how do flashers work?

[mnfisher22]

can anyone explain how flashers work...

[gill man]

I'm not very scientific, but I have a general idea...I think! Basically, your transducer sends out a sound (you can hear/feel the clicks on the bottom of your transducer). The sound wave goes down from your transducer in a cone shape. Anything that the sound wave hits bounces back up and is transmitted back to your transducer. The depth reading is just how long it takes for the sound to come back. There is a lot of internal computer stuff I don't understand. Somnewhere there has to be a "brain box" with the calculation built in to transfer length of time to a depth reading on the screen. It also has to show weak signals as green and strong ones as red on a Vexilar, and I'm not sure how that works either.

I guess I mostly explained how sonar works, and not necessarily flashers. There are probably a lot smarter people on here than can give you a better answer.

gill man

[bturck]

Its called the Doppler principle. As GillMan said a signal is sent out and the faster it returns calibrates the depth, the deeper the water the slower the return. The internal guts then calibrate speed of returned signal vs depth calibration. Its the same principle as police radar. How they compute the different color, green orange and red is not something I understand, but it sure works. they are an amazing tool. Bill

[prov1900]

I think you guys already said it, even in scientific fashion!! Go the the vex HSOforum. They have some of the same answers. Impress your friends, they will ask

[mnfisher22]

do you need the most high tech one....or will the The FL-8se Ultra Pack do the trick...any item on the price

[bgreen82]

im hoping to get the fl-8se with the genz pack this year. its the best seller so it must work well, for being the cheapest. it doesnt have as fancy of stuff, but it will definitely show you bottom structure, fish and your bait if large enough. i cant wait to see my jig falling on the screen then getting the tap when i see it get to the fish colors.

[prov1900]

Ive got the FL18. My friend has the FL8. The 18 has a few more features that I don't use anyway. The FL8 is fine. I also use the Vex on the front of my boat in the open water season. Wouldn't be without it.

[zamboni]

My dad says one thing about the FL-8, get the blue box, I guess the one it comes with breaks pretty easy, esp when the plastic gets cold and brittle

[sparkydm]

fisher22, check the vexilar site, they have deals on re-conditioned units. the fl-8se is just fine.you don't really need anything else.

[gill man]

I have had my FL8-SLT for quite a few years now, probably at least 6 years. I'm sure the newer FL 18's and 12's have some great features, but I really have not wanted to upgrade yet. I think my FL8 still does a great job, and I fish A LOT and am serious about it. Don't think you are selling yourself short with the FL8, it's a great unit.

Also, I have the original black plastic case that came with mine. Not a single crack or chip in it yet. I use my equipment, but it's an expenzive electronic and should be treated with a little care.

gill man