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Member No.: 15436
Joined: January 26, 2018
Actually, I am buying a Helix 7 Ice so I just realized I will have both and can use it on my boat too. They say there is no delay on the flasher on these but I am not sure what to believe. I think we can have all of the gadgetry we want but being in the right spot is the real key.
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Posts: 168
Member No.: 10778
Joined: January 21, 2016
I use a Vexilar and really like the pinpoint accuracy, but...BUT...they have no history. You blink and you miss it, hence me staring at it all day. Sonars let you look around a bit and not miss anything. Besides, the new sonars can still be switched to flasher mode. Only reason for hanging onto the old Vexilar is the unwillingness to spend money on a new sonar when what I have still works perfectly. In the end it's what you prefer. One thing I can attest to though as far as accuracy goes is that my Vexilar really does show 2 jigs 8" apart in 110 FOW! Hard to give that up
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Member No.: 877
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QUOTE (Bobinette @ Nov 23, 2018 - 07:43 am)
I use a Vexilar and really like the pinpoint accuracy, but...BUT...they have no history. You blink and you miss it, hence me staring at it all day. Sonars let you look around a bit and not miss anything.
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Posts: 433
Member No.: 374
Joined: February 24, 2011
QUOTE (Knuguy @ Nov 23, 2018 - 08:23 am)
QUOTE (Bobinette @ Nov 23, 2018 - 07:43 am)
I use a Vexilar and really like the pinpoint accuracy, but...BUT...they have no history. You blink and you miss it, hence me staring at it all day. Sonars let you look around a bit and not miss anything.
Yup!!! That's it for me!
X2
I used to find the spot with my Vexilar.
Driving around on my snowmobile. Stop, drill a 4" hole quietly with hand auger, drop the transducer in and set the cone 3 different angles and look around if there was any activity. Nothing for a few minutes, move on to next spot. Drill again . When I see fish, I set up and drill my 8" hole and ready .
Group: Members
Posts: 351
Member No.: 10777
Joined: January 20, 2016
Grew up using sonars an have never wanted a flasher gives me a headache. Running a lowerance elite 4 ice machine right now but hoping to upgrade to the hook2 series before first ice.
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Posts: 808
Member No.: 9047
Joined: February 21, 2015
Unsure if perhaps some are using older sonars with delay, but my Helix 9 is as real time as I’ve ever seen, and equivalent to any flasher I’ve used.
Because it’s a 9 I can’t use the flasher setting (only available on the 5 and 7)... but it’s a real pleasure to fish with in 2D, less pleasing to lug around but worth it in the end. Lol
Chart speed maxed out and jigging mode on, the response rate is crazy fast.
Just wanted to mention it in case someone is debating flasher or sonar and is worried about the response speedon modern day sonars.
Group: Members
Posts: 117
Member No.: 12915
Joined: January 06, 2017
I used to have a Vexilar FL8se, good unit, no major complaints.
Upgraded to Helix 7 G2N GPS DI Chirp Nav+ and its insanely better. I can mark a deadstick and live stick in nearly 100ft of water. Very very responsive, and as mentioned earlier in the thread, the split screen (2D sonar and flasher) is my ideal set up for whatever I'm fishing for.
Can be a little pricey but if you used it year round the wife shouldnt care eh? lol
I keep it on the front of my quad, stop, drill, check, fish, rinse and repeat.
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Posts: 177
Member No.: 14818
Joined: December 16, 2017
I purchased a Humminbird Helix 7 ice kit this summer, and installed the head and a soft water transducer on my new boat. Can't wait to try it for ice fishing. I am going to try the dual mode flasher and sonar to start to see which one I prefer, or I may just leave them both on. While it was a pricey unit, the dual season makes it a good enough buy. I needed a ff for my boat with GPS, so this served my needs at the time. I also have a helix 5 head, so I may end up with another ice kit (battery, transducer, and case) for my son but using that head.
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Posts: 198
Member No.: 12662
Joined: December 22, 2016
QUOTE (colanut @ Nov 28, 2018 - 10:29 pm)
I purchased a Humminbird Helix 7 ice kit this summer, and installed the head and a soft water transducer on my new boat. Can't wait to try it for ice fishing. I am going to try the dual mode flasher and sonar to start to see which one I prefer, or I may just leave them both on. While it was a pricey unit, the dual season makes it a good enough buy. I needed a ff for my boat with GPS, so this served my needs at the time. I also have a helix 5 head, so I may end up with another ice kit (battery, transducer, and case) for my son but using that head.
I bought the Helix 5 G2 GPS model thanks to this thread lol.
Haven't had it out, but testing inside it looks great, dual mode sonar and flasher.
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Posts: 266
Member No.: 5550
Joined: January 07, 2014
I have used both flashers and graphs for quite a few years. I have a Marcum LX5 that has become my go to machine. There are many reasons for this, most of which have previously been outlined. There are two other reasons not presented: #1 - the flasher is extremely rugged and compact with the battery being an integral component so it consumes minmal space in the rear rack box on my ATV. #2 - I enjoy the fact that my flasher overwhelms the readouts on graphs that are in too close proximity. I'm not anti-social but it is nice to have enough space that line tangles are of no concern.
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Member No.: 118
Joined: February 11, 2011
QUOTE (Grandpa Jim @ Nov 30, 2018 - 03:15 pm)
I have used both flashers and graphs for quite a few years. I have a Marcum LX5 that has become my go to machine. There are many reasons for this, most of which have previously been outlined. There are two other reasons not presented: #1 - the flasher is extremely rugged and compact with the battery being an integral component so it consumes minmal space in the rear rack box on my ATV. #2 - I enjoy the fact that my flasher overwhelms the readouts on graphs that are in too close proximity. I'm not anti-social but it is nice to have enough space that line tangles are of no concern.
That you do my friend as I remember the last time I ran into you out there and had to move right onto a honey hole
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