Author Topic: Humminbird ICE-35 Flasher (Read 2208 times)

Timto · « **on:** Dec 11, 2008, 08:58 AM »

I was looking at a camera, however after reading a related thread I have changed my mind and am now looking at flashers (thanks guys my wife is gonna kill me) I know they are a little more expensive but if it is the right thing then I may as well get one now.

Now Which one to get, Hummingbird is a little cheaper but is it crap?

Stevie B · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 09:20 AM »

The Humminbird units are pretty decent looking units. However with it being the first real year out on the ice I would be a little hesitant to pick one up. Case in point, the Aqua-vue VPG. I would lean toward a FL8 or a Marcum VX1. The VX1 I believe is pretty much the same price if not cheaper than the ice-35. You are then getting a quality proven product.

fshmanmb · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 09:28 AM »

I have the Marcum VX-1 & it's an excellent unit for the money. Unless you are going to be fishing a lot of real deep water it's all you really need. I would NEVER go fishing without it. Think they are also in the same price range as the ICE 35. As stated I would also stay away from a new flasher on the market until they are tried, tested & proven.

QuantumPT · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 09:35 AM »

Hummingbirds are not crap. NOT CRAP !!!!!!!!!!!! yet

bmann · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 10:31 AM »

I have a Marcum LX2 and really like it . I usually fish with my buddy in a portable shelter and we are able to see both of our lures when fishing side by side.

I think they have discontinued this model but the VX-1 seems very comparable. What everyone says is true you will catch more fish with a flasher.

sled-in · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 10:57 AM »

Quote from: Timto on Dec 11, 2008, 08:58 AM

I was looking at a camera, however after reading a related thread I have changed my mind and am now looking at flashers (thanks guys my wife is gonna kill me) I know they are a little more expensive but if it is the right thing then I may as well get one now.

Now Which one to get, Hummingbird is a little cheaper but is it crap?

tell your wife its cheeper to buy the right tool the first time, and I'm with the guys who say buy the proven flasher's.

Timto · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 11:16 AM »

WOW guys that is great information. I sat down with my wife and showed her these posts as well as did some reasearch on the web. It sounds like I am going to Cabellas and picking up a Marcum VX1 (with her blessings).

I really appreciate the help.

baybound1526 · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 11:25 AM »

Although vexilar and marcum are good quality products, the hummingbird ICE 35 has some of the same features as the high end marcum and vexilar units...hummingbird tested their units all last year so i dont think they would put a unit out that wouldnt hold up.

fshmanmb · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 11:38 AM »

Quote from: baybound1526 on Dec 11, 2008, 11:25 AM

Although vexilar and marcum are good quality products, the hummingbird ICE 35 has some of the same features as the high end marcum and vexilar units...hummingbird tested their units all last year so i dont think they would put a unit out that wouldnt hold up.

True, but our weather here gets just a WEEEEEE bit more severe than in the US. Other companies have had the same problem when introducing new products. Sometimes what works very well in the US, doesn't work so well in Can. Gotta compare apples with apples & oranges with oranges. Remember all the cracked screens that happened a few years ago with the LCD flashers?

ducktape6 · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 11:45 AM »

My Gander Mountain has the VX-1 for 199.99. IT is the 600wt one not the newest but still a great flasher for the price. I bought my dad one for Christmas.

baybound1526 · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 11:49 AM »

Quote from: fshmanmb on Dec 11, 2008, 11:38 AM

True, but our weather here gets just a WEEEEEE bit more severe than in the US. Other companies have had the same problem when introducing new products. Sometimes what works very well in the US, doesn't work so well in Can. Gotta compare apples with apples & oranges with oranges. Remember all the cracked screens that happened a few years ago with the LCD flashers?

True...but the 35 does not have an LCD display on it. Only the 45 and 55 do.

fshmanmb · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 11:53 AM »

I Wasn't referring to the Hummingbirds. It was just an example of something that was totally tested before it hit the market but wasn't tested in extreme cold, thus the failures.

baybound1526 · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 11:58 AM »

Ok... sorry i misunderstood you. There are pros and cons to buying something new...i guess if you did buy it and something did go wrong they have a 2 yr factory warranty on them, but then what do you do when you have no flasher???

fshmanmb · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 12:01 PM »

I have my VX-1.....LOL.

baybound1526 · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 01:40 PM »

yeah...i have my vexilar

. Maybe they should let you guys field test the products this way we know they will hold up in the cold!

TaterSalad · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 01:48 PM »

Quote from: fshmanmb on Dec 11, 2008, 09:28 AM

I have the Marcum VX-1 & it's an excellent unit for the money. Unless you are going to be fishing a lot of real deep water it's all you really need. I would NEVER go fishing without it. Think they are also in the same price range as the ICE 35. As stated I would also stay away from a new flasher on the market until they are tried, tested & proven.

I too am in the market for my fist flasher. What do you consider "real deep water"?
Thanks

Stevie B · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 02:04 PM »

I have tried a Cabela's VXR (which a VX1 with Cabela's labels on it) in 80 fow, and I found it quite difficult to pick up my 3/8oz. tube jig, going for lakers. Keep in mind that this is the one with 600watts. The new VX1 has 1000watts. That will probably help. I don't have a problem in that kind of water with my LX2 (1000watts).

If you find yourself fishing that kind of water alot, but still don't want to pay $500 for the LX5 with a 8/20 transducer, get a Vex FL8 with a 9/19 beam.

fshmanmb · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 02:19 PM »

I would call anything deeper than 60' deep water. However, there may be times that someone fishing in water up to 60' might like to have the ability to move the zoom up & down in the water column. As far as I know only the high end Marcums have this feature. I hear that the guys that have this adjustable zoom and/or the higher power models love their units for water 60' +. I fish mostly in 6-25' of water & RARELY ever use the zoom on my VX-1. I find that if I use the zoom in say 20' of water I don't see the fish that are suspended about 8' off the bottom as quickly as I would if I didn't have the zoom on. In case anyone is wondering....in 20' of water the VX-1 in Zoom mode will zoom in on the bottom 5' of water. This zoom will show on the left hand side of the screen while 0-20' will show on the right hand side, thus making the 0-20' smaller in area on the screen than it would be without the zoom on.
As far as bang for your buck goes, if someone is looking for a unit that they'll be using in similar depths as me I think the entry level models are just perfect & buying the high end models will mean paying more for features you rarely or never use.

Timto · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 11, 2008, 11:03 PM »

Somebody in another thread suggested that it may be a problem in water not deep enough, any thoughts on what not deep enought is? I am typically fishing in 10-12 fow.
Not that it matters now, I went out today and got it. I AM SO EXCITED!!! Can't wait to get it out and figure out how to use it properly.

BTW Thanks again for all your help guys!

fshmanmb · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 12, 2008, 06:03 AM »

Congrats & good luck fishing.
Don't worry about too shallow. I fish 10-12 all the time. I'm on my way out the door right now.

BTW, which one did you pick up?

Timto · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 12, 2008, 07:43 AM »

Quote from: fshmanmb on Dec 12, 2008, 06:03 AM

BTW, which one did you pick up?

Sorry I picked up the Marcum VX1-ICE for a mere $369.60 after taxes at Cabelas. Really glad I didn't get the camera, not to say that I may not pick one up next year. I think it may be a good thing for my 8 year old.

Stevie B · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 12, 2008, 08:19 AM »

10-12' shouldn't be a problem. The only time you might have issues is under 10' with lots of "stuff" in the water, bugs, minnows, debris, etc. You might have a problem trying to pick-out your jigs in all the clutter. But I've fished in as shallow as 4-6' with my LX2 with no problems...which is pretty much the same internally as the VX1pro. I think one of the issues as well is, if the bottom composition is such that the signal bounces off the bottom and then off the ice and back down again...you can get some pretty funky readings. Which in Manitoba won't happen too often, as most of our waters are mud or silt bottomed. And most of the sonar signals are "absorbed" in the bottom.

Hope my rambling makes and sence. Bottom line...don't worry one bit about fishing shallow water.

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Author Topic: Humminbird ICE-35 Flasher (Read 2208 times)