I have had mine for about 9mo. I was a Lowrance customer but not anymore. It’s time to buy one for the front of the boat now!!!!!!!!!! Plasticman

I have had my Edge3 for about a 2months now.I would not give it up for anything.It is by far the best investment in electronics there is…….. I have had x15 and x19.there is no comparison between vexilar and Lowrance,my view only.Now they need to come out with a GPS………

There is a extra port on the back of the unit,may be a GPS in the future for Vexalar,that will plug in to the Edge 3? Any replies? I just hate spending money on Lowrance.Now there is a alternative to the high priced units. That works better, with a A1 service dept. that don’t try to rob you.

I have had my Edge 3 for about a month.I had a x19 lowrance previously. there is no comparison in the fish marking ability of the Edge 3.It is far better than the Lowrance(in my opinion). I just love it.Finely some thing works as advertised. Shallow water performance is outstanding.

lure rat Would you please tell us about the performance of your 90hp susie? Top end speed and slow speed? What does it idle at RPM wise? Is the idle RPM adjustable? Would you buy another one? Thanks in advance Plasticman//////////

I just talked to Pat at Vex last week to see if there was a color unit in the makeing. Not to his knowledge. What a shame. with there service dept. and a color unit,there would be some real competition to Lowrance. I to have used the Edge. Jon describes it verry well.

The following is a timeline of comments from my experience with an X19 Lowrance unit.

6-6-04
My new X19c Lowrance is almost non viewable in the sunlight. It is awsome inside at Cabela’s or in my garage. I have tried almost every setting. You folks that have color units please advise me on what to do. If this is a trait of these it will be a long time before I buy another one. Some of the advertisements on the box are SUPERIOR SUNLIGHT VIEWABLE, FANTASTICALLY ENHANCED READABILITY!

6-7-04
Good thing Cabelas has a 60 day money back guarantee. After talking to Lowrance this morning (Pattie), there are some sunlight issues with the X19 unit,she said if I would send it back, they could put an enhanced (updated) screen in it for a mesely $99 bucks. Nice try, the unit is only 5 days old. All the new screens are going to customers for $99. They are not putting them into new units that are still being sold through stores or mail order for another 4 or 5 months.

6-8-04
Just took my X19 back to Cabel’s this AM. I had the sales person take a new battery outside. We hooked up X19, X18 or 104 to look at OUTSIDE. What he saw was NOT what he was told at the seminar that Lowrance put on last year for the sales staff at Cabela’s. I talked to the service staff at Lowrance yesterday, they said that enhanced screen was the fix. $99 FOR THE UPDATED SCREEN. 200 new units are on order from Cabelas. Are they the new ones or not, they can’t tell. Any other uswers out there, please tell me what you think. Is the vewability what you expected for $1400? I will not pay $99 for something they should fix in the first place. I just wish Vexalar had a compareable unit, what a service Dept!

I’d like to thank everyone on this forum for the opportunity to pass information from one person to another.
Sure helps the consumer make a better decision on what to buy and what to stay away from. I especially want to thank BrianK for passing on information on our dealings with the X19 unit.
PLASTICMAN

Beckman is the best by far. But the cost? $80 not chump change.

Does the Opti come in a tiller model yet? They did not earler this year. What about idleing RPM? Just some other important things to consider. For me any way.

Bought one last Tuesday. I went out yesterday and was not very impressed with it AT ALL. Iadjusted the screen every way i could but still could notsee it in the sun. It works well at Cabelas and in my garage but thats it. If I could get some one to tell me that I am doing something wrong with it i would like to hear from them. Thanks Much/////////

This subject is realy filled with emotion,past memories,good DNR data,and present results.What I would like to say is pool 4 fisherman should fish down on pool 11 or12 right after you have fished up there for awhile.Same river same time frame. Just one time.Believe me I have seen the good and the terrible. I can only control what goes on in my boat but that doesn’t mean that I like everything that I see going on either.I can’t change anything but i do feel better after I put in my 2cents worth

Both are better than Dubuque.I talked to a couple of fellows that fished Dbq. today with not much success.I have heard that some fish are being caught at both places. Drive to the closest and use the extra time in the boat.Thats my thought only. Maybe some one can give you better info. I’d be interested also. Plasticman//////////

When you have experienced excellent fishing in the past and then loose it,then you know what your missing,but the game is overby then.Rumor has it that Iowa is going to implement a slot limit next year to protect larger spawning fish.Maybe your state should consider this.

I can only respond on the conditions at lock 11.As of Monday ice was still up to the dam.I think this warm weather that is coming will open up some area to fish.You may have to put your boat in on the Wisc. side of the river but who knows maybe a ramp will open up by then./////////plasticman.

reply to Nord I have not tried the new Berkley Bass minnow maybe some one can chime in with info on them.I have not bought any Lucky Strike shad minnows in years mainly because I carry 2 1/2 cubic ft of plastic already.The Bait Shack in Dubuque has new Chart.and pink both with pearl.I did buy some of them today.They may work well in stained water. Thanks for your reply.////////plasticman

It can be anywhere from 3ft. to 6ft. I run them on the long end usually.

Response to Rivereyes
I’ll be glad to answer your questions the best I can. It doesn’t mean that this answer will be right in every situation, as you know. My all time favorite way to fish plastic is by casting them. No bait to fly off and you can really make a lot of casts to a particular spot in a short amount of time.

Vertical jigging is my second choice, when I’m fishing an area that I can catch fish in. If I have to fish wing dams to find fish, then my choice is 3-ways, or what some call a Dubuque rig. The jig must give me feed back to where my bait is in relation to the rocks of the wing dam. The jig could be any size from 3/8 oz. to 1 oz. Shad or any plastic is used on the jig. Anything can be used on the long line, live bait (OUCH!), or rapala’s. There are a lot of times that fish will only hit the jig. They will not come up for whatever you have on the long line. If that’s the case, take the long line off. Sometimes fish will only take the long line lure, then it pays to have it on there. At times when fish are suicidal, you may even get 2 fish on at the same time. Like I said the other night two 2 lb. fish going in opposite directions fight like a 6 pounder. So if you see a red Lund with a 50 hp Honda on it with two large nets in the boat it could be me. If you want to have a laugh watch someone try and get two fish in the same net at the same time.

Super doos are new to me, but I have them know thanks to EFN and Hoagie. We did fairly well with ringworms last year on your pool in the summer.

My wife says two pages is enough.
I write it – she types it.
Thanks for your reply.
Plasticman

RiverEyes Being that Im from Dubuque and you are going to use Dubuque rigs this week you may want to thread a doo or ring worm onalong shank #2/0 hook.If I catch a fish on what ever I have on the heavy jig I try and use that same bait on a bare hook.It will float and glide some what higher than the jig.You will be suprised at how many doubles you will catch.Two 2 pound fish equal a 6 pound fight when they go in opposite direction///////////plasticman