Vexilar FL-22 HD - Consumer Reviews

[Ed Carlson]

You can detect phytoplankton on a sonar, and very very tiny bubbles, and they are far smaller. So ID has very little to do with target size. Target shape has a larger impact on target acquisition and the resulting sonar ID return signal.

The line segment count in relation to the dial size and operator settings will determine how close together the targets can be displayed, as does Gain calibration and pulse length tuning. It is like pixel resolution on a HD TV, how tight is determined by the number per square inch more of less....but on a sonar this is in a dial line segment configuration. More lines segments makes tighter display readings achievable, with the gain and pulse rate well calibrated.

[Ed Carlson]

I cant wait to get my hands on one this fall or winter.

Yup..Yup...you and me both.

I hope to get them up on display very soon.

Won't be long now.

[Ed Carlson]

Heads up...The new Vexilar FL 22HD's will be in at GM late this week...get them early, they will move fast!

[hcmpls1]

Heads up...The new Vexilar FL 22HD's will be in at GM late this week...get them early, they will move fast!

Is it safe to assume you work for Gander?!

[Ed Carlson]

Yes I do, and I also am openly part of the Vexilar Staff...what's your point?

[hcmpls1]

Yes I do, and I also am openly part of the Vexilar Staff...what's your point?

It was only a question out of curiosity. Nice to see someone with a passion for ice fishing who works there. I've haven't always experienced that with all staff members at GM. I enjoy reading your posts.

[Ed Carlson]

No worries...and thanks for the kind words. Just poke'n back at ya a bit...all in fun bud.

[DrSwiftwater]

Heads up...The new Vexilar FL 22HD's will be in at GM late this week...get them early, they will move fast!

Bought one today. Guy at the Blaine GM said it was the only one they received. Bring on the ice!

[BartmanMN]

Quote:

Bought one today. Guy at the Blaine GM said it was the only one they received. Bring on the ice!

Pimp

[Ed Carlson]

Your a Smart guy BartmanMN....they are in very limited supplies...and I'm not kidding at all.

I was just informed yesterday that due to the overwhelming demand and due to commitments to retailers Vexilar will not be selling the FL-22HD from the Vexilar web site, nor will they be selling the new Vexilar FS-1000 from the Vexilar on-line retail site, again due to overwhelming demand on limited supplies.

If highly interested in either one, buying early is very wise guys & gals.

[Ed Carlson]

The first shipment of Vexilar FL-22HD's lasted about 3 days,..."POOF"...Gone!

We are out tell the next shipment show up, hopefully this Thursday or Friday.

[PerchJerker]

We still have a few Pro Packs available right now, but we're waiting on Ultra Packs again.

Ed said it best ----- "POOF". They are going to be gone soon. I think if you wait for the ice to get here, you will have waited too long if you want an FL-22 this year.

Vexilar FL-22 HD at Pro Fishing Supply

[macminn]

Just picked up an Ultra Pack. Had an offer if you spend $500, get a gift card for $150. Couldn't resist. Got the last one there in the NW burbs. Supposed to be getting more though.

Bring on the ice!!

[stumper]

Have you played with it yet Mac? I was pretty excited to see one had showed up,but that excitment didnt last long after we got it up and runnning.The one I looked at today had a dead battery right out of the box. Once it was charged up a bit we turned it on.First impression... I hope they get quieter when they are broke in,you could hear it from 10+ ft away.WHY cant they make a unit that dont flicker with every revolution of the motor? That would drive me nuts looking at that for any amount of time.For those that have used one, is this unique to this unit or are they all this way?

[Fuzzbient]

I hope they get quieter when they are broke in,you could hear it from 10+ ft away.

On my old Vexilar I put a little lube (DeOxit) on the brushes once in a while and it really quiets it down.

[trapperdirk]

OH really, and it's that much better than an fl-8 and fl-18 with the " S " cable attached . Please do explain how the 60 ft version is better . The fl-18 after one year built this in their units as did even a version of FL-8 .

Please explain why any fisherman would in his right mind decide to limit himself with 60 ft when sometimes and often other species go deeper . Vexes as a rule top out at 200 ft and Marcums 160 ft .

Why would anybody max out at less when lakers etc often are deeper . 60 ft is a joke unless somebody can explain why that max is better . I'm interested ?

TD

[Esox_Magnum]

I still would like to know what the target seperatin is on these.....

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

OH really, and it's that much better than an fl-8 and fl-18 with the " S " cable attached . Please do explain how the 60 ft version is better . The fl-18 after one year built this in their units as did even a version of FL-8 .

Please explain why any fisherman would in his right mind decide to limit himself with 60 ft when sometimes and often other species go deeper . Vexes as a rule top out at 200 ft and Marcums 160 ft .

Why would anybody max out at less when lakers etc often are deeper . 60 ft is a joke unless somebody can explain why that max is better . I'm interested ?

TD

You just have to trust, and believe.

[Ed Carlson]

The FL-22HD was not designed for deep water use, many other models in the Vexilar line are so designed, such as the FL-8, FL-12, FL-18 and FL-20. At present the HD benefits of the FL-22HD are best utilized in 0' to 60'. As it was engineered from start to finish to get the best performance possible in the 0' to 60' range.

For years there has been both deep and shallow versions of the Vexialar available for ice anglers, and this remains true today in most all models today. The FL-20 can cover all these ranges well, especially when equipped with the new Vexilar Tri-Beam. It is up to the individual to decide what particular model has the feature set that will serve them best in the conditions they most often fish. There are plenty of options to chose from.

The FL-22HD was designed for the best performance achievable for the shallow water angler, that was it's primary mission statement parameter from the start. A large percentage of ice anglers never fish deeper than 60', but some do fish deeper. So fortunately many options remain open in the FL-8, FL-12, FL 18, and FL-20 for there needs.

Remember, just because a sonar can read deep, does not mean it can read deep and shallow well. Shallow faces different user challenges than deep will, and transversely deep offers its own unique technical challenges.

Shallow sonar use requires specialized calibration to deal with weeds in quantity, surface clutter, algae blooms, concentrations of phytoplankton, hard and soft bottoms with any or all of the above mentioned conditions feasibly appearing in unison. All could feasibly exist simultaneously while shallow water fishing producing more challenging gain and pulse rate calibrations to get a good clean read. The FL-22HD with the new Tri-Beam Ducer was specifically designed to contend with these shallow water conditions.

I think if you were to seek out and watch the You-Tube Vexilar FL-22HD Demo Video you will see how specifically these challenges are met, and gain a better understanding of the FL-22HD's primary mission and benefits. Then you can decide what model best suits your individual needs.

[FISHINGURU]

I wonder why no company wants to make a unit that everyone would want and just shut down the competition. It's like they make a deal that they won't make a complete unit so everyone can still make some money.

How about a flat screen high def digital triple beam unit with adjustable zoom that reads up to 200ft??

Sign me up for one of those.

[Ed Carlson]

A deep water HD version may develop, in time, if the performance is proven to be there.

It will not be made just to be made, it must first be proven to be a significant true enhancement in deep water use first. It is far better to do it the best it is capable of, then to do it just to say it has been done.

The FL-20 or even the FL-18 with the new tri-beam is a extremely high performance unit for deep water use, very hard to beat. They would be my top recommendations for deep water applications at this time.

[curt quesnell]

I just got the FL-22 a couple days ago. I have owned an FL-8, and FL-18.

When I got the FL-18 I wondered if the zoom feature would be a big deal, of course it was huge.

I think the 3 cone selection will be nice and since I have NEVER fished

in over 40 feet of water I cant see a 60 foot max being a problem for me.

Another nice thing is the ablility to dim the lights a bit, these things

are real bright in the dark.

Have not used the 22 yet but am looking forward to it. I will venture to

say it is not for everyone but it should out perform anything else in 60 feet of water or less.

[kingfisherpat]

NOW I LOVE MY VEXLAR FL 8 SE I CAGHT CRAPPIES WALLEYES ANY FISH U NAME IT I DONT THINK I EVER BUY ANOTHER VEXLAR U KNOW THIS FL 22 HD VEXLAR IS JUST SAME IS 12 VEXLAR SO IDK WHY U GUYS WANT A 22 HD VEXLAR I MEAN I HAVE A VEXLAR FL8 I JUST LOVE IT IT CATCH ME FISH SO THERE NO NEED TO BUY A NEW VEXLAR IF I WHERE BUY A NEW VEXLAR I JUST BE WASTING MONEY CASE I ALREADY HAVE A VEXLAR I THINK THE FL 8 AND 18 IS ALL U NEED

[kingfisherpat]

I HAVE A FL 8 SE VEXLAR I JUST LOVE IT AND I NEVER TRADE IT IN

FOR AND 22 VEXLAR JUST SIMPLY CASE I LOVE IT AND IT CATCHS ME FISH SHOW ME WHERE THE FISH ARE AT AND IF U ASK ME GUYS STICK WITH THE FL8 AND FL18 VEXLARS

THE BEST UNITE TO USE AND EASY TO USE AS WELL

IT JUST A WAST OF MONEY TO JUST USE AND BUY FL 22 HD VEXLAR SO STICK WITH FL8 OR 18 VEXLARS AND MARCOM OR WHAT EVER BRAND OF VEXLAR U HAVE FL 8 AND 18 ARE A NICE UNITE TO USE AND HAVE I LOVE MY FL8

[BartmanMN]

I'd like to read some reviews from people who have spent some time on the ice now with their FL22's to gain perspective from them.

Hopefully some of you have used a Marcum LX-5 as I am looking for your input between the two.