flasher or camera?

[suckerbass]

Why do I need to get a vexilar for 300$+ when I can get a aqua-vu camera for about the same price? It seams to me the camera is going to do the same thing only I can see the fish. What are the real world pros and cons?

thanks
mike

[Sib]

I'm no expert here, but I don't see the two as working in the same manner. The camera is great to see fish behavior, I'd really like to see how fish react to certain presentations, see what lil' finesse things can make a difference. I don't have a fish cam, not yet anyway.

I do own a flasher tho and if I had to decide one or the other, I'd choose the flasher, can add a cam later if I choose.

My rationale:

What do you think the visibility will be at 25 fow in most Michigan lakes? This will vary by body of water, but visibilty is never great in most of the water I fish. Lot's of stained water and particles. I think that would limit the camera to what is vitually directly in front of it. I'd guess 5 ft of visibility would be great visibility for Mi, but seems like there is much more that you're not seeing. On the other hand, a flasher can see everything within the cone of the transducer almost always, no matter how stained the h2o is and how much silt there is in the water. Much of what you see will depend on the degree of angle provided by the transducer, different cone angles give you wider and narrower views, depending on type. Also, depth of water is a determining factor in how much the cone will cover.

The flasher gives you a macro view, imo and the Camera gives you a micro view. The flasher will give you an idea of what's going on around your hole, the camera will tell you what's going on in front of your lure.

Like I said, I'm not an expert using these fish cams, but I do have a underwater housing for my Nikon cameras and from my experience down there, visibility is not very good.

[scottyhoover]

You can see the whole water column below you with a flasher, You can't do that with a camera in most cases.

[chad 1]

Here is another tread that had the same question.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=53971

chad1

[WALLEYE MIKE]

BOTH But if you can have only one, go with a Fl-18

[jpollman]

I've had a camera and I liked it but just plain didn't use it so I sold it. The camera doesn't give you the depth ! I think the flasher is MUCH more usefeul. I had planned on getting one this year but money is tighter than I thought it would be so I'm gonna have to hang on until next season probably. Oh well, I'm willing to bet the wait will be worth it. I'm gonna drop the extra $100 and get the 18.

[FishingJoe]

I have both (actually have my buddys' AquaView so I could determine if I want one or not. Glad I did, as it is going to save me a bunch of money. I used both in my first ice trip yesterday, and have no doubt that I will not likely buy a camera. I was catching fish off my Vexilar that were above the camera. If I moved the camera up, I couldn't see the fish on the bottom,. After a couple of years fishing with the Vexilar, I find that I can discern very minute movements in the fish, determine the mood of the fish and how they react to the bait, and - best of all, see the entire water column. I guess if I'm voting and you have the $$$$ to buy 2 pieces of equipment, I'd go for the Vexilar and a power auger (has caught me a LOT of fish just because I am a little more willing to move around when I have something to help drill through 2 feet of ice.) Just my opinion.:rolleyes:

[suckerbass]

shanty, flasher, camera, power auger, bate, reals and rods, heater, tip ups and a big lunch. I am going to need 2' of ice and a dump truck! How do you drag all that out? I got a polaris sportsman, looks like I will need a bigger truck to get it all to the lake. :eek: :D

[duckman#1]

As mentioned, depth is key. The vexilar shows exactly how deep it is and exactly where the fish is suspened! You can actually watch yor tiny tear drop as it is lowered down to the fish.
If fish start showing up 5 feet higher, just raise the jig to where they are. The camera can't do that!

Hey Steve, how about calling Vexilar and have them be a sponsor for this web site? I wonder how many units have been sold from word of mouth on this site?

[Fishfoote]

Definitely a flasher. You're limited to the length of cable with a camera an water visibility is also very limiting. Even with those little lights - you can't see very far in the evening. How are you going to tell how deep you are with a camera (yes, you could mark the cable), what about those fish right behind, to the side and under the camera...want to catch some of those? Gotta have a second hole for the camera, and if you're fishing suspended, good luck keeping your bait in view.:eek: Don't get me wrong, I've got a camera and a flasher - most of the time the camera doesn't get out on the ice because I don't need the extra weight and work.

[ChapstickCharlie]

I have both and I would choose the flasher hands down. And another bad thing Suckerbass is that ya won't ever get enough ice fishing toys, I just read a post in Minnesota where the guys are FLYING out to some point on Lake of the Woods. Let's see that makes flasher, hut, power auger, PLANE.

[Lundy43123]

I have both and the Vexilar is by far the most versatile of the two. The Vexilar works anywhere, anytime, everytime. The camera really only comes into it's own for me on CLEAR water walleye fishing.

The Aquaview was by far the most valuable during two trips to Hubbard last year. I wouldn't dream of fishing there again without a camera.

Kim

[slowpoke]

I have both also. FL18 first. I like the camera in clear water. Last year I fix the camera so it would look down and lowered the cable so I could just see my jig and bait while I was fishing on Higgins lake. I was in 65' of water and the the camera was in 50'. That worked great. I had a birds eye view.

[Chuck1]

Fl18 first , second choice FL8, camera is way back, it is a great educational tool on how fish react, but it is a pain. I mostly use mine now summer time fishing, you can drift around dropoffs, and really locate fish with it, and by being able to see what specie your dealing with you know what to throw at them.

[Cold-Foot]

You can't compair the two.
But if you have both, your one step up on most people.
Your flasher don't tell you what kind of
fish your marking but you can see straight down to the bottom
and all of the (stuff) in between.


Your camara sees what kind of fish are there and will tell you
by watching them what and how they will bite. But the water
must be pretty clear to get a good view.

I think if most of your ice fishing was done in stained or dirty water you would like the flasher better. In mostly clear water
you'll catch more fish by watching them and how they react to
different baits and presentation.
Both are great tools.

[slowpoke]

One more thing, it's best to have the camera inside a shanty, hard to see the screen. The hood that comes with it works good but you have to have it close to your eyes to see anything. I don't take my camera unless I am going to be inside a shanty.

[Tattoo Mike]

I still like my camera. I have caught fish that I suerly would have missed with a flasher. Plus you can check out the bottom and see whats there.