I think we all realize that this thread is about electronics on the ice. I made a reference to flashers in a boat as a case in point but my whole dicussion centered on the comparision between LCDs and Flashers. Sorry, Grandpa D if I ruffled your feathers but I stand by what I said. I own both. A Marcum LX-5 flasher and several LCDs including the new Lowrance LCX-27c and I feel I'm very proficient at running either unit to it's fulest potential. I don't have to read about other's opinions, I know how they run. I've done comparisions side by side. I've messed with them for hours on end.
So, tell me, Grandpa D, what "new" technology is going into flashers? Flashers haven't changed too much for several years. They are being tweaked to get everything out of them but very little is "new". LCDs, on the other hand, are evloving every year. Look at the advancements with the graphics now and it will only get better. One look at the catalogs or a walk down Cabela's marine electronics isle demostrates that.
Don't get me wrong. I like my flasher but its not the end all on the ice. Set both an LCD and a flasher next to each other some time on the ice and make the comparision. I find both tell me there are fish close. Then my attention deverts to my rod and the feel with perhaps a quick glance at the sonars to see what's going on. You'd be surprised to see the differences are very minute. Ya, a flasher is a wee bit quicker but for 99% of the people, it doesn't make a difference. Rarely does a fish just appear on the screen and bite. Most hang around and check out the bait or lure first then decide to bite. In that time the speed of the flasher is nullified. The graph is showing just as much.
I've voice my opinion and I'll leave it at that. Who ever reads this can decide for themselves but before anyone decides, spend some time with guys who know what they are doing with their equipment. It's easy to impress people who have no experience with flashers or LCDs. A man with no knowledge of the subject will be impressed with anything. Also, if the opinion is from a guy who has only owned one or the other or it is their first sonar, take that opinion with a grain of salt because the opinion is very slanted and narrow.