hummingbird flashers

[BK19]

has anyone had the chance to use one?are they a good unit ?i think they will be great! durabiltity?

[Model12]

I just picked one up and am anxious to use it. I read on another forum/post that some people have had issues w/a unit or two and returned them. I have not punched a hole in the ice and used mine, yet, so cannot say. However, I can say the assmebly is easy. If that's a gripe compared to the others, I say you're a cupcake and shouldn't get the Humminbird!
I've had all the others except for the Lowrance. Honestly, the FL-18 I had was flawless. Worked exrtremely well for me. It was my first flasher since an old Humminbird Super-Sixty I made a makeshift base for and ducer holder! The FL-18 was easy to learn and have to say it was great. I thought I needed the adjustable zoom so I got an LX-3. Very much think Marcum makes the best pack, aesthetically pleasing unit and really well designed. However, I went through three ducers and after two years the powerhead has died. Have ZERO idea why, it just did. I was really bummed as I've come to like the Marcum and the separation sensitivity. However, the out of warranty cost was going to be $55 minimum, $15 shipping and potentially a new battery cost put me at $100. So, the idea of the new Humminbird was in play. Honestly, I had done zero research as a friend had told me about it. After a short bit of discussion w/the folks at Thorne Bros. I bought it. Bottom line, few people really have used it enough to say anything. There is some anecdotal use w/some minor issues and others that say they love it.  As for a being a basement icefisherman for the time being, it went together easily, I like the pack it comes in and how the ducer/float pack away. I'd like to have seen a charging system like Marcum has but I think I can handle putting a couple alligator clamps on the battery. I'll pass my 2 cents along when I actually get out and use it.

[JCAMERON]

Mine is in the mail. I'm way excited to use this! Being a cheap a$$ i was waiting for a good deal on an fl8 or something, but my wife informed me that i haven't bought myself something new and nice in a very long time. So her christmas gift to me was a brand spanking new ICE 45. I've never owned a flasher before, but being that it is a humminbird my expectations are relatively high. I'll have an update in a week or so.

John

[Ryan]

I'm glad you brought this up.  I am going to be buying a new flasher and this was on of the units I was really considering.  I hope someone can post a review soon that will help me with my decision.  I am also considering a Lowrance or a Marcum.

[Woody]

What model of Lowrance are we talking about?  What model of Hummingbird? ICE 45?

[Ryan]

ICE 35 or 45 and the X67C Ice Machine.

[Mayfly]

ICE 35 or 45 and the X67C Ice Machine.

I don't ice fish a lot but I have used a few different flashers over the last few years.

My favorite has been the Lowrance X67C..That thing is very cool. Next would be the vexilar and the times I used a marcum I had problems with it and the one time it did work I wa snot impressed after using the others.

[Ryan]

My brother has the X67C and I really like it.  That is probably what I will end up going with.  One thing I really like about that and the Marcum is the way the transducer is held.  I know that maybe is not a big deal and there are many other things to consider, but it just seems to make so much more sense to me.

[Woody]

I'm not familiar with the X67c, but own the M68c Ice Machine and love it.  I also mount it in the boat for softwater season, and am very pleased with it.  The only downside is...no chips.  But then I'd have to throw in more money to get the LMS-522c. I see it's discontinued now  - http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Marine/IceMachine-Portable-Fishfinders/Legacy-Products/LMS-522C-IceMachine/

I'm assuming the x67c is the same as the M68c without the gps feature?

[Ryan]

I think it is pretty much the same minus the GPS which I don't need.

[Woody]

I think it is pretty much the same minus the GPS which I don't need.

I hear that, I have my H2Oc for that!

[The General]

the only reports I've heard negative are the dual cord float system.  I heard it is very touchy for it to work right.  Then I just think once it's set perfect and the fish comes up the whole and the thing is messed up again and you would have to constantly adjust it.  I wounder if you can just cut that second cord off and then it would be just like the vexilar float?  The only reason they don't all have the vexilar float system is because vexilar has a patent on it.  IMHO

[mopho]

 you don't need to put the "support" cord on

[JCAMERON]

Well I got out and used my ICE 45 earlier this week. I was very impressed. Some key things; the LCD screen was very convenient. Tells you your exact depth and adjusts you incriments for you. The screen on these flashers are quite a bit bigger than the others. I was in the same house as a guy with a marcum, and we weren't getting any crosstalk, so that was nice.
As for the dual cord support system - I didn't have any troubles with it. Personally, I liked the comfort of knowing the transducer isn't being supported by its own cord.
If you're thinking about buying one, I'd back them up. 

John

[The General]

Nice update.  But did you catch any fish?

[JCAMERON]

Yes! Here's the report -
http://mnoutdoorsman.com/forums/index.php?topic=14261.msg105609;topicseen#new

[KG243]

I just bought the 55 looks like a great unit, Will give a report after fishing this week!