11-04-2014, 05:56 PM
I would not suggest a flasher. Contentious position, I know, but I don't buy into "conventional wisdom" when times have changed making that 'wisdom' not so smart.
Back in the day, flashers had a great advantage of speed of data compared to a 2d display depth/fish finder. That was primarily driven by the simplicity (low tech) nature of sending signals to rotating led's, and not having to process them into a graphical display.
But, with the computing power available in very small packages, there is no longer a speed advantage. Not only is there not a speed advantage, there is now a di
vantage with flasher's singular modality. My hummingbird can display a flasher circle if that is what someone wants, and it is every bit as sensitive and fast as flashers that have been right next to it. I' have watched separate returns for my 1/4 oz jig, and 1/64th oz ice fly at 30 ft down, reflecting even the smallest movements of the tip of my rod in real time.
But, I can also choose many other modes, including one view showing the typical historical graph with a vertical flasher on the leading edge. With the down imaging, I can get a 3d image of the bottom below me, allowing me to note structure or fish off to the side of my hole, indicating that perhaps I need to move just a couple feet. Plus, there is a GPS to mark spots, with a second transducer there is no setup to move it between my ice tackle box and the boat, etc, etc, etc. Lots more functionality and flexibility than a flasher.
The largest downside that I see is that they are not often setup for ice fishing like many flasher options, so some DIY setup is often necessary.
Choose a flasher if you budget is limited, and you think that later on you may be in a better position to upgrade. But if you can swing for a home run with the boss, I'd suggest getting something more versatile.
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Back in the day, flashers had a great advantage of speed of data compared to a 2d display depth/fish finder. That was primarily driven by the simplicity (low tech) nature of sending signals to rotating led's, and not having to process them into a graphical display.
But, with the computing power available in very small packages, there is no longer a speed advantage. Not only is there not a speed advantage, there is now a di
vantage with flasher's singular modality. My hummingbird can display a flasher circle if that is what someone wants, and it is every bit as sensitive and fast as flashers that have been right next to it. I' have watched separate returns for my 1/4 oz jig, and 1/64th oz ice fly at 30 ft down, reflecting even the smallest movements of the tip of my rod in real time.But, I can also choose many other modes, including one view showing the typical historical graph with a vertical flasher on the leading edge. With the down imaging, I can get a 3d image of the bottom below me, allowing me to note structure or fish off to the side of my hole, indicating that perhaps I need to move just a couple feet. Plus, there is a GPS to mark spots, with a second transducer there is no setup to move it between my ice tackle box and the boat, etc, etc, etc. Lots more functionality and flexibility than a flasher.
The largest downside that I see is that they are not often setup for ice fishing like many flasher options, so some DIY setup is often necessary.
Choose a flasher if you budget is limited, and you think that later on you may be in a better position to upgrade. But if you can swing for a home run with the boss, I'd suggest getting something more versatile.
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