Should I spend?

[Osage]

By now most have read my whining about not having much ice,so I have a question.At most our ice season last 3 weeks,some years no weeks.I would love to own a fish finder,but our short season makes it hard to justify.Has anyone used a Marcum ice troller? And are they usefull enough in my situation?Most water I fish is no deeper than 30ft,more in the 10-15 ft range.

[appleye]

I use mine all the time. I use it most when the ice is thin and I'm on foot I also use it when I'm drilling hole and looking around. it's a great little unit for the money. I've gone out with folks at a meet and greet that don't have a graph and let them play with to see if it's something they wish to buy. Most people that have tried it love it.

[BaitBucket]

Get a Garmin 300c. You can use it in open water, is color, and has a flasher mode for ice fishing.. $170
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GARMIN-FISHFINDER-300C-3-5-MARINE-W-DUAL-BEAM-TRANSDUCER-010-00682-00-/330790009227?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item4d049ef98b&vxp=mtr

[Handy]

I too have the same thought, but I usually get many months to ice fish. I am just about to get a humminbird 385 ci ice. I know it wont get used all the time but I plan to use it in summer too. Maybe that way you could justify spending more and getting one you could use year round. Just a thought. I know there have been many guys here that got one and from what I remember they performed well.


Paul

[NYSporty]

Get a Garmin 300c. You can use it in open water, is color, and has a flasher mode for ice fishing.. $170
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GARMIN-FISHFINDER-300C-3-5-MARINE-W-DUAL-BEAM-TRANSDUCER-010-00682-00-/330790009227?pt=Boat_Parts_Accessories_Gear&hash=item4d049ef98b&vxp=mtr

2X for the money your better off going with something like the 300c or a Lowrance 67c, Elite 4 base unit ice or open water transducer buy a battery and make some kind of case. You will end up with a quality unit for ice or any boat for a few bucks more than the ice troller. I love my x67c I have several row boats canoe and kayak all over different waters I always have a fish finder now.

[BaitBucket]

Im still pretty baffled by the people that buy the ice specific stuff.
You can get a color unit, that does more, can be used all year round, for less. This seems like a no brainer..

[eriksat1]

I have a Marcum LX-5 and use it on my boat also, just buy a transom mount high speed transducer and use a flasher all year long.

[TType86]

Some people just enjoy using a flasher or showdown as opposed to a standard lcd unit for ice fishing. I happen to be one of them guys myself. To each his own. I do have a humminbird 345c and love it. Still like my flasher more for vertical jiggin though. A bird like a 345 may be a good option for you. Ive also used a showdown troller. It worked good and I liked it a lot. Hopefully they got the cracked up cases fixed on the new version.

[ULking]

Unless you only fish from shore you can't go wrong! Never hurts to have more toys! 

[threewack]

If you get one no matter the price range it will tell if theres fish there or if you need to move. Good luck.

[IceKing4]

Besides warm boots, it is probably the best investment you can make for ice fishing. Even if you have a short season. You will put more fish on the ice period. It pretty much pays for itself in fun alone.