Offbrand FL8

[SXViper]

I was in a spoting goods store and they had two FL8's (used) for sale. Neither of them were Vexilars. I dont remember the names of them, but I was wondering if anyone knows if these offbrands are anywhere near the quality of the vexilar.
Thanks
Brian

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You must be wondeering what kind of jacket I have on, To get that close to me on the lake.

[shefland]

You probaably saw a Sitex FL-8, or Micronar Fl-8 or a Hondex Fl-8, all the same, several different companies owned them before Vexilar, buy a vex, because those other models are quite old, dating back into the 80's

[Deitz Dittrich]

Shefland is exaxtly right... they are probably the first few models that came out... Sitex was first.. my dad still had 3 of them.. GREAT UNITS.... I would buy another of them in a heart beat for the right price...

[Guest]

I have a SI-TEX model SH-1 that I got from my grandfather. I don't know how old it is but it works great. If you can get a good deal on one I would pick it up. I still use mine as a backup to my FL-18, or when someone wants to borrow one.

[SXViper]

Thanks. Youre right one of them was a Micronar and the other one was a Hondex. One of them was on the blue squarebox, and the other was on the vexilarPro Pack. Both had floating iceducers battery condition guages and the whole works. What would be a fair price for these?
Thanks
Brian

[shefland]

One other thing to remember, these earlier units I believe did not have any interference rejection buttons. In those
days it was not much of a problem because if you had one you were like the only fish in the sea, but now days they are everywhere annd it is a big problem if you are near another unit. Another thing, they had a transducer that went into the hole on an arm that needed a leveling device to set it right. I owned all of these units and they were great. I would not pay more then $100 max, I just sold a fl8slt for $125

[SXViper]

I see actually both of them have the transducer floats so that is a bonus. Also what are the big differences between the fl18 and the fl8 is it worth the $100?
Thanks for the hekp
Brian

[Kidd]

Kinda makes you wonder if these old FL8's will become a collectors item eh? Kinda like old lures.

[vern]

I've had a Micronar fl-8 for years that still works great! The only problem I have is trying to see the display in bright daylight. A cleaning might help. For some reason when I'm fishing next to guys using the newer fl-8's, I seem to have a lot less interference than they do. It doesn't seem to effect me as much, but I know the Micronar messes them up. I actually kind of like the transducer attached to the arm & I never used a level. I just turn up the gain a little & move the arm around until I see my jig at it's brightest point then leave it there. The transducer is about the size of a hockey puck though! But, I think it's time for an upgrade so I'll be getting the fl-18 in a week or so. I can't wait! Vern

[This message has been edited by vern (edited 12-04-2002).]

[kwkfsh]

After reading this post I took a look at mine and it is a Micronar a Div. of Sitex by Honda electronics. I bought it used in a pawnshop about 1987 for $75. ( I think ) A year or two after I bought it I heard a snap while I was fishing and it quit working. I opened it up and you could see the blast pattern from the little dohickey that had exploded. (Actual technical term) The owners manual has the schematic of the board in the back. I took the book into radio shack and showed them the part that exploded. The guy said thats a transistor (other actual technical term). He sold me a card that had 2 on it for $0.19. I unsoldered the dead thingy and soldered in the new thingy (another technical term) and that baby has worked like a champ to this day!! Best $0.091/2 I ever spent.

[Guest]

I have a Hondex that dates back to the late 80's when my dad bought it with the blue box. I use it year round, must have absolutely thousands of hours of use and abuse...never, ever a problem! The original ice ducer finally died last winter! Unreal equipment.