fl-22 hd and lx7

[stealth3350]

im sure this has been brought up before but i could not find it.. anyways im upgrading my vex fl-18.. just want a new one.. i have been looking at the fl 22 and the lx7.. i understand they have there differences but has anyone have or used both of them.. i never fish deeper than 30ft. i never had a problem with vex but the marum lx7 is pretty cool looking.. just have concerns with the lcd and having to update software.. any experinces.. im leaning toward the fl22 but not 100% sure

[Random guy]

Upgrading the 7 seven is very easy. If you can get pictures off your camera or read instructions you can upgrade the LX-7. I like that I always have the latest software and that I get it from my home PC.

As for the LCD display, it is designed to run in cold weather and takes a butt kicking. My two LX-7s lived in the portable all season. That’s a mix of "not fast enough to flip over the Otter but close" and riding in the back of V-plow truck on the lake. Jarring and jamming around all day with a several good snaps when we come to the end of the tow ropes pulling the houses. Augers, tackle boxes, rods, bumpers, windshields and even Thermos brand thermos ended up busted last season but the LX-7's and 825 cameras where fine.

[DTro]

I’ve heard very good things about both units. There is no right or wrong answer. How do you fish mostly? Do you fish outside a lot and hole hop? One of the downsides of that big LX7 is the weight and the footprint. I’ve heard that the case/handle is a bit awkward carrying around the ice. I’m guessing that the new LX6 was made a little more for guys that are on the move and if you fish that way, keep that one in mind when doing your shopping.

How was your experience with the FL18? If good, then the comfort factor alone might be worth leaning towards the 22. New toys sure are fun though and the 7 has lots of things to play with and who can argue with that. With all that fun stuff though will be reduced battery life at approx 1/3 of the FL22, If you do any extended backwoods or off the grid type trips, battery life is a consideration. However being it’s a digital unit it will be silent compared to your 18 and the 22.

As far as durability, I’d be very surprised that if the 22 (or basically any mechanical flasher) didn’t have a better shot of surviving a kick to the face or a drop to the ice. No doubt about it, the Vexilars are built well and all the old FL8’s you see everywhere is a testament to that.

You are probably aware of this, but it’s a good chance that neither one will help you catch more fish than the 18.

[BartmanMN]

Well said Dtro. I own a 22 and fish depths that you do, so this is what you will gain over your 18.

1. Flat screen. You will love being able to see your flasher at all angles and not get snow and water pooling up on in the cone.

2. Full use of the dial in 10 ft increments

3. Low power mode for fishing shallow weeds (not sure if on 18)

4. Low power mode Zoom

5. 6 and 12 ft zoom

6. Bottom lock

7. Night mode to reduce the brightness of screen

[bbfenatic]

IMO the LX-7 would be more durable, less moving parts. I dropped my old FL8 not long after I first got it (not that hard of a fall either) and it rendered it useless, the screen detached from the spinning unit inside. To me anything with less moving parts is more durable and as far as features the Vex does not compare to the LX-7 unless you just want to stare at lines all day and never be able to upgrade it...plus the quietness of the LX-7 vs the Vex is nice. If money were no issue....LX-7 hands down. Vexilar will have to get into the digital world soon or be left in the dust IMO.

[bassNspear]

I have a FL 22 HD and love it. The zoom is awesome and the unit has not failed. Its great product!

[stealth3350]

thanks for sharing.. i have had zero issues with any vexs i have owned.. just like to upgrade equipment every few years. the lx7 is tempting but the vex is very reliable.. i fish red lake and low every wknd for 12 wknds.. and local lake during the week. so im all over... ahhh what to do..

[fishwater]

ahhh what to do..

If $ isn't a huge issue, just pick up both. If you want to trim the fat once you familiarize yourself with them, vexilars hold their value well so you won't take it over the barrel too bad when you sell it.

[fisherman-andy]

No need to worry, buy the LX7 or the LX6 if you want a smaller version. Even if you dont like it you can always re-sale, plenty hungry ice anglers would love to buy it off your hands for less then retail.

Imma gonna come out and say it straight up: LX7 > FL22 , give me a reason or two not to buy an LX6 or 7 over the likes of the FL22 besides the usual say reputation?

Sure you may not go wrong with either unit and they both have their pros and cons but the features of the LX6 & 7 outshines any other flasher on the market. Its still up to you to catch the fish. The LX7 in plain sight just a better fishing tool bar none.

[Mid-Lake Rock]

One of the downsides of that big LX7 is the weight and the footprint. I’ve heard that the case/handle is a bit awkward carrying around the ice. I’m guessing that the new LX6 was made a little more for guys that are on the move and if you fish that way, keep that one in mind when doing your shopping.

I also questioned the weight. At the Blaine show, I held the 6 and 7 at the same time. There is no noticeable weight difference and the Marcum reps told me that the are almost identical in weight. I also didn't notice a difference between the 7 and LX-5. As a Marcum rep pointed out the majority of the weight on an ice unit is the battery.

[DTro]

To be honest, I’ve never even picked up an LX7. Just passing on some thoughts from others on hole hopping with it last year.

could very well all weigh the same for all I know.

Obviously price is going to be the biggest factor when choosing the latest and greatest. I remember having to have one of those new fancy super thin HD projection LCD TV’s about 8 years ago. All 47” and $2000 of it. Anyone seen the Black Friday deals on TV’s this week??? Yikes You can now get a bigger, better, and thinner TV for just a little bit less. LOL I wish I had a do over on that one.

When it comes to value of your dollar, in most all situations that value lies somewhere in the middle price point. FL18 or 20, LX3 or 5, Ice35 or 45, etc etc. Anything more is usually luxury.

It will be very interesting to see how this new digital age of flashers progresses and if they will all be digital in 10 years from now. Until then, there are some very good choices out there in all ranges of prices. But to be fair in this specific head to head matchup, the comparison is really apples to oranges due the fact that one is digital and the other is not.

A more fair comparison would probably be LX digital vs Lowrance HDS series.

[PerchJerker]

Both are great units, very hard to find a complaint with either one.

My favorite features on the FL-22 are the 10 foot depth ranges (gives you better target seperation) and the flat screen display.

My favorite features on the LX-7 are the dynamic depth range (gives you the best target seperation) and the large flat screen display.

For me, I prefer the zoom and the IR on the LX-7. I also like the that software can be updated with enhancements and fixes.

Both are great units and there's really not a reason to not buy one or the other ..... it just comes down to which one you prefer. Good luck and have fun shopping!

[Esox_Magnum]

Weight is a non issue, both the 22 and 7 will be within a few ounces...I like the 7 myself, all the depth rings on the face of the Vexs get confusing...Cleaner sharper inmage and better IR and the ability to update whenever they have updates is also a great bonus...Also no more flasher eyes with the 7...

[Random guy]

Also no more flasher eyes with the 7...

That is something I really like about the LX6, LX-7 and LX-9. You can dial down the backlighting, change background and colors to a gentle glow when fishing at night or in a shack.