New Member Intro - Favorite flasher/finder?

[PFIDude]

Hi everyone!  Finally got around to introducing myself after lurking for a while now. 

I live in Layton and just started ice fishing this year.  I bought some equipment a couple years ago but never actually hit the ice until about 4 weeks ago...and I've been on the ice every weekend since!

I own a firearms and outdoor gear shop and a pyrotechnics company which keeps me pretty strapped for free time, but lately the ice fishing bug has fee drilling holes in my sleep...

I have really enjoyed this forum and all the great tips and information you guys share! 

After outfitting my new sled, the only piece of equipment I still need to buy is a good finder and I want to ask you guys what your favorites are?  I have a direct line to the marcum products but I see a lot of people using other types and I'm open to recommendations. 

Thanks and hopefully I can hook up with some of you on the ice!

[let-ca]

Hello from another Newbie!  I too, have been lurking, hopefully learing.  I live in Roy and have just started getting my equipment together.  I have the normal assortment of small rods and jigs.  I just pulled the triggger and purchased a Shappell FX200 flip-over tent they had on sale at Dick's in Layton. (20% off).  I also ordered a factory reconditioned Vexilar FL22 Ultra Pack from the Vexilar web site.  It's supposed to be shipped today so I hope to see it by the 11th or 12th of this month.  Angler's Den in Roy has a great selection of equipment and I picked up a Nils 6" hand auger from them the other day.  I took it out on Mantua Reservior over the weekend just to give it a try.  The ice was really "iffy", as in just as the auger punched through a stress crack shot off about 50 feet in both directions.  I decided that was enough warning for me. . .

Given the current weather patterns I have little hope of getting on the ice this year but should be all set for 2016 (the price you pay for waiting for end of season pricing on the big stuff).  I was delighted with the auger however; it was like a hot knife through butter with almost no real effort to drill through the ice.

[PERSONA]

Welcome to the forum! You can't go wrong with a Marcum I'd go lx 5 minimum. I personally use a Lowrance that is setup for ice fishing and the boat.You'll find a ongoing argument on what's best it's personal preference for most. I owned a flasher for 5 yrs and caught piles of fish with it I just got tired of the constant hum and the circus lights!

[Taters]

I have a Humminbird ICE 35 and it works great for me.  I've never tried anything else, so I can't compare it to the others.

Hope our ice holds out with the warm weather we're getting this week.

[PFIDude]

Thanks for the replies!  I am a little leery of buying marcum with the number of people having issues on here lately.  As with anything, you usually only hear about the problems....none of the good stuff. 

I've been eyeing the vexilar products the past couple days, as well as the humminbird ICE series but I just can't make up my mind...

I was out on Lost Creek yesterday and still had over 6" but it was cracking and popping under us the whole time...and when we were leaving, the ice sheet had drifted into the bank and a 2' high buckle formed right next to the dam.  Hoping it stays cold up there, been great fishing the past couple weeks. 

[happyheber]

I have had a vexlar for 20 years never a problem 

[muskyon46]

Welcome to the shanty PFIDude & let-ca, I have a Marcum LX-7 and have no issues with mine. I'm running the 3.17 software and have no reason to upgarde. It preforms great just the way it is. My buddie has an ice-45 and loves it also. Both work well together without much interference at all

[PFIDude]

So...I bought a flasher last night...kind of an impulse buy, but anyway, I bought an ICE55/385ci combo from humminbird.  Cool package deal that I found on sale at one of my distributors and the 385ci will be great on my float tube.  Excited to get on the ice next week and try them out!  If we have any ice left by next week...