LCD or Vexilar Flasher on the bow of the boat?

[Josh]

Which of these would be a better option for the front of the boat and what is your reasoning?

Thanks,
Josh

[John Bigarow]

I tell you what, I have a Pinpoint 5420 on the bow of my Ranger. It's an LCD of course, and works great. It allows me to see the humps and ledges that I'm fishing, along with the fish that are (were) sitting there when the transducer passed over them.

BUT....The boat was purchased used and came with this unit. If I were going to outfit the rig myself (which I might still retrofit), I would go with a vexilar. I use a vexilar ice fishing and wouldn't be without one. Not only does it tell you the depth, but it shows you in real time when the fish is looking at or coming in on your hook. It doesn't show structure quite as well as an LCD, but if you have a good one on your dash on a RAM mount, I might just turn that around so that you can glance at it when necessary.

My preferred option would be a Lowrance X-15 or 19 series, with a Vex FL-18 on the bow.

JB

[Ed]

John ,but have you checked out the newer pinpoint (7800 series and up) it HAS real time capabilities. I have a Zercom colorpoint flasher,... which some would argue that they are at least close to the Vex flashers (this is what I gather from the icefishing boards from guys who have owned both,..and yes they give an edge to the FL-18) But I also have used the Zercom LPG 2000 on the ice and can say that I thought it was just as useful,..perhaps even more and it too has real time reaction (at least I can't react any faster that it does.)

[Dutchman]

I use a Pinpoint 7520 when trolling or drifting up front, I also have a Vexilar FL18 up front for what I refer to as picking bones. That's moving super slow or not moving at all working fish on a spot on spot presentaion. I can see in real time on the Vex what my bait is doing and if anything is paying attention to it. They both work well seperatley but don't work with a diddle together.



" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[goody]

I run my Vex FL18 in the bow of the motor...have a humminbird LCD in the bow that runs off a transducer in the back, as well as my LCD in the back by the tiller for when I am trolling. That gives me the ability to watch the flasher (which I cant live without on the ice) and the LCD at the same time. The best of both worlds I say.

goody

[DCB]

John and Dutch, can you tell me why you don't use the flashers built into the pinpoints. I 've used one and they sure SEEM to react in real time (?) Watched my tiny jig go up and down with my hand and I didn't see any delay. I have used Zercom and Vexilar flashers on ice and was impressed that the pinpoints acted real time if you use them in that mode or paid attention to the side bar.

[John Bigarow]

Okay...I am going to admit to ignorance here...which is something that I don't do often.

I did not know that my PinPoint had flasher capability. I'll check it out the next time that I'm on the water and give you a report.

I just upgraded to 2.7 software on my X-15 and see that it now has flasher capability too. I'll check on that too.

To be honest, I've only had mediocre success on LCD flashers in the past, but maybe these newer units will make me a believer.

(Remember I bought the boat used and don't have a manual...I'll use that as my excuse).

JB

[Dutchman]

I like the way the Vexilar works compared to the Pinpoint. The colors make the difference for me...

" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "