Ice 45/55 or Lx3/5?

  • salmo_trutta
    River Falls,WI
    Posts: 661
    September 7, 2011 at 11:10 pm #1302671

    Well I finally fell into enough money to pick up a new sonar, but I dont know which would work best for a first time sonar user on the ice. any suggestions on which way I should go?

    vikefanmn77
    Northfield,MN
    Posts: 1493
    September 7, 2011 at 11:32 pm #993494

    Ice55 is the coolest dang thing Ive ever seen. If I had the $$$ Id do it.

    Wade Boardman
    Grand Rapids, MN
    Posts: 4453
    September 7, 2011 at 11:37 pm #993496

    Quote:

    Ice55 is the coolest dang thing Ive ever seen. If I had the $$$ Id do it.

    I got a chance to play with a friend’s Ice 55 last winter. I was really impressed with it. I want to upgrade my Vexilar FL-18, perhaps this year.

    sandmannd
    Posts: 928
    September 7, 2011 at 11:58 pm #993500

    LX-5 all the way, but if you have the money get the new LX-7!!

    packingheat
    Reads Landing Mn
    Posts: 696
    September 8, 2011 at 12:05 am #993504

    I like my 55, also have a FL 18 for the wife.

    jasonjabe
    La Crosse/St. Charles
    Posts: 63
    September 8, 2011 at 12:31 am #993508

    55 for me…no complaints

    biggill
    East Bethel, MN
    Posts: 11321
    September 8, 2011 at 12:40 am #993510

    Not sure why vex is out of the question. I think that time has proven them to be by far the most reliable units on the market. I own FL-20, -12 and -8. The 8 I have owned for over 15 years without issue.

    99% of all issues are battery related.

    The flat screen on the -22, -20 and -12 is one of their best features.

    trumar
    Rochester, Mn
    Posts: 5967
    September 8, 2011 at 12:46 am #993512

    Next unit in my shack will this.

    LX-7

    russ0101
    Brooklyn Park, mn
    Posts: 102
    September 8, 2011 at 12:50 am #993515

    even the entry level 35 is a great unit.

    bigcrappie
    Blaine
    Posts: 4376
    September 8, 2011 at 1:37 am #993528

    Stick with the Marcum LX-3,I have been using the LX-3 and bought the LX-5 and use the 3 more because it is what I am used to.

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    September 8, 2011 at 1:50 am #993531

    I’m committing myself to steering clear of the flasher discussions until at least October… but if you go the MarCum route don’t forget about the rebates available right now. The one thing we can all agree on? Saving $$ = good.

    Save up to $50 off a flasher >>> MarCum Rebate Info

    rcn_brian
    Andover, MN
    Posts: 62
    September 8, 2011 at 1:53 am #993532

    I picked up an Ice 55 before the start to ice fishing last season. I love it. It automatically sets the depth if you want it to, has a great zoom funtion, easy to read face, a digital readout for the depth and a dual beam cone. I have zero complaints about it and have had great success using it next to vexilar and marcum units. They are all great units, but I am very satisfied with my purchase.

    salmo_trutta
    River Falls,WI
    Posts: 661
    September 8, 2011 at 3:26 am #993539

    thanks for all the responses guys. I pretty much have the $ to get any flasher out there, but I think the lx7tech maybe a bit much for a sonar beginner but it did cross my mind. vexs werent left out intentionally, just the one model I looked at didnt exceed 60 or 80 feet so it wouldnt work if I wanted to fish the cheq bay up north. I didnt notice the marcum deal until after I posted, it also makes choosing a bit harder.

    DAN J
    Posts: 127
    September 8, 2011 at 8:50 am #993544

    If your looking for a 55 I have one for sale. Its the 1st year model. I went to the HDS5 and I have a FL18 so I don’t use the 55 much. $300.00 or offer.651-642-9519 [email protected]

    arklite881south
    Posts: 5660
    September 8, 2011 at 11:38 am #993556

    Quote:

    Well I finally fell into enough money to pick up a new sonar, but I dont know which would work best for a first time sonar user on the ice. any suggestions on which way I should go?

    It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a look at the different units at this years ice fishing show. I too will look to stay clear of a “Flasher” debate for at least another month. We’ve utilized the LX-5’s from Marcum Technology in our guide service for the last couple years and have loved them. I am eager to try out the LX-7 this winter in addition to our 5’s.

    munchy71
    Stuart, Iowa
    Posts: 91
    September 8, 2011 at 12:58 pm #993578

    Quote:

    vexs werent left out intentionally, just the one model I looked at didnt exceed 60 or 80 feet so it wouldnt work if I wanted to fish the cheq bay up north.

    I’m pretty sure that ALL Vexilars will got to 200′ and there is even a deep water option specifically for places like Chequemagon Bay that goes to 300′. There are places where we fish for lakers in the Apostle Islands that only a 300′ range will allow you to see the bottom.

    To my knowledge, Marcum does not offer any unit that goes deeper that 200′, except for the new LX7, maybe?

    Not sure on the Hbird depth ranges, but you have obviously been VERY misinformed on the depth capabilities of the Vexilar.

    You may want to closely re-examine the spec’s of all the units before you pull the trigger on one.

    -Munchy

    dandorn
    M.I.N.N.E.S.O.T.A.
    Posts: 3211
    September 8, 2011 at 2:07 pm #993599

    “They smile in your face, all the time they………………

    biggill
    East Bethel, MN
    Posts: 11321
    September 8, 2011 at 4:45 pm #993641

    Quote:

    I’m pretty sure that ALL Vexilars will got to 200′ and there is even a deep water option specifically for places like Chequemagon Bay that goes to 300′.

    The FL-22 only goes to 60 ft. I have the 20 and 12 and only purchased the 12 because when I fish deeper than 60 feet, I don’t use the zoom. On the great lakes, you pretty much need the whole water column anyway.

    loren_keizer
    Posts: 113
    September 9, 2011 at 2:03 am #993761

    I would look to the LX-5. As others have mentioned, the Marcum units come with a nice Rebate this year.

    You will be fine with the LX-3, but once you use a LX-5 you will wish you would have bought one of those. Just ask my FIL, as he only had his 3 for a season after seeing my 5 in action

    munchy71
    Stuart, Iowa
    Posts: 91
    September 9, 2011 at 2:35 am #993767

    Quote:

    The FL-22 only goes to 60 ft. I have the 20 and 12 and only purchased the 12 because when I fish deeper than 60 feet, I don’t use the zoom. On the great lakes, you pretty much need the whole water column anyway.

    Good call. I totally forgot about the newest unit. The 22 is geared towards shallower water panfishermen, so anything over 60′ is overkill. All the rest of the vexilar units will go to 200′, however.

    salmo_trutta
    River Falls,WI
    Posts: 661
    September 10, 2011 at 4:12 am #994019

    does the marcum rebate only work for in-store bought flashers, or does it work with internet stores as well? since the 55 has a depth limit looks like itll be the lx5.

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