fl-22 question

[Livin the dream]

I recently sold my Fl-12 and bought a new Fl-22. I'm having trouble seeing my jig without constantly adjusting the gain and switching the cone angles. Just when I think its set good, my lure disappears. Any ideas?

[BartmanMN]

If you on a lake without current, then best thing to do is borrow another Vexilar transducer give that a try. You could have a bad Tri Beam. Not sure what depths you are fishing, however I don't turn my gain on at all and see my jigs fine with my 22.

[Werewolf]

I just posted the anwsers to this problem on whats better fl22 or Lx 5, but let me save you a lot of greef... get rid of the tri beam and get a 12 degree , the tri beams are built to act different from a regular trans ducer, I have a FL 22 since they first came out and had the transduce replaced 4 times and the head twice for the same problem.. the problem is the tri beam it will never work as good as a regular transducer , I installed a 12 degree two weeks ago and NOW I love my 22 , I almost never have to mess with the gain and can see both my jigs all day long, Tom Z from vexilar gave a talk about transducers and it all made sence ...match the transducer to your fishing is 50 % of the flasher..12 degree is the best all around for this unit because you can only fish to 60feet...

[hamms-scooter]

I picked up a fl-18 and it has a new 12 degree on it. The transducer is everything on your flasher. I had the dual beam before on my fl-8 but found myself adjusting the gain all the time. I spoke to Matt Johnson and he said that vex dual beams were not that great. So far I am happy with my 18 even though I bashed them in the past saying they had a blobby display. I find the zoom fun to use. It works well for me. I gave up on all the talk of who had the best separation and whatever... I got a smokin deal on this unit. I bought it used and feel very confident it will last for years. I already have my sights on the 22 though. My wife went out with me on saturday and she doesn't go often. I drilled 3 holes and put the vex in the middle. She said we need another one or a flat screen so we both could see it easier. I said how about you have this one and i'll get one with a flat screen. She said She would want her own for hole hopping. Needless to say next year I might just have a 22. I have used my buddys some more and I love the crisp display and 10 ft settings. I would want a 12 Degree though never a multiple beam for this guy again. Any way sorry to high jack the post. I had the same issue with dual beam jig would disappear with the 19 degree and be a huge blob with the 9.

[Jim Hudson]

True on the Tri-Beam.. Have one on my 22 and it works great, but have heard the same problem you have experienced from others.

Might want to give Vexilar a call direct and talk to them about this tranducer and see about getting a 12 degree.

Good luck - and once you get things dialed in, am sure you will love the 22..

[Gillfisher]

I have the FL-22 with the tri-beam and don't really have problems with it. That said, you have to understand that the tri-beam ducer is a different animal than the rest. It has to hang perfectly straight, you can check if this is your problem by swinging the transducer, you will see the marks appear stronger and weaker when you do this. I believe there was a separate piece of paper with the transducer explaining how to get it to hang straight. Also make sure you are wiping the bottom of the ducer on your pant leg before dropping it in the hole. If you still have slush in your hole and drop your ducer in you will get goofy readings as well, some of the slush must stay under the ducer. Another thing when using 20 degree the signal is weaker than 12 or 8 and some gain adjustment might be needed. Make sure the ducer is not touching the side of the hole as well. Another thing I discovered when fishing in shallow water, it makes a difference which side of the transducer you have your lure on, experiment with that and you will see what I am talking about. If you are in current use the eye bolt instead of the float and you can pull the transducer against the ice and get it to point down current to pick up your lure but you will probably have to be on 20 degree.

[bturck]

I bought my fl 18 abut 13 years ago right after they came out. Tri beams were still on the drawing board in those days. I have never had a problem with the single beam on my flasher. I may have to adjust gain somewhat depending on depth, bottom content or size of the jig but have never had a problem with it not showing the jig. I have fished from 8' down to 36' without any problems. Last week on Red we were in 8' on the rocks and I did move the zoom to LP Zoom but that was the only adjustment I made. Have never used a tri-beam so have not seen the problem you describe....good luck. Sounds like some good info from the other posts on tri-beam issues..

[hamms-scooter]

13 years says alot about the durability of the vexilar line and the 18. This is why I didn't hesitate to buy a 5 year old used one.

[wbliceman]

I have found current can be one thing that will effect this but if there is no current I would look into a new deucer. I have a tri-beam and have not had any problems in the 2 seasons I have ran the 22 with the tri-beam. I really like it. Matt Johnson did a video with Tom Zenanko talking about ducers and I advise everyone to watch it. I learned alot about the tri- beam and have liked it more and more since I watched it.

[hamms-scooter]

That video was great. It made me want to check out the proview more...

[wbliceman]

That video was great. It made me want to check out the proview more...

I thought the same thing but I feel I have figured out my tri-beam enough I will just stick with that until that goes out on me.

[fishwater]

That video was great. It made me want to check out the proview more...

Isn't the "proview" just the same old 9 degree just cleverly renamed? I'm not doubting its ability, but relying on overplification to view the 2nd harmonics is pretty left field activity when your primarily trying to see your jig and fish with possibly a bit of clarity thrown in. I see it along the lines of tagging HD on your product.

Essentially this is like running an Hbird with both cones being displayed at once. The primary cone needs to be ran super hot to see the secondary. Kinda a cluster€#~! If you ask me.

My buddy just ordered one for his 22, he's been unhappy with his 3beam for the most part so I suggested he bite on this.. Hopefully I can check out the 9 degree this weekend.

[hamms-scooter]

"I see it along the lines of tagging HD on your product."

Do you know why they put HD on the 22?? If you did you would not think it is a gimic... They matched the pulse width with each individual depth setting. And with the addition of the 10 ft scale giving great resolution with seeing the whole water column. As far as the proview I think it would be cool to try. It gives the most clarity due to looking at a smaller area and the gain control will allow you to look beyond that. Matt johnson also said it is best for showing what is below the bottom on the display if you know what I mean by that. Dead zones and bottom content and so on... Like I said it would be fun to try but I think it would be best fitted with the 22hd. I learned alot more about the tri beam not having the side lobes as a single ducer does.

[BartmanMN]

I'm not sure if the crystal size changed at all for the new blue bottomed Pro-view, but it does come with the larger sized "puck" compared to the old 9 degree (which was like the size of the 12 degree). I like the larger ducer "puck" since it helps dropping through slush and has a larger signal receiving 'zone'.

[fishwater]

Thanks for the info on that. I hope my buddy ordered the right one!? I believe he is getting it from FF and the picture on the HSOforum appears to be a wider puck, but it doesn't display the bottom at all. I can't imagine FF being the place for the newest products available?

I'd guess any 9 degree would have similar characteristics, even with a reduced receiving footprint?

[ski_otter]

i'm curious to hear some more feedback on the Proview, I have the tri beam on my 22, and am happy with it so far, but the video made it sounds like if you know what you're doing the 9 deg Proview will do almost anything the wider cones will.

One question that I have is when you turn the gain up don't you lose resolution? I don't really need my jig to show up as a fat red bar with a bunch more clutter

[Livin the dream]

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I will be purchasing a new proview this weekend and will post the results asap. Hopefully this will solve my problem. Anyone interested in a slightly used tribeam?

[MidCoast]

So if you switch the Tri Beam to 8 degrees, isn't it the same or similar as using the Proview with a 9 degree cone? I know the shape of the cone the transducer transmit is different for a tri beam due to crystals, but it wouldnt be similar results with the Gain turned up?

[BartmanMN]

Not according to the video. The video says that the tri beam does not have that secondary 'signal' if you will and only has the straight cone. The single beams expands that secondary lobe on top. It is informational and confusing at the same time.

[Werewolf]

I dont think you need a 9 degree with the FL 22 , my 12 degree works great , the 9 will place too much power in shallow areas. the 12 is slightly over powering , I need to switch to LP mode in the 10 foot range the 9 would be nice for over 50 FOW if that's where you do most of your fishing...

[wbliceman]

Not according to the video. The video says that the tri beam does not have that secondary 'signal' if you will and only has the straight cone. The single beams expands that secondary lobe on top. It is informational and confusing at the same time.

I watched it 3 times before I fully understood it.

[fishwater]

The Pro-View is essentially the 9-degree ducer, but after years of calling it a 9-degree (only to understand that it doesn't perform like a 9-degree) Vexilar has changed its name to Pro-View. I've been running Pro-View ducers on all of my units the last few years... they are available right now... call the store if you need one.?

I guess it is the same old ducer, just re-named for a bit of product branding.

[BartmanMN]

I saw that post as well from Matt, but I belive it is different with regards to having the larger Puck. Technology wise I am not sure what has changed. That is why it is priced at the higher price point

A quick search on the net shows the old 9 degree having the smaller puck previously.

[fishwater]

The smaller ones are an older design, the blue ones are exactly the same as 3 or 4 year old 9 degree ducers. Atleast that is what the folks at Vex just said.

[BartmanMN]

Good to know. You'd think the price would be lower than the tri-beam then, since that one comes with the switch box. I'll just stick with my tri until I have a reason to spend money on a new one.