Vexilar fl 22

[walleye-]

I noticed on the vexilar site that they don't show the fl22hd in there lineup? Did they discontinue that model. I just bought one and am thinking I should have waited till the ice is here to try it out before my 30 day return is up. I have heard many mixed reviews on this one. I have been runnin vex over 20 years and love the 18 just figured I would add another to the shelf. Anybody that has owned a vex and upgraded to the 22 wish to share there experiences with this flasher.

Thanks

[Brad B]

yes the FL22 has been discontinued and the FLX28 replaces it this year. I recently trade my Marcum LX7 for a Vexilar FL22 and am looking forward to using it this winter. the only issue I have heard about with the FL22 was the tri beam transducers going bad. this was suppose to be on only the earlier tri beams and the newer ones are not suppose to have a issue now. If my tri beam does go bad I will just replace with a 12 degree or the pro view transducer instead.

if the one you bought is new and you still have your receipt it should be covered under the warranty if something does go bad. plus even thou they might be discontinued I would have to believe Vexilar has a fair amount of parts for the 22 and would still service them if there was a issue.

[huntnfish]

I upgraded and am more than happy I did. Target separation is great and I love the tri-beam ducer. I also like that I can change the zoom from 6 foot to 12. I haven't regretted the upgrade one bit. I occasionally fish in water less than 8 feet and couldn't ever get my 18 to find my jig and with the 22 I don't have any issues now. The display is much nicer as well. You won't regret the upgrade.

[walleye-]

Thanks for the encouragement just seems odd that this was going to be the ultimate shallow water flasher and they discontinued it so soon. Seems like they haven't discontinued one since the plan fl8. I got a great deal 429 total on front step.

I went with the pro view ducer maybe I should take it out in the boat and give it a try.

[Brad B]

Thanks for the encouragement just seems odd that this was going to be the ultimate shallow water flasher and they discontinued it so soon. Seems like they haven't discontinued one since the plan fl8. I got a great deal 429 total on front step.

I went with the pro view ducer maybe I should take it out in the boat and give it a try.

I think you will like the proview. all the reviews I have read on it have been positive. this is what I plan to go to if my tri beam stops working.

you can buy a kit that has a high speed transducer for the boat. the kit includes the transducer, power wire, gimbal bracket and mounting hardware.

from what I have read about the new 28 it will do the same as the 22 plus a lot more. the new 28 has a auto depth setting and then the manual settings in 10 foot increments from 10 to 50 feet. it also adds a digital depth and range read out on the screen. the only thing I don't like about the 28 is the fact that there is no numbers by the depth lines so you need to take a second and see what range the unit is in (if using auto) and then figure out in your head how many feet each line represents. I also don't like the look of the display. to me it would have been better if they would of made the 28 with a display similar to the flat screen of the FL 12, 20, 22. the screen on it is between a flat screen and the screen of a fl18. what I mean is that it is not a true flat screen and it doesn't have the screen sticking out as far as a 8 or 18 does.

[JeremyCampbell]

Is the 22 the way to go then if your set on vexilar ? Which transducer does it come with when you buy the 22 new?

[huntnfish]

I got a Propack and it came with the tri-beam. I think thats what all the "packs" came with at that time. They also have the pro view ducer now but I've never done any research into the benefits of that. I've been happy enough with my tri-beam.

[walleye-]

The 22 only reads to 60 feet so if you never plan on fishing over 60 feet its probly the best choice. But if you think you might than go with the 20. Mine came with the proview I think u can buy it with any ducer.

[DTro]

I think you will be happy with the FL22.  Its very nice having 10ft increments on the dial and the pro view transducer works great as you can “dial in” the cone.

 

The one knock I have to give the unit is that mine is much louder than any other flasher I’ve ever owned.    This is the first Vex, I’ve had so maybe that is typical, I’m not sure, but there is no doubt about the audible whrring I get and in fact it drowned out a 20yr old FL8.    I thought maybe it was an anomaly but I discovered that there were other FL22’s (owned by people I know) that sounded the same as mine.  I brought it in and was told by a tech that the unit needed to be “broken in” before it would quiet down.  So I let it run for about a full day and there was no change.  Another person (not affiliated with Vex) suggested I try putting a light oil on the motor shaft so I tried that.  I was amazed how quiet the unit was after that, I was SO happy!   Unfortunately only a half a dozen trips later the lights went all wonky on me and when I brought it in again, I found out the oil I applied, gummed up and caused a malfunction (SO DON’T DO THAT)  I brought it in and it was cleaned up, and now I’m back to square 1 again with a fairly loud unit.

 

Other than that its great and I caught tons of fish with it last year!  Just wish it was quieter

[Brad B]

Is the 22 the way to go then if your set on vexilar ? Which transducer does it come with when you buy the 22 new?

it all depends on how deep of water you fish. if you stay 60 feet or less then the 22 is the way to go. if over 60 feet then the 20 is the one to go with. most 22's will come with the tri beam transducer but there are packages out there that come with the pro view or a standard 12 degree transducer. you can buy a 19 degree transduce if you want that. all the transducers are interchangeable. the 22 is only offered in the ultra pack or the pro pack. the 22 has been discontinued and replaced with the 28 this year. any new 22's will be carry over from last seasons stock but should still be covered under the warranty.

here's a like new one that you might want to consider. it would save you some money over a new one

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubb...ew_#Post3127461

[fisherman-andy]

yes the FL22 has been discontinued and the FLX28 replaces it this year. I recently trade my Marcum LX7 for a Vexilar FL22 and am looking forward to using it this winter.

I am curious as to reason why you traded your LX7 for FL22? Was the LX7 sonar features and display not to your expectations? Or was it just something that just didnt work for you? I notice some guys cant get over the mechanical display flashers vs digital LCD screen.

[Brad B]

I am curious as to reason why you traded your LX7 for FL22? Was the LX7 sonar features and display not to your expectations? Or was it just something that just didnt work for you? I notice some guys cant get over the mechanical display flashers vs digital LCD screen.

All I can say right now is that I loved the LX7 but I needed a Vexilar and that is why I traded. the only stipulation I had was I wanted a FL 20 or 22 and I found a nice FL22 and did the trade. If I wasn't doing what I am I would of kept the LX7.

[JeremyCampbell]

Thanks Brad!