Flasher question
I am looking to get a flasher for this season and was looking for some feedback. I have never used one so I am looking for a quality entry level one in the 400-600 range. I have seen guys with Vexilar and Marcum but I’m sure everyone has their favourites. I would like a user friendly model with good battery life. It’s always a good place on this forum to learn about equipment so that’s what I’m asking. Any info will help my decision making. BTW I generally fish Pigeon and Sylvan if that makes a difference. Thanks in advance.
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I like the Humminbird Helix 5 PT GPS CHIRP. It works for both open water and ice fishing (with the ice transducer), shows the flasher screen or a 2D image, and you can Autochart on open water and use it for ice fishing too.
Here’s an on ice video I made of mine. I like it netter than my flasher for its versatility. https://youtu.be/an8F0372kR8 Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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I've had a Helix 7 for 1 winter and a summer and it's been good. Only thing with the bigger LCD unit is it sucks more battery then my regular flashers. I bought the summer unit and a ice ducer seperate and built my own box to fit a big battery in it (14ah). It runs all day with that.
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Try the ice 35 45 55
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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...938bb1c6cc.jpg
I added a metal transducer arm to my Helix and removed the float on the ice transducer. This will make it much easier to hole hop. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Buddy started making and selling them. PM me if you want details so I don’t derail this thread. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Just a tip for you guys running finders. I run a 7 as well and yes it is hard on power. If you havent turn down the brightness on your screen and you will be amazed the increase in battery time. Just like your cell or a tablet bright screens suck the battery pretty quick. I know on mine I crank it up in the sun then if I move inside I forget to turn it down sometimes even though I dont need it that bright on the inside.
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For sure! I usually set mine on 5 - 6 and leave it there. Works fine unless it’s in direct sun. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
I am using vexilar fl12, very simple to use and it works great
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Here’s another vote for the Humminbird Helix Series. Just got my G3N Helix 7 set up and it’s going to be a game changer this winter. Used it all summer on the boat and bought the conversion kit last week. Love it.
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If you only plan to use it as a flasher for ice fishing I would skip the extra stuff and go with a Hummingbird 45.
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The FLX series have really bright screens and if you fish outside a lot are great no matter how bright it is. The humminbird ice units are good to but not quite as nice in bright sunlight. They are a bit quieter than the vexilars. |
It’s a Ford/Chevy/Dodge thing, in my opinion. I love my Marcum and have also used Vexilars. Uncut Angling did a flasher comparison on YouTube, that might be worth checking out. I believe Vexilar won out in terms of the display in heavy sunlight.
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I don't have experience with the lx6 but a couple buddies have the 7's and they will die long before my mechanical flashers on those real long march days. If in strictly graph mode they really burn the juice. |
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Thanks for all the input.It was appreciated.I ended up today getting a used vexillar from another AO member.It is easy and simple just like me.I have never used one before and I cant wait to try it out.This way I can Upgrade to a fancier model when I learn how to use it over the next ten years.Lol Now all i need is some thick ice.Good luck to all this season.
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Vexilar = Bulletproof |
Love my Vexliar, money well spent. Congrats on your new purchase!
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Yeah the extra bells and whistles aren't absolutely required but they are sure great to have. Having GPS is a HUGE benefit in my opinion. Yeah they burn more juice.
BUT I have a 2 extra batteries for the flasher (and the camera) in a milk crate that stays in the truck along with extra auger blades and extra 1lb propane tank or two for the auger and some basic tools. If my flasher or camera runs out of juice, I swap the batteries and carry on. I think I paid $50 for 2 larger capacity replacement batteries (I think the added batteries are something like 2 amp hours higher in capacity and only 1/4" taller - so they fit nicely and last significantly longer). I like bells and whistles. I can't live without the GPS - I can return right to the perfect spot where I found that highly productive spot right on weed line or drop off letting me limit out on jumbos more days than not. |
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Cabela’s have the Dakota Lithium 10amp
Batteries in stock and on sale. Ordered one the other day. https://www.cabelas.ca/product/13037...-10-ah-battery |
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Thanks, Skawtty |
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Try some of the others while you are out fishing with others and you probably will stick with the Vexillar., especially if they are honest about how many times theirs have had to go back for repairs. |
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BIL has a Garmin Striker, although I’m not sure the specific model. He uses it for open water only so I’m not sure how the ice mode works (if his has that mode). I do know that his mapping is pretty basic. It looks like Tetris blocks when he is mapping. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Helix suck. Buy an LX7 or LX9.
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