Lowrance 522 on ice?

I have a FL-18 and hate sharing it when I take the GF or friends out. Last year Lowrance was selling the “522 Ice Machine”, I see this year they are not, and have to wonder why.

I run a 522 as my gps on my boat and Reeds has the Ice Machine kit for $160.

Those of you that have used this set-up (as flasher or graph) I am interisted in your findings.

Run time?

Indoor/outdoor

Other thoughts- likes or dislikes.

Any input in appriciated as I’d rather spend $160 than $300 for something that I won’t even be using, HaHa -mark

For what its worth, if your going to spend 160 for an ice kit, I would just buy your GF a new flasher for 230 ish. You can always look at the VX-1 by Marcum around ice show time for about that price, if I am not mistaken. Your then not having to deal with liquid crystal 522 on the ice, low battery life, taking it off the boat, etc, etc.
With the VX-1 Pro your getting a great flasher without breaking the bank!

Maybe check out the Marcum Showdown. These are supposed to be going for around $200. Havent tried one yet but hope to this winter.

Quote:

---

For what its worth, if your going to spend 160 for an ice kit, I would just buy your GF a new flasher for 230 ish. You can always look at the VX-1 by Marcum around ice show time for about that price, if I am not mistaken. Your then not having to deal with liquid crystal 522 on the ice, low battery life, taking it off the boat, etc, etc.
With the VX-1 Pro your getting a great flasher without breaking the bank!

---

X2
Picked one up for my son last season. Heck of a unit for the price

I agree with spending the $ on a second flasher unit. I was tired of my son stealing my Marcum and got a good deal on a used Vex FL-8. Besides, now we can compare the two brands on our own and we both have one

Dave

I purchased the ice pack and rarely use it, although it does come in very handy when I want a large portable color gps screen with my map software. That 5″ LCD screens burns through batteries very quickly. Marcum LX 1 all the way for the spare in my opinion.

Ryan

Cant speak for the 522, but I have a 332 Ice machine and when using it next to a Vex it doesnt compare in terms of flasher quality.

I would not recommend getting the ice unit for the 522. I purchased that last year for my 522 and used the sonar function on it once. I love the map feature but compared to using my marcum no way. Like others said get another flasher.

FF has the vx-1 till Saturday for $230 on sale

I’ve been using my 522 the past 4 seasons on the ice and have really enjoyed it. I have another flasher but always seem to go with my 522i. One of the nice things about the Sonar view is the ability to have a visual memory of what is happening near your jig. I don’t have to worry about taking my eyes off my sonar for fear of missing an interested fish. The ability to zoom anywhere in the water column is a nice bonus as well. Late fall I scout out my early ice locations and those waypoints are great to have on hand instead of transferring to a seperate GPS unit. Battery life is approximately 8 hours which is plenty for me. I.M.O. it’s a tough unit to beat in the GPS/Sonar world.