New Vexilar?

[CNY Tim]

I want to hear from more Vex users and what you think about the new additions.

Do you believe that there is enough substance to shell out for the new FL-20? Just want to gauge how many will be making the immediate switch or the wait and see approach...

My opinion is that most will continue to hold on to there FL-8's and 18's? Technically it may be a slight bump over the FL-18

I for one wanted more than the 6' bottom only zoom on the FL-18. For my applications I needed more. Vex addressed that with the 12' option that's an improvement right there.

I see a comparison between the MarCum LX-2 at $319 and the FL-20 at $449. 10' zoom for MarCum or 12' zoom for Vex.

It is nice to see Vexilar making some new offerings.

[deepportage01]

They are both good units and vex is made in mn wich helps with sales/costomer sevice and provides the state with jobs that alone in my book puts them on top. I'm keeping my FL-18 there are parts in every bait shop in the state and I'm proud to suport a local product, wish you luck on the ice this year!

[Gus]

I added my view previously in this thread but I did want to add that Marcum is made locally. Brainerd I believe.

[deepportage01]

Oh, I did not know that I stand corected.

[Rick]

This is a Vexilar new Product intro thread. Please let's keep it that way. We also do not allow attacks. I have cleaned up a few posts that at the very least fostered on attacks and/or bickering. So please stay away from that type of posting behaviour here.

If you feel someone is attacking or bickering please use the Contact Us link at the bottom of each page here and send us to the offending Forum, post subject, and member.

Thanks for your cooperation keeping it fun and informational.

Vexilar is an extremely important member of our ice fishing family.

On a side note, deepportage, Vexilar's are excellant pieces of equipment made by Hondex Electronics in Japan, not in the US.

[deepportage01]

Thank's for the "side note" Rick

[joco]

vexilar made in japan,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,i was sher they were made in usa....

I got a vex 18 and do love it......but like i said before.....there just a little thig i dont like,,,its that there no protection for the screen like the old one,,,there was almost no way to toutch or even scartch that surface,,but now,,,it all there for everthing to happen.........i gues they made there school work before....and test it...i hope.......

i am still desiding.......to get a new 20 model....

joco

[crappace]

Quote:

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Finally!!! I've been holding my breath about these two units since February and I will tell you they are AWESOME! I had the opportunity to try both out and they rock. We actually put four transducers in the same 10 inch ice hole and you could knock out ALL interference.

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Were the four transducers all from different Vexilars, or did you put other manufactures in the mix??? If the IR has been upgraded on the fl10/20 it would be really nice for me. It has been hard to run a couple fl8's and my 332c in the same shack and have all of them work correctly. There has also been talk of the Marcums and Vexis not working well in close proximity so maybe that is now fixed??

[Dave]

I've had a Vex and Marcum in the same shack and got them to work fine together. Takes some adjusting but, it can be done.

[jigging-matt]

We had both a vex and a marcum in the same portable last year and not any problems.

[hanson]

I think we all know that you can run a Marcum LX-3 or LX-5 side-by-side with a Vex FL-18 and you can eliminate all interference. With the right combination of units, you can run 4-5 of them in close proximity as well without too much problem.

What I want to see is a unit that can zap interference when you are fishing in close proximity in deeper water (30') to 10 other flashers (Marcum or Vex).

[marine_man]

Quote:

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There has also been talk of the Marcums and Vexis not working well in close proximity so maybe that is now fixed??

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Once a year three friends and I get together and head to Arnesen's at LOW and fish out of one of their permanent houses. 2 of my friends have Marcums (LX-3 and LX-5) and I have a FL-8 and we're able to, at the very least, tune each other out enough to fish... so it's not a huge problem...

marine_man

[Walleye71]

One of the biggest edges Marcum has always had on Vexilar was peak to peak power. I noticed that vexilar didn't do anything to combat that issue. I'm kind of surprised, disappointed. I believe on Marcum's site it says the LX-5 has 2000 watts and the new FL-20 has only 400 watts, just like the FL-18. I guess I will stay with my FL-18.

[Snag]

I know it's a Vex post, but you guys should try your lowrance units on the ice. I have an Vex FL-18 that I like, but last winter, I purchased the transducer for my 332-C and slapped it on a Genz box and it was sweet. You have a multi-color, no noise, GPS capable flasher or regular sonar that can be used in the boat. I think it's more powerful than the Vex and Marcum. You can Zoom and change the settings to eliminate interferance.

[Reynolds]

Funny you mention that, I was just in Scheel's earlier tonight and the salesman was talking about the same thing. He actually brought out a Lowrance ice kit that is conducive with many of their locators. I think he said the kit was goes for right around $200 and comes with a base mount, transducer, and soft pack.

[CNY Tim]

FYI - The FL-20 does not come with a built in demo mode but I know of another manufacturer that does offer this feature standard can you guess who?

MarCum engineers designed the LX-5 so that ice fisherman could interractively see what they can expect in performance at the counter before putting it on the ice, nice...

[Ed Carlson]

What I will say is 400 to 600 watts appears to be a very good range on the ice in my experance. I personally can't see the need to go higher on the juice...but that is me.

The new Vex...ya...it's most certainly a new powerfull tool filled with user friendly features. I would very highly recomend it.

[CNY Tim]

Ed I don't really know if it has anything to do with the power. It's all in having a perfect match between the transducer and the receiver that means all the difference. MarCum just does it better.

I have used the FL-18 and LX-5 and there is a disparity when it comes to signal clarity, multiple targets, zoom performance and weeds. The LX-5's display picture of the underwater world below in the above situations is exemplary compared to the Vex model. For instance two of my friends have no intention of upgrading to the LX-5 and each ran an FL-18 prior to there purchase of the LX-3. They are more than happy with there LX-3's and neither have the TC upgrade and they both still see the difference.

Before you anty up for that FL-20 take a long hard luck at the best 3 color flasher this industry has ever seen. MarCum's engineering, design, and standard package gives you much more for less. If you fish under 160' like most anglers the LX-5 is the real deal. I stake my reputation on it, it's that good.

[Tyler Holm]

I will comment on the design a little more. The screen is 12% larger than the traditional screen. That’s certainly a welcomed feature. Given the flat screen, there’s no more need for a mag shield, or scraping snow out of the display.

1 feature that might be overlooked here is that the flat panel screen provides twice the viewing angle. I don’t care if you own a Vex, or Marcum, you basically have to have the unit pointed directly at you to accurately read the flasher screen. It seems I’m always adjusting my FL-18 after I move my pail, nudge the unit, catch a floppin fish, etc… With twice the viewing angle, I have to believe this adjusting would be minimal.

It will also be great when I’m fishing with others. They can view my screen better (and I could see theirs) rather than asking “What depth, how many, etc?” I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked over at friends while they are concentrating on their screen and rod tip and all I want to do is get a little better angle so I can see their flasher unit and catch their fish from underneath them.

I’m in the market for a new unit this season and I was leaning towards the LX-5, but now I’m torn back to undecided.

[trapperdirk]

Good point Tyler as far as the flat screen and less issues with snow . I can totally relate to that but if thats the comparison or to make it beside an LX-2 lx-3 lx-3tc or LX-5 then you've never seen them run head to head as I have .

It is the only feature of the Vex line I think I may like more than Marcum's as they did address FINALLY something more than coming out with a tackle box or rod holder . I for one hoped this company Vexilar would have come out with more,, but was disappointed as a consumer as there was nothing innovative .

As far as who mentioned interference issues . You gotta be kidding me if a Marcum is in the mix . I tested them and the plain old Lx-3 blew the Fl-18 out of the water without difficulty . Could we make them work together ?. YES But it was at the Marcum's LX-3's call . The Lx-3 ran the show when close to an x67c icemachine or vex fl-18 .

I would bet any LX-5 at moment against interference issues in close proximity to x67c or vex fl-18 . I have seen it and its's not meant as a slam on the other manufacturers but if your in the marcum cone angle or signal....your toast. I did the tests with now the lowly LX-3 and nobody can talk me that FL-18 could block it without the help of the lx-3 user helping who had no issues..... but try an LX-5 .That ones a scramble but if you fish alone as I mostly do its fine

I'm not here to slam Vex and hope the FL-20 is latest and greatest but dimming lights just dont cut it nor ancient bandaide low power mode .

Be happy with whatever you choose as there are choices .Make it suit your price range and if your marking fish then you must be in right spot but best bang for your buck is good too .

TD

[CNY Tim]

Well to me it comes down to value. Here's the dual beam Vex FL-20 at $499 or the dual beam MarCum LX-5 at $479. It's a no brainer if you fish 160' or less! But let's run through box score again...

Zoom and zoom functions hole hopping, target separation, target acquisition, stacked targets, weeds, crispness, quietness, US, quality, casing, auto battery charging system, interference rejection, plus a padded softpack standard. That same softpack on the FL-20 would be a $30 to $40 add-on and not made nearly as nice as the LX-5's.

Tyler let's just take the FL-20 and review what Dirk has said because maybe I'm comparing the FL-20 to the wrong unit maybe we should be comparing it to the LX-2. Essentially there stats are about the same and you would have a whopping $120 disparity in price. Yep I think that's better LX-2 wins right there because it's about value for your dollar. MarCum reflects that and I wish more U.S. companies did as well, give the consumers a break cause were getting killed at the pumps...

I agree with Dirk the flat screen will be nice but the problem still remains in the receiver of the vexes they doesn't isolate targets well and the blobs are still there. No money went in to what needed to be done to fix that so if your happy with your FL-18 than buy a FL-20. But if your ready to give yourself the upperhand against your buddy, the ability knock out interference better than the rest, a surgically precision matched receiver/ducer combo that delivers unmatched performance. Well then you my lad will have the finest instrument that's ever hit the ice and that is the LX-5... Go ahead and call me a liar, I dare you...

[Rick]

Let's get this thread back on track. It was never intended to be a Vex-MarCum debate.

While there is value in that type of discussion it should be reserved for a thread designated as such.

This thread was for discussion of the new Vexilar depthfinder. A brief comparison would be fine. A wholesale debate on Vex vs MarCum needs it's own thread. Not this one please.

Let's keep this thread to talk about the merits of the Vex FL20. Please.

[Dave]

I think the screen will be easier to see from many other angles. And, that is innovative since it's a new design in regards to flashers.

[Willy]

I sure would like to use the new vex to see how it will be. The screen looks real nice. I'm not sure it's better or worse than Marcum, but at least it's something new.

[Edited by Admin: Please stick to the topic]

[Tyler Holm]

From the sounds of things, the FL-12 & FL-20 will still be available in the Pro Pack and Ultra packs. Will they just bolt on where the old flasher screen was? It also sounds like it's using the same transducers as the 8/18 units. I wonder if a guy could just buy the new flat screen and bolt it on in place of the FL-18 screen? Can anybody confirm or deny this?