I wanted to say that your content is one of the best on RUclips. I am a multi season and species fisherman so thank you and keep putting out great content.
Vexilar for the most part offers 9, 12 and 19 degree transducers. And the lower power setting is actually because in shallow water if you use full power a lot of time you won't seen anything because the whole screen will be lit up but lower power setting helps to eliminate that. It's not designed to keep from scaring the fish.
My buddy uses a vexilar. Older model. I use a Garmin striker 4 portable kit with the ice transducer. I have the ice transducer ordered for my Helix 5. The striker 4 has a lot of the same features as the Helix series. It's less powerful and precise, with a narrower screen but for ice fishing purposes if fills the same niche. It has a GPS function but you can't chart maps with it. The Garmin Striker 4 is without a doubt the most bang for the buck out of all potential ice fishing setups. It's cheaper than the cheapest vexilar (fl8) and has far more options for presentation. No it's not as powerful per say but much more flexible and customizable with presentation. I prefer it over vexilars but will say I'm excited to run my hummingbird in it's place when the ducer comes in. The striker 4 ice bundle is basically a helix 5 on a budget as far as function goes. But you know it's a budget option with your limited options. It is far more simple and user friendly to the less tech savvy while giving more flexibility than a vexilar or marcum flasher type sonar.
I've got a Vexilar FL-18 which I don't use because it's too heavy especially with a lead acid battery. I also have a Hawkeye, which is super light, and run it on the lithium ion Vexilar battery which I bought for the Vexilar(but it never got there...yet!). The Hawkeye performance is good enough but better for open water. I want to buy a Hummingbird.
I've used fl8 fl18 I currently have a flx28 and love them am looking to add a humminbird unit or 2 to my collection I have a solix on my boat which I may get mega live for and rig it up for ice fishing
Great video guys! Definitely one of the most informative videos on RUclips! I was considering the helix 5 but ended up getting the flx 12. It works like a charm. Even at -20 C (-4F) up in Alberta, Canada. I have 2 questions: 1. how does the helix 5 fare when its - 4F ? Does the LCD screen lag? Question 2 , how responsive is the helix 5 compared to the Vex? On the Vex there is zero lag between movements. Thanks!
Hey @Split Milt Productions I am planning on purchasing a sonar unit i was planning on a helix 7 but i wad also reccomended to look at a lowrance elite fs 7 it is roughly same price but is compatible with there live image. I would not be buying the live unit as of now but maybe interested in the future. Do you have any experince with this unit? Also intrested in a garmin unit compatible with panoptix and live scope what model of theirs would you reccomend?
This is probably the most informative flasher vs sonar video I have seen. Love the Q&A! I have my own question...will the ice fishing transducer work well enough for use in a canoe?
Well enough to toss over the side and give you depth. The cone will relatively narrow compared to an open water transducer so it won't be as effective in locating fish but will easily give you depth.
@@spiltmilt Manually choose the wider cone setting then like you mention, perhaps use it to do some mapping of my local lake/pond which would be useful.
Question: I have a Garmin 93sv and am thinking of getting the ice kit for it. Will the panoptix and the live scope transducers work on the boat open water fishing and double as an ice fishing unit as well or are they different for each usage? Thank you for the video. I'm new to ice fishing and trying to decide what will be the best way for me to go. If I buy the Garmin ice kit for my 93sv it would come with the GT10 transducer.
I am currently using old reliable units Vex 8 /12 degree Vex 20 / Pro view 9 degree Vexilar is starting to remind me of Blackberry technology that didn’t change with the times compared to Android and Apple and you know the rest of the story I am leaning towards companies that use GPS Mapping for next purchase so critical to fishing lakes that I haven’t been to before Yes I know you can get lake maps but a lot of that info outdated and is over 60 years old where I live in Western Canada 🇨🇦 Thanks for the great videos and Info look forward to seeing more
I agree. Marcum seems to be moving forward with new digital lithium series with built in mapping and they now have some of the most advanced compact cameras systems on the market.
Hey how is the 2d sonar jigging on the ice with the Humminbird vs the garmin echo. I love my helix 5 2d sonar jigging in the ice. I just bought the echomap 106sv..not sure of I'm liking it. I haven't got it out on the ice yet but the 2d sonar doesn't look as good as humminbird. The chart speed seems slower to. Are they similar?
Chart speed can be adjusted on both. Humminbird's charts speeds are faster and I get better signal on smaller targets with the Humminbird but I do use a chirp transducer which my Garmin did not have.
@@spiltmilt the slower chart speed and and target size loss is a huge killer for me. Bought ready to return this echo ultra. I've always been a a bug humminbird guy. Is it still worth trying?
To be honest I dumped my Garmin unit in favor of the Helix units. They are my preferred unit for ice and open water. I actually think the Strikers are better than the Echo.
I’m assuming the strobe effect is due to the video recording, and not the way the Vexilar appears in real life? I didn’t catch that detail in the video, or previous comments, and I’m sure it would be good information for anyone else who’s curious or about to “have a seizure” watching this.
I was wondering I have The Garmin panoptix ice bundle Oh, I also have the livescope on my boat Oh, I was wondering could I just take the Transducer off the boat And plug it into my Garmin panoptix Ice bundle
A very informative video but the Garmin portion was spoiled by running the Vexilars at the same time which caused the display on the Garmin to be spoiled and I never got the feeling that the Garmin was as good ass it is rated. Shut off the Vexlars and do the Garmin over again. Thanks.
Helix better because so much more dynamic then traditional flasher you have better visual. Only thing that sucks is when a vexilar is next to you the humminbird is pretty useless
theirs plenty of videos of them on youtube. Ive owned the vexilar and the humminbird helix and now have the new marcum mx7, definitely like the marcum better
I wanted to say that your content is one of the best on RUclips. I am a multi season and species fisherman so thank you and keep putting out great content.
I'm glad that you made this video... Nice to see that for about $300-$400 a person can have reasonable sonar for ice fishing.
Vexilar for the most part offers 9, 12 and 19 degree transducers. And the lower power setting is actually because in shallow water if you use full power a lot of time you won't seen anything because the whole screen will be lit up but lower power setting helps to eliminate that. It's not designed to keep from scaring the fish.
My buddy uses a vexilar. Older model. I use a Garmin striker 4 portable kit with the ice transducer. I have the ice transducer ordered for my Helix 5. The striker 4 has a lot of the same features as the Helix series. It's less powerful and precise, with a narrower screen but for ice fishing purposes if fills the same niche. It has a GPS function but you can't chart maps with it. The Garmin Striker 4 is without a doubt the most bang for the buck out of all potential ice fishing setups. It's cheaper than the cheapest vexilar (fl8) and has far more options for presentation. No it's not as powerful per say but much more flexible and customizable with presentation. I prefer it over vexilars but will say I'm excited to run my hummingbird in it's place when the ducer comes in.
The striker 4 ice bundle is basically a helix 5 on a budget as far as function goes. But you know it's a budget option with your limited options. It is far more simple and user friendly to the less tech savvy while giving more flexibility than a vexilar or marcum flasher type sonar.
Best video about flashers I’ve seen so far. Thank you guys so much for doing this. Awesome job.
I've got a Vexilar FL-18 which I don't use because it's too heavy especially with a lead acid battery. I also have a Hawkeye, which is super light, and run it on the lithium ion Vexilar battery which I bought for the Vexilar(but it never got there...yet!). The Hawkeye performance is good enough but better for open water. I want to buy a Hummingbird.
Great job!! I just got a helix 5
Just what I needed to make my decision. Thanks
I watched a couple of your videos and you sold me on the Helix 5 , I also have a Vexlar Genz box
I've used fl8 fl18 I currently have a flx28 and love them am looking to add a humminbird unit or 2 to my collection I have a solix on my boat which I may get mega live for and rig it up for ice fishing
Great video guys! Definitely one of the most informative videos on RUclips! I was considering the helix 5 but ended up getting the flx 12. It works like a charm. Even at -20 C (-4F) up in Alberta, Canada. I have 2 questions: 1. how does the helix 5 fare when its - 4F ? Does the LCD screen lag? Question 2 , how responsive is the helix 5 compared to the Vex? On the Vex there is zero lag between movements. Thanks!
I've used the Helix down to -10 F with no lag issues. There is no lag when you run the Helix at Ultra speed.
I have the vex.12 and I have a question about it do I have to trun up the gain the deeper the lake is or can I run it at 2
Any garmin echomap uhd 93sv sample in the ice fishing i want to see how fast the traditional and flasher reaction of the hook.
Hey @Split Milt Productions I am planning on purchasing a sonar unit i was planning on a helix 7 but i wad also reccomended to look at a lowrance elite fs 7 it is roughly same price but is compatible with there live image. I would not be buying the live unit as of now but maybe interested in the future. Do you have any experince with this unit? Also intrested in a garmin unit compatible with panoptix and live scope what model of theirs would you reccomend?
This is probably the most informative flasher vs sonar video I have seen. Love the Q&A! I have my own question...will the ice fishing transducer work well enough for use in a canoe?
Well enough to toss over the side and give you depth. The cone will relatively narrow compared to an open water transducer so it won't be as effective in locating fish but will easily give you depth.
@@spiltmilt Manually choose the wider cone setting then like you mention, perhaps use it to do some mapping of my local lake/pond which would be useful.
The motion of the water effects what you're viewing as well. Marcum high speed transducer is around $100.00 . Money well spent
Got the new helix ice transducer delivered and tax for about $85 total cost.
Great video you guys. Very informative.
I have
The flx 28 and panoptics livescope. As good as the 28 is I'm spoiled after using livescope
Question: I have a Garmin 93sv and am thinking of getting the ice kit for it. Will the panoptix and the live scope transducers work on the boat open water fishing and double as an ice fishing unit as well or are they different for each usage? Thank you for the video. I'm new to ice fishing and trying to decide what will be the best way for me to go. If I buy the Garmin ice kit for my 93sv it would come with the GT10 transducer.
Yes its the same panoptix/live scope transducer.
Thanks!!
I am currently using old reliable units Vex 8 /12 degree Vex 20 / Pro view 9 degree Vexilar is starting to remind me of Blackberry technology that didn’t change with the times compared to Android and Apple and you know the rest of the story I am leaning towards companies that use GPS Mapping for next purchase so critical to fishing lakes that I haven’t been to before Yes I know you can get lake maps but a lot of that info outdated and is over 60 years old where I live in Western Canada 🇨🇦
Thanks for the great videos and Info look forward to seeing more
I agree. Marcum seems to be moving forward with new digital lithium series with built in mapping and they now have some of the most advanced compact cameras systems on the market.
if you want maps you can get navionics maps on your android or iphone.
Hey how is the 2d sonar jigging on the ice with the Humminbird vs the garmin echo. I love my helix 5 2d sonar jigging in the ice. I just bought the echomap 106sv..not sure of I'm liking it. I haven't got it out on the ice yet but the 2d sonar doesn't look as good as humminbird. The chart speed seems slower to. Are they similar?
Chart speed can be adjusted on both. Humminbird's charts speeds are faster and I get better signal on smaller targets with the Humminbird but I do use a chirp transducer which my Garmin did not have.
@@spiltmilt the slower chart speed and and target size loss is a huge killer for me. Bought ready to return this echo ultra. I've always been a a bug humminbird guy. Is it still worth trying?
To be honest I dumped my Garmin unit in favor of the Helix units. They are my preferred unit for ice and open water. I actually think the Strikers are better than the Echo.
@@spiltmilt yeah mine is the echomap ultra which resolution wise is better the echo UHD. But yeah I feel the same way!
@@spiltmilt hey does that helix 5 ice transducer be compatible with the helix 7 or helix 9?
thanks
I’m assuming the strobe effect is due to the video recording, and not the way the Vexilar appears in real life? I didn’t catch that detail in the video, or previous comments, and I’m sure it would be good information for anyone else who’s curious or about to “have a seizure” watching this.
Nope that’s really how they look
It's the video making it strobe.
I fish a lot of the same lakes around the area would love to meet up with you sometime and do some fishing is there anyway I can contact you?
I was wondering I have The Garmin panoptix ice bundle Oh, I also have the livescope on my boat Oh, I was wondering could I just take the Transducer off the boat And plug it into my Garmin panoptix Ice bundle
There is no difference between the Garmin ice Panoptix livescope transducer and the open water version so yes you can do that
Using the panoptix and a fl-18 in deeper water.
A very informative video but the Garmin portion was spoiled by running the Vexilars at the same time which caused the display on the Garmin to be spoiled and I never got the feeling that the Garmin was as good ass it is rated. Shut off the Vexlars and do the Garmin over again. Thanks.
When you're fishing on a crowded lake you can't shut off everyone else's sonar.
What would be your pick between a helix 7 or a flx 28 or 30?
I prefer the Helix because I can use it on open water
Which unit is easier to use. I'm only using it for ice fishing.
Helix better because so much more dynamic then traditional flasher you have better visual. Only thing that sucks is when a vexilar is next to you the humminbird is pretty useless
I haven't see anyone test on marcum.
theirs plenty of videos of them on youtube. Ive owned the vexilar and the humminbird helix and now have the new marcum mx7, definitely like the marcum better
@@ruvymprokhor2696 alrighty. I just wondering. Toght lines. 👍🎣
Why do u like it better?
How could you forget about a marcum??? 😢
Jesus im so glad my vexilar doesn't give me a rave show. God forbid your epileptic.
I think I had a seizure while watching the vexilar.
The flasher looks CONFUSING to me...
They take some getting used to.
Flashers are easy to use. It won't take long to figure it out.
Only looks confusing if you dont have it in hand or never used it. Use it for 5 minutes and you can understand pretty much everything.
I’m going to have a seizure !