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Camera will provide more hook ups. Flasher will find fish easier imo
If you don't already have a flasher... get any flasher before any camera, IMO. A camera is only going to see in 1 direction at the height it is at, and then you have a cable to deal with when fighting a fish. And all that cable to carry around with a camera. While a flasher will give readings in 6,8,10 ft diameters etc..., depending on cone angle and DOW, in the entire water column. And with a flasher the only cable you have out is the thickness of the ice, if you're fighting a trophy fish you can easily pull that ducer out with one hand. Camera's have their place, but YOU need to determine what is best for the type of fishing you do.The best product for the money is going to be a matter of opinion. People usually swear by whatever they own. Marcum, Vex, & Bird are the 3 big players for flashers. You would probably be happy with any entry level flasher. Look at features you might want in a flasher for the price. If you have the coin... I believe some manufacturers are making a unit that has a combined flasher/camera in one.This will probably turn into another Vex vs Marcum thread.
My camera has spooked a lot of fish... Times when I am crushing walleye and whitebass with the flasher I have tried to drop the camera down to watch the chaos and I don't see a fish on the flasher or camera... Pull the camera out and the chaos starts up again...
Just bought the lowrance elite 4 ice machine for $350 with $100 mail in rebate. This thing is GREAT! $250 for this unit can not be beat! I say go with a lowrance elite 4 or 5 ice machine