Looking to get some new electronics for ice fishing and want your thoughts on which brand you like best. Please follow up with a reply on which model you like also. Thanks
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Looking to get some new electronics for ice fishing and want your thoughts on which brand you like best. Please follow up with a reply on which model you like also. Thanks
I have a Hummingbird Ice 55 and love it. I fish a lake with alot of structure and this unit makes it very easy to to identify between fish and structure. I've had it now for 5 years and no problems other than replacing the battery this year. I use it in the boat also. Hope this helps!
Been fishing vex's for close to 20 years. Picked up a FL-22 HD last season and only got to use it around 6 times. Not a bad unit but heavy. I used a Lowrance M-68C more last season and really like it more than my vex. Has GPS built into it with the maps already. Great for going back to the same spots that produced for me. Dont overlook the new Lowrance icefishing units. Should have included them in your poll.
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=...%3Dvz-portal-s
I run a bird ice 35 for the money I think its hard to beat. I am going to be using the 587 ci HD di units from my boat this year though. Haven't tried it yet so I can't give it a positive reveiw
check this out.
Lowrance Elite-5 IceMachine in action
And look what i found at Cabelas
Lowrance® Elite 5 ICE Machine : Cabela's
There were some guys around here running that unit. Most had nothing but good things to say about them. If your into ice fishing check out www.iceshanty.com there is more info there than I could pick up in two lifetimes of ice fishing.
Yea unfortunately I'm a certified hard water nut lol. I go by the same handle over there.
I use the Showdown and absolutely love its simplicity!!:biggrin
Here's the Elite 5 ice machine.
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e2...ps96169727.jpg
found this video on using my finder
Lowrance Elite-5 IceMachine in action - YouTube
One over the guys I fish with had some major problems with the showdown. Ended up with a fl-20 tri-beam. Let's just say when the warranty quit so did it
Sold my showdown the season after i got it. Just didn't care for the lines. Went to a vex and now i'm using lowrance products. Still would like to sell the fl-22 to someone that enjoys using them. It's less than a season old. I like the lcd screen better on the lowrance units. $425
I wish I could swing it. Might see if I can't find some funding
Marcum Showdown 5.6 is a staple in my sled now! I still have a vex but haven't even turned it on in two years!
Marcum LX-7, bought it two years ago and sent it in on Wednesday to have it upgraded to the LX-9 (adds the camera and DVR).
The nice thing with it is they upgrade the firmware-u hook it up to your computer and you now have new options etc....
Unlike some others where once you buy it, the technology is already old or "locked in."
I am no pro at fishing, at all, in fact this is my second post on this forum, but the marcum is a lot better, imo, than Vexilar.
Better target separation, viewing options, and does not look like it is from 1980.
I also bought, but am now selling, the open water transducer (as I have a different system on my boat) but u can use this in the summer on your boat as well (with the 200.00 high speed transducer).
Overall couldn't be happier.
Why can't you use a down scan?like the Garmin echo 301dv or something along them lines?
I love my show down. easy to use
I settled on a vexilar fl 12
Marcum LX5 is what I have, used my buddies 1 time had to have it I like the Marcums because you can use them side by side no interference , no interference from other units either Maybe the others have the ability to block out other frequency's don't know .
Using a HB Helix 5 di/gps with a dual beam skimmer transducer....love this finder, unbelievable how well it works. It'll pick off fish in weeds and brush that make flasher owners jealous.
Anyone got humminbird helix 5 ice?
I have been running the Marcum LX5 for several years and it's a great unit that Ill match it against any LCD/TFT for picking fish out of structure. My next ice unit will be a Marcum LX7 mainly for the fact it will be easier on the eyes at night and has dynamic depth range.
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IF YOUR NOT LOOKING TO SPEND ALOT OF MONEY BUT WANNA HAVE MORE THEN WHAT THE OTHER UNITS OFFER. I LOVE MY #Deeper. IT WILL NOT ONLY DETECT THE BIG FISH BUT ALSO THE SMALLEST OF FISH ALSO.🎣
I asked a question on iceshantydotcom before I purchased my Marcum Lx7, lot's of good answers over there on the subject......however I am colorblind (red, green and brown) and someone over there mentioned the Marcum was easier for colorblind people to adjust so they could see in colors we can see.
I just ordered the ice transducer and power wire and going to yank the Hook 5 off the jon boat and rig it for ice fishing. Been ice fishing without a depth finder and drilling lots of holes. We have 12 inches in a lot of places now in southern indiana
I believe in the CISS theory,which is different from the KISS theory.The KISS theory is (K)eep ( I)t (S)imple (S)tupid,the
CISS theory is (C)ause (I)m (S)imply (S)tupid.I use a Showdown Icetroller 2.0, it's simple to use,works great,and is in black and white,I even use it in soft water from my kayak.
i bought the hawkeye fish trax1C, its a hand held device that has 3 modes to choose from one is a digital flasher. I dont ice fish much , only get maybe two or three weekends a year at it so did not want to spend a bunch of money on a Marcum or Vex. I know you get what you pay for but at $135 , if I can learn a little better how to use the thing it seems to work ok, follows the jig well if I can get rid of all the interference , I know when others are close by their units interfere a lot.
I don't know much about the Hawkeye ,but price wise you could do a bit better on Amazon or eBay.Im like you on the amount of time I get on the ice,I purchased a marcum ice troller 2.0 a few seasons ago,I've had no problem with interference from other Marcus or vexes.
Price wise I suggest you give the troller a look,you may be able to find one for a similar price and I believe you would be better satisfied.This is only my opinion,but I've had good results with a troller,and marcum.
watched some videos on the marcum show down, did some research. Ordered the showdown 5.6 today, thanks for the advice.
Steve....the Hummingbird Ice 55 has 3 different color pallets. One of them I believe is for people who are color blind.