Hummin bird or vexilar

[WalleyeSlayer21]

Hummin bird or vexilar!? What do you prefer?

[monstermoose78]

Vexilar is my choice hands down for ice fishing. I had one that last one that lasted 16 years and would still be running strong but I fell on it and smashed it. It still worked but the casing was broken and I traded it in for another Fl-8. It shows me my jig and fish and that is good enough for me.

[bigbad401]

I have used both ( ice-35 and ice-45, vex fl-8 and fl-20) and I prefer the Humminbird. I find screen easier to read and for the money, especially the lower end units, the Humminbirds really shine. Plus since they run on a different frequency than the rest they are less susceptible to interface. But, there are a lot more Vex users out there so you'll probably more people saying that they are better. Either one will help you catch fish.

[Scott O.]

Yeah, I agree that there are many more Vex users out there than Bird users so opinions will probably be skewed WAY towards Vexs. I myself use the Bird 45 and love it. Simple to use, digital depth readout, large LCD screen that's easy to see on cloudy days, sunny days, and at night. It's got zoom and auto adjust. And it can take a beating as it has taken a tumble off of my moving truck and still works great. Now if I had $600 extra bucks, I'd probably try out the Vex FLX-28 for sure because it does all the Bird does, plus it's got the low power and weed modes. As I don't, the Bird 45 does everything I need in a flasher.

[amateurfishing]

I have HB 597 and love it

Its ford vs chevy

Anything is better than nothing

[sptitz]

My FL-8 is about 20 years old, works as good as new. I love the wide display and digital depth on my Humminbird ICS55 AND I can use it at the Brainerd Ice Fishing Extravaganza with minimal interference.

[EMAGDNIM]

+1...love my ice-45

[fishfinder72]

I have an Ice-55 and recently got an Ice-45 for my dad. The 45 took my dad away from his FL-8 in a hurry. Both manufacturers are nice but if you are looking at price point and options the Ice-45 is pretty solid. Store near me is $399.99 for an Ice-45 with soft case included (usually $50). Only changes on the Ice-55 (#499) would be included case, 3 color options, target line option for fishing suspended fish.

[CJH]

Bird.

[otterman91105]

I have a FL 18 and love it, never had any problems with it. I bought a ice 45 couple years ago and didn't like it at all. Couldn't get a clear screen without interference called the company and they told me i was doing something wrong. They told me i could send it in to be looked at and it would take 8 weeks for a turn around. Never used it again.

[Ron Vroom]

I have only use Vexilar so I am unable to give an informed comparison, but based upon customer service, I vote for Vex for the following reason. I sent mine in by mail from Bemiidji yesterday because it was pretty noisy. Today at 3:pm while I am in the fish house fishing, I get a call from a service tech telling me, it needed a new motor which he had already put in and did some other minor tuning, and it was ready to be be returned. Kudos to the U.S. Postal service and Vexilar.

[Ron Vroom]

I have only use Vexilar so I am unable to give an informed comparison, but based upon customer service, I vote for Vex for the following reason. I sent mine in by mail from Bemiidji yesterday because it was pretty noisy. Today at 3:pm while I am in the fish house fishing, I get a call from a service tech telling me, it needed a new motor which he had already put in and did some other minor tuning, and it was ready to be be returned. Kudos to the U.S. Postal service and Vexilar.

[mntim]

I bought a Bird 45 because I fish with a bunch of Vex guys, had way too much interference with my FL8. Now I never have issues with interference. Both work great, I would suggest going with the best deal you can find.

[tsande00]

My choice would be the Bird. I currently own a Vex FL18 and a Marcum LX3tc. I find the Vex screen not nearly as crisp and 3 times as loud as the Marcum. The bird screens look crisper like the Marcum and quieter. Unless you don't mind the noise of course.

In the end you'll probably be happy no matter what you go with.

[bltbowhunter]

Either one. They're both awesome. They both show fish, lure, bottom, and depth. I used both of them today and caught equal amounts of fish with each one.

[B-man715]

Either one. They're both awesome. They both show fish, lure, bottom, and depth. I used both of them today and caught equal amounts of fish with each one.

Yep, I have one of each and love them both, but I favor the bird 45 and the wife uses the fl-18.

The best part is how well they play with each other.

[smptuma]

I have both. My dads original fl8 recently rebuilt and bird ice 45. had the bird 3yrs now and that's the one I grab first.

Bird screen is much easier to view and the whole unit itself is quieter than the notorious vex humm. And like others said about playing well with others in the shanty.

[RoosterRedneck]

If i only had one it would be the vex. My bird won't read through the ice when trying to pour water on top to find fish without drilling holes. Once the hole is drilled i tend to grab the 55 over the fl18.