New Vexilar

[Bobberboy]

I seek guidance from the forum

To feed my IFD I'm thinking about purchasing a new Vexilar this fall and would like feedback on the FL 18 vs. FL 20 and whether or not to include the duel beam transducer in the purchase.

[harvey lee]

Yes I would have the dual beam.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I'm also a fan of the dual beam.. the advantages help you in weedy areas and if you are fishing on a steep drop off.. as well as if fishing in a group(the narrow will get less interferance)

[bassmann77]

I have the FL20 with the dual beam. I would recommend buying the dual beam because it is a nice option when you are fishing with a lot of guys, like a rental on LOW, or the like. The FL20 face is nice to keep from collecting sunflower seeds or sawdust from collecting in like the FL18. You can buy the cover/magnifying for the 18, but that is an extra $20. I really prefer the face of the FL20 vs FL18. It is a lot easier to see the read out in the FL20 than the 18. The night/daytime feature is a nice difference between the two. Other than that they are pretty close to the same. That is my two cents.

[Ed Carlson]

The duel beam is the best single upgrade one can do to a Vexilar. If you opt to do it at the time of purchase, you save about $40.

I always recommend to guys who need to replace a single beam ducer to go for the duel beam as it is not that much more in cost, but offers a wider range of user flexibility and increased Target ID. I find it useful in shallow and in deep water, depending on the situation.

When fishing close to another angler in a portable...It drives me nuts watching there jig and mine at the same time...so it's the narrow beam for me in that situation..to keep me sane.

If it's an option, Vexilar has a Special Edition 50th Anniversary FL-20 Ultra Pack out this year..loaded to the gills...all the toys and then some...SWEET. It will have collector value as they will only make 500...Oh-Ya-baby..I'm on the list..gona get me one for sure...likely get it in the Cool Blue Conversion too...love that display..works for me with my color blindness issues..and it's just plain Kewl.

[PerchJerker]

Another vote for dual beam, it's probably the feature I use most frequently on my flasher.

[NCLaker]

... If it's an option, Vexilar has a Special Edition 50th Anniversary FL-20 Ultra Pack out this year..loaded to the gills...all the toys and then some...SWEET. It will have collector value as they will only make 500...Oh-Ya-baby..I'm on the list..gona get me one for sure...likely get it in the Cool Blue Conversion too...love that display..works for me with my color blindness issues..and it's just plain Kewl.

Ed, I did not see the 50th anniv edition on their HSOforum. Do you have more specifics on what additional options are available on this unit ... pictures would be really nice.

Thanks!

[joneshat11]

I own a 18 and a 20. For sure you should buy the 20 and for sure the dual beam. I can't imagine not fishing with the dual beam, fishing without one is almost like fishing without a vexilar. (ok not that close but I would miss it dearly) I would also buy a blue box to put it on as I find that I hate the round bases that come from vexilar. They're not very stable and spin on the ice when trying to move quickly from hole to hole. I wish they would only put them on blue boxes. Just my 2 cents!!

[KG243]

Reeds has the new 50th aniversary edt. fl-20 on there HSOforum. It is also $600 your paying for a pop can holder, extra rod holder and some other gadgets you could get at walmart!

[NCLaker]

Reeds has the new 50th aniversary edt. fl-20 on there HSOforum. It is also $600 your paying for a pop can holder, extra rod holder and some other gadgets you could get at walmart!

Agreed .... all the extra's are standard accessories you can buy for any vex propack (except the 50th Annv stickers). I was hoping for some more unique features.

Some ideas I would love, but could probably make my own mods for some:

- Deadstick holder (like a rod rocker) that extends up/down for portability

- 12v accessory plug for my GPS

- holder for my gps

- Digital depth display

[Ed Carlson]

First off...price the FL-20 Ultra Pack with a duel beam, than start adding up the New FL series soft pack case, and all the other non standard accessories..digital charge indicator, plus the new "On the go charging system"...that is the true end cost. The 50th Anv SE is an all inclusive package. If you don't want it...don't buy it. There are other options and packages to work with in 2010.

There are Fl-20 packages starting from the standard Pro Pack case single beam on up with many variations of ducers, including the duel beam. For some that may be the way to go. Many options to start from and work with, pick what suits you best personalty.

If you have not seen it yet...the new "On The Go Charger" accessory will be a big hit...charge or power your Vex in your truck or on the sled or ATV....preaty kewl.

[Ed Carlson]

Originally Posted By: Ed Carlson

... If it's an option, Vexilar has a Special Edition 50th Anniversary FL-20 Ultra Pack out this year..loaded to the gills...all the toys and then some...SWEET. It will have collector value as they will only make 500...Oh-Ya-baby..I'm on the list..gona get me one for sure...likely get it in the Cool Blue Conversion too...love that display..works for me with my color blindness issues..and it's just plain Kewl.

Ed, I did not see the 50th anniv edition on their HSOforum. Do you have more specifics on what additional options are available on this unit ... pictures would be really nice.

Thanks!

Go to the "Extras"..than "Press Resources" on the Vex site...open the new 2010 PDF brochure on the new Vex line...you will find more detailed pics that you can zoom in on, and more details there. Check out the new Soft Case for the FL-Series..far better view-ability, and the new Charger system.

[NCLaker]

Don't get me wrong Ed ... I think that is great that they have an all inclusive option, perfect if you don't already have a Vexilar. I already have an FL18 & 20 with most of those options. I had heard they might be coming out with some new stuff this season, was just hoping that it was more than a better charger setup.

[NCLaker]

Go to the "Extras"..than "Press Resources" on the Vex site...open the new 2010 PDF brochure on the new Vex line...you will find more detailed pics that you can zoom in on, and more details there. Check out the new Soft Case for the FL-Series..far better view-ability, and the new Charger system.

Ed, thanks for pointing out the new case design ... replacing the old blue soft case with the Red/Black was way over due I like the bigger opening. I'm hoping the clear window tucks out of the way easier (so that you don't have to look through it and it does not interfere with the handle) than the old design.

[Ed Carlson]

The Fl-20 and the FL-12 really needed the redesigned FL soft pack to better access the larger flat display...it is a good change. It will make present and future options even easier to work with.

[Ed Carlson]

Some ideas I would love, but could probably make my own mods for some:

- Deadstick holder (like a rod rocker) that extends up/down for portability

- 12v accessory plug for my GPS

- holder for my gps

- Digital depth display

Power Tweak: I added a 12V marine grade accessory input to my Vexilar Pro packs the past 5 years now...a very handy Tweak...it will run and charge most gadgets I use in the field and not bother the power of my 10 amp Vex battery or the Vex one bit. $8

GPS mounts:...highly depends on the GPS unit you use. I run Garmin units and use a Rhino 530 HCx...so I have a RAM mount that is multi functional and can be easily pulled to mount in vehicle, Boat, ATV, or on the Vex as I need it. As the Rhino is a GMRS/FMS radio also, I also use a VOX head-set and mic...makes it a hands free operation. I can run 18 hours between charges on the Rhino Lithium Ion pack, and recharge it off the Vex in a half hour as needed. Ram GPS mounts will runs about $40, extra accessory bases about $17 each depending on the application desired +/-.

Dead Stick holder: I find the Vexilar rod holders functional for most of my needs in the field, or I use the Frabill rod holders mounted on my shacks. If you wanted to get creative, the new RAM light ball mount rod holders would work well on a Pro Pack and offer a higher point to position a Deadstick. The same ball mount is also user friendly for most RAM GPS mounts, so there is cross use flexibility of use there too. They will run about $39.

Solar charger: For the past 2 seasons or so of icefishing I have been tinkering with a in the field solar charger system. It works preaty well... 0 - 20% loss of power on a fully charged 10 amp battery in typical winter sunlight conditions, and mounts on a Vexilar Ultra Pack very nicely. I can easily monitor the battery charge level with the Vexilar digital power meter on the Vex, it stays above 80% most days. A Vexilar can function at 10% so there is plenty of room to work with the sun there. With a bit more work I hope to make it a new "Green Option" for Vexilar units some time soon. (Sorry no pics)

[NCLaker]

Thanks Ed, I need to work on some of these mods ... do you have a part number for the "new RAM light ball mount rod holders" you mentioned??

[joneshat11]

Ed, what I don't understand is why are these new options an extra $100 this year? I bought my FL-20 ultra pack with dual beam last year for $500. I then ripped it apart and put it on blue box. I felt I had to over pay to take away the extra junk you guys put on the FL-20. I personally don't like the soft cases(not needed for fl-12/20 because of flat face) or the round bases of the other molds that slide all over the ice. I also, find it overkill to have a digital battery indicator (my FL-20 runs 3 days on a 9 amp) when a lighted indicator works fine. Maybe I'm wrong but I would like to see a cheaper version of the FL-20 on a blue box and dual beam option. If you guys going to add options that just don't make sense than the price shouldn't be raised!! just my 2 cents and vexilar is going in the wrong direction as I'm a proud owner of two fl-20's and two fl-18's!!

[Ed Carlson]

Certainly if that is the package you wish, you can buy the base FL-20 head unit and the duel beam separately, and add the $18 Blue Box, that option is there for those who may wish it. As I said before, there are many options for most any package configuration you may wish, you may need to order it directly from Vex to get it, but it can be done.

Not sure why retailers have not asked for a FL-20 in a Blue box configuration? If they did, Vex would offer it on the main line of packages.

[Ed Carlson]

The first 4 are all ball mounts, and cross over to GPS mount use more easily. Depending on the RAM GPS mount.

RAM-114-RBU Ram Rod Holder system taller but much more expensive.

RAP-340 RAM Shorter but less expensive, very versatile.

72023008 Ram fly rod holder, good price and very adaptable.

RAM Rod 2000 Fishing Rod Holder system, most wide ranging crossover use, fair price.

The standard RAM rod holder has a 8" riser and a side or flush mount base, and that will run $20...but it is a socket mount so your GPS would need a separate mount.

This may be a good bet, especially if you wish to mount a second base on your ice shack and use the RAM Rod holder in another location...both systems have plus's and minuses.

[zamboni]

I am a MarCum guy, but I for one LOVE the flat big display the FL12 and FL20s have.