VEXILAR WHAT MODEL?? PLEASE HELP

[David Kasten]

I am looking to buy a vexilar but i do not need anything special just something to get the job done. I was told by somebody at cabelas to buy the 18 because of the "zoom". I do a lot of crappie fishing and some walleye fishing what model would suit me best? thanks for your help

[Grogan]

the fl-8 is a great unit. I have the 18 cause I do alot of fishing off the bottom for eyes and I use it in the summer. The bottom lock helps a lot for summer fishing but you need to get either the high speed transducer or the trolling motor puck. All are great units.

[David Kasten]

i would only be using it for ice fishing. what does the zoom feature do for me? does this mean you cant see the bottom using the 8 or 12?

[Grogan]

no it magnifies the bottom 6 feet on the 18 the 20 has the option of doing 6 or 12 but no bottom lock

[Grogan]

check out the vexilar HSOforum they have a great video tutorial

[David Kasten]

what is the main difference in the models? what is a bottom lock?

[ozzie]

for basic fishing the 8 or 12 are fine....i have both and they get the job done (I do alot of panfishing with a little walleye).......I have never been with someone with the 18 or 20 that has been able to tell that a fish is on the bottom that I couldn't pick up with my 8......might have to learn the unit to tell this but after using it for years you can tell if there are bottom hugging fish with the 8-12.......

[CSP88]

Instead of typing a reply to your questions.....it may be easier to suggest visiting Vexilar's HSOforum. They have online videos of each unit they make and some informative articles as well. You should be able to get all your questions answered there.

Chad

[Grogan]

big differences between the models would be the 18 and 20 have a interference reduction to keep unwanted signals from showing up (if another flasher is close by) and the auto zoom to magnify the bottom. Bottom lock will adjust the zoom mood for different depths automatically (if your moving for just ice fishing you don't need it).

the 8 and 12 don't have zoom for the bottom.

The 12 and 20 are the newest models very nice easy to read flat display instead of being sunk into the unit. I have not used one yet but thinking of upgrading to the 20 for that reason.

[CSP88]

 Originally Posted By: Grogan

The 8 and 12 don't have the IR control

False statement....The Vexilar FL8-SLT, FL8-SE and the FL-12 all come with interference rejection.

Chad

[eyebjim]

My old FL8 had IR control.

[Grogan]

sorry about that. Havn't looked closely at newer 8.

[Burnham]

yes the fl-8 does have Interference Rejection i got one right after christmas and it does have it.

[David Kasten]

thanks for the help, the websites videos were not working when i asked.

[Powerstroke]

Vexilar has 4 products, The FL-8, FL-18, FL-12 and FL-20. The later two have the flat screen with LED that came out last year. The FL-8 and the FL-12 are a great basic setup. The function as a great flasher and can get the job done. Price on the FL-8 starts around $270.

The FL-18 and the FL-20 are also similar as they have more options including a bottom zoom. This is a great feature for getting more detail on the bottom of the water column.

All of the models have the IR. These start around $400.

I also think that if you're looking at flashers you should give a long look and compare the Marcum's. They also have 4 levels that they offer. The VX-1 is their base unit. It is very similar to the FL-8 as far as features, but it DOES have a zoom. I do think this is very nice. I think the colors and the definition on the Marcums is better than the Vex's. OH yeah and the VX-1 is about $250 and has a $30 rebate right now. A friend of mine just bought one for $199 on sale so he only paid $170 for a new flasher.

The LX-2, LX-3 and LX-5 go up incrementally in options. The LX-2 has more power and comes with the Marcum soft case. The LX-3 has all of that, a better color system, more power, a more selectable zoom and it has a movable zoom so you can use it to focus on suspended fish instead of just the bottom zone. It would most compare with the FL-18 and FL-20. It prices at $400. The LX-5 is the top of the line form Marcum. It has everything on the LX-3 including more power, and the superfineline feature. This allows the flasher to get target separation down to 3/4". It also has a dual beam transducer so you can choose a narrow cone or a wider cone depending on the situation. These are going in the $480 range.

Vexilar has been around a long time and has a great reputation. The are the "kleenex" of flashers. Marcum has the advantage of learning what people wanted and packaging "options" into their base units. Many of the things that cost extra on a Vexilar are built into the Marcums without extra cost...in fact they tend to be cheaper.

I checked these prices on the Thorne Bro's HSOforum as they carry all of these items.

Do a little hands on research. Try to use the units outside if you can and see what you like. If you're going on price alone, the VX-1 has the lowest price even before the rebate and it has more options than the FL-8. If you can spend a little more there is a lot to look at in the next $100.

For the sake of disclosure, I own an FL-8 that I bought 2 years ago. I have the ProPack and it has served me well. I bought the soft case to go with it.

[David Kasten]

thanks a lot powerstroke, i didnt know anything about the marcum's i will look into theese. Actually my buddies sister works at thorne bros in fridley

[Eric Wettschreck]

I have an FL-8 and it's a solid, good working flasher. However, I've fished with people using the FL-18 and FL-20. If I were to go buy a Vexilar tomorrow it would be the FL-20.

You may not realize it, but bottom zoom is incredible. Using the 18 and 20, guys have seen bottom crawling fish that I didn't see using my 8. On URL a couple weeks ago I caught twice the amount of fish using a flasher with bottom zoom than the guys using my FL-8.

The reason I would buy the 20 is it's just plain easier to see the dial. The lines, to me, seem clearer. However, look in my avitar and you will see I wear eyeglasses and my eyes need all the help they can get.

If you buy a Vexilar you will be happy with any of the units you buy. They are all solid. If price is a limiting factor for you I'd say start with an 8 and upgrade later if you wish. Keep an eye on the for sale forum as many people sell their used units as they upgrade.

Marcum also makes excellent units. I'm not going to get into the Marcum/Vexilar debate as they are both solid units. I say this as if you are shopping, you should look at everything.

Good luck in your purchase. You'll be happy no matter which route you travel.

[Bulldoggr]

LX-5

[CSP88]

 Originally Posted By: LukerNLeever

LX-5

Odd, I never knew Vexilar made an lx-5.

[fiskyknut]

Chad maybe the companies will merge and we will see an FX-15 next year!

Drink holders, cig lighter, built in Perch scaler....All the bells and whistles eh!

[CSP88]

Fisky, it would have to be the FX-25 since we already have the FL-20.

[fiskyknut]

FX-25 sounds good. That one the target seperation will be refined to 1 micron. Built in ipod, coffee maker, automatic knot tyer.

Hmmmm, Marcilar or vexicum? New can o worms!

[David Kasten]

honestly i had never fished with one up until fishing with a guy i work with a couple weeks ago he had just your standard fl-8. Im just a simple minded guy I thought i knew all the lakes i fish well enough to know where to head throughout the year and catch fish, i always caught my share of fish but i didnt know what i was missing out on.. Some of the stuff they have these days is unbelievable. My cousin says hes inventing a tip-up that will set the hook and reel the fish up for you, lol?

[fiskyknut]

You were steered well by the Cabelas guy and CSP88 and others on this thread....Spend the extra Ka-Ching and get a model with the zoom feature. If you don't once you see one in action you will most likely wish you had.

Rest of my banter was just josh'n round with Chad eh.

fiskyknut

[David Kasten]

as far as buying used, somebody had mentioned something about keeping an eye on the post, I am going to pick up the fl-18 tomorrow on the way home from work and will test her out on green. I saw a handful of used unit for sell mostly thoose that were 3-5 years old and their owners claiming they were "almost new" for 350-375 bucks, lol. I think i'll spend the money and just buy a new unit at least i know it will work.