since this was brought up can we figure out something between us IDO’ers to solve this daycare problem!?? Yikes my paychecks disappear faster than I can even count the money. Maybe start a grandmothers of IDO daycare site 
I don’t keep a backup per se, with 3 boys I don’t even get to use one.
I need another couple units and my buddies laugh at my “antiquated” equipment since I have 2 LX3’s (compared to their LX9, LX7 and LX5), but they have been rock solid for me and funny, I seem to catch more fish than they do anyway.
Two is one, and one is none….at least that’s the prepper mindset!
So much good stuff to catch up on here. Thanks for all the chuckles!
I think we can see it’s pretty clear where the majority of the IDO crew stands on holding onto a flasher that’s unlikely to get used. I’m not scrolling back through everything, but I don’t think there is one post where someone just came out and said to unload it.
crappie55369 — I hear ya! Glad to be reminded sometimes that I’m not the only one watching the $ evaporate these days. Wife came home yesterday and asked me to help unload the car and I immediately winced at the damage to our checking account (this was the first trip carrying stuff in).
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Well since they are Vexilar’s you won’t need a backup in case one breaks down…
So really just need to decide if you want to be a benevolent outfitter of friends and family.
YES! The first Salvo of the impending ice season! 
I have an LX9 & LX7 for the wife but I’ve also kept my original LX5 it’s come in handy when friends that don’t have electronics want to go. When going on long road trips like South Dakota or Lake Simcoe I always bring all of them just in case.
(this was the first trip carrying stuff in).
Congrats on the Newborn! 
Thank you, sir!
So just out of curiosity since it’s along the same lines, let’s do some data collection here for S&G’s.
For those of you that say you take a spare flasher with you on longer trips, how often have you actually needed it?
I get the whole “better safe than sorry” and “2 is 1…” ideologies but it seems like extra clutter. When we do the longer trips, we pack a pickup with 3-4 guys and all the gear. If we all brought extra flashers as well, they’d just use up valuable beer space!
I kid though. I get it. And as I mentioned earlier, I will probably hold onto it this season just to see if a time arises someone needs to use it. Other than the whole TVM and NPV (any other B schoolers out there??), I can probably get just as much for it next season as I would this season.
This has been a fun thread…much longer and opinionated than I expected. 
For those of you that say you take a spare flasher with you on longer trips, how often have you actually needed it?
So far, never, but I would be really pissed if I needed it and didn’t have it with.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jamin wrote:</div>
For those of you that say you take a spare flasher with you on longer trips, how often have you actually needed it?So far, never, but I would be really pissed if I needed it and didn’t have it with.
I haven’t needed a spare myself but I have had to stop at reeds on the way up to LOTW to pick up an LX-5 for my buddy who’s transducer cable got caught and snapped dropping to the bottom of the lake. He took the whole week off of work and went up before us. He had to wait a whole day and a half before I got there with his new “backup”.
2 years ago up in NE S Dakota I had a Ice Force Lithium quit on me and since I had a spare flasher I was able to use it’s battery to save the day and week. Last year while at Simcoe the circuit board went out on my LX9 on the first day and Taj who runs Casey’s brought my spare LX7 out to me and that saved the trip. I always bring spares because it could ruin a trip if your not close to a place to replace it. And I also do it because the guys I usually go with don’t bring spares. I guess it’s the Boy Scout in me LOL. If anyone ever tries Simcoe give Taj @Casey’s a shot he will do anything for his customers like bring a spare flasher 2 miles out on the ice for them.
Keep it, I have 4 or 5 flashers now and if I take the parents and brother and his family out, we have all we need.
I have to show this to my fiance…. hahaha. She thinks I’m ridiculous.
I have 4 and wouldn’t get rid of any of them.
It is nice to be able to tell friends “just get up here” when they say “I have to find all my stuff” before coming up to fish.
Glad I’m not the only one…..
OK, I’ll be that guy. I try to sell anything non-sentimental that I haven’t used in over 1 year. I don’t have the space, money, or desire to collect items that don’t get used.
Picking up new hobbies keeps my life interesting. Someone above mentioned the gear-hoarder mentality among musicians. I used to have enough gear to provide backline for an entire 4-piece live rock band. when I got into fishing, I made 2 guitars magically transform into my first boat. My life is richer and fuller because of it, and my wife never got to whine about the expense. For me that is worth so much more than those 2 guitars, and I’ve barely thought about since them since that money hit my Paypal account.
The “tip up checker” is an lx5, very handy and easy for anyone to use. The lx6 is the main machine. The real question here is 3 machines too many?
Tell the old lady to sell one her 78 pairs of shoes or designer purses to help with daycare. Just a thought.
That’s a dangerous proposal.
You don’t really need 35 fishing poles do you?
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eyeguy507 wrote:</div>
Tell the old lady to sell one her 78 pairs of shoes or designer purses to help with daycare. Just a thought.That’s a dangerous proposal.
You don’t really need 35 fishing poles do you?
X2!!!!! ive learned the hard way, before you take aim at all the silly “junk” that they have understand that the next shot is aimed at your outdoor gear.
I had to use my backup last year on Devils lake when my transducer went out on my first unit. Saved the trip for me.
I am all for keeping a spare. Mine has saved the day plenty of times. I have spent more than one day sitting in the fish house trying to watch and jig using two flashers.
I’d keep it. I’d sell other stuff before an extra flasher.
I Carry 2. One is on my dash (Snowmobile or ATV) using lake master chip and sonar capability (Hummingbird). Great for sitting on the machine and for searching. Second one is a Marcum once I settle in to move form hole to hole.
I Carry 2. One is on my dash (Snowmobile or ATV) using lake master chip and sonar capability (Hummingbird). Great for sitting on the machine and for searching. Second one is a Marcum once I settle in to move form hole to hole.
I would honestly keep it unless you need the money. It’ll come in handy if yours or a friend’s poops out or is having issues. Those older Vex’s never seem to die so you might be able to pass Excalibur on to the next generation when your son is older.
I have 3 . A showdown which I really like , but as I got older was harder to see . An ice 35 I bought for my son who doesn’t fish anymore , and an ice 55 that I use . Don’t carry a spare when I’m by myself , never had one break down . Have let friends use xtra ones multiple times . I stop by the local pawn shop periodically , and 2 of the 3 were purchased there , so not a lot invested.
I Carry 2. One is on my dash (Snowmobile or ATV) using lake master chip and sonar capability (Hummingbird). Great for sitting on the machine and for searching. Second one is a Marcum once I settle in to move form hole to hole.
This comparison is a little apples/oranges. I’m all for GPS on the sled/ATV, but here I’m talking to dedicated flashers. Not dual-purpose rigs.
And I actually just put a Garmin 53dv on my UTV today for GPS purposes. 
I have a Marcum LX5 and 2 LX3’s, they always come in handy when somebody comes along that does not have one or for a backup. 2 would probably be plenty, usually after they use mine they go out and purchases one for themselves. With 3 flashers comes lots of extra batteries which come in handy sometimes.
Keep it. I have two Vex and it is nice when taking someone out with you that does not own a flasher. A backup never hurts either. Short day trips I don’t usually bring the extra one, but longer trips or far from home it usually ends up in the truck. On numerous occasions I have left one in the shack all set up and went hole hopping with the other.
I have a lx5 for backup and use a I55. The lx5 has been somebodys backup numerous times. Im the guy who always has an extra “whatever” in the truck. Now my kids are needing flashers, so i will probably be getting another flasher this year.
Judging by the comments of the wife, it appears you can afford it, so if it’s paid for, then keep it. take her fishing!
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So really just need to decide if you want to be a benevolent outfitter of friends and family. 
