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FL18 vs FL-8

Champs

By Champs
in Ice Fishing

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Champs Explorer

Champs

Posted
Posted

Do any of you think that the FL-18 with bottom zoom is much better than what you had with an FL-8? I recently purchased the FL-18 and have only used it 3 times and I don't feel like it is vastly superior and not sure it was worth the money I paid for it. What do you guys think and could I return it even if I wanted to?

I thought it was going to be one of those things where you feel like "how did I ever fish without it"...but I don't think I feel that way. Just curious. Fish on.

Champs

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duckhuntr21 Collaborator

duckhuntr21

Posted
Posted

I think that the bottom zoom is a very useful tool while fishing walleyes and other fish that are staying close to the bottom of the lake. When you have it zeroed in on the bottom, if you take your eyes off of your vex for a second or two, I think it is easier to notice if a fish has slid in tight to the bottom. the other reason that is really nice is that you have 6 feet of depth in half of the display which enables you to pick out multiple fish easier as well as tell when the fish is actually "all over the lure" instead of possibly being as much as a foot off if you had it in normal. I think it is definetly worth the money but if you decide to swap it out, I would just clean it up good and tell them that your wife bought you the wrong one for xmas. Good luck

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riverview Community Regular

riverview

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I also bought a fl18 last week. My opinion is if you have been useing a fl 8 and read below the bottom (small orange blips in the solid red) all the zoom on the 18 does is make these orange blips green. the low power in shallo weeds is nice.

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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

Posted
Posted

Do any of you think that the FL-18 with bottom zoom is much better than what you had with an FL-8? I recently purchased the FL-18 and have only used it 3 times and I don't feel like it is vastly superior and not sure it was worth the money I paid for it. What do you guys think and could I return it even if I wanted to?

I thought it was going to be one of those things where you feel like "how did I ever fish without it"...but I don't think I feel that way. Just curious. Fish on.

Champs

Not sure what you fish the most? The first few times I had my FL-18 out after selling me FL-8. I felt the same way but since I fish Walleye 90% of the time, I have really come to wonder how I ever did fish without it! If you fish Crappies or other fish that are suspended a lot it may not make as much of a difference to you then. But if you fish bottom feeders! It helps a lot after you learn how to use it. I would give it some more time and try other types of fishing with it. wink

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hamms-scooter Veteran

hamms-scooter

Posted
Posted

I was wondering this also if it was worth switching to the 18 for walleye /perch fishing but I have used my dads and its nice but the lines are so thick that the sfl feature seems more appealing to me.Even the bird 55 has nice detail.I fish with an fl-8se with dual beam and its comparable to my dads 18.Should fish with it more to really feel it out though.

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Glockwinger Rising Star

Glockwinger

Posted
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I upgraded to the fl-18 this year and it has made a big difference when walleye or perch fishing. Anything that hugs the bottom with be easier to "see". It is different for everyone, but for me it helps using the zoom for the bottom.

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leech~~ Grand Master

leech~~

Posted
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Keep the 18, I would never go back after using it for a few years.

A really good way to see the difference between the two is to look at them with a camera. It is very intresting to watch the light beams and the camera and see how far off the bottom each unit shows the jig before it shows in the Vex. I did this with mine when I had the FL-8 and when I got the FL-18. The 18 really showed up closer to the bottom when lifting it up. wink

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Deitz Dittrich Grand Master

Deitz Dittrich

Posted
Posted

Do any of you think that the FL-18 with bottom zoom is much better than what you had with an FL-8? I recently purchased the FL-18 and have only used it 3 times and I don't feel like it is vastly superior and not sure it was worth the money I paid for it. What do you guys think and could I return it even if I wanted to?

I thought it was going to be one of those things where you feel like "how did I ever fish without it"...but I don't think I feel that way. Just curious. Fish on.

Champs

Doubt you could return it. You could always try. I think you would be better off selling it.

As for which is better.. It really depends on your style of fishing. If you mostly fish crappies and gills, then no, the 18 is probably not all that much better. But if you fish a lot of walleye and perch, then yes, The 18 with the bottom zoom is going to help you out a lot!!

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bturck Proficient

bturck

Posted
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I've had the 18 for 6 years and would not trade it for an 8 which I also had. Lake of the Woods that zoom is sweet when you're dealing with belly hugging eyes and saugs. I agree that crappie or sunnies may not as important. With crappies suspending as they do over deep water fishing without the zoom is a plus giving you good seperation to the entire water column. Its nice to have both options. I wouldn't give mine up. smile

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