Vexilar Sets the Bar Higher with the Launch of the FLX-28 Sonar Systems

[gwiff100]

I agree after being a vexilar die hard through and through i convinced myself to try the hated red lx7. Once i found out vex came out with a new version i was def. intrigued, before even seeing the product i was comparing prices and seeing if i could trade of my lx7 and open water transducer and pick up the FLX-28... I have not complaints about my marcum just worried about the durablility over the years. Problem is i dont really see that much of an upgrade from the 22 to the 28 other than the digital read out (which in my opinion looks rushed, i would have much rather seen an actual digital meter than the scolling), they day/night mode, and the enhanced target separation...(all of which my 1 yr old red 7 has) oh yeah the flx-28 can be fished in up to 300 of water... um... i dont fish the ocean much how bout you guys? i really wanted to convince myself to switch back to the vexilar world... but i just dont think i can do it...

[Lusid]

sorry - steering off topic just a little, can anyone comment on where the actual head units for humminbird and marcum's are being made (origin of country)

[fisherman-andy]

sorry - steering off topic just a little, can anyone comment on where the actual head units for humminbird and marcum's are being made (origin of country)

Not too sure on the Humminbirds (claim to be mfg at a state-of-the-art facility in Eufaula, Alabama) but the parts for Marcum's are imported from Asia (likely China) and the units themselves are assembled right here in the USA; MN locally I think? Correct me if I am wrong, Vexilar is made in Japan.

I dont believe that a product made from another country is inferior. Its all quality control and development by the parent company. Your car, your computer, your TV, your high quality Apple iPhone (made in China) all have some sort of foreign part.

[fisherman-andy]

To me it is Vexilar's version of the ice 55. Not much new here just the different looking FL 22. don't get me wrong Vexilar builds one heck of a reliable unit. But Nothing State of The Art here.

[PurpleFloyd]

Fisherman Andy,

Instead of bashing or making fun of products you don't even know about, why not do a side by side comparison on the ice and make your comments after that? If you like one product or another, great! Like I had mentioned in another topic, I'm more than happy to show you the differences of the Vexilar line up any where on the ice. If you'd like to bring a Humminbird, Marcum or Lowrance along to compare, that's fine too. Let me know where or when you'd like to do some live comparisons in the REAL world.

Enjoy the season.

Corey Studer

[email protected]

Hi

I don't have a dog in this fight but I will more than likely be adding a new unit this year and the one thing that I notice as a consumer is that the manufacturers do a good job of hyping their particular products and coming up with some pretty cool names for various functions of the units, but to me what would really separate the fly specs from the pepper would be for companies like yours to show side by side comparisons with your competitors products to show how these features benefit me as a customer and why I should buy your product over another product.

It is cool and everything to see a pro staff member pulling fish from the ice with a particular product but for me that means little or nothing. What does work is put yours smack dab next to your competitors, turn them on, tune them in and show me what your screen does that the other guys doesn't and show me how that is going to make the job of catching fish better than if I buy theirs.

How does a jig show up on your flasher compared to a LX5,7, 55 etc. How does your dial perform better than a graph. What do fish of different sizes look like on your flasher vs how they look on an LX7. a 55, and elite 5 or whatever flasher you want to bang heads with?

[gwiff100]

and by all means... take a video and post it!

[brian6715]

I think most of Andy's point is that Vexilar may have set the bar higher for their own product line, but they still haven't caught up to the LX-7. It isn't fair to compare the FLX-28 to an LX-7, as they are two different types of machines; it would be more fair to compare the FLX-28 to a Humminbird Ice-55. I am sure the 28 is an awesome durable flasher, and it seems to be a decent upgrade over the 22.

If anyone wants to do a flasher comparison, I would be more than happy to bring an LX-7, but I am not traveling far to do it, as I have fish to catch. I do know I am personally done looking at a round dial for the rest of my ice fishing career after trying (and then buying) the LX-7.

[hnd]

its always funny to see the defensiveness of vexilar. tom going off on youtube and apparently, vexilar employees now taking to message boards.

[Corey Bechtold]

What is so very strange to me is how anytime there is a thread about a Vexilar product there seems to be this overwhelming need by Marcum/Humminbird users to jump in and start blabbing. I have friends who use and are tied in with Marcum and Ice Force. Doesn't mean we can't go out fishing together an have fun catching fish.

If you are a happy loyal owner of a Marcum or Humminbird then please stick to threads that pertain to your companies products.

Good fishing,

Corey Bechtold

[Mr.Seaguar]

Everyone is always worried if their winky is long enough

[pushbutton]

Quote:

please stick to threads that pertain to your companies products.

Seriously? Can always just look at company/prostaff facebook promos for that. This site would not be not be nearly as informative if that was the rule......nor as entertaining

Quote:

Everyone is always worried if their winky is long enough

Always was told it was not just the length that mattered? Either way my flasher length or girth is not that big anymore.......the one I am using now I got used for 150 bucks.....let my kid or dad use the "better" one, and yet somehow am still able to catch a lot of fish

[DTro]

"Stick to threads that pertain to your companies products" Really? So what is my company then?? wow

If a post is meant to be a promotion and not a discussion, then lock the thing from the get go. As I said above, Vexilar is a SUPER company that makes high quality products. Their flashers are awesome and so is their customer service. I've used a lot of flashers and hope to upgrade from the 22 to the 28 this year because I like the features it offers and also mentioned above, if something is not right, I drive 30 minutes right to the source for service. Is it cutting edge compared to other units or technology available? Maybe...maybe not. Set the bar? I guess we all have our own definition of that.

I would love to coordinate and document (via video) some on ice tests with different units! Sounds like fun to me, but the reason you won't see the actual companies doing this is because of legal ramifications.

Just remember, regardless of the content here (positive/negative) getting bumped to the top over and over again is never a bad thing.

[B-man715]

To me it is Vexilar's version of the ice 55. Not much new here just the different looking FL 22. don't get me wrong Vexilar builds one heck of a reliable unit. But Nothing State of The Art here.

X2

Vexilar makes some pert-near bullet proof units, but to say they are setting the bar higher when they are really just catching up is comical

I own and use more than one brand of graph, including a Vexilar......(for the wifey)

[morepower02]

If you are a happy loyal owner of a Marcum or Humminbird then please stick to threads that pertain to your companies products.

Corey Bechtold

Sweet. I need to start a Lowrance ice unit thread and insert a gratuitous pic of my unit next to the hole with a fish coming up it.. That way i would have a thread to "stick to"

on edit: yes I have also owned Vexilars.

[Corey Bechtold]

I understand the "entertainment" factor. I don't get to take part in it too much because I have a job that doesn't involve staring at 3 computer screens all day.

I also don't get all giddy when I see a "Marcum update" thread I could jump into and start pumping Vexilar or anyone else's brand. I don't go to Burger King and order a Big Mac then laugh and peel out of the parking lot.

Fishing is fishing. If someone asks about a product you have and use then helping them out is a cool thing...

Good fishing,

Corey Bechtold

[hnd]

its always funny to see the defensiveness of vexilar. tom going off on youtube and apparently, vexilar employees now taking to message boards.

right on queue.

and as if the vex guys never say anything in the marcum/bird threads....(my eyes just rolled out of my head and under the floor)

[amateurfishing]

no personal issue here even though I love my bird, I know nothing bout the rest, but......

anyone who claims anything technology wise about setting the standard/raising the bar for the next 30 years 1) expects their consumers heads to be buried in the sand, 2) with the technology driven world we have today to claim it being the best for such a period of time they should fire the entire pr dept., &3) better hope the rest of the industry goes belly up so they can corner the market as the competition will usually rise above you if given the chance.

as for this entire thread it should be on the left/right side of the screen in ads instead of under forums, definitely intended to grab attention whether warranted or not.

[pushbutton]

Hey Corey, I only stare at two computers per day...well guess my phone too....so suppose that could be considered 2 1/2....but certainly not three Sure the frequent degenerates spend too much time on here, but thats your audience .....and what gets all the hits from the thousands and thousands of viewers that do not participate. Too much time on here or not, they still are a discerning bunch, and if there were 20 some staff from team red or yellow telling them only the good things about their line up, they would treat them in kind as well. Not one company has the best of everything. I will say to your credit, you do crawl out from under the blue rock and venture into the open forms to help out. People do respect that, and along with honesty, will be a more effective way to gain credibility for your product vs just the pic of a fish with the 14 verbal and image placements.

[brian6715]

Anytime you constantly push your product as the top of the line, best of the best, being superior to to all others, etc. etc... expect to get a little questioning. That is what makes these forums so valuable, we get to see and hear about actual experiences, it's not a commercial or promo. If your product really is the best of the best, the banter back and forth wouldn't bother you (and it wouldn't be near as prevalent)

The bottom line is, competition is good, we are the ones who benefit; but we lose the benefit if we get brand loyal and aren't willing to keep our eyes open for better products.

[brian6715]

On another note, this has to be a "Top 10" Vex vs. Marcum debate that should be destined for the HSO Hall of Fame.

[HardwaterHero]

Glad to see Vex is starting to up their game. Interesting how they pulled ideas from others but failed to have that stand out feature I was hoping for. Either way a good looking unit but i think its time for them to join the digital age. I'll stick with my LX-7

[Horseshoe_Don]

Nothing new here. LX-9 does all of that and more. I'm sure its a great unit but basically the same as a fl-22.

Don

[gwiff100]

Hey as i said in my previous post i was giving vex all the credit without even seeing the unit, i wanted a reason to come back to the vexi world (since my withdrawl period is only at 1 yr.) but after seeing the unit and watching it... there is just no way i could justify leaving my red-7 with the quiet glowing screen... i am just excited to use it even more this winter and hopefully tune it in even further...

[BartmanMN]

Maybe I should not have brought this thread back to the top. I really just wanted to know more about the new material on the ice ducer that appears to be thinner and grooved.

[Corey Bechtold]

So fa I have been running my FLX-28 on my boat. I plugged it into my high speed transducer and have been searching out Crappies in deeper water. I have been running it in Manual and keeping it in the 50' range. Crappies have been holding in 32-38' of water. I have been using the 3rd color palate because it gives me a white signal which has helped me determine which groups of fish have been the bigger ones (there have been different groups of Crappies). I have noticed that the LED's are brighter which makes it easier to see in direct sunlight. A the sun starts to set u have been switching to Night Mode which has been a mode on the 20, 22 and the FLX-28.

Ice season will allow me to play with other modes like the Auto Range and the mode I'm most excited to use WEED MODE!

Good fishing,

Corey Bechtold