Dual beam on fl-8se

[hamms-scooter]

I put a dual beam on my fl-8 and I have to say it is a big difference! I really like it when fishing with other people you don't have to stare at their bait down there. In deep water it is really nice looking at a smaller area then the 19 degree. It has better separation in the NB also. I love it! Just wanted to let other guys know what I thought of it. If you have an 8 and are looking for a little upgrade without switching units this is a great addition. Especially you guys with the fl-12.It is supposed to have a better processor in it from what I read.

[Ed Carlson]

A wise move, and a good investment.

In my view, a duel beam is the most significant and beneficial upgrade one can do on a Vexilar FL series flasher.

It will improve your flexibility in most any situation, and greatly enhance your target ID while further refining your target separation in tight cover shallow water light tackle situations.

Having this function at your fingertips is a great tool on the ice and on open water.

[hamms-scooter]

Yeah I can't wait to get it on my boat again this summer with this feature! I notice that it shows separation alot better, is that because i'm using the same power to look at a smaller area? That is my experience with it anyway. Might not be the "zoom" feature but it works great for me! I read somewhere that you(Ed) said the fl-12 would be great with it.So for all you guys looking for a switch to get ZOOM look at a DBT first!

[Ed Carlson]

The narrow beam is more "focused", you lessen the balloon effect of a wider angle beam so with proper gain calibration you get a more refined ID resulting in tighter separation.

The wide and narrow beam both have there plus's, and minuses, in different situations.

[hamms-scooter]

The narrow beam is more "focused", you lessen the balloon effect of a wider angle beam so with proper gain calibration you get a more refined ID resulting in tighter separation.

The wide and narrow beam both have there plus's, and minuses, in different situations.

I would have to agree there...What makes the fl-12 so much different then Ed?

[icehousebob]

I've been using the dual beam on my FL18 since I got it and over 80% of the time its on 19 degrees. But when I'm fishing SoDak Perch and Walleyes that put grooves in the mud when they swim, its great to have 9 degrees. And channel cats on the Horseshoe Chain. And deep water on a couple other lakes I fish. I was fishing some rocky areas on Mille Lacs, where the bottom was blind on 19,because all it saw was the top of the rocks. At 9 degrees, it helped a bunch. I think putting the 12 degree on the FL18 was a big mistake for Vexilar.

[croixflats]

Thanks for the review Ive been thinking about switching over. I,m really bummed because last year I had to get a new ducer and at that time neither Fleet or Gander in my area had the dual in stock and I was to impatient to look anywhere else so I settled for the 12.

Hmm, I wonder if my FL18 ducer will work on a FL8 my buddy cut the cable on his and needs a new one.

[hamms-scooter]

That 12 degree will fit on his fl-8!! Get a dual beam having the option to switch and fine tune what you see is so nice. They work on any fl series

[hamms-scooter]

IMO all the vexilars should come with a dual beam! The other big name flashers are making money and selling alot of units because they have more out of the box options with their products...

[PerchJerker]

A wise move, and a good investment.

In my view, a duel beam is the most significant and beneficial upgrade one can do on a Vexilar FL series flasher.

Excellent point and I agree 100%. Having the ability to use either beam allows you to fine tune your Vex for the particular situation you're in and can make a noticable difference / improvement. I find myself using my narrow beam a bit more than 50% of the time when I'm using my flasher.

[hamms-scooter]

I find myself using my narrow beam a bit more than 50% of the time when I'm using my flasher.

[Pary]

does anybody know if this upgrade would work on a marcum lx3 with tc?? Like can i just buy the dual beam ducer from the lx5 and put it on my lx3?

[hamms-scooter]

Isnt the db on the lx-5 built into the unit? the vex is just an external switch and one end goes into the rear of the head and that goes to switch box and out to ducer. MarCum is built in unit I think

[PerchJerker]

The Marc LX-3 will not work with a dual beam transducer, you need to have an LX-5 to get dual beam from a Marc flasher

[Ed Carlson]

Hence why Vexilar wisely designed the Duel Beam as an optional component add on, separate from the main head unit, so any model in the entire Vexilar line can be easily and quickly upgraded for use of the True Duel Beam transducer system.

[hamms-scooter]

Hence why Vexilar wisely designed the Duel Beam as an optional component add on, separate from the main head unit, so any model in the entire Vexilar line can be easily and quickly upgraded for use of the True Duel Beam transducer system.

Ok you got me Ed.I was thinking that same thing just the cost of a vex with less options vs the others. Then having to buy the add ons to make it the same package as the others.

[Gordie]

Couple years ago my old fl-8 trans ducer went out so ZI went to the big C store in rodgers and that dual beam was all they had to replace my old one. I really didnt want to dish out the cash for it but I'm really glad I did it works so much better and like it been stated earlier hope more find out sabout this to try it.

[Ed Carlson]

Originally Posted By: Ed Carlson

Hence why Vexilar wisely designed the Duel Beam as an optional component add on, separate from the main head unit, so any model in the entire Vexilar line can be easily and quickly upgraded for use of the True Duel Beam transducer system.

Ok you got me Ed.I was thinking that same thing just the cost of a vex with less options vs the others. Then having to buy the add ons to make it the same package as the others.

If...you buy a Vexilar FL package right off with the duel beam, as they are offered in every FL series model in a duel if one wish's, you save about $40 straight up.

But...if down the line if your in need to replace a single beam ducer, it is not that much more to do the upgrade, as your 3/4ths the way there already on the price of a new single beam $30 more...and in that case I feel it is wise to do so.

[BLACKJACK]

I've been using the dual beam on my FL18 since I got it and over 80% of the time its on 19 degrees. But when I'm fishing SoDak Perch and Walleyes that put grooves in the mud when they swim, its great to have 9 degrees. And channel cats on the Horseshoe Chain. And deep water on a couple other lakes I fish. I was fishing some rocky areas on Mille Lacs, where the bottom was blind on 19,because all it saw was the top of the rocks. At 9 degrees, it helped a bunch. I think putting the 12 degree on the FL18 was a big mistake for Vexilar.

So if the 9 degree works so good and shows more resolution, why even use the 19 degree?

Can someone give a brief review of when the 19 degree should be used and when the 9 degree should be used?? My FL18 has the dual transducer, sound like I haven't been using it to its full capabilities!!!

[Ed Carlson]

A quick comparison would be..wide angle...use for searching for fish, or to achieve maximum radius in shallow water. Plenty of variables there too, so that is not set in stone by any means, situations change.

Narrow angle, often is a good tool in deeper water on fast breaking structure to eliminate dead zones, or in shallow water to peak into tight cover looking for fish, as in thick weeds.

Lots of situational variables really, as in too close to another angler..don't want to watch him jig all night...so you switch to 9 deg to get focused on your task at hand.

A good learning tool is don't be afraid to tinker with the duel in all situations and in all depths, just to see how it helps or hurts you in that situation, easy to do, and it often pays off.

You will quickly see Gain is a big factor in both settings, and fine adjustments to the gain can often yield very percise readings.

Go "Tinker"..it's as easy as flick'n a switch ...right?

[BLACKJACK]

You will quickly see Gain is a big factor in both settings, and fine adjustments to the gain can often yield very percise readings.

Go "Tinker"..it's as easy as flick'n a switch ...right?

Thanks Ed, thats what I was looking for. And you right, I just need to go and practice more. I tend to put it on 19 degree in shallow water and 9 degree in deeper water 9 (over 30 feet) and leave it there.

Can you expand more on the use of 'gain'. I generally try to turn it down as far as I can, so I can just barely see my jig. Is there a better way?

And how about the use of low power vs high power?? I generally leave it on the high power side.

Thanks in advance!!!

[Gordie]

when I bought my split trns d The guy told me that the 9 was for deeper water like 25 plus fow it will narrow down your cone so if you see a fish its not the one thats thirty feet away. but I have used it in shallower situations with great results mostly what Ed is talking about.

as for the high and low power you should use the low power for real shallow water like less that 10ft so you dont get a bounce back reading. but I might be wrong and thats how I understood it.

[hamms-scooter]

First off with the dual beam you want to periodically switch to 19 from 9 and set gain accordingly you may find suspended crappies especially in these mid to later months when the oxygen level is getting depleted at the bottom. So they move up... I fished yesterday and slammed the bluegills on the bottom I switched the ducer to 19 and there where 4 green marks suspended. This told me they where obviously out of my cone angle on the 9 and that they were off to the side even in 19 degree setting with some more agressive jigging they came in and I put some crappies on the ice. I like the 9 degree most of the time ,but remember switching back and forth will help you see more/catch more fish! The 9 degree is awesome IMO! Will always have a DBT!