Entry level flasher?

[Bad0351]

I wonder if you guys can help me decide on a GOOD entry level flasher I would be able to use for a few years.
I very rarely fish deeper than 40 or 50 feet for trout...Browns and rainbows.
Panfish and the rest.
Thanks for any help and advice!
Dale

[piersm2]

I used an Fl8 all the way up to this year.  Actually had a couple of them.  Ice-35 would be a good option too

[Fishtrekker]

The real question is..... whats your budget? Because entry to me and entry to you are two completely different numbers.

[Bad0351]

Between 100 and 400?? Budget

[Iceassin]

I've used the FL-8 for over 20 years...bought my second one last year. First one was still working great when I HAD to sell it awhile back (long story). I use it for one reason...to locate fish. Although, watching them come in to the jig is nice. You can get a new one for $250 if you shop around. I,personally, cannot justify spending upwards of $1000 with all of the bells and whistles when mine still helps put fish on the ice. I still have plenty of fish in the freezer from last year.  I would rather spend a "little" extra on a nice rod  and quality jigs.JMHO

[rdhammah]

I have been using the Marcum VX1P for the past 3-4 years and love it. I was replaced by the M1. retails for $349. watch for sale prices

[Seamonkey84]

I’ve been using a lowrance elite 4x for the past few years. I prefer the graph over the flasher display. It has worked really well for me. The “x” models don’t have gps and made it a bit more affordable. I got mine at Cabela’s for under 300

[DR.SPECKLER]

With that budget id get a vexilar fl18 .has every feature needed to put fish on the ice.fl8 is good too but fishing shallow you need a s cable and it has no zoom.still rock solid tho.

[RyanW]

I have been using the Marcum VX1P for the past 3-4 years and love it. I was replaced by the M1. retails for $349. watch for sale prices

I’ve been using the MarCum VX-1i (updated VX-1P) for the las 3-4 seasons and I also love it. I wouldn’t mind the M1. If I had around $400 for a new sonar, I’d probably get the M1 (sans shuttle) and upgrade the battery to a Dakota lithium.

[Bryfish84]

I’m very happy with the Vexilar FL-8se

[midwest_rodworks]

Don't be afraid of the Marcum Showdown, should be able to get ahold of one for less than $200.  Pretty straight forward up is up down is down.  Run almost forever on a 7ah battery.

[chilly-willy]

Do you plan to fish soft water in summer ?

Do you have a gps ??

Some pointers you can google the rest..

I know you bugget is 100 to 400 so let's think I got a x67c and a elite 4x bolth made by lowrace.. if I had to do it all agan I would look at usa made humming birds.. but every ones different..  I like my lowrace in sonar screen mode..  it works for me other like the flasher screen on the   fl8..  to each their own my lowrance have the flasher screen..  but it's slow compared. To vexilar fl8 I find and it don't show past history of what the fish did  or is doing.. like the sonar screen does on my finder..  by the way I only paid $99.99 eltie 4x and $170 four my x67c  for my flashers .. shop around you find a good price I am useing a ice transducer with the boat flasher screen mode 4x zoom and 2 x zoom of bottom..  it's all you will ever need.. some times that fish don't like the presintation so you add more bait. Throw it back down and observe..  some times lifting above them 6 inches they follow up on the wiggle lift wiggle lift then pause as you pause..  they come to investigate and eat.. now if you wiggled and the fish dove to bottom??  was it caused by wiggle like to much wiggle etc or to much flash etc.. any how at least with the lorance you got a history of what your lookING  at to help you change for your next presentation to the fish.. unlike that of a vex thing about vex is there fast faster then my lorange at picking up small movement .. as I said this before aways research before you buy either threw friends owning or friends of friends  who own what your looking for make sure to use all before you buy! For many reasone I think that is best to try friends gear before you buy.. by the way get a hand held gps that you can change you batteries in in the one  I got.  I also have the gps mapping but any how  try buggeting for bolth each has its  usefulness.. i suggest the hand held gps for a lot of reasons  . Don't for get to search the maps they use mske sure they cover most of your lakes you fish.. way easier then a dead phone in the middle of a blizard  At night??

[Iceassin]

With that budget id get a vexilar fl18 .has every feature needed to put fish on the ice.fl8 is good too but fishing shallow you need a s cable and it has no zoom.still rock solid tho.

I tried the s-cable Doc and it really didn't make much of a difference. Unless I was in weeds so thick (almost too thick to fish) or right on top of or next to large structures, I never have any issues with interference. Sitting next to another locator has not been much of a problem either...maybe for the guy next to me!

[slipperybob]

I think it's pretty much, which one do you like how it looks these days...

I'm still partial to Marcum...I mark'um and catch'um.

[Spider1]

I'm thinking you would spend up to $400 but wanna stay closer to $100... yeah? Are you adverse to buying a used machine. I did, got a barely used Humminbird ice-45 and I've been using it fine for 5 years. Some time in fall the ice fishing gear will start popping up on craigslist, do some homework and then keep an eye out for stuff when it starts popping up. Marcums, Humminbirds, Vexilars, Lowrance, Garmin. Those are the names to look out for in flashers. I have a Lowrance Elite 4x Chirp that has an ice fishing setting but I don't have the transducer. There are several fishfinders that can be set up for ice fishing, some as graphs only and some with flashers. My first trip out with electronics was with an old Eagle fish id. It actually worked pretty good but weeds would blank it out and it had a hard time picking up jigs in water deeper than 20 ft and I had to adjust it at every hole. But it worked so the point is, you can go cheap and make it work or you can spend a bit more and get a bit more out of it.

[hardwater diehard]

I wonder if you guys can help me decide on a GOOD entry level flasher I would be able to use for a few years.
I very rarely fish deeper than 40 or 50 feet for trout...Browns and rainbows.
Panfish and the rest.
Thanks for any help and advice!
Dale

20 buck off today total $380...the Vexilar FL18 w a 12 deg transducer is a tried and true bullet proof unit ...have had mine since 2003 ….6 ft bottom zoom and low power are options I use quite often . Good luck with your choice and purchase.


https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/vexilar-fl-18-genz-ice-pack-16vexuvxlrgp1812ffic/16vexuvxlrgp1812ffic

[DR.SPECKLER]

I tried the s-cable Doc and it really didn't make much of a difference. Unless I was in weeds so thick (almost too thick to fish) or right on top of or next to large structures, I never have any issues with interference. Sitting next to another locator has not been much of a problem either...maybe for the guy next to me!

it really shines in 8ft or less.way better display..like adding low power mode.you must be getting older and dont notice the big blobby screen!!lol just kiddin man!

[hardwater diehard]

https://www.overtons.com/product/details?i=219596

use code august20 for 20% off

The Vexilar FL18 and the Marcum M1 are very comparable units and great entry flashers ...Marcum added feature of the soft case is very nice but I am a Vexilar guy .

[BH2]

In my opinion you cant go wrong with a Vexilar or a Marcum. One thing I would shoot for is at least get one with the bottom zoom, that's within your budget. Zoom is a great feature no matter what species you target.

[ship of fools]

You can get a used FL18 for around $250 - $300.

[tjacob]

Lots of good suggestions here. May I also suggest. You will find a lot of people who love their flashers and a lot who prefer the sonar screen. If you have not used one before with both options, I would suggest thinking about it. Buy a Vex or lower end Marcum you have just a flasher. While both are great, you are limited. If you choose a flasher I would recommend one with dual beam and zoom. Also look for noise rejection features. Good luck with your choice.

[lefty2053]

Don't be afraid of the Marcum Showdown, should be able to get ahold of one for less than $200.  Pretty straight forward up is up down is down.  Run almost forever on a 7ah battery.

X2 on this. I have been using 2 of them for about 5 years now and they are stupid easy.

[piersm2]

This would be at the top end of your budget, but you can get a stellar deal on a Helix 7 and you can trade the open water ducer for an ice ducer for $36.  Find a cheap box (or make one) and get a 12v battery and you would be set with a high end unit for under $400.

[Iceassin]

it really shines in 8ft or less.way better display..like adding low power mode.you must be getting older and dont notice the big blobby screen!!lol just kiddin man!

I ain't kiddin'...I am getting older☹🤣

[IceBalls]

YOU CAN'T GO WRONG with a VEXILAR FL8.  You can probably pick one up cheap on E-Bay to see if you like a "bare-bones" no-frills unit.  I'm betting you will love it !!! Vexilar units are almost "bomb-proof"and easy to use without reading a 100 page manual.  Turn it on, place ice ducer in hole and find fish !!!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I wonder if you guys can help me decide on a GOOD entry level flasher I would be able to use for a few years.
I very rarely fish deeper than 40 or 50 feet for trout...Browns and rainbows.
Panfish and the rest.
Thanks for any help and advice!
Dale

Do not get an FL8. While they work great one MAJOR thing is missing. BOTTOM ZOOM. Any flasher without bottom zoom is not worth owning IMO. Any flasher with a zoom/bottom zoom is fine.

[Iceassin]

 

YOU CAN'T GO WRONG with a VEXILAR FL8.  You can probably pick one up cheap on E-Bay to see if you like a "bare-bones" no-frills unit.  I'm betting you will love it !!! Vexilar units are almost "bomb-proof"and easy to use without reading a 100 page manual.  Turn it on, place ice ducer in hole and find fish !!!

X2...

[Bad0351]

Wow! Thank you so much everyone for the very helpful information!
Looks like I have some work to do deciding which is right for me.

Dale

[vaughan]

What difference does the zoom make?  I don’t have a flasher but am also interested in getting n entry level unit so I don’t know anything about the zoom feature.  Thanks

[DR.SPECKLER]

What difference does the zoom make?  I don’t have a flasher but am also interested in getting n entry level unit so I don’t know anything about the zoom feature.  Thanks

you can zoom into the bottom 6 or 12ft in  deep water to see bottom hugging fish like perch and walleyes that are a little harder to see without using zoom.sometimes panfish will be hugging the bottom so tight you wont see them without the zoom feature.any flasher/finder is a huge advantage tho.