Use Lowrance X125 or buy into new sonar?

[Bassmickster]

Can anyone report on the comparative performance of a 17 year old Lowrance X125 (with ice transponder) versus something newer like a Vex?  For example, can the older unit mark a tungsten bibbet, or does the newer technology see any better?  How about operation under cold conditions?  I'm trying to understand what all the extra money for newer technology is supposed to provide.  I'm trying to find suspended fish through the ice and present bait to them accurately.

[kpd145]

personal preference really.

Old mechanical style will still work and will be a little cheaper.

I prefer graph for the history and its easier for me to read.

if your only using to target suspended fish, a old school flasher will be fine, no need to spend any extra money.

If you wanna go graph, try to get biggest screen your budget allows if you fish deeper waters. just more screen real estate to work with.

[esox_xtm]

The X-126 is a monochrome graph. I've got one laying around in the shop. Never used it on the ice but I have come to prefer a graph display for a number of reasons. If you already own one I'd use it and see where it takes you. It's certainly better than fishing blind. My first ice unit was an old H-bird Super Sixty. Not like an FL-8 but still gave me an advantage until I could afford to make the leap.

If you decide to upgrade do consider sticking with a graph. Mine does double duty: on my boat until ice up and then in a portable pack until everything thaws. The portability also makes it handy for rental boats, tagging along with friends etc. I'll never own another locator without integrated GPS capability either. Graph histories allow you scroll back and drop a waypoint exactly where you want it. Then you can walk/ride right to where you want to fish.

[ice dawg]

It has enough power to see small jigs and should work fine for ice fishing. I think it has about 2 400 watts of power.  Give it a try.

[Iron Chef]

I have been using an X-96 mounted on a blue box forever with very few issues, no need to upgrade except i would like mapping.  Im using it from 10' to 120'. A few suggestions would be first reset the unit to factory defaults. Then on menu i turn off both auto sensitivity and auto depth range and adjust those manually. Usually have to turn down sensitivity when using tungsten over lead, then crank it up to see a 3" tube 100' down. Also wound up putting pipe insulation on the cord not as a float but keeps the cord off the edge of the hole, another piece of insulation to protect the transducer when not in use. Finally I put several coats of plasti-dip on the transducer where the wire goes in for added security when pulling the ducer up

[Unclegillhunter]

Hey never thought about putting something for protection where the cord meets the transducer. Good idea!
Keep it safe! JDL

[wyogator]

I think you will be fine with The X125. I still use a 15 year old X67c. Even though I am upgrading electronics for the boat, I will continue to use the X67c for ice fishing, along with my iPhone with Navionics for mapping. As long as it shows depth, fish, jig and bottom composition, I can't see what else you would need, except a map/plotter which you can download to any smartphone. A new Vex is essentially the same old vex (mechanical flasher) with a few bells and whistles like zoom. I'd rather have a graph.