Electronics

[Solid]

First post! I have been looking for a good ice fishing resource!

My question; What is everyone using for electronics on the ice? Thinking of picking up a Lowrance X67C, because I have used it before and thought that it performed very well. Your thoughs?

[Outdoors_Nut]

I have a Vexilar FL-8 SLT. I don't have any complaints but then again I'm no whiz when it comes to electronics. I'm sure others prefer MarCum. I think it all boils down to personal preference and ones ability to really utilize the equipment and know what they are doing. I pretend I know what I'm doing.. As for the Lowrance X67C my buddy bought one for his boat this past summer and loves it. We'll be using it this weekend on the ice. I'll scope it out and let you know what I think.

[dvsbruce]

I have two Vexilar FL-8's and I love them. You can get more bells and whistles such as bottom zoom on other units. Just depends on what you want. My first Vex is four years old and I have had no problems.

[WhackMaster]

i've got an x67c too and i absolutely love it. can't imagine going fishin without it. i hardly ever use the flasher screen. i almost always use the split screen with one side magnified. or, just the regular full screen. it's an awesome unit for sure. if i had it to do over, i'd still get it over a vex. i found mine at this store last year, cheapest around and free shipping..

reedssports.com

[jgguppyboy2]

Welcome to IceShanty!  I own the x67c and I urge you to get it!  It is one of the best electronics out there.  And its way better than a vex or a marcum and heres why.  The picture, accurate real time movement, and ability to use as a normal fishfinder on a boat far outway the other 2 in my opinion. Also the x67c offers the same exact view that a vex does.  just digital.  plus it can give you water temp with the right ducer.   And there are much more fine tune settings you can use to help pick up smaller fish in those not so clear bodies of water.  It is by far one of my best purchases.  The m68 is great as well.  only diff. is it has gps as well. and the price of course!

                  ~Stefan~

[jgguppyboy2]

[NHFishah]

I've used a vexilar FL-20 for the past two years, and it works great, I would purchase a camera next. My fishing partner has a FL-18 and a camera and it is great to see the fish on the vexilar first and then see them come in on the camera. What ever you buy, you won't fish again with out it. I can't imagine jigging without one, it really keeps you focused when you can see the fish even if they don't bite.

NHFishah

[cSpike]

I've used a vexilar FL-20 for the past two years, and it works great, I would purchase a camera next. My fishing partner has a FL-18 and a camera and it is great to see the fish on the vexilar first and then see them come in on the camera. What ever you buy, you won't fish again with out it. I can't imagine jigging without one, it really keeps you focused when you can see the fish even if they don't bite.

NHFishah

I'm his buddy with the vex and camera.

The reason I don't have an lcd is the screen. Cold weather and lcd's can mean trouble. Other than htat I'm sure the Lowrance is a fine unit. Vex have a history of standing up to the elements and abuse. That is why I bought one. As NH says I can't imagine jigging without it. I usually only bring the camera if I'm laker fishing or checking out a new body/area of water. Other than that it can stay at home.

Spike

[jgguppyboy2]

That is one downfall to that you have to overcome with electronics like these.  Before you have one if you dont get a bit for a while you just assume there are no fish there and move.  But I can tell you with 100% certainty that there is always a fish underneath you.  And being able to see that on the fish finder can sometimes make you alter your techneques to much or make you spend to much time on one fish. It takes some practice and dicipline to continue to fish and not just play a video game,  because if you do more often than not you wont beat the game!  Just remember when you get one no matter which one that fish aren't always hungry.  If you spend all day tring to catch that one under your jig you could be missing some killer action just feet away!  With mine for lakers anyways if I dont get a chaser within a couple minutes I move to the next hole.  Different fish have diff. feeding habbits.  Laker and trout in general feed up.  They are chasers.  So when you see one on your screen dont drop your lure right to its level.  Not saying you wont catch a fish that way but you will have much better luck either stopping 5ft above it or dropping it all the way to the bottom, stirring it up a little and then reel up past the fish.  A lot of times the fish will follow it right to the bottom watch it and then explode on it once it appears to be retreating.  Again diff. fish have diff. feeding patterns and it just takes time to develop what works best for you.

                 ~Stefan~

[ScreaminSpool]

Get the Showdown from Aqua-Vu.  Reads the depth and fish right through the ice without cutting a hole.  Flashers are old school.  It's time to step into the 2000s.

[jgguppyboy2]

The x67c will also shot the depth and fish and structure as well through the ice!

                     ~Stefan~

[Pail Rider]

I have a Vex Fl-8 and a marcum LX-5...gave the vex to my sons.  Both are great units and won't hit the ice without either of them.  I'm sure the x67 is great as well...any electronics is better than no electronics.

[Solid]

ScreaminSpool - I thought about the Showdown when I first saw it, I like the VPG and I think it makes sense to do it that way. However I have read nothing but bad reviews on the units. Now, that doesn't mean they are bad, maybe it is user error? I don't know. At the same time, why bother going with the Showdown when I know the Lowrance and Vexilars are great units. They have a proven track record as you can see by the responses to this post. 

I think I pretty much knew that I was going to get the Lowrance, but I just wanted to see what other anglers were using. Like I said, I have used my brothers M67C (Cabelas unit) in MN and we never had problems with the LCD screen, so I am not really concerned about that. I must say, Vexilar has an unbelievable following, but I like the options you get with the Lowrance. I don't think I will pay extra for the M68C (GPS unit) because I already have a Garmin Rino 120 that I use. Speaking of that, I hope to pick up some good conversations on the radio!!!

Thanks for all the advise folks!

[thefinlessbrown2]

i have had a vex and really don't care for it much bought the 1 that loses your jig about three feet from the bottom... i was a little ticked about that when i bought it i spacifically told the guy i wanted to use it for laker fishing and its pretty much useless for that in my opinion oh it only cost me 250 ish if i remember right well anyway i just bought a parana display fishfinder and i really like it .reads clearly right to the bottom !!!best part of it is it only cost  $135

[nhbaitrunner]

I decided early this year that I was going to buy some type of electronic fish finding device this year but with no experience with them and not personally knowing anyone who had used them I was lost and unsure what to get.  It seemed to be more of a popularity contest then what units were better and reasons why.  I spend a lot of time online at websites and forum boards.  After struggling for over a month and flip flopping like a perch on the ice I went with the Lowrance X67c.  It made the most sense for me.  I liked the total package and the option of being able to change from graph to flasher it has so many options split screens, fish displays and alarms, you can change color options and all kinds of other things.  If you are reading this and thinking it sounds too complicated.  Wrong.  It has a auto setting and you change what you want.  The fist time I used it the only things I changed was display screens and sensitivity.  Now I am constantly tweaking it and seeing how I can make it work even better.   For the money you get a lot and you can't go wrong.  Definitely the most bang for the buck!  Not to mention you can use it year round!

[jgguppyboy2]

yeah and how fun is it to see that line come spiking off the bottom and nail your lure!   gets your heart pumpin every time!

                      ~Stefan~

[BrianF]

I've used all three and bought a Marcum. I prefer it over the others but bottom line is that they are all good. If you can hold off try to check out all three. If not just go buy one - you will not be disappointed.

After my auger, my flasher is at the top of the tools list for ice fishing.