FL 20 or FL 18

[MNMAV93]

Hi again. my dad has made me spend more money than i would like since i am buying this unit by myself. but i was wondering if you were going to spend the money would you buy the 18 or the 20 in the ultra packs and why? i stopped at sportsmans and the guy offered me 20 bucks off the FL20 so i may go that way. your input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[walterking]

marcum lx-5

[fishinalot]

I don't like the flat screen on the FL20. I think they will be easy to scratch & damage.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Both are good units, look at which has the bells and whistles you are looking for and get it.

[JOHN T jr.]

fl 18.....You get the same results without the extra cash for the 20.....Plus less things to go wrong with the unit.

[Catmendo]

I have fished both and IMO you can't go wrong with either of these beauties! Presently I am fishing with the FL-20 and I love it. My take on the flat screen in one word...... "Priceless", you can view it from any angle!

[hill7410]

I find it harder to read the lettering on the vexilar with the flat screen if it is in low light conditions, the 18 with the cone push's the color onto the numbers so its easier to read. just my opinion.

[IceWrangler]

If you are gonna spend that kinda money on a Flasher, get the best there is. get the marcum LX-5. it has more power, better target seperation. Dual transducer cone. (which is standard on the marcum and an extra on the Vexilar.

You can not only zoom on the bottom but you can choose from 5' or 10'.

Plus you can move that zoom at any depth you are not stuck on just the bottom.

All in all you spend less money and get more options.

The best part of all, you will never have to worry of having someone elses unit interfering with yours. If someone gets to close to you that you don't want to close. you turn your gain way up and flood them out. They will either shut their unit off or Move.

I used the Fl-8 for close to 18 years, way back when they were Hondex.

But if you are opened minded you can not argue that the Marcum is the better unit.

[fishinrush]

I haven't used the Marcum or the new 20. Have an Fl-18 and enjoy the options that it provides over the 8 or 12. I have heard that the new flat screens are a bit difficult to see outside in the sun. Thoughts?

[Jim Almquist]

Quote:

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If you are gonna spend that kinda money on a Flasher, get the best there is. get the marcum LX-5. it has more power, better target seperation. Dual transducer cone. (which is standard on the marcum and an extra on the Vexilar.

You can not only zoom on the bottom but you can choose from 5' or 10'.

Plus you can move that zoom at any depth you are not stuck on just the bottom.

All in all you spend less money and get more options.

The best part of all, you will never have to worry of having someone elses unit interfering with yours. If someone gets to close to you that you don't want to close. you turn your gain way up and flood them out. They will either shut their unit off or Move.

I used the Fl-8 for close to 18 years, way back when they were Hondex.

But if you are opened minded you can not argue that the Marcum is the better unit.

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I have to agree 100%. I have LX5,LX3tc and a hundex fl 8 - 20 plus years old which still works great. One other thing is the Super Fine Line on the LX5 is great. I think it is the best way to check and see if you still have a minnow head on your jigging spoon . That is how good the target seperation is

[MNMAV93]

i will have to talk to my dad but he may let me get a marcum. his friend had troubles with marcum so that is why he is so against them

[Jim Hudson]

Nip

I have been running the FL-20 since ice up and for a bit of open water fishing as well... Great flasher that really gets the job done for me... A few things that seperate it from the FL-18 is that it has the flat screen, and let me tell you it is a great advantage to have for me.. Especially when fishing outside of a fish house.. Not only does it allow you to see it from all angles, but the screen face does not fill up with snow and ice as other flasher screens. A big plus in my book.. And if there is ice build up on the screen (from water dripping on it and such) it is very easy to clean off.. Another thing is the interference rejection is updated and quite great.. This weekend I fished around 6 different flasher units in close quarters and at all times I was able to reject all interference for a clear screen. Also, the night viewing option on the 20 is pretty slick.. Not something you need, but it is a great option!!

But if you are looking to save a bit of money... There is not a lot of difference in overall performance between the 18 and the 20.. So if you want to save go with the 18, but if you want some more tools for the trade, opt for the 20.

[huntingmaxima]

i have had the fl 18 ever since they caame out,which i think is about 5 or 6 yrs, i think it is a great unit. one other thing that i know is that vexilar has some very good customer service. i broke a peice on mine after all these years and they replace it without any questions.

[IzeFishing]

I really dont have any input on this but I do have another question. I have an fl-8 but really I'm wondering about the depths. On the 12 and 20 are the depths just in 20 foot increments. Maybe its just me but I do alot of walleye fishing in the 18-24 foot depths and I use the 30 foot setting on my vexilar. I guess I feel like I'm missing something when I'm using less then half of the screen, even though I'm not. Anybody else feel this way.