What major changes has Vexilar taken from the FL-8 to the FL-22

[IcerRon2010]

I went from an FL-8 to a 22. Love the features but it takes getting used to. Running the zoom is very handy but if your focusing on a certain foot of water, it kinda confuses you on where you are. Again that will pass with time, as I get better on reading the device.

One thing I miss about the FL-8. When your hole jumping on break and you have swings in depth, you have to guess with how many feet you are in with the 22. My Fl-8, you drop it in the water and you know right now.

IR, does not work on my 22, when I have my FL-8, 2ft away reading the water table also. Tried drilling three holes side by side, hoping the 22 would pick up both lines. I was unsuccesful. I also have a tri-beam tranducer on the FL-8 now also, don't know if that is reason for the interfierence.

I believe some of my probelms are user error, so if you all can point me in the right direction, it would be appreciated. I am still in love my HD-22.

[Ed Carlson]

It might have been that the FL-18 was the IR culprit, and the FL-18 needed to change it's IR setting slightly first...then the FL-22 could set his to get rid of any interference? A bad ducer in the mix can cause complications too..hard to say?

The general rule is "He who has IR issues needs to do the IR adjustment".

Yet in rare occasions with many units in a close area one may need to adjust another unit first, then yours to get the right variance to eliminate the IR complication.

You want to avoid everyone in the herd all tapping away on there IR button at the same time, or you will never figure it out.

I'm making some inquires into this potential FL-22 issue with Vexilar, and will report back what I find. This is the first time I have caught wind of it.

[IcerRon2010]

Hi Ed,

My Fl-8 does not have a IR button to push. The only way to get rid of the interfierence was to turn the FL-8 off. I had a underwater camera that day, so no big deal. Trying different cone angles, was one thing I was thinking that would make the situation better.

[Ed Carlson]

It must be a real early model then? If so, understood, you likely will have issues with the newer models near.

It usually will be in the top knob, an in the center on the SLT series...but you still need to turn the IR on from the top with a push to set the levels..the little led light should come on first.

[herefish101]

Still sounds like the FL20 is a better unit, and Vexilar really dropped the ball with thier IR. Has anyone out there fished an LX5 and an FL22 in the same shack? Well if I scramble them to bad they can pay me to turn it off, it'll usually play nice with most vex units but this has me thinking i'm going to hear a bunch of whining this weekend.

[IcerRon2010]

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[IcerRon2010]

I have an early model. Was my dad's at one time, and he seems to think, he bought around 1998. He upgraded his transducer to the tri-beam this year.

The 22 has more of a problem with the 8's signal, than the other way around. I will play with it. I believe its more of a tweak on my end than a glitch with Vexilar. I could have a really wierd combo also. With the new/old technology of the FL-8.

Let you know what I come up with. If there is anything I could try let me know.

[castmaster]

FL-8's without an actual IR button should still have IR. You just push the top button in the same as you would the IR button.

[fishwater]

Has anyone out there fished an LX5 and an FL22 in the same shack? Well if I scramble them to bad they can pay me to turn it off, it'll usually play nice with most vex units but this has me thinking i'm going to hear a bunch of whining this weekend.

I've ran both a bit now, so has my dad. The lx5 will likely run clean as a bell. I've been able to run the fl22 fairly clean in most instances, over hard bottom it's kinda tricky. I was setup over rocks last weekend, had it running fine, then all of a sudden it was useless. Couldn't get it to run clean again, put it away and used a second lx5. The lx5's didn't play the best in that spot either, but it was minimal compared to the fits the fl22 was having.

[Ed Carlson]

I have an early model. Was my dad's at one time, and he seems to think, he bought around 1998. He upgraded his transducer to the tri-beam this year.

The 22 has more of a problem with the 8's signal, than the other way around. I will play with it. I believe its more of a tweak on my end than a glitch with Vexilar. I could have a really weird combo also. With the new/old technology of the FL-8.

Let you know what I come up with. If there is anything I could try let me know.

The older 8 may have a bad ducer too.

Try the table top test at 24" off a hard floor once.

It should read 9' in 20' mode at a low gain...if you need to crank up the gain much past 10:00..then it may be a bad ducer.

A bad or leaking ducer will send signals out oddly, and other units may pick it up as IR even if they shouldn't...it may show up sporadically. The 22 should be able to tune it out with no problem, unless its the 8's ducer acting up in some freaky manner..then the FL-22 has no base line to set to or work from.

As was already mentioned, you do still have IR on your older FL-8...just tap the top bottom/knob a few times tell the interference go's away..it should.

[IcerRon2010]

Hi Ed,

Found the problem. Did what you said and it turns out I have a faulty transducer on the HD-22. A complete fluke of a problem. Switched out the ducer from the 8 and it works perfectly. I talked to Tom, over at Vexilar and he has another transducer coming out. Thanks so much for the help, and Vexilar customer service is STILL the best out there.

Ron

[Ed Carlson]

I'm happy you got it figured out IcerRon2010.

It's rare that a new ducer is bad, yet it does occasionally happen.

Glad to hear Tom & Crew at Vexilar got you fixed up ASAP. They are a great bunch at Vexilar, with quick no B~S customer service.