11-23-2009, 03:51 AM
The Marcum LX-3 and the Vexilar 18 are both excellent units. The LX3, I think, has a bit better definition than the Vex 18, or for that matter, the FL8SE. I have three flashers (LX-3, FLS8SE, and Humminbird Ice35. The ICE35 (Humminbird's most basic flasher) compares favorably with the LX-3 and the Vex. Its main advantages are bigger and sharper display, has a flat face (like the Vex FL12/20), and a dual angle transducer set up with different frequencies (240 khz (19*)/455 Khz(9*) so there is almost as no interference from other units. I believe Marcum and Vex both run their transducers at 200 khz, but Marcum has better interference rejection than the Vex.
If I were to rank the flashers that I have, I would go with Marcum LX3 first, Humminbird next and the Vex for third. Remember, the FL8 is the only unit in my arsenal that doesn't have a zoom and movable also, which I find handy when fish are suspended. The LX3 and the ICE35 handle shallow water really well, without the use of a special cable (S-Cable, Kent referred to this part).
I started out with a Garmin 160 set up on a Genz box and wasn't very happy with its performance on the hard water. It is now relegated as my fishfinder for my float tube.
Hope this little rant of mine helps.
[signature]
If I were to rank the flashers that I have, I would go with Marcum LX3 first, Humminbird next and the Vex for third. Remember, the FL8 is the only unit in my arsenal that doesn't have a zoom and movable also, which I find handy when fish are suspended. The LX3 and the ICE35 handle shallow water really well, without the use of a special cable (S-Cable, Kent referred to this part).
I started out with a Garmin 160 set up on a Genz box and wasn't very happy with its performance on the hard water. It is now relegated as my fishfinder for my float tube.
Hope this little rant of mine helps.
[signature]