Trying to feel everyone out on electronic question

[blackmer826]

I am possibly looking into buying a fish finder unit in a month or so. I don't jig for perch or crappie often, maybe twice a year. I normally set tip-ups for pike and hang out with my buddies in the shanty. I am tihnking of buying one even though just for depth purposes and seeing what is around.

I know there is always the debate over brands and usually boils down to personal preference. but I dont know much about this stuff yet, and I am looking to see if I should invest in the Marcum VX-1 Flasher or the Marcum ShowDown Ice Troller 2.0?

I have heard the batt life without a performance pack () is bad on the Troller 2.0....but the troller has a better watt output I think???

I usually dont fish water over 40 ft

Thanks for any help on electronics

[ryan johnson]

two ways you can go.. hand held depth finder...or lower end depth finder.. recomend the marcum lx3-tc or get an old zercom lcf-40 or clearwater clasic..

[Duncan77]

I would go with the VX-1 you cant drop it down a hole.

[blackmer826]

thanks for the input, but I am only looking at the two models mentioned above.

I have heard that some people drop their showdown down the hole, i dropped a cell phone last yr

The vx-1 is a flasher so what is the difference between the showdown ice troller? I understand the showdown is not a flasher, but still marks fish and the depth of your jig, but is it as efficient and easy to see?

[ducati]

You can do a search of this forum and have a weeks worth of reading on any fish finder your interested in so I won't go there but I will say that your standard round flasher is about as easy as it gets to use/see, I like color.  If you move around alot, I would say that is where the Showdown ice troller excels, hole hopping is what it was designed for.

[s10xr]

showdown troller.  perfect for what you want to do.

[bpiatt]

The Showdown ice troller is perfect for what your looking to do. Its probably the most simple and easy to interpret sonar there is. It will give you instant depth readings and let you know if there are fish below you. It will also display the smallest of jigs when your crappie fishing. You can get the original showdown between $120-$150, if you ask me, that's a steal. Even if your only a tip up fisherman its a good tool to have, you will know there are fish below you before you set up. The showdown 2.0 has zoom, if your not jigging for perch very often you might not need it but it sure is nice to have, the 2.0 cost $199.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the battery life on the ice troller is more than adequate, your going to get roughly 14 hours of run time using cheap "AA"s, you'll get up to 20 hours using quality batteries. Its definitely not necessary to buy the performance pack, especially if your primarily a tip up fisherman.

[blackmer826]

thanks for all the input, but I am nervous about the smallness of it and me dropping it down the hole or one of my buddies or girlfriend....I like the price tag because it is reasonable for me being a tip-up guy....rarely jigging dont want to drop the whole check book on this thing...rather put it into something else

[wetsleeves]

showdown troller.  perfect for what you want to do.

X2

[appleye]

Troller works great. Put a float on the transducer cord. No worries. The batteries will work for days if you keep them warm and not just sittin on the ice. I will a lot of time put in my coat pocket with a hand warmer. Great little unit. Use mine a lot then go to the showdown 5.6 for sitting for a while.

[UFCreel]

Just remember the more power. The less sensitive the transducer is.  I would go with an Vexilar FL-8 Genz pack. But hey that's me.

[esox_magnum]

Just remember the more power. The less sensitive the transducer is.  I would go with an Vexilar FL-8 Genz pack. But hey that's me.

 Not sure your thinking on this one, both my ice units are 2000w and higher and show more detail, better in shallow weeds ect than even the top end Vex's

[blackmer826]

I am choosing between the two Marcum's no vexilars

thanks everyone

[esox_magnum]

I personaly like the color on a flasher over the greyscale of the Showdown, VX-1 gets my vote, but I will say I do like the Showdown screen in color on my LX-7

[fish-kabob]

what about the hawk-eye h22px  it is a hand held sonar for depth and water temp it is sort of like a flash lite i think i seen a few for $89.99 on amazon. if all you are using it for is depth then that is what you need. if looking for fish etc at certin depths then the show down is the way to go btw marcum has a unit just like this one so just thought i would let you know. see link. if you look around like a major search mite find the hawkeye cheaper.


 http://www.hawkeyeelectronics.com/h22px#!__h22px

[Dave W]

Just remember the more power. The less sensitive the transducer is.

Ahhhh --- no.  That is not accurate at all.

For what you're talking about .... setting tip ups, taking quick looks to see what's around .... the Troller would be ideal for you.  And you can add a performance pack to it if desired to set it up for those times you are jigging for fish and actively watching the screen.

[blackmer826]

what exactly is this "Performance Pack"

[UFCreel]

Why would your unit need more power then? What does it do for ya? Interfere with those using electronics around you? you need more power because your transducer is lacking and needs that power to pick up whats coming back to it. Many articles on this

[Gillgrabber]

what exactly is this "Performance Pack"

The Performance Pack is a carrying case for the Troller.  It will make it look like a full-size showdown; however, it doesn't come with a battery so you'll have to buy one.  The Performance Pack and battery will run you about $70 unless you find it on sale someplace.  A little pricey, but buying lots of replacement batteries for the Troller gets expensive over time as well.  You'll have to decide if the Performance pack is worth it or not.

[blackmer826]

thanks for the clarification