What flasher would you buy????

[hondo]

Originally Posted by teamlund

sure, vexilars HQ is here but are they assembled here?

The way is has been explained to me for Vex is that the KEY components are both MADE and ASSEMBLED overseas. The way I understood it was that the circuitry and boards (ie. the brains) were made and put together overseas ....... fwiw

[jeffbilodeau]

I too had a FL8 for years and agonized for a month on what to get. Because all of my buddies have Vexilars I decided to get a FL22. Probably wouldn't be very popular blowing everyone out of the water with a Marcum even though I think Marcum has a very slight edge. No regrets at all on the FL22. Amazing unit. I even talked another guy into one at Scheels. (sales guy should have give me a commision lol) The zoom features are freaking crazy good and low power in 6 FOW works just great. I wouldn't evven consider a HB. Fished LOW with 4 guys in the shack and I had no interference issues after adjustment. Worked great. Easy to see even in sunlight or at an angle. Expensive....yes but this is something you will use for 10+ years...what's another $100 bucks?

[jaslaf]

Are the Marcum LX-7's controls easy to use? I looked at one at Cabela's breifly and thought the buttons were confusing.

[Wade B AKA: Ruger2506]

The guys I fish with love them. The new LX-9 will be out this fall.

My new toy for the season will be a Humminbird 788ci HD with the ice package. I can triple duty it in my canoe, on the ice and in the bow of the boat. GPS mapping, flasher, 2-D and DI all in one compact unit.

[jaslaf]

Getting something that does double duty isn't a bad idea.

[Eric_Kruger]

I would wait till after July for whatever you buy, with Iccast just around the corner and Marcum debuting new units in the 6, and 9 you might be able to get a 7 at a less then retail price if thats what your looking for.

Ive also hear rumors all summer about a new vex.....no Idea other than "new" on what it is..

Now the nitty gritty, I owned an fl8 for many years and two years ago when the Fl22 came out I picked one up. Loved it.....Until I picked up my Lx7 last winter.....the Lx7 is more crisp in the display, the returns are easyier to understand as far as big or little fish, I can even tell if I have bait or not where as I couldnt with the "Blob" return on the fl22. I have had zero issues with the LX7 were as the Fl22 went through one of the 3 beam ducers in the first six months, after that I switched it out for the 12.


I also own a bird 55, I got it for a good price minus the new motor I had to have put in it. Great unit and Huge display. Pricey to have repaired but again a solid choice.

Just go to the stores in sept and Play with the units....find one in your price range that will work for you. Dont buy into the brand hype, find one that fits your style of fishing.

[jaslaf]

Thanks,
Sound advice any tips on what to look for at the store? I have almost no previous experience with flashers.

[Eric_Kruger]

Originally Posted by jaslaf

Thanks,
Sound advice any tips on what to look for at the store? I have almost no previous experience with flashers.

Target separation, the smaller the better....Ducer cones, most of the higher end units all have a dual or triple (vex). again you can get by without but if you can afford it......accessories, some come with cases, transducer arms or floats, battery 7ah vs 9ah, zoom - some have adjustable some are just bottom lock in 6 or 12 ft views.

If I had to put them in order it would be zoom, target separation, battery for me.

[TipUp]

i would go with the VEX FL-18. I use it when fishing for lake trout in 80 feet of water and it does the job.

[Fish For Fun]

I was a vexilar guy for years until I tried a Marcum, night and day difference. I have not tried one of the new Vexilars but the Marcum VX-1 is amazing for an entry level flasher.


Now with the LX-6 basically a smaller LX-7, and the LX-9 they have some amazing options.