Vexilar BW LC-10 vs. Hummingbird portable

[chelsey17]

I'm looking at picking up either one of those discontinued Vexilar BWCA models or a Hummingbird PiranhaMAX 10 portable. Both say they run on 8 AA batteries. H-bird model is $120 and the Vexilar is $260. Their new color model is over $300. Anybody used the Hummingbird model or heard anything about it? Any comments on quality of the Vexilar? I fish the interior of the BWCA and weight is always a concern.

[loadmaster]

Don't know how much weight matters, But I just picked up 2 Zercom flasher They run off the vex 12 volts for $9.00 a piece. Thses are the little graphs and used one for 3 years work great Shows bottom and fish. Let me know I'll tell ya where to get them. These are recondition and come with a year warrenty>>>later the load

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T view Pictures click on link Fishing Photos

[Northlander]

Loadmaster give me that info please I need a flasher/Graph for my canoe. [email protected] Thanks a lot!
Can you bring one to the rigging get together at Joels?

[chelsey17]

I've been truckin my old Eagle into the BWCA using a small 12v already, but it is pretty much the weight issue. I think the Hummingbird model must be new, as that Vexilar model has been fairly successful in talking with my old boys at Gander in Duluth. I'm just not sure how Vexilar expects to get $300+ bucks for their new model if the Hummingbird does essentially the same thing for $120. Hell,it has water temp which I don't think the Vex has. Not sure if I'm missing something here...It's not as if making a portable finder that runs off disposable batteries is a huge technology break-thru. You can only slice bread once.

[Northlander]

Ya Vex had the market cornered for a while. The prices will drop now that others are making the same type outfits for a lot less. Its a good unit but if the other does everything the Vex does get the Cheaper of the 2. Its not like you need speed or major pixels and at $300 its way pricey!

[This message has been edited by Northlander (edited 04-01-2004).]

[chelsey17]

That's kinda what I figured. I'm suprised by the fact that somebody didn't come out with the battery/weight concept earlier. Vex must have either come up with a unit that sipped power or just done something that should have been done long ago. I think Vex will get stuck with a lot of those new color units that are over $300. Hell, I could probably pick one up in a year for $200 after they discontinue them... Either way,I just have this nagging fear that I'm tickin' off the BW fishing gods by going tech! We will see May 17th this year.

[Mudcutter]

hey chelsey-- where are you headed the 17th ?? be up there my self for 10 days.
we have been bringing Vex's (the one's used for ice fishing) for years. It's bulky and heavy- but year in and year out it we say to ourselves, "their is no way we would have found that without a depthfinder." Now I bring the LX3. Even in the spring when fishing is easier in my mind it worth the weight.
I wish may would hurry up and get here.
Keep your tip up.
Jeff

[bdavid1157]

Hey guys any brand depth finder will run on 8 AA batteries if you hook them up in a series. My kid got a little Eagle graph for about 100 bucks brand new. The batteries last him about 8 hrs.

[Surface Tension]

The vex BW lc 10 has 64 x 64 pixels.
The Hbird had 160v x 132h. The choice between the 2 would be easy.
Yes you can run any hook 1.5 volt batteries in series for this sounder also.
Something you wouldn't want to do with a flasher because of the draw.
I would get the portable case for the Bird and buy a 3.4 amp hr 12 volt battery.
They're half the size of the 7 amp hr batteries but should be plenty of juice for the Hbird LCD.

[chelsey17]

Mudcutter-taking a little solo in my kayak into a couple laker lakes east of Snowbank. My folks have a place on Vermilion, so it's easy to keep tabs on the weather and keep the entry date open till the last minute. If I can beat the blackflies, it's all good. Weight and space are pretty important, especially for a week long trip. If I have to double trip the 12-15 portages, it adds up. The flashers are OK for ice fishing for me, but I want a graph for open water fishing. I've got too much going on to be watching a flasher all the time. Plus the water temp feature listed on the specs for that H-bird sounds like a bonus.

[Mudcutter]

I hear ya' on double tripping on the portages (really 3 trips then.) Luckily, I go with a group of guys that can single portage so much stuff- are canoes are running out of space. . Last year we went to Iron via the Stuart river and made it in 9 hours. No way that happens triple portaging.
I like that idea of a graph- not having to look down all the time. the thing nice about the Vex's is battery life-- you can forget it's on and still return with a 1/4 charge or more. For a week in the bush- I need something that's going to last, but I think I Might look into that hummingbird,, been a long time since I have looked into a hummingbird. Heading to Knife this year and hope to get into some lakers myself for the opener.
Keep your tip up and line tight.
Jeff

[Jackpine Rob]

There is a web page that has lots of info for you on the Piranha and Vex models.

bobcary.com/setthehook/locaters.html

[chelsey17]

Redrocks website gave more info than anywhere else I had found. Their mark up as usual is a bit high. BassPro has the same model for $119. fishfinder-store.com has it for $106. Vex is gonna get blown away by Hummingbird on this thing. Thanks for the comments.

[Jackpine Rob]

I don't know about the "high as usual" comment. The nice thing about dealing with some merchants (not just this one in particular) is being able to get comparative analysis of various gear, and just plain old customer service. While I sometimes shop the discount stores and even the internet, many purchases are made from smaller mom and pop stores because I want to support the smaller businesses that supply many of my day to day needs. Also, I have found they are more willing to negotiate.
My son needed a new hockey helmet last year, and we had a local shop that cost about $15 more than the big internet warehouse store. The local shop offers skate sharpening, cuts the kid's sticks for him, and we are in there at least every week during the season. I didn't feel at all cheated in purchasing the helmet from them - I was supporting a business that has consistently provided prompt and cheery service.

[chelsey17]

Jackpine-I can appreciate the local guy. I bought my kayak from them at Redrock store. Being able to try it out on the water was THE reason I got it from them. In this case, my inquiries on this site confirmed my suspicions with regard to the depth finders. It's like buying a Duluth pack at Piragis-how much more are they going to tell me about it? Unless a local outfit is also a dealer and can fix stuff, price is THE issue. If a local business expects people to pay 40-50 bucks more for the same product, they are kidding themselves. Sorry, but I don't make enough yet where that is chump change.

[Jackpine Rob]

Chelsey -
I hear you loud and clear, and am not disagreeing on the value of a buck. One thing you might wish to try when you are ready to buy is to go into your basic larger retail outlet and attempt to negotiate price.
Heh, heh.
I'm not guaranteeing all "local" type guys are willing to negotiate, but I've negotiated on all sorts of larger items, and if I'm not happy about the price, I do go elsewhere.
Not arguing with you at all here, just trying to offer a friendly tip or two, from one fisherman to another. Oh yeah, and in comparing prices, did you factor in your Card that they must have given you when you purchased the kayak? Better yet, use the Card on your birthday, like I did with a certain paddle two years ago.

[left hand griff]

Has anyone tried the Hummingbird rf30?
Its a wireless unit you can cast, the screen display is on a wristwatch.

[This message has been edited by left hand griff (edited 04-02-2004).]

[chelsey17]

I don't recall getting a card from them. I pretty much flew out the door as I already had a trip cookin with my new purchase.