Vexilar - How Important?

[bladebait]

A friend of mine who started ice fishing with me asked  "how important is that machine-Vex" when ice fishing? I told him that I probably could not ice fish without it.He rolled his eyes and snickered because of the price I paid for the unit.I know he thinks I'm crazy so I wanted to post to get replys from others.Could you fish without your Vex? 

[Bean]

Could you fish without your Vex? 

Yes, I "could" fish without my flasher. Do I want to?  Not really. I can find out so much information, like depth, structure, fish in proximity, and even a fishes attitude sometimes with it.

[Icenutter]

I have a lake that I go to fish for big pike and know that panfish are not plentiful in this lake.  I will usually take only tip-ups and use the Vex for looking for depths.  When I go to my favorite panfish lake I could not fish this lake without my Vex.  Meaning that most crappies suspend and you would never catch them without the Vex.  So, depending on which fish I am targeting and how I fish for them depends on wether or not I can go without my Vex.   I usually don't leave home without it. 

[PIKEGUY]

I agree  with Bean. I could fish without it but I don't have much interest in doing that

[eyedoktr]

While unloading the truck one day last year, I realized I had left the Vex at home. I repacked the truck and drove the 40 minutes back home to get it. Can I fish without it?? Sure. Can you fish without bait? Sure. Which way will put more fish on the ice?  No question.