I have a marcum vx1 and it still has interference after it has been back to marcum twice. i am now back to using my "trusty" ZIRCOM CLEARWATER CLASSIC.
I think the original FL-8's came out 25-26 years ago. Bought mine 22 yrs ago. Still works but decided to splurge on the 20 a month ago. Really pleased with both. THe 20 is terrific!
I've had my FL-8 at least for 25 years, it still works as good as back then. I can't imagine how many batteries I've gone through over the years! The new units are nice, but if it ain't broke, why fix it?
I'm a FL20 Guy. Love it. A little busy outside of the screen as far as determining depths (might just be I'm getting old and eyes don't work as well as they use too), but seperation is outstanding.
Its interesting to read about how many are still using their "old FL8"!! not trying to look down on the fact, but that many have said over 20 years of use!!! That's something.........
I have many hours on the ice looking down on a Vexilar. I have also used the MarCum flashers for a number of year's....and can say both are good products that will but more fish on the ice for you.
The one fact that stands out here, is it's long lasting use and reliablity in a Vexilar Product!! When you go out and invest in a product. You do expect to gets its use out of it!
I guess 22-25 years is getting your use out of it!!!
I found the manual for my FL8 and it says Micronar on the front cover. The date on the schematic in the back says July 1984 so they have been around at least that long.
This year (actually last summer) I got a Marcum 825c and I've sure enjoyed it so far although I'm getting a little tired of the never ending perch show I see in the shallow water where I use it.
I should add that in addition to my MarCum LX-5 I have a Vex FL-8 that I bought ten years ago as well as a Lowrance 522c I bought this fall. I use the 522c mostly for GPS, but carry the ice transducer just in case. The FL-8 I still keep for a back up or to borrow.
__________________
Humana Insurance Representative-Brainerd and Mille Lacs Area
I think this year is the start of a great line of MarCums. Now that Nature Vision owns MarCum, two great company's with tons of knowledge redeveloped their line of flashers, that I think will last many years just like the FL 8s. MarCum is still fairly new to market and they have shown great products from the start. Its hard to say anything bad about Vexilar with the outstanding products they have offered over the years and proof their products last. I know in 10 - 15 years MarCum will have earned that trust.
Im curently using the marcum LX-5 and what a great unit it is.I have used vex and the bird to but i allways come back to my marcum all i can say is wow very nice unit.
The Cabela's ice pack has a hard plastic frame to mount the unit on and secure the battery and they also have a soft cover to go over the entire package. The transducer hangs free with no arm and when I pack it up it fits nicely between the battery and unit itself.
__________________
Humana Insurance Representative-Brainerd and Mille Lacs Area