The bottom zoom on the VX-1 is what sold me on that flasher over the Vexilar. For the same price or some times less than the FL-8 you get zoom as well as everything else.
I am likely to upgrade to the LX-3 or LX-5 to gain the adjustable zoom as well as better target separation.
My ice fishing blog: http://icefishingsite.com
well we picked up an fl8-se Genz pack only because of the price. it was hard finding a deal on the marcum. we'll see how it works for us.
heres a website to show you how to use that vex. Ice Fishing Today - Free Ice Fishing Video - Vexilar
used mine today for the first time,i cant say enough how good they are
I just bought a used Marcum lx-3 w/o an instruction booklet, it's the first time i have ever used anything like this and i'm having trouble getting it set just right to know what im looking at, there is alot of flashes on the left side of the readout could someone explain what i'm looking at when this is in the water. the instruction booklet i printed off line doesn't go into alot of detail. i do know when i get a fish but don't really know when it's on by reading the Marcum i just know by the tug on the pole and my spring bobber.
To try and explain it all would be a 5 page post.
Turn your gain down as low as possible ,keep the ducer below the ice.
Put the unit on the right depth.
Identify the leading edge(bottom) everything beyound that means nothing.
Forget the zoom until you figure the rest of it out.
also if i may suggest, after doing what was said above lower your bait down and adjust your gain if needed so your bait is green in color, thats all the gain you really need and when fish are around you will seen the fish go from green to yellow then red then hopefully fish on. With what said you should be able to go out and learn more from there
I have a couple of Vexilars, but the theory is the same. You can adjust the gain with your bait 2' below the ducer, then at 10' it won't show up, so continue to tweak the gain for the depth that you are going to be fishing at. Also, I try to keep my line right beside the ducer so my bait is in the center of the cone, thus reflecting the strongest signal and reducing the amount of gain you would need if your bait was off of the center of the cone.
Also remember that a green mark below your bait does not necessarily mean the fish is coming up from under your bait. It may be coming in from the side, but because the signal has to travel further at an angle than it does straight down, it appears the fish is below. Wait until the mark goes from green to yellow/orange to red and gets closer to the green mark for your bait, then bring your bait up a bit and see if the fish follows it.
Just a few starter tips.
Jeff
Skeeter Jeff
Indianapolis, IN