buying a Fl-18

[Guest]

I was looking to buy a new Vexilar. Should I buy a new Fl-18 or isn't it worth the money, and instead buy a Fl-8? Ive read the problems you guys have been having with the Fl-18, should I not buy it for them reasons or not?

[Skeets]

I just upgraded to a FL-18 and I really like it. The split screen zoom feature is great for seeing the bottom better.
When you drop the ducer in the water have the AZ mode turned off. After you are ready to fish, turn it on. If you have it turned on before you drop in the the water, it will have a difficult time locking in on the bottom.
I also like the LED display better, it is easier to see in bright sunlight.
Buy the FL-18, you will be glad you did.
If you really can't afford it, the FL-8 is still a great unit.

Skeets

[Guest]

No FL-18 for me...I like my FL-8...If its there, the FL-8 will show it.
I know how to read it, and don't see any advantage to the zoom feature, as the FL-8 picks everything I want to see....
Guess its up to you.
PCG

[Guest]

Don't think twice, go out and get an FL-18. It is so far superior to an FL-8. The "problems" folks are having are more than likely due to the lack of understanding in how to run it properly. Skeets has a good tip.

When or if the unit is reading "funny" switch modes and let the software correct. All depthfinders have sounding/readout problems from time to time.

Today, I fished in 46 foot of water. The perch were hanging tight to the bottom. Having the bottom foot of the water column displayed on a half inch of flasher versus maybe a 16th of an inch is a tremndous advantage. If the bottom "red" creeps up it's fish hugging bottom.

I could pull em up 18 inches off the bottom and see the bright red glow and seperate from the bottom red. Using an FL-8, all you got was a couple of lines of giggle.

Get an 18!

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Kevin Neve's Devils Lake Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/kevin-neve-guiding/
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone: 701-473-5411 or 701-351-4989
Minnewaukan ND

[Guest]

Lets not forget here....A locator does NOT make fish bite. An extra $100 to make an existing signal bigger doesn't sell me....But that is a decision you have to make.
PCG

[Guest]

PCG,

What makes the 18 that much more interesting is the bottom seperation and the fact that it has the feature that allows the 18 to zoom in on the bottom and the six feet above it. Not saying that it will catch more fish for you, but it certainly can't hurt and some of us need all the help we can get

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Paul

[Guest]

lets not forget about the zercom colorpoint
i know people think it has a bad name but i have had mine now for 3 years and it has been awesome
i have used a vexilar and i like it a lot more
and they are on clearance now for only 200 bucks
you could buy two of them for the price of the fl-18
my buddy schuey and i swear by them
dont be peer pressured into the whole vexilar scam
the zercom is even more precise with the readings then the vex
oh by the way i nailed 15 walleyes on mille lacs saturday night
and i kept 5
not a bad night for one guy and his zercom
and this concerning the vexiliar
i just would rather be different and go with something else that works absolutely great
than have the exact same thing as everyone else
i will tear anyone up with my zercom
ask "ELW" he knows
"Slay em Lay em and Don't Filet em"

[Guest]

Lets forget about the Zercom colorpoint.

Go fot the 18. You will regret not getting the 18 for and extra $90. Nothing compares.

aka: jacobm

mike

[BLACKJACK]

Fishstunner, I sold my FL8 on Sat, went out and bought a new FL18 the same day and used it for the first time last night and I like it! If you're buying new, spend the extra $90 - its worth it. The auto zoom feature 'amplifies' the bottom making it easier to see any fish hugging the bottom. My buddy was sitting right beside me with an FL8, when a fish came thru near the bottom, he saw two lines merging - his jig and the fish - I could tell the size of the fish because of the amplification. As Pro Crapppie Guide says, its all in how you read it, the FL8 is still a great unit, but for bottom hugging fish the FL18 is even better. Unless you can find a used FL8 cheap, spend the extra money for a FL18.

[RipJigger]

Get the 18 it is far better. What I like about it is that it has far more power than anything else.I can read through 24" of milky ice with no water and the gain set on 1.Fished crappies the other day in 35'of water 1/16th oz jig the thing picked it up on zero gain and showed it as a medium signal considered switching it to the low power setting.

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RipJigger

[Guest]

The FL-18 has shown fish for me holding tight to the bottom that i might have not seen and probably would have moved. It also has the bottom lock feature for open water fishing....

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MILLE LACS AREA GUIDE SERVICE
651-271-5459 http://fishingminnesota.com/millelacsguide/

[Guest]

Well it looks like i am going to get the the Fl-18 and spend the extra $90 to $100. I have used a Fl-8 plenty of times and it is hard to see the fish hugging the bottom. I trying to fing one cheap for about $350-$390. Mabye someone will have one on sale at the end of the season that i can get cheap also. Seems to me it will be a good buy.

[hawgTime]

reedssports.com has the Vexilar FL-18 REED's Pack w/12° Ice-Ducer for $380.

mike

[Guest]

The FL-18 is an awesome unit! I have one and have had no problems. This stuff about the zercom colorpoint is bull, its not as good as the vexilar, besides its hummingbird (not zercom anymore)and they dont even make them any longer, go and check it out, why do you think their old models are on clearance? cause theirs been nothin but problems, I guess they dont want to try to keep up with vexilar anymore cause their not in the same league any longer, beleive me I have done some serious research on both of these guys before I went with vexilar. As for which one? the fl-18 is much better than the fl-8 I have both.
Skiman