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looking to buy a vexilar

crappieflop30

By crappieflop30
in Ice Fishing

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crappieflop30 Apprentice

crappieflop30

Posted
Posted

hey guys, i am getting a vexilar for my birthday this fall. it will be my first one so i really am just looking for something to do the basics. i was looking at the fl-8 and my question is, is this a good unit or should i pay a little more and move up to like a fl-12? thanks guys.

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ameyers41 Collaborator

ameyers41

Posted
Posted

By no means am I an expert like some on this board, but have you looked at the Marcums? I don't want to open the Marcum vs Vex debate, but I bought an LX-3 with the TC upgrade and LOVE it. For roughly the same price as an FL-8, the biggest advantage is a movable zoom throughout the water column.

Either way you go (FL-8, FL-12, or LX3), they are all amazing tools and will definitely help you catch more fish.

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CSP88 Collaborator

CSP88

Posted
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Either one will help you become a better fisherman. cool.gif If I had to choose between the two I would go with the FL-12. The FL-12 has several noticeable improvements over the FL-8. First, and the most obvious would be the larger flat screen, secondly the interference rejection has been stepped up and lastly the FL-12 has a built in "low power" mode which helps cut down on the clutter when fishing shallow water or in thick vegetation. Good luck with your decision, and Happy Birthday! grin.gif

Chad

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Rebeleye Collaborator

Rebeleye

Posted
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I've got a Genz pack FL-8SE. I use it in all sorts of situations. From pond fishing in the Rochester area to fishing LOW. I like it's simplicity and the blue Genz pack is great for hole hopping.

If you're looking for a good starter flasher, I see nothing wrong with the FL-8SE.

(not sure if I'll get into trouble for this) but check out the Vexilar HSOforum, they sometimes have 'refurbished' products for sale. They're a little cheaper than the brand spankin' new ones....

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Snake River King Proficient

Snake River King

Posted
Posted

I was in the same delema as you last year, and I went with the fl-12 cause I liked the flat screem display, it is easier to read in sunlight and you dont have to directlly look into the unit to see the colors, also I wanted the low power mode it is a very helpful feature. but like everyone said what ever you get it will help your fishing success! SRK

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JigginIsLife Experienced

JigginIsLife

Posted
Posted

obvously there are perks to each one... the neat thing about the marcums is the zoom feature thats pretty intreaguing. im not sure if my fl8se has it cuz i have never read the direction, i needed it so i bought it and took it out with the basic knowledge i had of them.. but the other thing i worked at a retail store and with the new FL-12 and its pretty awesome to be able to stand up and away from your flasher and still be able to look at it flashing with the flat screen. There is no reason to be sitting right in front of it while your fishing which is deffinatly a cool thing. but all in all any flasher you get will make you a better flasher, any flasher you get now will become old technology in about 4 years so with that pick your tool and have fun with it. (ps the fl-8 Genz pack is what i got and it works really well the blue cover helps a ton)

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fishinJohn Proficient

fishinJohn

Posted
Posted

I'm a satisfied FL-12 owner but I think having zoom is worth the extra money. The LX-5 is more flexible with its zoom but the FL-20 zooms where you would need it most and seems simpler to get used to. I can't wait to see my Fl-12 light up! I don't know how deep the Marcums read either, I know this winter I will bottom out on a couple lakes deeper than 200'.

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DLoutdoors Apprentice

DLoutdoors

Posted
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If money is an issue, go with a used FL-18: It has all the features of the 20 and is a step ahead of the 8 and 12 imo.

The zoom is a nice feature, and you can pick up the ultra pac 18 used for 300 or less. The ultra pac is the only way to go!

You can carry all the tackle you need for the day and everything is self contained for charging, etc.

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FrontenacPike Proficient

FrontenacPike

Posted
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Hey crappie i was in the same boat you are in about 3 weeks ago. I read and read and read about which one is better Marcum or Vex. Trust me I wanted to know everything before I spent the dough. What I found was any time you open up a disscussion about Marc vs Vex its just as heated as Ford vs Chevy and you don't get anywhere.

I ended up buying a Marcum LX-3TC and am very happy with my decission. I knew nothing about flashers or how to use them. I read the owners manual and it was easy to understand and I feel confident that once we get ice, i'll have no problem competing with guys that have been running flashers for years.

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gogophers Explorer

gogophers

Posted
Posted

I was in the same boat as many of you last year, went through all the literature/websites etc, read on here about peoples preferences and settled on the FL8-SE. No complains here. It does everything I need it to do (pannies in local lakes to eyes on Mille Lacs). I have fished side by side with 2 others also with FL8's and not had an interference problem.

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jbird68 Collaborator

jbird68

Posted
Posted

I got the VPG(Showdown) from Nature Vision last year. It works great. It's not in color but the seperation of 1/2" was incredible. I sent mine in for the FREE software upgrade this summer. You can zoom in to different ranges. I really like it.

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Kyle Sandberg Mentor

Kyle Sandberg

Posted
Posted

That brings up a good point. If you plan on using the unit int he summmer time, you would want to get either the 12 or 20. The flat screen and bright lights make it so easy to see in the sunlight.

For better fishability (all of them offer it) go with either the 12 or 20, or the marcum units because of the zoom feature they offer. Being able to see the bottom six feet of the water colum, especially when your fishing for eyes or perch, is a huge advantage because of the detail is gives you.

Whichever unit you choose, they will preform and help you find, and most of the time, catch more fish.

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Corey Bechtold Veteran

Corey Bechtold

Posted
Posted

The flat screen is a nice feature because you can easily wipe off the snow or water that splashes up on it. It is also easier to read without having to have it straight in front of you.

If there are any more specific questions you have feel free to e-mail me and I'd be happy to help you out. [email protected]

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

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CSP88 Collaborator

CSP88

Posted
Posted

Quote:

Crappie is getting a VEXILAR FOR HIS BIRTHDAY! He's asking about the difference between the 8 or the 12 and nothing else.

Excellent point. If a guy posts a question regarding a specific brand & model why bother posting if you don't have anything to add in reference to the original question??? If he would have said "I'm getting a flasher for my B-day which one should I get" then I could see it. If you took the time to read the post, no where did he mention the word Marcum, Lowrance or Aqua Vu.

Chad

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CSP88 Collaborator

CSP88

Posted
Posted

Quote:

so i was looking at the beam angles for these and once again, i have never used these units so i was wondering what you would recommend. i think the options are 9 degrees, 12 degrees, 19 degrees, and a dual beam option that goes between 9 degrees and 19 degrees

It depends on how deep you usually fish. Ideally, the dual beam would be the top choice but if you were to select one of the other options it would depend on if you fish shallow lakes <20' as the 19* would be the ideal choice in this situation. If you deep water fish the 9* would be the ticket or a good compromise between shallow and deep would be the 12*. If it were me I'd go with the dual beam transducer then you have your bases covered.

Chad

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