When I go out on the hard deck, I use both a Marcum lx6 and a hummingbird helix. I prefer the Marcum. I think I can control the sensitivity better with that unit. I know everyone will list what they are currently using. But it’s what you feel comfortable using and dialing in the settings for your presentations. Both units of mine are good, but I like my Marcum on my main hole. I have used it 1 more season more than my helix. But I feel I have a better sonar unit with my lx6
Thanks for that tip. I think the magazines have to walk a thin line they need to keep all companies buying advertising so they need to say something good about all products and can’t really say this one is top dog. Even if they did would we believe it or only think that’s the authors opinion? I hear the “in fishermans” ice review is pretty good so I’ll have to check it out. I started reading their ice rod review and it made me want several different rods and to start buying what I need not what is on sale. I’m guilty of just buying the great price rods whether I need an ultra light or not. I got one I really liked last year and broke the tip off it in my jaw jacker. Well thanks for the tips. J
Good input from all. I have had the lx-7 for three years now. I got it because I wanted the versatility of both the flasher, and then the normal graph to chase the big Macs at the Gorge. I love that machine. You can’t beat the detail on the graph in deep water, and the real time window like the showdown has as well. I switch to flasher mode is shallower water. The options are endless, and the nice big display helps a lot. Lastly, the power of it makes switching it to a clear screen when it’s crowded much easier. You can’t go wrong with the Marcums. Just my opinion.
That’s a great tip for me because the 6 and 7 are the same machine with only screen size difference. I’m thinking I may end up doing something similar to you, using my Humminbird for GPS and get a Marcum for the main finder. Thanks for your tips. J
Great input as well, I think this machine is a really good combination of what I’d like in a finder. I think as you learn its capabilities it’s a lot more than most finders at least I’m very impressed so far. Now I just need them to go on sale. Later J
This is my post (linked here) in a previous conversation on the subject:
http://www.bigfishtackle.com/cgi-bin/gforum/gforum.cgi?post=1020706;#1020706
The Showdown looks great for a small amount of money and though I’ve never seen one in bright sunlight, I’m wondering if it will have a visibility advantage.
But, I like to have the graph, too. That way I’m free to look away for a moment and it will show me what was there when I wasn’t looking. That sounds like a small matter, but it is really freedom of vision and mind being less memory intense and more relaxing because seeing only that moment means you need to not take your eyes off of the display when there is so much scenery and others fishing and more to look at. The graph also helps to see trends and patterns. With just a glance at the screen, I can see what depth most of the fish are liking rather than studying each moment and mentally picturing the depth that seems most active. That’s important because I like to run off and drop a line quickly to that exact same depth in many surrounding holes and then return and at a glance see what fish there have been doing and refine the depth I drop to using my digital line counter.
The GPS and mapping are lacking from mine. But, as discussed in the above linked posts, I’m thinking the new Deeper Pro + will add that capability and give me portability for my running around from hole to hole and will be a great addition to my shore fishing and particularly when there are sharp drop offs like some places at Flaming Gorge where fishing from shore in depths of over 120 feet intrigues me particularly in the hot part of summer when fish are running deep.
That way I’ll leave the Marcum LX-9 in the one hole with camera aligned on my lure and use the portability of the Deeper Pro + with my new large screen high resolution tablet to see the display from it.
Regarding the idea of seeing the fish in the aquarium with the display of the sonar in the store, I essentially see the same seeing the fish and structure on camera displayed on the same screen with any display of sonar I choose with my favorite being the graph superimposed over the camera display, so without taking my eyes off of one to see the other, I see both the fish approach the lure and what the sonar shows of the same which makes me much better at reading the sonar. I don’t have to guess or imagine what colored blobs mean when the camera is pointing at it. I often use the camera for structure. When the sonar shows me something that makes me wonder what I’m seeing, I drop the camera in and find out exactly instead of guessing.
Anytime we’re fishing the same ice, you are invited to come by and try it. Some like solitude while fishing, but I prefer company and especially those who contribute to our fishing understanding here on BFT.
Hey Ron that’s a great setup you have. If I had the extra money I could spare I think I’d try that one as well. You mentioned one time about hitting Mantua on the ice, so if we end up there the same day I’d love to check out that machine. I have the Recon 5 camera for snooping below, but it’s not quite the same, but it’s fun. Thanks for the info. J
any new flasher regardless of brand will do the same job and do it well. but there is one thing about the lx7 and lx6 that will set it apart and make it worth it. having the ability to change how you see the info on the screen is amazing. personally i like to run the flasher on the right and a graph on the left side. being able to see both of those you will learn so much about fish behavior on any giving day on the ice that other flashers wont give you. the graph is key because you can see exactly what the fish did in comparison to what you did. the graph displays about 5 seconds of past information that you can see and learn from. if the fish dont like a certain jigging style you can see that on the graph not just a flash mark from the flasher portion. if the fish are chasing lures that day you can see exactly what triggered a strike on the graph. you will not see this on any other flasher displayed this good. my opinion.
I appreciate that thought and I think I’m tracking right there with your thoughts. Thank you. J
Well Cabela’s pushed me over the edge with today’s 10% off and free shipping… Saved me around $100 so I jumped off the cliff and ordered the LX-7… If anyone else is a Cabela’s club member and looking for the code to save a little cash today… it’s 17CLUB104… will get ya 10% off plus free shipping… I’m such a push over… but excited to get a new toy… Thanks everyone for your insight and encouragement… Jeff
I notice this, too. I also like that I can change fine lines that you can only see when looking very close and looking for them to big wide bright bold lines that you can see from a distance at a glance.
Congrats, you’re going to love it!
Thank you. I got it yesterday and so far you’re right I do love it, and I can’t wait to try it on the water. Very nice machine and I love the big display and the three different views you can watch. It’s going to be wonderful. I’m excited!!! 
**Too bad it’s going to be a warm winter and Bear Lake ain’t gonna freeze.
**
I just bought a LX-5 I have been using it to fish off the dock on Swim Beach at Hyrum. Been hammering the perch!
Now don’t be mean like that. You’ve been reading my mind again haven’t you. Think I may go try it from the boat in the morning. Hope it works half as good as their demo looks like it does. Thanks for the ribbing. Later J
Hey Tom sounds like a fun time. Any size to the perch this year? I may try it over there from the boat in the morning other than its hard to hold a boat still enough. Be fun to see what this year ice fishing will be like. Thanks for the tip. Later J