I would like to get a new fish finder before the ice hits. I just don't know which one to go with that will be best for ice fishing. I have been using an old version of the Fishing Buddy III. I like the screen display, but I have heard that the flasher type finders are better....once you learn how to read them.
Thoughts, Ideas?
Oh...also... What about the "peak to peak" watts, how high is good?
Thanks
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The flashers really aren't hard to read. Just different. And you'd love it if you had it.
I have 3 finders that I use with my sons-in-law. One is an old LCD Eagle, and we generally use that with an Aqua-Vu camera that one of the boys has. The LCD is a little slower to show what's actually going on below; there's a bit of a delay that the flashers don't have. The other 2 of us each take one of the Vexilar FL-8 flashers that I also have. They are a lot of fun, and not only show your lure, but fish in proximity to the center of the "cone", and close they are as they move in on the lure. They are 3 color models, too, which adds to fun of seeing how close a fish actually is.
Check out the different Vexilar and MarCum units. They are pretty comparable in price too.
Good luck picking one out!
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If it's just for ice fishing, this one looks pretty interesting.
[url "http://www.naturevisioninc.com/shop_nvi/product.php?productid=14&cat=4&page=1"]http://www.naturevisioninc.com/shop_nvi/product.php?productid=14&cat=4&page=1[/url]
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What about this one....looks awesome to me. [url "http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/Products/M68CSMap_ice.asp"]http://www.lowrance.com/Marine/Products/M68CSMap_ice.asp[/url]
It has an LCD screen, but also has a "flasher" type feature. Would that flasher be as acurate as a Vexilar? Or will there still be a delay?
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My humminbird 383c has a readout like that also. I haven't tried it on the ice yet, but that screen, combined with the real time sonar screen should be great. I wouldn't think there should be much delay, other than instead of firing an LED, it's driving an LCD. Should be minimal, unless the cold affects it.
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I bought a Vexilar FL8 SE from sportsman's last fall and it was the best $300 i have ever spant on ice fishing. It lets you know if something is wrong with your setup because the fish will come up to it which changes color the closer they get. If they back off change your presentation. It is real time also so you see it as it happens.
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If it's only for ice fishing, consider the Marcum or the Vexilar, I use my Garmin 240 for a variety of fishing seasons, and it works great! Real time sonar, plus the screen sticks around for a few seconds if your eyes wander, you don't miss much.
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i got a Vexilar flasher.. and i must say it's a very nice finder..
the only bad thing i can say about is it makes a lot of noise and watching the flashing all day can give you one heck of a head ache..
i'm going to get a new transducerfor my lowrance X135 this year.(so i don't have to take the one off the baot) and give it a try for ice fishing.. it has LCD and a flasher display.. should cut down on the noise and the head ache from the flashing lights all day..
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I swear by my Lowrance X-135. The flashers are great too, I've fished with BLM a time or two through the ice and his works as well or better then mine. They are not that hard to read once you figure out the colors. Like TKB I can split screen mine and get the flasher one one side and graph on the other.
I haven't messed with the Hummingbirds so I can't comment on those.
My best advice is; buy the best you can afford and you are comforable operating. It does you no good to buy a top of the line machine that you can't figure out how to use. Fish with as many guys on ice as you can before you make up your mind. I know guys that can use a cheap POS fish finder and can outfish me.
IFG
Love my Vexilar FL-8,you can see your lure,tune the vexilar so it appears green on the screen.When a fish comes to inspect it,the lure turns red(get ready to set the hook),any red line on the screen will be a fish right below you.If I forget my Vexilar,I have to return and get it.My only experiance has been with Vexilar,other people think the same way about their brand of flasher.
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I don't just use my Vexilar for ice fishing. I have used it all summer from my toon for catfish, bluegill, and everything else. It comes with a float so i just let it hang below me or off the side of the boat. I have even trolled with it with some success. If you decide to get one, don't spend the extra money on the "pro pack" or whatever it is. It is not worth the extra moola for what you get. I bought the Genz Pack and it works great.
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Flashers are great once you get use to them. I use a X67 Ice Machine, I'ts a lcd unit with both graph and flasher. It works great as long as you are fishing alone or your buddys are using lcd units, if they have Vexilar or Marcum units their signals will play havoc with your screen until you get out of their cone or range, mine seems to be about 60 ft away. Lowrence says it can't be fixed. Good luck with whatever you get!
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The FF that operate at the same MHZ is the conflict. I don't know what the Marcum and Vexilar operate at but they are popular.
I use the same LCD I use all year on the boat. I like it, it has helped more than you could know. It has a tri beam transducer that lets me see the fish come in and can operate at either of 2 MHZ.
MHZ also has an effect on the cone angle, some FF have wide cones and are well suited for shallow water operation, some have narrow cones and are best for deep water.
Your best bet is get the best you can afford, rig it for the ice (mine sits atop a lunch size cooler and the battery is inside, the FF stores in the cooler). Then get out there and to use it.
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I had a chance to use a friend's Vexilar for several ice fishing trips and was impressed with its performance, nothing like real-time response to your lure and fish position. It was cool to see the fish approach as a green line, then yellow, then anticipate a bite as it turns to red. I've been doing a lot of research on the Vexilar and Marcum units, comparing specs, user opinions, and company info. I use a Garmin 160 for open-water and ice fishing and it does a decent job of marking fish, showing depth and bottom structure. If I were to get another FF strictly for ice fishing, I would spring for a flasher. Good luck in your search.
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