Hi guys looking for opinions .I have read a good way to learn how to understand what your flasher is showing you is to view it on a camera so if you can’t afford both or a combo which do you purchase first?
I personally use my flasher a lot more than a camera so I would say flasher.
Flasher because in dark or stained water a camera can be hard to use.
Flasher hands down !!!
Flasher.
Flasher. A camera is only good in clear water and daytime. Flasher always works.
Flasher always works, camera is limited
I agree with everyone else flasher for sure! You can learn what your flasher is seeing by using a camera with it but with a little time and watching a few videos you will know what’s happening below your flasher most the time.
Without question a flasher, Auger, portable shelter, rods, tackle, beer, snacks, food snowmobile, atv, then maybe a camera. That’s just my opinion, others may differ
Well there you have it…! Flasher unanimously. Years ago, I started off with both, an early version Aqua-Veiw and an FL-8se. The camera was ultimately more a novelty, the flasher was quick to learn and ultimately provided the best image of what was going on down below the hole. Once learned and recognized, your lure, spoon, jig, could be easily followed and easy to see (recognize) fish coming in.
They’d either come in and move away, or you see the marriage of the fish blob image mating with your bait/lure image…then thump, fish on!
Meanwhile, your camera cable would have spun around looking into the cloudy abyss!
Flasher is just way faster. It takes too long to get a camera set up, at the right depth, in the right direction and find your jig.
Drives me crazy, my FIL refuses to buy a flasher and just uses the camera. So I will drill a bunch of holes and find some fish, then 15 minutes later he’s set up with the camera and then the fish have moved on and we get to start it all over again.
Camera doesn’t help you find fish like a flasher does.
Flasher.
I use the flasher every time out. The camera is one of those things that we use with kids or on on long trips, it is kind of cool but rarely have a been using it to actually catch fish.
Kids do love the camera though, until they learn to use the flasher.
Flasher
I would have to agree with a flasher…However, a lot of people seem to be down playing the use of a camera. I love having a camera, especially for panfish. I can catch way more fish with a camera waiting for the lure to disappear rather than waiting to feel the bite. So after buying a flasher I would save my money for a camera.
I’m glad to respond to this because about two years ago I asked the exact same question on this site. At the time flashers intimidated me whereas cameras…duh, you see what you see. So I was leaning camera until folks on here recommended a flasher, so I saved up some travel points and other things and bought me an ICE-55.
I’d take the advice of the others on here and go flasher. Right away you know your depth and pretty good idea of what’s going on below your ice hole. Like I said I was worried because I’m not a big electronics guy but there are a few YouTube videos with people showing how to use them.
Also Ryan P I’ve considered doing what you suggested. That’s a good post from you and I think I’m going to have to consider saving for that purchase.
I had a camera before a flasher, but it was a Kodak 110. 
Yeah, I have been thinking of getting a camera for my grandkids as a education tool and entertainment when the bite is slow.
Flasher for sure. i just bought a camera after not having one for years. I agree they are less useful in catching fish but I bought my camera for scouting bottom content and finding new fishing spots to use all year round. To me, that’s where a camera can really be a big benefit to you. Buy both if you can afford it but buy a flasher first for sure.
flasher
This
Flasher without a doubt. In the Ice Fishing world, flasher falls more under the category of “need” and camera falls more in the category of “want.”
I bought a Marcum VS380 about 9-10 years ago when they came out. Used it a bunch then, but not anymore. Took it out once last winter with the wife so she could watch and be entertained. Other than that, I have learned to read bottom composition off the flasher and don’t even bring the camera with me anymore. I do know that the new cameras are light years better than mine, but I feel like I still wouldn’t use it much.
Flasher without a doubt. In the Ice Fishing world, flasher falls more under the category of “need” and camera falls more in the category of “want.”
x2
Flasher works in the dark, in dirty water, tells you depth and weeds instantly (even without a hole if the ice is clear). Oh, and the fish finding too.
Camera is invaluable for kids, non fishing people, or when it’s slow or the fish are super lazy. And yea, you might not enjoy splendid full color HD in dirty water but mine has worked fine seeing a jig a few feet away in stained metro lakes.
I wouldn’t give up either, and right now in life with kids my camera gets used more (after scouting with flasher).
I also strongly agree that cameras help you understand/appreciate your flasher more if you run both a bit.
It’s obvious to go with a flasher. Just don’t go asking what kind to get now.
It’s obvious to go with a flasher. Just don’t go asking what kind to get.
It’s obvious to go with a flasher. Just don’t go asking what kind to get.
Vexilar 
Pervert in a trench coat…
Flasher.
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