SHOWDOWN

the way that i look at it is any flasher is better than no flasher. i have heard rave reviews about the x67c.
 
i use a marcum lx-1 that i picked up at gander for 199 bucks.
 
get ready to catch A LOT MORE fish.

I just bought one, just got it last week.
The In-Fisherman Ice Fishing series uses this one for last 2 years I've watch the show.
Don't know, but this was my deciding factor.....hoping I made the right decision only time will tell.
Did you get the latest 5.6 version? These are being sold by a new company called Versa Electronics.
It has some new software upgrades.

Looks like a good unit & the reviews sound great.

Nice to have a cheaper alternative....price was the only reason I hadn't bought a flasher yet. Couldn't justify 4-500 for something I might not get a chance to use depending on the weather. I just ice fish spots I'm familiar with from using my fish finder in the summer on the boat. This would be the bees knees.

Let me know how you like yours 2Bon, might have to pick one up as an after-Christmas present to myself.

Appreciate an update after you get familiar with it & use it a few times. I was thinking about buying one myself, but have never seen one used in person.

Hey salty----sounds like a good deal........I have seen guys with flashers on the ice--just looked to be a pain in the butt --  most of the guys were hitting buttons like mad--
 
somehow, I missed the big red sticker on the box !!!  5.6 version it is.....

I found this on another website.

MarCum and ShowDown announce “Homecoming”
Popular Sonar and Underwater Camera brands building for the future, and on domestic soil

Minneapolis, MN – MarCum Technologies is coming home. Central Minnesota based Versa Electronics, builders of MarCum sonar products for over three years, recently acquired the assets of MarCum Technologies, as well as the ShowDown Digital Fish Finder. The acquisition includes inventory, tooling, intellectual property and product designs.

Throughout their 50 year history, Versa Electronics has maintained a staunch commitment to consistently manufacturing high quality electronics. Likewise, their premium customer service has yielded partnerships which have endured throughout Versa’s half century existence.

MarCum’s reputation for quality is no accident, says Versa CEO, Kevin Johnsrud. “Commitment to quality comes first in all our electronics products,” says Johnsrud. “We’ve been building MarCum flashers for three years, and will bring this same commitment and attention to detail to the underwater camera products, as well. In addition, and based on our experience in sonar, we recognize the value of the ShowDown digital sonar and are equally committed to continued development and growth of this brand.”

Demonstrating their commitment to innovation, Versa recently introduced ShowDown 5.6. This updated version of the original vertical digital ice sonar includes two valuable upgrades. ShowDown 5.6 offers anglers an acute 1-foot adjustable zoom function, as well as new state of the art interference rejection software.
The improved zoom function lets users zoom in on any segment of the water column, and change zoom depth in 1-foot increments. The result is unparalleled target separation and screen detail. For anglers, noteworthy situations include detecting suspended crappie schools and revealing bottom hugging walleyes.

Also unique among ice sonar units, ShowDown features the ability to accept new software upgrades; essentially, users get enhanced features and functionality without having to purchase a whole new unit. As in the past, owners of previous ShowDown versions can simply send their units directly to Versa, and for fifty dollars, receive the software upgrade. Or they can purchase the new ShowDown 5.6, complete with new software, at their local retailer. At $279.99, it’s clearly the best value in ice sonar today.

Another Versa advantage: all sonar units are built and made right here in the U.S.A. For the coming winter, MarCum’s flasher line-up includes the feature rich LX-5, as well as the ever-popular LX-3tc, VX-1 Pro and LX-i Handheld Sonar. Consumers will like the new retail prices, too, which have been reduced by $50 to $100.

On the underwater camera front, MarCum continues to offer the finest products available. Both the VS825C color viewing system and VS820 feature 8-inch flat panel LCDs, high resolution SONY SuperHAD CCD optics and ingeniously functional soft carrying packs. These units bring Hi-Def level quality and picture sharpness to underwater viewing. Meanwhile, the versatile VS380 carries the same great camera features at a drastically reduced price.

“We’re super excited about the future of these two great product lines,” says Versa Electronics Sales Manager, Steve Hanson. “Versa Electronics is a well established company with a long history of producing innovative electronics products. And, with our in-house domestic production, we’ll have both manufacturing and customer service under one roof…this is a great combination. Really, I think fishermen just want to know that they are buying a quality product, especially when it comes to electronics. With Versa’s proven history, combined with our continued commitment to building current model and future product innovations, there is no one better to accomplish that goal. MarCum has always been about innovation and high technology; we will strive to produce the highest quality, most user friendly, best performing products that everyone can afford… it’s always been that way, and that is the way we intend to keep it.”

For more information and a 2010 catalog, contact Versa Electronics, 3943 Quebec Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN 55427. Phone is (763) 512-3988. For customer service, please contact us at 888-778-1208 or email us at service@versae.com.



Contact:
Cory Schmidt
Traditions Media, LLC
218-568-4381
cory@traditionsmedia.com
Leslie Vick
Traditions Media, LLC
763-444-4036
leslie@traditionsmedia.com

hows the battery life, and charge time on those??? i have the vexilar fl18 pro......i get about 8 solid hours on high power and 12 on low.....i heard i can use a small car battery and run it all weekend....but i really dont think im gonna try that....thanks

received an email and phone call within 48 hours.......that is pretty good customer service.......explained what needs to be done in order to tell if the product was 3.2 or 5.6 version........
 
email:
 
Good Evening Vincent...

IF you hold down the Noise button found on the bottom of the display and the power button at the top together for 5-6 seconds the software version will be displayed on the bottom of the screen where the depth is normally displayed. it should say either 3.2 or 5.6. 5.6 is the latest version that began shipping a few months ago.

Congratulations on your new purchase and good luck this season.


Thanks Jon
 
 
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Now all I need is some ice !!!

DEFLATED !!!  thanks Tuna !!!!

nah...I can't wait to get the bugger on the ice.......

I need to do some chores around the house today.......and if I get done quick enough......I will head to a few local waters and see how safe the ice is.........hopefully I won't be swimming
 
never made it out of the house

First Fish using the SHOWDOWN
 
I jigged the fish up off the bottom........I am pretty sure I could have caught the fish without the SHOWDOWN or any other electronic device--but it was sure fun knowing there was something coming up off the bottom to chase my jig
 

i'd keep looking for a vex pork, the colours are pretty at night

 Cabelas has customer reviews on Marcum fish cameras as well as others. I would read them before buying a Marcum.

took the SHOWDOWN out for a little under 2 hours today......weather was brutal.......with the wind it was probably in single digits........
 
in any event.....so far, I LOVE THIS MACHINE.......simple and effective
 
Fishing in 26 FOW when all of a sudden one of the marks (fish) made a beeline for 10 feet of water.....I was reeling like mad to catch up......finally caught up in 10 FOW, it turned out to be a nice crappie---this was neat--
now, would I have found the fish by fishing the entire water column back to me--yes, but this machine pretty much simplified the entire ordeal......and it was neat to see how fast it was rising in the water column.....
 
Also, marked a fish 4 feet or so off the bottom........right when I dropped the transducer down the hole......turned out to be a nice bluegill...........
 
You can still see a fish or a mark every now and then--fishing 26 FOW today and blips in the 10-12 feet range--thinking they were roving trout.........
 
 

dafunk........my jig was on the bottom !!!  it was pretty neat........I had to catch up to the fish !!!!
 
Once I caught up to the fish.......he smashed
 
 

Put the Showdown to good use this afternoon / evening

I can't express how much I love this machine........I caught fish in total darkness tonight......a first......I was able to find suspended crappies.......I was using tiny tiny jigs, hit the sensitivity button and wALa, the jig appears on the screen....AWESOME.........

3 Hours tonight with the SHOWDOWN unit.........unbelievable