if you could pick one flasher what would it be and why would you chose that…

If you could pick one flasher and money wasn’t an issue which would it be and why? (I’m trying to decide on whether I want to keep my flx28, keep it and buy a lx7, or just buy a lx7)

I will keep my old style LX5 because of the sharp clear display that can be read in direct sun light. It does less blinking than other units also. That’s my pick anyway.

I fish a lot of deep waters 50+ fow but I could be fishing 8′ in the same day I will stay with my fl28 very clear easy to see more colors but that’s just me

I like fl18. But my 798cisi hummingbird on an older style 385 with a ice transducer and a handheld soft pack. I have lake master chip, and flasher tech. And I can put it on my boat in the summer.

Lowrance #2330 flasher. I have several. In open water, I do not like the Vex and like units.

steve-fellegy wrote:

Lowrance #2330 flasher. I have several. In open water, I do not like the Vex and like units.

Hi Steve,

Was wondering why you don’t like the Vex or like units in open water?

Justin Gamerdinger wrote:

If you could pick one flasher and money wasn’t an issue which would it be and why? (I’m trying to decide on whether I want to keep my flx28, keep it and buy a lx7, or just buy a lx7)

What are you looking for the the FLX28 does not provide?
I have always had Vexilars and probably will continue. This is my first year with the FLX28 and I love the thing. Works flawlessly and gives me several options on how to set the unit to show the best info under different fishing situations.

Mocha wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>steve-fellegy wrote:</div>
Lowrance #2330 flasher. I have several. In open water, I do not like the Vex and like units.

Hi Steve,

Was wondering why you don’t like the Vex or like units in open water?

I do not like the multiple dials/sets of numbers–forcing me think too much–as I climb or descend a sharp drop off. Rather, looking at one dial/set of numbers, is easier, for my weather-beaten brain, when the boat is moving/trolling–changing depths up and down fast and in big increments–unlike on the ice when you are stationary and at one depth at a time. Just hard to teach an “old” dog new tricks maybe?

Well if money’s really not an issue I’m going for an LX-9.

LX 6 or 7
No noise,no flashing lights, more screen options.

Lx-9 with a camera sounds good to me

Gave my two cents on the topic a month ago, but I’ll do it again. I got a fl-18 in 1997 and it still does the same thing it did for me the day I got it, no maintenance whatsoever, however I have purchased probably 10-15 batteries since then, but nothing to do with the unit itself. I will be hard pressed to go away from the vexillar in the future, but I do like some of the things I see with Marcum.

Not regretting the acquisition of an LX7 at all.

1) It goes on my boat in the summer. Having a unit I can use all year long helps justify spending a pretty penny on a piece of electronics. Spending that much on something I’d only use a few months of the year? Nope. Can’t do that.

2) The chart/graph mode is wonderful. Having that bit of history to look back at is great and you won’t miss anything. A standard flasher without that opens up the possibility of looking away and missing something coming through the area the transducer is looking at.

3) It’s fun having a unit with that much power when fishing in close proximity to others…or when others move in on you and they have flashers. Many, many people don’t understand IR and even when some do they won’t use it effectively. It’s combat fishing tool that most people don’t realize I have in my arsenal. Blow up their screen making their unit unusable and they’ll move.

I really enjoy using my Lowrance HDS5 on the ice. I also have a Marcum lx7 that is great. I like the digital units.

Thank you! Your valued inputs are duly noted

Just keep both, although the noise on the flx28 is so minimal I have no problems with it, as long as I know it’s working correctly. Lx7 is nice but I have not found the use for mines for 2 seasons. I let my kids use it.

Funny, I did the very same thing this past fall. I went to the St Paul Ice Show, and picked all the experts brains. Let it be known that I was leaning towards the FLX-28. I came out of the show with a Marcum LX-6. I used it about 12 times this season so far, and absolutely love it! I highly recommend it. I still have the old Hondex (pre Vexilar) FL-8 as the backup.
Good news is that I do not think you can go wrong with any of the units these days, they all seem to be reliable and accurate.

I know it isn’t a vex or marcum, but I purchased a used humminbird ice 55 for this ice season and have absolutely loved it. I fish Lake Trout up to around 90′ of water to panfish in 4′ and everything in between. I was picking up a 1/64 oz tungsten jig in 60′ of water catching ciscoes, that impressed me. I used to run into quite a bit of interference on my FL-18 that I had for years and haven’t had an issue with my humminbird. If I were to buy brand new I would go for a Humminbird Helix, GPS and sonar in 1 would be pretty sweet

Marcum VX-1. Why? Turn it on, set depth, catch fish. If bottom hungers, hit zoom.

PS – I’ve owned them all.

Good luck in your search. Flashers are one of those “whatever floats your boat necessities.” There is no one size fits all flasher. Now get out and figure out what fits your needs. The economy needs that, LOL

If the lx5 had a deeper range, I’d maybe go with that as my only unit, but as-is I would say vex’s flx28 would be my choice. It works extremely well shallow and very deep, has super noise rejection capabilities and is very compact and lightweight. It also is more reliable, which would be important if it was your only flasher option. It suck to try and spend a few dollars on bait and find out you’re fishing blind and spending 5x the bait $ on postage..

I’ll get up on my soap box and say the Showdown unit. I absolutely love it, bought one of the early models 6 years ago and has not missed a beat yet. It fits my style of fishing extremely well, super light for all of the hole hopping that I do. It is dependable and very simple to operate. My next unit will probably be another showdown if they continue to make them, assuming my unit stops working.

I’ve owned one from every company and cannot say I don’t like any of them. Like stated above, there is no 1 unit that works best for everyone. I was die-hard hummingbird until I bought a Vex and I can’t see myself owning anything else. I still have a Ice-55 and Helix, but I will almost always bring my FLX on the ice instead.

I do a lot of canoe fishing so I bought a suction cup ducer for my helix and it sees more action in the summer than winter.

If/when the Marcum LX7 gets GPS capabilities, I may bite. Until then, I’ll stick with what I have. I am not interested in the RT-9, assuming it makes it to market before the next ice age.

Can you clearly see the LX-7 screen on a sunny day with polarized sunglasses???

Love my LX-9, the best part is if you don’t need the camera, You simply unbuckle 2 clips and it’s a LX-7. A simple velcro strap sewn in the case solves any potential tipping issues hole-hoping…love the on-screen DVR play-back!

I love my Vexilars. I’ve had my Fl-8 since 2008, just upgraded to a Flx-28 this winter. Fantastic unit. Simple and reliable.

Had a LX9, great unit, I didn’t use the camera enuff, sold it and got the LX6… love it !!!

I presently own 4 Marcum sonars:
LX7
LX5
Showdown Dual Beam 5.6
Showdown Ice Troller v2
and I have converted a Hummbird 788CI to ice use.
I have owned and later sold a Vexilar FL8

If I had to pick one it would be between the LX5 and SD 5.6 DB It would be tough but I think it would be the Showdown DB. It may not be as sexy as the LX7 or LX5 but it is very easy to use has great target separation and excellent zoom. I think the general public dismisses it because it is not color and is grey scale. It also has great battery life. I think its weakness would be in durability. I have not had a problem but pack my gear carefully.

I would really like to make the LX7 my first choice. I like the way it presents information. I think it is the future. But I dont think Marcum has it quite there yet. I have had mine since the beginning. Maybe a few more updates and they will get it there. But the updates have been slow to come. I think they should support a flag ship product better. Once they finalize it I would sell the rest and Keep the LX7 and buy LX6 too.

Bob

My Vex fl18 is going on like 15 years
Bullet proof, reliable,still using the same transducer
Have only bought a battery for it about every 4-5 years since I maintain them properly
Would be hard for me to walk away from a vex

I own these two exact units, and they’re both very good but each have their +/-. I love my LX7 when it works properly, but in the four years I’ve owned it, it has gone back to Marcum twice…. Now, Marcum responded phenomenally each time, and I can’t knock em for that, but definitely an inconvenience no matter how you look at it. My FL28 has been used and abused for 2 years now. No issues whatsoever, that right there speaks volumes to me.

The LX7 has some great features (chart mode, different screen layouts, crisper display, etc….), but one thing I hate is how hard it is to see the screen on a sunny day, especially with sunglasses on! Also, the case sucks. You almost have to carry it like a baby. If I’m stationary, in a shack, or a cloudy day. LX7 is the cats meow.

The FL28 is a much more straight forward unit, as you know, but really has all you need. Different settings for shallow- deep fishing and plenty of adjustability and power. I never have an issue seeing the dial on the VEX no matter what light conditions are, and there isn’t even a comparison as to which one id rather carry for hole hopping.

If I had to pick ONE unit, I think I’d keep my FL28. It always works, and that’s what counts most. Also, can’t really say that I’ve ever really felt disadvantaged because I didn’t have my chart/ multiple layouts. ALthough I sure do like having them…

There is no perfect flasher out there, yet… No matter which unit you decide to go/ stay with though, get a lithium battery! Single best improvement you can make, especially if you move a lot.