Camera or Vexilar

[Mike]

I'm thinking about buying my Dad an Aqua-Vu or a FL-8 for Christmas. He's mentioned in the past that he'd like a camera, but I'm not sold on them. I had the chance to check one out on the ice last year, and I'd much rather have my flasher.

So, for you guys that have cameras, do you think they're worth it?

Mike

[Realtorman]

Hi Mike,
I have never owned a camera, but checked one out on display at Cabelas a while ago. But in my opinion, go with the Vexilar. I have 2..bought one for my dad and I to share on the ice a couple of years ago and that didn't last. I went out and bought another one. I love to fish and when I go, I go to catch fish. I am not one to sit on the ice and chit-chat, or drink and party...I have limited time so when I get out I fish. Anyway...I think the Vexilars are quick and easy and will help anybody catch!
As a matter of fact, I think me and my Vexilar will be out very, very soon :) Hope this helps.

Realtorman
Dave

[Mike]

That's pretty much what I think too Dave. I've caught a lot more fish since I bought a flasher, just because I can see them. I'm leaning towards the flasher...

Should I cough up the extra $100 and get the FL-18?

Mike

[Gone Fishing]

I have a camera and a FL-8 and if I could only have one, I'd go with the flasher. The camera is kind of a novelty and is pretty cool when you see fish but when water clearity is less than perfect, results diminish quickly. I use it mostly to find out what kind of weeds are in an area more so than to find fish. Cameras are cool but a flasher is a more useful tool to catch fish. Also, I never had an opportunity to check out a FL-18 but have heard people say some good things about them. Good luck on your decision.

[Realtorman]

Honestly, $$ is always an issue with me...BUT...if you two are going to be fishing together, you will definately want to get one that has the interference reduction mode. If you don't, you will constantly see the interference on your flasher. It is not the end of the world, but it is very annoying! Although, I have noticed that my new unit (with the interference filter) does take a toll on the battery. I have a sealed-gel pack battery. I really prefer that battery to any of the others.
I think if you can do it, the extra money is worth it. It will keep the interference out of your way and your dad's.

Realtorman
Dave

[Mike]

GF, that was my impression of the cameras too. But, I wanted to hear it from someone who has had a chance to use one more.

I'll probably have to go check 'em out this weekend.;) That's a good point about the interference issue Dave. I have a Zercom, it's pretty good, until someone drills a hole right next to me and fires up a flasher (talk about annoying!).

Mike

[Handlining Rules]

FL 18 for sure...i won one and am very happy with the split screen feature that the fl 8 doesent have.

[Fishfoote]

Got both a camera and flasher and unless I'm just planning to goof off on the ice for the day, I don't even take the camera. I did take it out quite a bit this past summer because my 3 year old really likes it...if your dad is older than 3, he'll appreciate the flasher much more:D I'd actually sell the camera, but my daughter likes it too much!

[nuts]

I got an fl-18 last year and I really like it. I use the zoom feature quite a bit and i think its alittle brighter display than the fl-8. weather the price difference is justified is another topic.

[Fishbomb]

I also have both and if could only have one it would be the flasher but I consider them both tools that I use for different functions. The camera is nice because it helps you to interpret what your flasher is telling you. It is handy for checking bottom content and when you see fish on your flasher it shows you what kind they are. Last year on the bay I was marking fish just off the bottom but couldn't get them to bite. The camera went down and showed me they were gizzard shad and good sized ones. My biggest beef with the camera is that it takes awhile for the !@#* thing to stop rotating in the hole. They have a new cord holder out this year so I plan on trying it and hopefully that will take care of that.

[Houghton laker]

I've got the original 3 color flasher , the Hondex (now the vexilar) I've had it for about 15 yrs. now..not a problem with it no matter what the conditions or day or night it's working for ya!! My friend has the camera and is limited to certain times when he can use it. when I go out at dark for those late night Crappies there is no better tool then that flasher!

[perchjerker]

Vexilar for sure. I have an FL8 slt. One thing I didnt see mentioned about camera vs Vex is the camera isnt going to do anything for you when you are scouting for depth. WIth the Vex, most times you dont even need to drill a hole to find out how deep the water is. Just a little water on the ice (I put some in an asprin bottle and keep it in my coveralls) and your ready to go.

[mickey]

I have a FL-18. Its like a video game. Last year was my first year with it and I had a blast. Even when the fish are tight lipped, you can watch your teardrop jig. lol :D

[Mike]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone! If I can swing it, I'll get him the 18, with the dual beam transducer.

Ray, the CLC-200 looks cool. Wish I would of seen that before I bought my fish finder for the boat this summer. Would have been a contender. But, for ice fishing, I agree with mickey, I like watching the teardrop on the dial. Really like watching a 'gill grab the teardrop!:)

Mike

[Cold-Foot]

Well everyone has there own likes ---- I'm buying the Z60 aqu-vu camara this weekend $299.00. I've fished with a flasher for years
and I've sat and watched fish flash under me long enough and never get a bite.

Now- I'll still take out my flasher every time. And I'll use it.
But I feel you really need to know what kind of fish your marking so you can determine #1-Do you want that kind of fish.
#2-If so, What kind of bait or tactic
do I need to change to.
Because when you know what kind of fish your seeing and what
kind of structure your fishing on you now have the edge over other fisherman. There's alot of under water structures that will hold fish close. My Buddy has a camara and we was able to find sunken brush piles,,rock piles,,path ways in between weed beds where the fish were traveling through. All we had to do many times was to drill a hole several feet one way or the other to get our bait right to where the fish were stacked in a school beside a bottom structure to get them to hit. We did check our flasher after drilling the first hole just to see if there was any kind of fish down there to worry about at all.
When you go to a new lake to ice fish for the first time I want to see whats down there and whats the bottom like and will it hold fish?
Last year made me a believer for using a camara to fine tune my delivery, bait and tactic to the fish my flasher was showing me.

[RJF]

Mike, you, your Dad and I met last winter on Higgins. I have the FL-18. In the thirty plus feet of water we were in, the zoom feature was great. It really gets detail on the bottom six feet, but still lets you see a suspended fish, if on comes along. I have the standard 12 degree transducer. I did buy a 19 degree for shallow water.

It's more money, but hey, aren't you a recent college grad? Or do you still have classes.

Rick Fisher

[Mike]

Hi Rick,

I'm still finishing up my second degree. Should have it done in another year or so. Don't have too many left, but only taking two classes a semester is really dragging things out. That's ok, I work for a pretty decent place that's paying for my tuition. Can't beat a free education!

Mike

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I have a Vista-cam camera and just love it. Wish I had a flasher to use along side of it. Flasher will tell you there are fish down there, a camera will tell you what they are. Had a ball last year at Stoney Creek watching perch come in by the dozens. And saw four walleye cruise by. Pike and bass were also seen. Cameras are also a great learning tool. You get to see (maybe) why the fish are not biting (presentation might be wrong).

Great entertainment, just ask IFN, N_O and JNPCOOK.

[chad 1]

I also have both fl-8 and atlantis cam, Love the both but if I had to choose It would be the fl-8. The cam is great fun but if you really are going for the fish you need the flasher.
just my 2 cent since my wife says I have no sence for liking ice fishing.

chad1

[ody]

I have both and I prefer the camera in water 10' or less and the flasher in 10+. If I had to chose one over the other I would take the falsher hands down. - Jon