Cabela's VXR vs. FL8-se?

[eyepatrol]

Wondering what everyone's thoughts are about the comparison of these two? I'm going to be purchasing one or the other, but have never purchased a locator like this before.

Any thoughts/comments? Will either be good for ice fishing? Or is it paramount that I upgrade to the FL-18, LX-3 or LX-5?

[Rick]

The Cabelas VXR will be a slight upgrade over a new FL-18 and is less expensive.

It will work fine for most users as will the FL-8 or FL-18.

[Hotspotter]

I'll make a prediction that you will be very happy with the VXR unit. Feature-wise, it's a good comparison to the FL-18, with the bottom zoom and blended colors. It has more peak-to-peak power than the FL-18, and it's around a 100 bucks less. In terms of value, this little unit is about the best one going. Comes with an enclosed soft-pack and a battery indicator too.

Going up to an FL-18, LX-3, or LX-5 depends upon what type of fishing you do. For me, it comes down to what features I need for my type of fishing, and what i'm willing to do without for the money.

Joel

[eyepatrol]

Thanks for the replies. That pretty well confirms what I was thinking too. I'm going to go with the VXR as it was 200 watts more power, slightly larger cone angle and can read smaller objects than the FL8-se.

Some day when I have the money and more time to be an avid ice fisherman I'll go out and get the LX-5 or whatever the top model is at that time, but for now the VXR will be more than sufficient.

Thanks for the replies!

[zepman]

It says on Cabelas web site that these units are Marcum units. Does anyone know which unit they would most compare to in the Marcum line-up? Also, there have been posts on this site that say the Gander Guide Series is also a good unit. Are these two the same units with different "brand" names attached to them. If not, what are the differences in each unit. Am asking because I was at Gander tonight and looked at this Guide Series for a little while and could have sworn they have it on sale for 269.00. Good way to save 30 bucks over Cabelas if they are same unit. Any help on this would be great. Thanks.

[Quickstrike]

the vxr and gsx are indeed produced by marcum and in my opinion would be most similar to an LX-2. Although the LX-2 has 400 more watts, the features and colors are very similar and the gander and cabelas units are 30$ cheaper. i picked up a gsx due to the fact that all the dealers up here had not received the lx-3tc or lx-5 yet and were sold out of the lx-3s and i needed a flasher that day. I am very happy with the unit, the colors are very vivid and the seperation is great. i think these units give you much more bang for your buck than the fl-18s. I was originally planning on returning it and getting an lx-3tc when they received them up here but i think i'll keep this unit for a while.

[DRH1175]

The Cabelas and Gander MT. Models are made by Marcum. In that comparison I would go with the Vexilar. It may have less peak. But it is much more sensitive. And one other point that many don't include is you only use the peak if you are all the way up with the gain. I have never had a locator at that power level. I wouldn't pick the locator because of power. I would look past that. I would look at how it flashes and the features it has. Do you like the fine line of the Marcum or do you like the Vexilar. Personally I am going with the Vexilar because of the Reputation, Service, Dependabilty and time proven performance. They both will help you catch more fish. Have fun and good fishin.

[CNY Tim]

From what I know the Cabela's VXR comes standard with a battery status indicator and Gander's GSX does not. If you crunch the numbers between that an the FL8SE the clear choice is the VXR and GSX. Just the zoom feature alone at that introductory non zoom price is an incredible bargain. I'll be running this unit shortly and will have performance info on it. For those of us that have used MarCum's LX line of flashers we have been privy to some great technical advancements and reliability. Power is only one factor it's having a quality receiver and transducer that are matched perfectly that enhance performance, interference rejection and separation of targets. MarCum's engineers delivered 21st century advancements with the LX-3 and you can be sure the same quality and care went into developing the VXR and GSX. Conversely if you will be fishing over 160' consistently Vexilar has good options there.

Most fisherman I know rarely fish over 40' but there may be a few that do not.

Back to the VXR, I have a buddy that has used the VXR a few times and he's already considering selling his FL-18. I would like to see more reports but if what he says is true this could be one of the best values in a long time. Time will tell...

[eyepatrol]

This is great information!!! I've never purchased or even looked at ice fishing locators, so this discussion really helps me out. I'm pretty set on getting a Marcum. I saw on their HSOforum though that the LX-2 is only $30 more, so I may go with that. But then...the LX-3tc is only another $80 or so from the LX-2!?!?!....ugh! (I thinking I'm talking myself right into an LX-3tc here!)

For the extra $100, I just as well go with the 3tc and be happy. The LX-5 is out of the question though....just too much at this point in time.

[zepman]

Thanks for all the great posts guys. Went back to Gander tonight and saw that it was indeed priced at 299.00. Must be getting old. I'm starting to understand these flashers a little bit more and from what I've learned in the past couple of weeks this VXR and Gander unit look to be the best value on the market hands down.

[CrappieJohn]

I have worked with the Cabelas unit and have toyed with the Gander unit in their repctive stores. If you are looking for an "entry level" flasher or if your fishing is very casual, either of these units will fit the bill very nicely and still give you an edge over the vex. If your financial resources allow for it or if you really intend to dig deeper and more seriously into ice fishing as a sport, then you may want to look at the lx3tc.

All of these units are quality pieces and will give you more bang for the buck than the vexes. In terms of ultimate value, the lx3tc will reward you for years simply because there is nothing outside of the Marcum camp that can come close to competing with it. The lx5 is a phenominal unit, but is very pricey and in my opinion you'd have to be depending on a flasher to earn your living to need to spend that much.

Gander, Cabelas, lx3tc.....in that order with the lx3tc being most expensive but delivering the ultimate value.

[eyepatrol]

CrappieTom

I agree. I was at Gander Mt. this morning in Mankato and looked at the 3tc. Nice unit. That's the one I'll be buying sometime next week as I'm waiting for gift cards to roll in on Christmas day...I always get those and it really helps out when getting the more expensive items.

Thanks for the info. Can't wait to buy one, read up on it and use over New Years weekend!!!

bc