Trying to decide on which flasher to buy for ice fishing. I fish the St. Croix River often usually around 32′, but also fish lakes from 8-24′ or so. I like the digital display on the Humminbird 55 which gives you the depth right away, but the Marcum Lx5 for example, seems to be better quality, according to some reviews. Any ideas or suggestions? thanks! CHAP
Lx6 and 7 would give you digital depth right away. Lx5 is a great unit as well. Watch some video on marcums site James explains things well. Many options for you.
FLX28
Flashers are sweet period! I’m not gonna lie. I have 4 Vexilars; 1 FL-18, 2 FL-20’s and 1 FLX-28. They are so sweet. I highly recommend any of the three of them. Super easy to use, reliable, durable and so fun. The 28 has been really awesome with 10 foot depth ranges, additional colors, depth display. I have fished with buddies with other brands and always preferred Vexilar. My batteries with proper charging have lasted on the 18 for 7 years now and will still hold at least a good 10 hour charge. Cool note-32 feet is my favorite ice fishing depth of all and awesome on the 18 and the 20 in the 40 foot setting. Just making a plug for Vexilar but you will love having a flasher period especially if you have never had one. Have a great ice season!
I own a marcum lx-7. I fished with an fl-8 for a long time and caught some fish, alot of fish. I will say that the marcum that I have now truly blows away the fl-8 that I used in the past. If you know James well enough, you should know that he doesn’t use a product just for the promotion. He uses the products he uses because they help him catch the fish he wants to catch and consistently does catch. Marcum is much farther ahead of the game when it comes to ice fishing IMO. So, if I were you, I would buy a marcum and no it doesn’t have to be the best one they make, because either way your going to get the best results.
Comparing a FL8 to a LX7 is comparing state of the art anything form 10-15 years ago to now. They all do the same thing but with a lot more flexibility, options, and sensitivity on the newer units. You get what you pay for, let your price range be your guide. There really aren’t many bad units in all the new lines.
Easy answer, if you want to be able to put it in a bucket, get the FLX28… if you want to put fish in the bucket, get a Marcum 
Have fun shopping either way 
Easy answer, if you want to be able to put it in a bucket, get the FLX28… if you want to put fish in the bucket, get a Marcum
Have fun shopping either way
Now that is funny!!! 
Marcum has my vote too.
Having a fish finder, any fish finder, makes ice fishing (read: catching) more fun. Can’t imagine fishing without one. With that said, they all show depth and fish to some level ,albeit, some better than others. Look at the features and price you want and go from there. The auto depth is fine but is not difficult to change with the simple flip of the switch (literally one second). A few things to consider: New digital units are quiet, flashers are a little noisy. My buddies vexilar is louder than my LX-5. If you fish up in the water column, try to find a variable zoom. Other than that, it is going to really be a personal preference which you already start to see here or in any of these threads.
Good luck and enjoy fishing!
I bought the flx28 last year and used it for a couple weeks. I have always been a “Vexilar Guy.”. I loved this unit and was very happy with it…until the unit started to malfunction. I think it was from a poor battery but wasn’t going to take chances before a LOTW trip. I returned the 28 and had planned to exchange it for another. The store was out of 28’s but had one LX7 left. I opted to switch out the 28 for the lx7.
That was the best thing I’ve ever done. The lx7 is great. I am very happy with this unit and am now a “Marcum Guy.” I use the flasher and the vertical column in the split screen display. This unit has more to offer than the 28.
I pondered this topic last year just like you are now. You will be happy either way you go….but do yourself a favor and go with the lx7!
I bought a Vexilar FL-8 SE 8 years ago and its done nothing but work perfectly every time. You can probably find one of those models for cheap money these days. Not the greatest flasher for deep water though. Changed the way I fish ever since. Wont ice fish without it.
Everyone, CHAP here, (aka Lane Stockeland), thanks much for all the good advice! Greatly appreciated. As we used to say in the Army (BLUF) Bottom Line Up Front: I want something to see the fish, see my jig, and I want to be able to read the depth. I don’t want or need a lot of bells and whistles, but I do fish the St. Croix a lot, normally in 30 ft. or more, so I want to be able to see down that far, at least. Thanks again! CHAP is my nickname due to nearly 28 years in the Army, over 22 of them as an active duty chaplain. Proud to serve!
CHAP, thanks for your service. I’ve always had Vexilars. From the very first FL-8s to the FL-28 I bought last year. I have never had a problem. Because of that, I had to buy the FL-28 when I bought my latest. I was further convinced of their durability when I heard of an ill-tempered fisherman throwing his bucket and Vexilar when it was frozen in the bottom of the pail. Story has it that it was a mighty toss. Well the Vexilar became unattached upon contact with the ice. The fisherman then walked over, picked it up, and fished with it. I can’t imagine that all of them can take that kind of abuse and keep on ticking.
Every flashers have its lemon. I own 2 terrible marcum lx3tc but also own a very good lx7. My brother’s lx7 broke after 10 mins of fishing brand new out of the box. I also own the vex flx 28 which seems to work well at the moment. So far I put about 8 hrs continuously without issues, 12 hrs total. Since I really like the idea of dial sonar I am willing to give the flx28 a test drive this season.
Save the money and buy a Showdown Troller. Have the price of the rest and it shows all the catchable fish. At that price you can buy an extra one so you can take a kid or a buddy.
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