Look out Vexilar!

[Icenutter]

This was posted on another site and thought I would share.  Marcum is coming out with a new flasher called the VX-1.

"More bang for your buck! They have a $50.00 consumer rebate on the VX-1 from November 15th through December 31st. This will cover the bulk of the ice fishing season. Therefore the cost of a VX-1 three color sonar unit will net to the consumer at $199.99. It will be a rebate coupon in the box. The features on the VX-1 are: 600 watts of peak to peak power, bottom zoom (bottom 5 feet), six levels of interference rejection, target separation of 2.65 inches in the 20 and 40 ft scale, battery, charger, electronics shuttle w/ adjustable transducer arm, and transducer. The unit comes with a one year manufacturers warranty. This is a smokin hot deal! A unit that matches up against the FL-18 and for $200 less. Why would anyone want to spend $200 more and get less! The release date is November 1st for the VX-1 three color sonar system.
All these features are well worth the $250 regular price alone but for $199 during the rebate period that's just sick. Way to go MarCum!"

[trapperdirk]

Yes I read this too Icenutter and it was confirmed .It is a great deal for sure but there are still plenty of Vexes going strong and the loyal following they have will continue . Vexilar won't be diving for cover yet . LOL

                   TD

[Icenutter]

Yes I read this too Icenutter and it was confirmed .It is a great deal for sure but there are still plenty of Vexes going strong and the loyal following they have will continue . Vexilar won't be diving for cover yet . LOL

                   TD

I agree, I am a diehard Vex user and will probably never switch, but I think Vex has opened the door with their high prices.

[Icenutter]

I agree Slip.  I do not think this unit is comparable to the FL-18.  I really think these new VX-1 units are the old LX-1 units and they are trying to get rid of the over stock they have. 

[Auger]

ANY flasher is better than NO flasher, that's for sure.   

AMEN, brother.  I'm still using my FL-8 from years ago.  It gets the job done, but it's going to be very tempting for me to upgrade this year.  I'd probably stick with a vex because I've had nothing but good experience with them, but the Marcum deal is very intriguing.   

[jhawkes2]

How many more fish using a flasher to pre-flasher would you say you catch?  2 times as many, 3, 4, etc?  I realize its difficult to put a number on this, but one can guess...

Thanks for the info (someone that has never used one).

Jim

[Auger]

How many more fish using a flasher to pre-flasher would you say you catch?  2 times as many, 3, 4, etc?  I realize its difficult to put a number on this, but one can guess...

Thanks for the info (someone that has never used one).

Jim

I can't really put a number on it.  I can say with all confidence that it was the best ice fishing purchase I've ever made.  Hands down.  Power auger, shack, good boots... I'd give 'em all back before I part with the vex.  I know that sounds like hyperbole, but it's the truth.  On the very few occasions I've jigged without it since I bought it, I've felt like I was wasting my time.  All IMHO, of course.

[spoonfed]

How many more fish using a flasher to pre-flasher would you say you catch?  2 times as many, 3, 4, etc?  I realize its difficult to put a number on this, but one can guess...

Thanks for the info (someone that has never used one).

Jim

 what i love about my vex is i spend more productive time fishing.  punch a hole drop the vex in and see if there is fish.  if not move on.  a great tool to locate the fish instead of the fish locating you.  you still have to be able to catch them.    hands down the best purchase i have ever made in icefishing. no more wasting time.

[trapperdirk]

Well lads I can't agree with your statements that the VX-1 is not similar to an FL-18 in what it does . The VX-1 has zoom capabilities in the bottom 5 ft and the Fl-18 has it on the bottom 6ft . Sure sounds close to me as the FL-18 only has a 1 foot size larger zoom window . Who ever mentioned that the VX-1 is just like the former LX-1 is misinformed because the LX-1 had absolutely NO zoom .

The only thing that I see is a difference that stands out is the ability of the FL-18 to use the optional dual beam and that it comes standard being able to reach depths of 200 ft or 300 ft in the deep water model .

Slipbob I personally found that float of Vexilars bobbing in my hole more of a nuisance than anything especially on windy days and the arm of some of the Marcum line my own personal preference but a float can be easily attached and if I recall from what I seen last year the LX-2 even came with a float . If you buy an LX-5 Slipbob I already know which unit will become  your backup one and doubt it will be the LX-5 but I look forward to hearing what you do in the end and why .

                            TD

[trapperdirk]

You will find those full color units burn some major juice from a battery . You will need a tad more oomph than the standard 7 amp or 9 amp twelve volts have in reserve or tank if your using it on ice and portable .

Nice unit though Slipbob .

                           TD

[buddah]

Fair enough Td.  I'm thinking about a LX-5 and you'll be the first to know but right now I'm in love with this little baby that's on my new boat   Talk about cutting edge technology, Lowrance has it covered with this 26c and add in the Navionics map chip and WOW, I'm in "fishing electronics nirvana"   
(Image removed from quote.)

Does that unit have a dc power option?My friend has a garmin equivalent and we mark everything trolling in the summer,than just plug the unit into the d.c. outlet on my four weeler and use it on the lake for ice fishing.The humps are are all saved in already from the summer.It works slick!Great sounder capabilities too.

[mistertwister]

Anyone know where you will be able to get one of these bad boys? This sounds like a perfect starter for me.

[RealityCheck]

I just picked up a marcum LX-2 today.  I paid $336 out the door.  I went with the marcum for several reasons. 

           The price for the whole shibang.

           Zoom on the bottom 5 OR 10 feet.

           It comes with a 20 degree transducer

           A carrying case is standard...not extra.

           The unit seems a bit more compact than the vex's .

The only drawback was that the marcums are a we bit louder than the vex's

Over all I am just happy my wife let me buy a flasher.  I am not trash talking vexilar.  I hope this helps someone out who is thinking of buying a marcum.

[MikeVT]

I bought a VX1 from Thorne Brothers 2 weeks ago.  Free shipping - total cost $232.00.  Great starter unit.  I will probably upgrade to a 5 in a few years, but I am very happy with my new flasher.  First one I've ever owned and will never go fishing again without it.

[lotwfisher]

I also just got one from Thorne Bros. last week. Love it. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. 200 bucks with the rebate is a steal for a good flasher.

Robin

[jdjyoung]

I also just got one from Thorne Bros. last week. Love it. It was kind of a spur of the moment thing. 200 bucks with the rebate is a steal for a good flasher.

Robin

[jdjyoung]

  I've only used the Vex. fl-18 and don't know enough about the other units out there to make a strong statement about their qualities, but I will say this.....If the battery dies on my Vex while I'm in my shanty,
I pack up my stuff and go home! I swear by it and like my Cabela's Visa card, I never leave home without it!

    Tight lines and dry feet!

                                      JD

[lotwfisher]

I am a vex user for 3 years, it just so happened that my battery died and I wrecked my transducer in the same weekend and one of the guys I was fishing with had one he was trying out.....So I broke down and bought it from him. I am happy with it, but I am still getting my vex fixed.

[fishfry]

I got my VX-1 from Thorne Bros. I really like the zoom