Looking for new sonar

Looking to buy a sonar for around the price of 200 to 300 dollars but I’m willing to go up to 400 if it comes down to it. I’m just unsure about the portable fish finders like the deeper and fishunter. I’ve done some research on the marcum showdown but I don’t know if I’ll like the single color display. I only ice fish 20-30 times a year but I’m also a bank fisherman so that’s what keeps me going back to the portable fish finders. Anyone have any advice.

I’ve been using the Marcum VX-1 for a couple of years. I have had nothing but a positive experience with it and it is in your price range ($279-$289 range at Fleet Farm).

I agree with you . My VX-1P is much easier to use when doing alot of hole hopping, but my LX-9 gets the nod when camping on a spot.

I have been using the Marcum Flashers for 15 or so years….

I do like the new I series heads with the improved visibility from just about any angle..With the new face plate there is no need for the cover plate and no snow build up.. I fish mostly in shallow back waters of the Mississippi River but when I do head out to destinations with deeper haunts i can dial it in very easily…

Here is a link to the web page if you would like more info on the VX-1i

Bucking the Marcum trend, I have used a HumminBird Ice 45 for three years now and have been really happy with it. The 45 is above your budget at $400.00 but the Ice 35 will fit in at $300.00. Those are retail prices if you shop around they can be had for less.

I have a friend who uses a Lowrance Elite 4 with GPS that Lowrance doesn’t seem to offer anymore and that has been a good unit for him. He paid around $250 at the Ice Show two years ago.

My son-in-law has a HumminBird 386 which is both a graph and GPS and he has been fine with that. I think this retailed at $329.00.

The point is there are all kinds of units out there that fit the bill. if you can get to a place that carries a varied selection and play with them in person you will find what works for you.

My Ice-35 has a big bright screen, and has been running just fine since 2009. I was stunned one day when a friend and I were fishing in 17 feet of water. When I unhooked a white bass one hook broke off the treble and I dropped it down the hole. I realized the Ice-35 was tracking that piece of hook as a green mark all the way to the bottom. I put mine in an inexpensive Vexilar soft case right after I bought it. Can’t beat cheap, effective, and durable.

Duke

I was in the same boat and picked up a Marcum LX 3tci a few weeks ago. I haven’t had a chance to use it but it has good power and also has a zoom feature, not just bottom lock. Fleet Farm had it for $380.00 so it’s a bit more than you may have been wanting to spend, but i think it’s worth an extra $80.

I think picked up a lx3 for $200 and something last winter, its used but I love it so far.

So would you guys prefer a flasher over a product like the showdown? I just don’t know much about them. I saw that the showdown had 8000 watts of power and the flashers were at 1000 to 2000 so that’s what had me more toward the showdowns side. But I don’t know if that effects the timing, like if its real time or delayed.

I would stretch the budget and go for the LX3 which has adjustable zoom. I can’t imagine fishing crappies with a unit that didn’t have that feature. If all you fish are walleyes and other bottom fish the VX1 would work great.

I’ll throw in my two cents here because I have a ton of experience with the showdown units. The one I have is at least 4 years old and I’ve never had a single problem with it, never ran out of battery and I love it. Never had interference issues either. I ice fish a similar amount to you usually 20 plus trips a year and it has never failed me yet. I fish deep and shallow and it works for both, get the dual beam for sure though if you fish a lot of water over 20 ft. For the price, ease of use and dependability I would give it top marks. I convinced two of my uncles to buy them as well as two of my cousins and theirs have also worked well.

Having said that I would like the color display option, the unit currently uses a darker and blacker scale as the fish gets closer and closer to the center of the cone so in effect you can still notice the marks getting lighter or darker but nowhere near as well as a color option would allow. I keep holding out hope Marcum will make the Showdown in a color unit if they would that would be my ideal unit.

So I have narrowed it down to three units that are available at my local sheels. The have the hummingbird ice 35 and marcum vx-1i for $300. They also have the vexilar fl-18 for $350. I liked the size of the hummingbird screen and the marcum seamed nice also but why not spend the 50 extra dollars and get the fl 18 imo. What do you guys think

I’ve had a Vexilar Fl-18 since 2002. They are bullet proof. I just gave it to my grandson, it will be his first locator. Can’t say enough good things about it. If you go that route get the 12 degree transducer. All of the unites you are looking at are great and you will be happy with any of them. I upgraded to the FLx-28 but don’t really think the fish will start jumping out of the hole just because I upgraded to bells and whistles.

I have the vex flx-28 your going to love it super fine detail add more colors for more def. very bright and large screen you will have to turn down when its dark outside, digital depth for that fast run and gun. if you cant tell I am very happy with my vex..

I see from your post your also a bank fisher. Have you considered one of these: https://shop.vexilar.com/en/sonarphone-1/sonarphone-wtransducer-t-pod-phone-not-included–sp100. I’ve seen some pretty impressive videos, but not experienced one myself. Just a thought.

I had a VX-1, returned it about a week after I got it. Nothing wrong with the unit, just didn’t like the zoom feature. Picked up a Humminbird Ice 55 in 2009 and loved it. In fact, I still have it. The target separation leaves something to be desired, but the big, bright screen was awesome. I also had one of the first Showdown units (picked it up cheap when Sportsman’s Warehouse closed), I sold it almost immediately for numerous software issues and interference. Not to mention the power cables on the first ones were problematic. I have heard the new Showdown units have really improved, however. I recently picked up an FLX-28 and wow, best unit I’ve had by far. I also have a Humminbird Helix Ice. If I didn’t solely purchase that unit to replace an H20 for GPS, it would be for sale already. It is tough to read and overall slow on feedback. The Helix units deserve to stay on boats, IMO.

At the end of the day, each unit, regardless of brand will have its pros and cons. Find the one you like best and it will serve you well.

bigdaddyg you sound very pleased with the FL-28. I haven’t actually used one but I am thinking about getting one. I was told the definition is like that of the FL-22 and it’s in 10 ft increments. Is that true ?

The flx28 is my favorite dial sonar. I have fished this unit in all conditions extensively every outing about 8-10 hrs, every weekend in 2014-15. I wouldn’t consider any other, I am please vex still live up to their name.

Chris
I would not count out the Showdown dual beam. I gotta say and this coming from a guy who has the following sonars:
LX7
LX5
Showdown Dual Beam
Showdown Troller 2
Humminbird 788ciHD converted for Ice use when not on my boat.

Yeah I know I have a problem Im a recovering Sonaraholic. There is no hope for my condition Im terminal hahahahha

Any way I have been pleased with both my Showdowns and actually have found my self using the Troller quite a bit. They are simple and effective to use. I find I really prefer the vertical water column to the round dial of the flashers. You can read them well. Set the depth range easy.Target separation on the DB Showdown is 1/2″ and battery life if phenomenal.

I think people overlook the SD’s because they are monochome.
Anyhow good luck in whatever you decide.

Bob
PS
Im gonna try not to buy any additional sonars this year. But there is always 2016.

The bad news is they bumped the price back up on the fl-18 so it between the other two now. The marxum is now down to $280 however. But does anyone know how the dual beam works on the ice 35. I read a review that said the 9 degree view didn’t work to well.

Well I purchased the marcum vx-1 for about $270 including tax, and to be honest i havent had the best of luck with it. Every time i start it up there some junk on the screen. About a hour into using it the mark thats the bottom will start moving. I have no clue what it means but i know thats not supposed to happen. Im not sure what to do with it.

What do you mean by “junk on the screen”? Also if the bottom or if fish start to bounce around then it could be a bad motor in the unit. Marcums are great products but there’s always a chance of a defective unit. If you think it’s defective than I’d suggest taking it back and swapping it for the same model and see how that one works. I bought mine used five years ago and it’s still going strong.