Vexilar FL8 vs FL12

[jdfisherman]

Is the newer style flasher worth the money over the old style? Is it that much easier to read to justify the extra cost? Looking to pick one up on clearance and looking for opinions - thanks!

[NoWiser]

I would say if you are going to be fishing outside and hole-hopping a lot, where ice build-up on the screen would be a big deal, I would go with the 12 for sure. If most of your fishing is inside a house, the 8 would be just fine. Personally, my next flasher will have a flat screen, but I fish out in the open 90% of the time in the winter.

[robert aldrich]

Get a Showdown troller from MarCum. They are lite weight, only like 1 pound. They can do everything that a big flasher can.

[amateurfishing]

+1

[magnum mike]

If you are going to upgrade, go with the 18. The 8 & 12 are virtually the same machine with different screens. The bottom zoom feature of the 18 is worth its weight in fish.

[hamms-scooter]

Go with the fl-8 or just get 18 or 20. The 12 is same as 8 just has flat screen and low power built in... you lose 30' mode which I like having over just 20, then to 40'. You can use more screen and less gain. IMO the 8 is better fit for me. I have the s cable for low power situations and barely use it cause I know what I'm looking at. A fish in the weeds is a flicker easy to see when you stare at these things alot. good luck

[DuckBlind]

Get the 8, no need for flat screen. Inside or out. Had mine for years, does the same as the new ones for half the price.

[Ed Carlson]

You will also gain the LP Mode in the FL-12, along with the flat screen display. These both prove very useful on open water use as well as on the ice.

If the zoom mode is a high concern feature for you personally, then look to the FL-18, it's fully loaded. The Vexilar FL-18 is an excellent well proven sonar unit.

[eurolarva]

We fished with an Fl8, Fl12 a Marcum LX3 and an LX5 and the only flasher we could not fix for noise was the FL12. Something about the Marcum narrow beam cone would just mess up the FL12. If you are not fishing around a Marcum the Fl 12 may be a good choice but I would go with the

Fl8

[FBMH]

Its all in what you prefer. If i were you, Id try to find some buddies with these flashers and test em yourself. The FL8 is a basic machine that will last you forever. I have dropped mine so many times im surprised the screen hasnt cracked or the flasher itself broke. The fl12 is the exact same, except with a flat screen. If i were you, save the money and buy the fl8. Or, just go with the 18 because the FL18s have really surprised me this year. Dont waste the money on a 12! Good luck in your search

[engfish]

I can give my two cents' worth because I have both the FL 8 and the FL 12. The reason I bought the FL 12 is because of the flat screen. If you fish outside a lot, which I do, then there is no comparison. Even inside a house the FL 12 is a sharper image and a huge improvement over the FL 8.

Is it worth the extra money? Yes. I bought mine on sale at the end of the season, and I have never regretted it.

[mnguy152]

Get a 12 I got mine off the vex site as a recondition model works good to this day.