Fish-Hawk.Net

So anyway like the title says .... on a budget .... so looks like I'm down to two flashers for the up coming hardwater season.

Vex fl8se or the Humming bird Ice 35

Looking for your opinions on both

Thanx in advance

If you're on a budget...why don't you check out the vx-1 by marcum...

I've had an Ice 35 for a couple of years now and it works well enough. I don't fish more than 60-70 ft of water so having the all the depth scales and other bells and whistles don't much matter to me. I actually use the flasher more on softwater that I do on the ice. I stuff it into one of the pockets on my float tube and use it to look for suspended trout or minnow balls.

I don't think you can go wrong with either the ICE or the Vex.

I can only speak for what I've used, Vexilar.....I've had an FL8......now a FL20......soon a 22......

Bulletproof......reliable.....and hold their value forever.

RJ

RJ wrote:I can only speak for what I've used, Vexilar.....I've had an FL8......now a FL20......soon a 22......

Bulletproof......reliable.....and hold their value forever.

RJ

Man Rob.. what will it take to convert you to Marcum!! You know... the new technology

Bear: Regardless of which company you go with, a flasher will increase your success. You'll never go fishing without it!

Nodie wrote:
Bear: Regardless of which company you go with, a flasher will increase your success. You'll never go fishing without it!

Agreed... and dont be afraid to order one re-conditioned or even a used one online. They seem to last forever if not abused.

Nodie wrote:
Man Rob.. what will it take to convert you to Marcum!! You know... the new technology

Where do you think their "new" technology stems from?

Agreed with the point that a flasher will definately make you catch fish .. gone will be the days where you will be skunked out on the ice. Like other posters here .. im not going to get wrapped up into that great debate about who makes the best flasher either .. but I can give you some helpfull ideas.
If into warm water species, and fishing under 40ft, your most likely going to be "shooting throught" weeds and such. With a FL8SE you will need a S cable, to help reduce the onscreen clutter as the unit is very sensitive/responsive. This is an extra that is not talked about much .. but definately needed.
I found my FL8SE to be an acceptable flasher, but put against the one I have now, or my buddies Marcum, or the higher end Vexilars, the screen image just was not "cutting the mustard" so to speak.
In this price range, I would steer you towards a Marcum or a H-bird.

d-mo

As owner of several different HBirds and current owner of a Hbird combo.
In my experience the ice series does not compare to any vex I have used. Can pick up tiny split shot in 80fow of water with ease on the vex I played with.

If you are going to get an Hbird, get a combo unit with the ice ducer added so you get your dollars worth.
Love my combo unit, works great in the winter(still not a vex) and is stellar in the summer showing bait schools and anything else down there.

I say hold off for a little bit and you will find an awesome deal on a good used unit.

I bought a Ice 45 last year and have no complaints about the performance.

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread here. I too am looking at purchasing my first flasher for the ice fishing season.
I am looking at the HumminBird Ice 45 or Ice 55. (Ice 55 is only $30 more after buying a case for the Ice 45 ).

I do have a question on something that has been said here...

S.M.05 wrote:In my experience the ice series does not compare to any vex I have used. Can pick up tiny split shot in 80fow of water with ease on the vex I played with.

It sounds like the Vex has better sensitivity but why would you need to see something that small? Are you targeting fish eggs?
It just seems like if it's that sensitive wouldn't there be more clutter on the screen if there are particles floating around in the water?
As long as you can see your lure, shouldn't that be enough?

Sorry dont eat fish eggs Fiiish.
40fow loosing site of 3/4oz jig on and off . 80fow
17fow so much interference on screen that it wont track bottom.
HBird techs answer to this........ cable plugged in too tight.( I work with electronics for a living and thats a sorry excuse)

Vex has done their home work, low gain, split shot on screen, NO particals and laker showing up right on bottom in 80fow

Thanks S.M.05, that's the kind of answer I was looking for but not the kind of answer I was hoping for.
Being an electronics guy myself I agree the "cable plugged in too tight" response is pretty much BS.

Just curious as well, what exactly is the combo unit you speak of?

Does anyone else have the same issues with the HumminBird Ice series?

Again, sorry Bear, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread.

fiiish wrote: Again, sorry Bear, I hope I'm not hijacking your thread.

No problem the more info here the better decision I can make

Thanx everone for your input

You can find the plans on line... but here are the ingredients for a DIY Flasher:

Venetian blind cord
Metal coat hangers (will probably rust )
An ice cream container lid
12 volt battery
Reflective tape
Sinkers
A Banjo Minnow
Swizzle sticks (Red)

Good luck!

Craig

(You MUST have known I couldn't resist this thread for long Bear!!)

CRP