Ice Fishing => General Discussion => Topic started by: holehopper on December 25, 2015, 11:21:41 AM
Title: Vexilar question
Post by: holehopper on December 25, 2015, 11:21:41 AM
Will the transducer read through the ice,and give you a depth reading before drilling? and also has anyone used the marcum or vexilar hand held sonars,and how do you like them.
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: slabslayer on December 25, 2015, 12:29:07 PM
If the ice is crystal clear with no air bubbles then it's possible. Otherwise, no. I've never used the handheld units so I don't know how they read. Hope that helps.
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: Tin Guppy on December 25, 2015, 08:40:51 PM
I was told that if you put some water on the ice that it would read thru.
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: g on December 25, 2015, 08:58:16 PM
If you put water on the ice then it will work. Have never tried the handheld models so I can't helpyou.
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: toadfish on December 26, 2015, 07:42:10 AM
I have tried using my fl-8 vexilar to read through the ice by putting water on top of clear ice. It does find depth if the ice is clear enough. I think it is hard on the transducer. Usually later in the season there is frozen slush on the ice which is needed to be chiped away to get a reading.
I never had one of the hand-held units so I don't know how they perform .
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: slabslayer on December 26, 2015, 10:03:03 AM
The water trick has worked for me to a limited extent. It's not as accurate as drilling a hole and reading thru the hole. Air bubbles in the ice throw off the ducer, and it's very tough to get an accurate reading if you're hoping to search for weeds and tree limbs. Then it's tough to interpret what you're seeing, but just for a fast general depth reading, it is ok.
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: icebucketjohn on December 27, 2015, 07:09:04 AM
2X Slabslayer
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: snowcone on December 27, 2015, 09:45:28 PM
I use that trick all the time , if ice is smooth just ad water hold ducer on ice and pour on enough water to make a wet spot... or if ice is thick take a crank with your auger and scoop out shavings put in ducer add water works fine so ya don't wind up drilling away looking around....
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: icebucketjohn on December 28, 2015, 08:40:00 AM
Wonderful tip, Snowcone. I'll definitely try that technique out... WHEN WE GET SOME ICE.
Title: Re: Vexilar question
Post by: snowcone on December 28, 2015, 05:26:38 PM
wait ice ? oh yeah I almost forgot since I was perchin on erie sat , because this was the second time in my life to ever be boat fishin erie right at Christmas :o