Ice Flashers

Ice Flashers Resources and Information

PartsVu is thrilled to stock ice flashers from Vexilar and Raymarine. Ice flashers are battery-powered modules that use sonar transducers to locate fish below the ice. Ice flashers feature meters that indicate the size and depth of a fish. 

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or Electronics & Navigation. Or browse our broader category of Fishfinders, GPS, Chartplotters, and Multifunction Displays

Ice Flashers FAQs

How do I use an ice flasher? 

Before using your ice flasher out on the ice, make sure that it has a reliable power supply. Most ice flashers are battery-powered. So check the battery terminal to ensure that your ice flasher contains batteries. A lithium shuttle is a common alternate power source. If you use a lithium shuttle with your ice flasher, make sure the shuttle is switched on prior to use. 

Next, you’ll want to adjust the length of your ice flasher’s transducer. You don’t want the transducer to sit too deep, or it may snag your lure. If your transducer sits too high, the sonar signals will bounce off the ice, causing interference. For the best radar performance, lower the transducer just below the ice. 

Once you’ve activated your ice flasher, you’re not ready to start spotting fish just yet. Before proceeding, you’ll need to mark the bottom of the body of water. Without locating the bottom, your ice flasher won’t have a reference to differentiate between fish and geological formations. To mark the bottom, adjust the gain knob until you see a large, continual mark on the flasher. That mark indicates the bottom. 

Once you’ve found the bottom, lower your lure into the water. You should see it appear between 0 and the bottom of your flasher. Take note of this so that you’ll be able to identify your lure as opposed to a fish or debris. 

Finally, fine-tune your ice flasher’s settings by adjusting the gain knob. The lower the gain, the weaker the signal; the higher the gain, the stronger the signal. However, cranking the gain too high can result in nasty feedback, rendering the sonar essentially useless. Overall, this process can be somewhat subjective, but in general, we suggest adjusting the gain until your lure flashes green or yellow, so the fish will flash red. 

What are some of the most popular Vexilar ice flashers?

Vexilar FLX-2

The features found in the FLX-28 read like the wish list of avid ice anglers: digital depth, auto range, two zoom zones, five color palettes to select from for maximum visibility, five foot depth range adjustments starting at 10 feet, maximum range of 300, day and night display brightness settings, low power options for fishing in super shallow water, and a unique weed mode for better performance while fishing in weeds. And to top it all off, the unit even has its own demo mode so you can show non-Vexilar fans how the system works with a lifelike fish catching simulation to watch. The FLX-28 is totally revolutionary in the world of winter flasher sonar technology. Vexilar has come a long way from the early FL-8, but over the years, Vexilar has never changed their commitment to deliver the very best sonar systems in the world. Performance, quality, innovation and reliability—welcome to the amazing FLX-28.

• 20 I.R. Settings
• Low Power
• 6' AZ
• 12' AZ
• 5 Color Pallets

Vexilar FLX-30

Vexilar’s Ultra Pack Lithium fishing system is the ideal platform to hold the FLX‑30™BB. It’s powered by the Vexilar Lithium battery which is half the weight of traditional SLA batteries and delivers power that lasts for days—not hours—of fishing! Inside and out, the Ultra Pack is designed to be the most durable and multi-purpose carrying case on the market today. The entire system is factory assembled and tested in the USA. The system includes:

• FLX‑30™BB flasher/fish finder featuring:
• Seven frequencies from 160 to 300 kHz - (CHECK THIS OUT!)
• 140 interference rejection options (7 frequencies with 20 settings each)
• Target ID down to ¼"
• Digital depth display
• Day and night display brightness settings
• Battery status and low-battery alert
• Three power level settings
• Three zoom zones
• Three manual depth setting ranges to 300 feet
• Five color palette choices
• Long lasting brushless flasher technology
• Vexilar’s exclusive broad band Ice-Ducer® transducer and float
• 12 volt, 9 amp-hour, Vexilar Lithium battery
• Fully automatic charger
• Soft Pack carry case
• Adjustable rod holder
• Master power switch
• External power posts for accessories
• Custom Vexilar tackle box
• Standard two-year limited warranty

What are the key features of the Raymarine Element Ice Fishing Kit?

The Raymarine Ice Fishing Kit includes everything cold weather anglers need to unleash the power of Element sonar on the ice. With a waterproof bag and rugged base designed specifically for the Element, this portable kit is built to withstand the harshest conditions. The Ice Fishing Kit houses a rechargeable battery, charger, and high-frequency CHIRP CPT-S ice fishing transducer with float. Full-sized cargo pockets provide ample room for tackle and the integrated rod holders make it easy to travel with all your gear. The Raymarine Ice Fishing Kit truly is an all-in-one portable fishing package.

• Fish-targeting High-frequency CHIRP CPT-S ice transducer targets bait and target fish down to 900 feet
• Rugged waterproof bag with an easy-stay-open door for easy viewing
• Pre-drilled provisions for mounting an Element 7 HV
• Extra storage for various size tackle boxes and integrated rod holders to carry all your gear
• Kit includes waterproof bag, battery with charger, base, CPT-S ice transducer with float and clips

What is Vexilar’s warranty policy?

This VEXILAR product is warranted against factory defects in material and workmanship with a limited warranty from the date of purchase or receipt as a gift*. During the warranty period, VEXILAR will repair or at its option, replace at no cost to you for labor, materials or return transportation provided the unit is returned, shipped prepaid to:

Vexilar, Inc.

6667 West Old Shakopee Road, Suite 101 

Minneapolis, MN 55438

This warranty does not apply if the product has been damaged by accident or misuse, or as a result of service or modification by other than the factory. Except as otherwise expressly stated in this previous paragraph, the COMPANY MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY OTHER MATTER WITH RESPECT TO THIS PRODUCT. Company shall not be liable for, and purchaser assumes responsibility for, all personal injury and property damage resulting from the handling, possession or use of the product by Purchaser or others who obtain it through purchaser.

* A sales receipt with date of purchase may be requested before service work is done under warranty if no warranty registration information is on file. It is impossible to establish a date of purchase with a serial number or UPC code. Sorry.

Vexilar’s Pro-Rated, 12 volt Battery Warranty

The battery warranty is covered under a pro-rated performance guarantee. Failure to properly care for battery is not the responsibility of Vexilar. Here are the details of the battery coverage from Date of Purchase (Proof of purchase will be required):

Less than 30 days from purchase date – Full replacement.

Less than six months and greater than 30 days – $12.00 plus shipping.

Greater than six months and less than one year – $20.00 plus shipping.

Over one year and less than two years – $25.00 plus shipping.

Over two years – No warranty – New purchase price $39.95 plus shipping

Extended Warranty

Now you have the opportunity to extend the warranty protection of your Vexilar unit from the time of purchase by an additional two years—for a total of FOUR YEARS of protection. Models FL-8se, FL-12, FLX-12, FL-18, FL-20, FLX-20, FL-22, FLX-28 & FLX-30 are eligible for this program. This Two-year Extended Warranty must be purchased within twelve (12) months from the original date of purchase for $39.95. (Please note, your two years of extended Limited Warranty coverage will take effect after the original factory warranty expires. This will give you a total of four years of limited coverage based on the original purchase date of the unit.)