I have an FL-8SE that I wouldn’t be without on the ice. I am considering buying either another flasher for my boys to use or going with a camera. I’m wondering if they’d get a bigger kick out of the camera vs. a flasher. How useful are they for ice fishing? I’m going to guess they are a bigger hassle to set up and move, but I’ve never used one.
Kids LOVE the camera…
Definitely go with the camera. On days when it is hard to detect bites or find the size/species you are marking, it is invaluable. Kids love them too 
just make sure on the body of water you fish most is on the clearer side because they wont work on some lakes.. lotw for example
If it was an addition for you, I would say camera of course.
Since your talking about other fisherpeople without a flasher, a flasher will put more fish on the ice in all conditions.
Entertainment value-100% camera.
There are times especially this time of year when the bite of panfish is so light the only way to catch them is to have a camera on them. No spring bobber is as sensitive as watching the bait get sucked in and spit out than a camera.
But always a flasher first, camera second.
Set up on the ice is minimal using one of the new Marcum cameras with on screen depth and the Marcum camera Panner.
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If it was an addition for you, I would say camera of course.
Since your talking about other fisherpeople without a flasher, a flasher will put more fish on the ice in all conditions.
Entertainment value-100% camera.
There are times especially this time of year when the bite of panfish is so light the only way to catch them is to have a camera on them. No spring bobber is as sensitive as watching the bait get sucked in and spit out than a camera.
But always a flasher first, camera second.
Set up on the ice is minimal using one of the new Marcum cameras with on screen depth and the Marcum camera Panner.
X2
If you’re looking for fish, you need a flasher. But once you find them, you want a camera. Can’t tell you how many times the camera has put fish on the ice for me. Last time out, the Eyes were coming through and looking but no takers, by watching their reaction to my presentation, I found out they wanted the jig & minnow on the bottom – with the minnow in a “distressed” state, wiggling around…I could not get them to hit any other way
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a flasher will put more fish on the ice in all conditions
until cameras allow you to watch your bait at any depth and at any time of day, you need a flasher first.
would you want just side imaging before gps/sonar? no, but side imaging sure is fun to have!
X3 
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would you want just side imaging before gps/sonar? no, but side imaging sure is fun to have!
Very good way to put it.
Then again, if it’s entertainment your looking for only….
Yes, the camera would be entertaining but I would go with a flasher as mentioned it will work in every lake and depth.
They kids sure do like the camera though.
I remember the first time I took a camera with, I watched and laughed at the crappies so much as they would inhale and exhale so fast, I forgot to set the hook.
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Very good way to put it.
Then again, if it’s entertainment your looking for only….
Then bring Kooty 
My vote would be for the flasher
I traded a second flasher I picked up at a good price for a camera. I have since sold the camera and am looking at a second flasher again. I fish with an 8 and 10 yo. I thought they would like the camera but they like the flasher better. The ponds we fish are not the clearest water. The kids caught right on to the flasher.
Just my thoughts
Jeff
I would say flasher.. Works better at anytime of day or conditions such as stained water.
I use the flasher 1st, find what’s moving below, but then I like to see why, after marking fish, what else may be lurking down below affecting the bite.
Upgrade your flasher and give the kids the old one.
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Upgrade your flasher and give the kids the old one.
Good suggestion. My son and I have a camera, but a second flasher will be in the budget for this fall. Just overall a better tool to use for CATCHING FISH. We do enjoy looking to see them hit, or what kind of fish are there…but effective catching came from the flashers.
Definitely get the flasher first. The camera is only beneficial when the water clarity is somewhat clear and it isn’t dark out. The flasher will work in all conditions. Don’t get me wrong, the camera can come in quite handy every now and then. But I rely on my flasher far more than I would a camera….any day.
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The camera is only beneficial when the water clarity is somewhat clear and it isn’t dark out.
Mr. Canada, although I agree with you on the flasher vs camera, you need to see a Marcum Camera in action at night.
I’ve guessing you’ve used another brand or an old style Marcum in the past?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VXkZ8cF4zE&feature=fvsr
The above YT video show the bottom of a boat and then the camera is dropped down into 26 FOW and then the lights are turned on.
The next segment shows the camera w/lights in 36 feet of water.
As long as there’s some clarity in the water Marcum’s 4 year old “Darkwater” technology has changed the way cameras are used deep and at night.
I had to get one more plug in for the season.
Thanks!
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