nate

[icejunky]

A flasher will be a big purchase, new or used, your better to save up some cash and get the flasher you want then to buy one and try to trade up. I use a Vexilar but there are a few other flasher also available on the market at cheaper price points. You best bet is to make a list of the features you need/want and see what flasher best suits your needs.

Buying used will be tuff this time of year, they go fast and not as cheap as you would think. Guys know there value and only sell if they are upgrading.

$289 will get you an entry level Vexilar FL8, but for an extra $100 you can get an FL18 that has some addition features like a zoom and bottom lock, and low power mode, all things I use on a regular basis.

[npauls]

I was reading about all the main flashers on the market and I really like the showdown. I everything about it and it seems to be a good unit. I have used my fishing partners marcum and kind of know how to use them but the showdown seems so simple and has everything I think I would need in a flasher. If I did buy the showdown I would be purchasing the dual beam transducer version so I can fish the deep and shallow waters. I also like the fact that you can zoom in on any part of the water column. The screen heater and the size of the unit are also good points.


Any info on any other units is greatly appreciated and If you could send me some pics of the flasher that is for sale that would be great.


Nate

[fin-n-feather]

I was reading about all the main flashers on the market and I really like the showdown. I everything about it and it seems to be a good unit. I have used my fishing partners marcum and kind of know how to use them but the showdown seems so simple and has everything I think I would need in a flasher. If I did buy the showdown I would be purchasing the dual beam transducer version so I can fish the deep and shallow waters. I also like the fact that you can zoom in on any part of the water column. The screen heater and the size of the unit are also good points.


Any info on any other units is greatly appreciated and If you could send me some pics of the flasher that is for sale that would be great.


Nate

  Looks like your mind is already made up.  The only problem I think is finding a used unit.  Good Luck. Fin

[npauls]

Well I talked to my fishing partner tonight and he said go with the normal style sonar for now and see what our other buddy says about his new showdown. He just picked one up over the summer and I can test it out this winter with him to see if I like it. So whoever had that flasher for sale if you could message me the info it would be greatly appreciated. The ponds up north are starting to freeze over so the sooner I can get my hands on a flasher the better.


Nate

[eyestroker]

You can get a new marcum vx-1p from fleet farm for $239.00   Best deal I've seen this year.  way better than a used unit for the same coin.  http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/fishing/ice-fishing/fish-finders/marcum-vx-1-pro-three-color-sonar-ice-system

[icejunky]

Well I talked to my fishing partner tonight and he said go with the normal style sonar for now and see what our other buddy says about his new showdown. He just picked one up over the summer and I can test it out this winter with him to see if I like it.

Good idea, I know a lot of guys like the showdown, but i  have a buddy who bought one sight unseen, and hated it. He ended up selling it and picked up a humminbrid last season

[npauls]

I will look into the marcum deal for sure, but there was a guy selling a used one for a very good deal that I would like to know more about. He had a message on here and must have deleted it before I could get the information from it.


Nate

[npauls]

Can anyone give me info. on the humminbird ice 55? Does it compare to the higher end marcums and vexilars? I can get one for pretty cheap and it seems to have all the same features as the 2 big name brands.


Nate

[krayfish]

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=38003.100This has all the info on most of the brand flashers....Page 6 scroll down!!

[Gillgrabber]

I was reading about all the main flashers on the market and I really like the showdown. I everything about it and it seems to be a good unit. I have used my fishing partners marcum and kind of know how to use them but the showdown seems so simple and has everything I think I would need in a flasher. If I did buy the showdown I would be purchasing the dual beam transducer version so I can fish the deep and shallow waters. I also like the fact that you can zoom in on any part of the water column. The screen heater and the size of the unit are also good points.


Any info on any other units is greatly appreciated and If you could send me some pics of the flasher that is for sale that would be great.


Nate

I have a Showdown and an older Zercom Colorpoint.  Both work great, but if I go fishing with my Son he ALWAYS grabs the Showdown before I do and takes off with it.  Leaves me using the Colorpoint which doesn't have as many features (like a zoom capability) but still works great.  I would grab one of the new $230 range flashers being sold at Farm & Fleet or elsewhere and go with that for a year or two.  You'll then have time to ask questions of other guys on the ice to see what you like before dropping money on a more expensive unit.  I'm just a little hesitant to buy anything electronic that's been used.  Warranties are a good thing.

[npauls]

I have been doing alot of reading to see what I can find out about all the different brands and each model they make. I can get a brand new humminbird ice 45 with the 2 year warranty for $300 shipped to my door so I am thinking I may end up ordering it. seems like a pretty good unit with alot of features and seems to be as low as I can find it right now for pricing.


nate

[npauls]

If that $300 deal is wrong then I will go with the $322 deal that I found while looking also.

I think I have made up my mind and am going to go with a brand new ice 45 unit. The warranty will be a nice addition.


Can't wait for the hard water season. Hopefully the end of november or early december I can get out and hunt some perch and eyes.


Thanks for all of the help and I will try to update whenever I get a flasher and test it out.


nate

[eyestroker]

while it would be nice to have a dual beam unit,  I think I am getting worked up over nothing.  the water I fish is not deep and there are no drop offs to speak of.   I really like the moveable zoom and the clarity of my Marcum.  At this point it would be a moot point to trade laterally just so I could get a dual beam which i probably will never use.....  It sucks when you get the itis.......

[npauls]

There is a moveable zoom on the ice 45 to isn't there? If there is then the ice 45 would be the best of both worlds with the dual beam and the moving zoom. If it doesn't then I have to rethink my decision and start over haha.


Nate

[eyestroker]

somebody with an ice45 will have to chime in on that.......  But the manual here on page 23 kind of alludes to it being adjustable.  adjustable how is the question.......http://www.humminbird.com/PDF/ICE_35-45-55_Manual.pdf

[perchslappinmy]

With any of the Humminbirds the zoom is adjustable anywhere in the water column.Just curious,I put up a post last night with the best price I had found for the Ice 45 including the name of the website and today that post is gone.Is it a no-no to post a website?

[DR.SPECKLER]

You can get a new marcum vx-1p from fleet farm for $239.00   Best deal I've seen this year.  way better than a used unit for the same coin.  http://www.fleetfarm.com/catalog/product_detail/fishing/ice-fishing/fish-finders/marcum-vx-1-pro-three-color-sonar-ice-system

thanks for the tip i just ordered one thats cheap.. 244.90 shipped to MI.

[eyestroker]

I put up a post last night with the best price I had found for the Ice 45 including the name of the website and today that post is gone.Is it a no-no to post a website?

See this is what I don't get,  why not just tell us it's not cool to post other websites that don't pay ice shanty,  instead of letting it become something it's not.  Just be honest Mods and ownership and let us know that it's not ok.

[Farley]

I have the cheap Marcum and it was great deal but if you are fishing ponds (or any shallow water) the LP feature on the FL-18 is very nice!   My .02

[Ryderr]

Flashers are amazing, after using one "you wont go ice fishing without it".  . When I was looking I looked for used ones on Ebay. I ended up getting a new one though, but you see a lot of them. Also some companys sell referbushed (spelling?  ) but I found they are only about $50 or so cheaper than new.

I also use a vexilar and love mine. I use my FL12 all the time but I also have an 18 and have used a 20.

Whatever brand you end up getting check out icefishingtoday. com they are specific to vexilar but a lot of the concepts are interchangable. Plus there is a lot of footage of fishing to "keep you held over" until it ice overs. 

[Ryderr]

See this is what I don't get,  why not just tell us it's not cool to post other websites that don't pay ice shanty,  instead of letting it become something it's not.  Just be honest Mods and ownership and let us know that it's not ok.

Ive had this problem as well. Just spell out where its at. Like Reeds Sports go to ice fishing and then to .... etc. you get the point. 

[eyestroker]

I have the cheap Marcum and it was great deal but if you are fishing ponds (or any shallow water) the LP feature on the FL-18 is very nice!   My .02

  Turn down your gain and you will have less power.   

[SINX53]

I got a factory reconditioned FL8 from Vexilar in May. It has the same warranty as a new one. The one I got said Ice Pro on the box. Mine is pretty much the pro pack without the battery status indicator and a smaller battery (7 amp vs 9 amp).

[ice dawg]

 Turn down your gain and you will have less power.  

Here we go again!!!

[Mr_Jigster]

You need to check out ebay.  I bought a brand new FL-12 with the 12 degreee ducer yesterday for $265 shipped.  Auction style , so you have to pay attention.

[Walleye64]

Is $250 a good deal for a Vexilar Fl-18 with soft case?? He said its 4 years old.

[npauls]

I ended up getting a brand new ice 45 shipped to my door for $327.77 shipped to my door. It should be here by the end of this week or early next week.

With the weather that is starting to show up it should be perfect timing for getting the flasher ready and charged up to head out onto the first ice on some of the pothole ponds around here to hook into some perch and trout.


Nate