Vexilar vs marcum 2015

Heading to the ice fishing show next weekend. Going to be upgrading my fl8 flasher. Torn between the two big companies. Any input guys??? Budget $500

I own a vexilar but have used my step dad’s Marcum alot. In my opinion, I stick to vex because they seem more durable/bullet proof. Where as the marcums have better displays. Whenever the day comes that my vex dies, it is very possible I’ll switch to marcum. But to me the durability of vex wins out for now.

My brother and I shared a Marcum LX-5 last year and it worked great. The new Marcum LX-5I is very similar to the original LX-5 but features some upgrades. It runs right at $500 dollars at Cabelas.

IME, dial= vex, digital then marcum. I have both, the flx28 and lx7

Vex is sturdier but MarCum is better performance and has a great service department. My advise is go with MarCum. For your price range you will be very happy with the LX5I. In my opinion the target separation is hands down way clearer than Vex. I would rather send my MarCum in for a quick tune up than loose out on not having a cleaner image all the time I am using the unit.

your the first one i’ve ever heard say something good about marcum’s service department IceAsylum. Personally go with a Vex and it is very possible to get a FLX 28 Pro Pack for $508 (just did on sportsmansguide.com) I went from the 8 to 28 last year and can’t say enough good about it. I even turned two buddies into vexilar fans after running marcums for a long time. Only issue i’ve ever had with my fl-8 in the 12yrs of using it was the puck went out but I called vex and the repair shop walked me through how to troubleshoot it and I had a new puck in 2 days.

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Last year I paid 540 or 560 at the show for an flx-28 ultra pack. Tax was included in that price.

Check out marine general.

I love my Marcum LX6. The price is a little more up there but I wouldn’t trade it for anything once I’ve had it. I grew up with the Vexilars. It’s honestly personal preference. Anything that helps catch fish is a good tool!

I went to the ice show 3 years ago, I walked up to Reeds and told the sales guy to ring me up a Vex. He said why a Vex, I said because they are the best. After 10 minutes of looking at a Vex v Marcum I walked away with a LX6.
I love it.
IMHO – Your not going t loose with either one. Its a Ford v Chevy thing.

Take a look at the lowrance products as well … For the same reason .

I would check out the lowrance elite 5 chirp ice pack. Same price comes with gps and chart plotter

TimHyvonen wrote:

your the first one i’ve ever heard say something good about marcum’s service department IceAsylum.

That’s funny because I have had to deal with them on two different units and got my unit back within 5 business days both times.

Practice makes perfect.

biggill wrote:

Practice makes perfect.

I called Marcum CS one time with an issue with my LX6 that I thought for sure would mean sending it in…..
After a few questions and having me do some on machine tests he walked me through the fix (had to reload the update-my fault)suggest a couple of setting changes and after that it worked flawlessly…….This took 30 mins. and he was very professional the whole time.

The moral of this story?
It boils down to the Ford,Chevy,Doge thing again…
Both are great units….buy what you like..
Now for me, it’s Marcum…

Well, since you brought it up… I prefer my marcum over vex because it’s a newer higher tech more accurate and a bullet proof unit. I love the variable zoom on it too. Has a clearer more defined lines than any Vex I’ve used and you get more bang for your buck with Marcums IMO. Never ever had a problem with it and I have called marcum several times with some questions and they are so quick to answer right away and to email you back. They really know their product and do an amazing job with it! And since you asked CHEVY!!!

I’m not a pro but here is my opinion.
I have used:
a vx1 guide series made by marcum
An lx5 from Marcum (owned was stolen)
An lx7 from Marcum
And own a flx28.
If you want a dial style flasher besides a couple push buttons the only difference between marcum and vexilar is marcum you can zoom in on any section of the water column. Where as Vexilar (depending on series) you can only zoom in on bottom 6 or 12 ft of the water column.
Now as for the “buttons” instead of “knobs”
I used my lx5 so much my buttons wore through.
This is why I like my vex.
The knobs seemed a little more sturdy.
My vex is the dial style brushless.

Now if you are looking for multiple profiles and want something more digital large screen them yes the lx7 is for you.
There are a couple things you need to know.
The lx7 runs at 4800 watts so if you fish like i do with other people it tends to put off interference on other peoples sonar and they could get upset.
Vexilar flx28 400 watts and doesn’t put off the interference.
Also the weight if carrying a long ways or hole jumping can be heavy.
Also you can update your interface online how ever if you get a bad update you have to wait for marcum tho come out with another update.
Cool thing is if you ever decide to use a camera you can upgrade the lx7 for $400 into an lx9 but remember its software so be careful.

Now if you look art target separation there is a big difference.
The marcum lx5 is 3/4″
The marcum lx7 is 1/2″
The vexilar flx28 is 1/4″
What Does this mean.
That is the difference between bait and fish and sometimes even the lure and bait you have attached.
While only 1/4″ difference between the lx7 and flx28 that can mean the difference between fish on ice or missing hooksets.

So I hope this helps.
In closing if you want a large screen with lots of options and zoom in multiple zoom range in the water column but weighs more go with marcum lx7

If you want a dial style great Machine that weighs less better target separation from a company that builds indestructible units go vexilar flx28.

Shakin’ hips and rippin’ lips
Tight lines