Lowrance,Vex,or Vpg??

[motorcop1]

I know this is going to start a riot but here goes.... What do you preferr and why Lowrance, Vex, or the Vertical Pixel Graph. What model do you suggest?

[wally-eye]

Not being a jerk but you only need to do a search of this forum and you'll have more hours of reading on this issue than you'd care to read.

What do you like Ford, Dodge or GM?

[ih772]

Lowrance. Here's why....

I've been playing with a M68C and my trusty old FL-18 side by side for the past three weeks now. There isn't a bit of difference between the units in any real time movement of your jigs. Make sure the ping speed and chart speed are set at 100% on the M68C. Bottom line is there isn't any lag or difference between the two in real time motion!

I do notice a difference in bottom separation. When I lower my jig to the bottom and the line goes slack, the M68C shows the jig on the bottom at the precise moment the line goes slack. On the Vex, there is about a 6" zone in which it shows the jig is on the bottom but it isn't really there yet.

You can really adjust the zoom options on the M68C a lot more than the FL-18. It's nice for fishing for suspended fish like smelt. Play around with the Upper and lower limits.

You can do some fun things with it in flasher mode. For example, say I'm fishing in 9FOW. I set my lower limit to 9FOW and my upper limit to 4 FOW. This actually gives you the entire flasher dial to....

You can read the rest by clicking the link.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1958379&postcount=1


The VPG had a lot of problems when it came out, it was named something else but they changed the name because it had such a bad reputation. You'll find its like the leper of the ice fishing sonar world.

When people say its like comparing Ford to Chevy to Dodge, its really not accurate. Its more like comparing a truck to a car to a three wheeler. All of them have wheels, but thats really where the similarity ends.

I used my Vex for five years, but it sits at home now. I make between 50 to 70 trips out on the ice a year and I take out my Lowrance instead of my Vex. What does that tell you?

Most people that recommend one brand over the other have never used another brand in a side by side comparison test. They say things like "Brand Z hands down" when they don't have anything to compare it too. A black and white TV looks good if thats all you've even seen.

[nscrfrk]

I've only owned/used a Vex and like it,so can't honestly speak or compare on the others. One thing for sure though...they all indicate depth and locate fish...the catchin' is still up to you.

[Trim-Tab06]

vex hands down

[grouly925]

Lowrance. Here's why....

I've been playing with a M68C and my trusty old FL-18 side by side for the past three weeks now. There isn't a bit of difference between the units in any real time movement of your jigs. Make sure the ping speed and chart speed are set at 100% on the M68C. Bottom line is there isn't any lag or difference between the two in real time motion!

I do notice a difference in bottom separation. When I lower my jig to the bottom and the line goes slack, the M68C shows the jig on the bottom at the precise moment the line goes slack. On the Vex, there is about a 6" zone in which it shows the jig is on the bottom but it isn't really there yet.

You can really adjust the zoom options on the M68C a lot more than the FL-18. It's nice for fishing for suspended fish like smelt. Play around with the Upper and lower limits.

You can do some fun things with it in flasher mode. For example, say I'm fishing in 9FOW. I set my lower limit to 9FOW and my upper limit to 4 FOW. This actually gives you the entire flasher dial to....

You can read the rest by clicking the link.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1958379&postcount=1


The VPG had a lot of problems when it came out, it was named something else but they changed the name because it had such a bad reputation. You'll find its like the leper of the ice fishing sonar world.

When people say its like comparing Ford to Chevy to Dodge, its really not accurate. Its more like comparing a truck to a car to a three wheeler. All of them have wheels, but thats really where the similarity ends.

I used my Vex for five years, but it sits at home now. I make between 50 to 70 trips out on the ice a year and I take out my Lowrance instead of my Vex. What does that tell you?

Most people that recommend one brand over the other have never used another brand in a side by side comparison test. They say things like "Brand Z hands down" when they don't have anything to compare it too. A black and white TV looks good if thats all you've even seen.

Just wondering if you have ever had the chance to compare your 68c to a Marcum? I have read that Marcum is a little better in respect to the Vex's, but never any comparisons to the 68c. I am in the market for one this winter and trying to cover all options. Thanks.

[motorcop1]

Not being a jerk but you only need to do a search of this forum and you'll have more hours of reading on this issue than you'd care to read.

What do you like Ford, Dodge or GM?

I've been reading and I'm still wondering.....LOL.

And you forgot Jeep in your signature line.....

[zx10r2004]

buy the vex it has no lag. i too have compared all 3 and owned 2 marcums,over 20 vexilars and a lowrance 68c and the vex hands down. the lowrance has more options but i hate the lag. hummingbird is my next purchase.just buy a aqua view and angle it down and watch on the camera when your jig hits the bottom and you will see the jag on the lowrance compared to the vexilar. the lowrance guys are just in denial.

[wally-eye]

Don't know about the lag issue. I've been a die hard vex (FL18 ultra pak) fan for ages but my friends Lowrance has absolutely no lag what so ever and as others have said the Lowrance will show the bait hitting bottom at the same time your rod shows it......my vex was always showing the bait a few inches up when it was on bottom even on the zoom. If it means anything I'll be using a X67c instead of the vex real soon........:evil:

[soggybtmboys]

Just picked up my first ice fishing sonar, and I chose a Lowrance x67c. I decided to go with this since all the recommendations and the fact that it has a digital flasher option on it, I can use it as a flasher or a chart. Why would anyone buy just a flasher when there are great units that can do both?

[wally-eye]

Just picked up my first ice fishing sonar, and I chose a Lowrance x67c. I decided to go with this since all the recommendations and the fact that it has a digital flasher option on it, I can use it as a flasher or a chart. Why would anyone buy just a flasher when there are great units that can do both?



www.thornebros.com :evilsmile

Hard to beat their price/s...

[soggybtmboys]

www.thornebros.com (http://www.thornebros.com) :evilsmile

Hard to beat their price/s...


Frank's in Linwood off of M-13 has got em for the same price as the webpage.

[GOTONE]

only used a vex fl-8

[ih772]

buy the vex it has no lag. i too have compared all 3 and owned 2 marcums,over 20 vexilars and a lowrance 68c and the vex hands down. the lowrance has more options but i hate the lag. hummingbird is my next purchase.just buy a aqua view and angle it down and watch on the camera when your jig hits the bottom and you will see the jag on the lowrance compared to the vexilar. the lowrance guys are just in denial.

Ahh, here we go again. :rolleyes: The Lowrance doesn't have any lag, just users that don't follow directions.

[wally-eye]

Ahh, here we go again. :rolleyes: The Lowrance doesn't have any lag, just users that don't follow directions.


I know that for a fact. AND if you go to Crystal lake smelt town and sit in the middle of 100 different electronics running within 200 ft of you the fancy FL18 you have might as well be used as a anchor..or put back in the bucket...BUT your friends Lowrance is just running nice and peaceful AND showing each and every smelt down there.........:rant::sad: WITH hardly any interference.....not so with my vex........no matter how much tweaking you did to it..:rant::sad:

Don't get me wrong I absolutely loved my FL18 ultra pak and its fine away from other electronics BUT I know when I'm beat and I'm switching......

[Bagman]

I wonder what the new Lowrance will offer as the x67 and 68 are discontinued.

[wally-eye]

I wonder what the new Lowrance will offer as the x67 and 68 are discontinued.



I keep up on it almost daily and I haven't heard a peep yet. :rant::rant:

I do know that they will still stand behind both the 67/68s with same guarantee......we'll see as my 67 will be here next week.:evil:

[soggybtmboys]

My brand new 67 is charging as we speak!:D

[gilly]

Just bought one last year. Talk about ease of use. Watched my minnow come off my small treble hook and drop to the bottom last year in 25 FOW- ice fishing. I could see the treble hook, split shot above it and minnow fall off to the bottom. You could watch fish rise up off the bottom to your bait as clear as day. But the best part about the X67 is putting it on the bow of your boat and connecting it to your minn kota with bulit sonar transducer for some vert jigging action. What a unit, wouldn't be without it!

[motorcop1]

Looks like I'm going to order up the Lowrance. Now I have another question what the difference in options between the 67 and 68? Which on is better?

And nice jeep Gill.

[wally-eye]

Looks like I'm going to order up the Lowrance. Now I have another question what the difference in options between the 67 and 68? Which on is better?

And nice jeep Gill.



They are basically the same color graph except the 68 has the built in GPS and naturally its more expensive than the 67 but the fish finding part of both is identical. 68 is the way to go if you want GPS and can afford the added cost over the 67.

Check out www.thornebros.com they have free shipping on electronics and you can look at both the 67 and 68 on that web site and decide.......they also have good prices....

Good luck.

Dan

[jbird68]

I bought the VPG when it came out and I really like it. They had a FREE software upgrade last year and I sent my unit in and had that done. I've got an old Lowrance FLP-150 Lo-K-Tor flasher sitting on the shelf in my office. I never used it very much. I couldn't afford the Vex when I got my VPG. I love the real-time display on the VPG. It's not in color, but that doesn't bother me. Now they call it the Showdown. The guys at In-Fisherman are really promoting in this year. They have it on their Ice-Fishing Guide TV program on the weekends.

[Gutz]

Ahhh...the "great debate":lol::lol:. Good to be back in the old ice-fishing forum. Been hanging out in deer hunting for awhile but it feels like time to make the switch. Anywho...

I've owned the X68 and the FL-18. Definitely no lag in the X68. Had to sell the FL-18 to buy the X68 and I really miss it. For some reason, the Vex just seems a little easier to read or I just prefer reading it or something but I kind of wish I had it back. I got it because I wanted a unit I could use over the summer to mark spots for the winter but the screen is a bit on the small side for dedicated summer unit, IMO.

The ability to adjust the zoom on the X68 is pretty cool. Haven't had a chance to catch up on the FL-20 but I know it's zoom capabilities are upgraded from the FL-18.

Maybe it's just the hum of the Vex but I think if I had it all to do over again (and I think I just might:)), I would get the FL-20 and just bring my handheld GPS with me.

-G

[ih772]

Welcome back Mr. Wishy-washy! :lol:

[Gutz]

Welcome back Mr. Wishy-washy! :lol:

Ha! :lol: You are correct sir. I went back and forth quite a bit and quite publicly about my decision to part ways with the Vex and now I'm at it again:lol:. And thanks again for all your advice.

Bottom line, they are both good units. You really can't go wrong with either one. I think I might just enjoy fishing with the Vex a little more but I can't tell the difference in function although the ability of the X68 (or X67) to define any depth range to look at is definitely an advantage over the Vex.

-G

[Ieatantlers]

Vexilar guys just haven't used a Marcum. I bought a lx-5 two years after researching every model of flasher made- and I sold them so I knew a thing or two. This model comes standard with a dual beam transducer (extra 60 bucks or so on a vex). It has better target seperation, the screen is easier to read because its hi-def, adjusted zoom-not just a bottom lock like Vexilar, and it has 20X the power of a vexilar-which helps laker jigging in 120 ft of water. In high fishing pressure I can crank that thing up a lil bit and vexilars-even with i.r. can't see a thing. Vexilar are just more widely known in this area, and people don't know there are alternatives. Marcums are used much more to the west (minn, wis, nd). Talking to a rep from marcum, sounds like vexilar was just in first and can't be stopped. After all, when out on the ice how many guys do you hear say "Do you have a Vexilar", not "Do you have a flasher?" MARCUM!

[Gutz]

Ok, I'll bite on the Marcum. Anyone know the differences between the LX-3tc and the LX-5?

[Ieatantlers]

the main diff is the dual beam transducer that the lx5 has. The 8 degree is nice for perch fishing deep, lakers, etc. It also has 500 more watts of power (pretty irrelevant) and smaller target seperation with the Super Fine Line.

[unclecbass]

My fl18 works no matter how many other electronics in the smelt area, however my buddies lowrance wont work at all when next to other electronics, when he called Lowrance and tried to return it they simply told him it was a matter of science and that there was nothing wrong with his unit. Good luck if you buy a lowrance. Vex or marcum is the way to go for ice fishing. Lowrance is better unit for all year use.

[ih772]

My Lowrance works great when I'm surrounded by other sonar units, it gets rid of all the interference. My Vex can't even come close, nothing but interference on the screen no matter what.

I use my Lowrance in the middle of smeltville on Higgins and there are 30 to 50 sonar units within a 200' radius. If I was going to have a problem with interference, that would be that place I'd have it. The Lowrance works very well in that area.

If your buddy's unit isn't getting rid of the interference, he doesn't have his unit set up correctly.

[sea nympho]

I sold my Vex last spring and bought an Eagle 502c sonar/gps. I'm looking forward to using it! I think the maps will come in handy, esp w/ the waypoints I've saved all year long. Less holes to drill and now one good unit does it all! :chillin:

Interference was BAD w/ the vex last year next to more powerful units (like Robert's!:rant:)

[sea nympho]

... BUT I know when I'm beat and I'm switching......

:lol::lol::lol:

I bet you got beat by the same guy I did!

ROBERT!

[Bender16v]

I just got the PPI pack in from Lowrance and pulled a 520c out of the boat and hoked it up, all ready to give it a try. I got to use a Vex last year a little and really liked that so we will see how the Lowrance compares.

[sfw1960]

I know that for a fact. AND if you go to Crystal lake smelt town and sit in the middle of 100 different electronics running within 200 ft of you the fancy FL18 you have might as well be used as a anchor..or put back in the bucket...BUT your friends Lowrance is just running nice and peaceful AND showing each and every smelt down there.........:sad: WITH hardly any interference.....not so with my vex........no matter how much tweaking you did to it..:rant:

Don't get me wrong I absolutely loved my FL18 ultra pak and its fine away from other electronics BUT I know when I'm beat and I'm switching......
I sold my Vex last spring and bought an Eagle 502c sonar/gps. I'm looking forward to using it! I think the maps will come in handy, esp w/ the waypoints I've saved all year long. Less holes to drill and now one good unit does it all! :chillin:

Interference was BAD w/ the vex last year next to more powerful units (like Robert's!:rant:)



I just got the PPI pack in from Lowrance and pulled a 520c out of the boat and hoked it up, all ready to give it a try. I got to use a Vex last year a little and really liked that so we will see how the Lowrance compares.


:woohoo1::woohoo1::woohoo1::woohoo1:

[Chad Smith]

Vexilar FL8 is all you need for blue gills. For perch or walleye, try the FL18 or FL20 if you have money growing out of your ears.