FL-18 Question

[anyfishaldo]

I have been out the last three weekends and have had this issue.

While fishing on auto zoom and on Norm the bottom will change depth for a minute or five and then reset back to the original. I have checked the connections and I recharge the new battery each time out. Any thoughts???

[walleyewild]

You might have fish looking at your lure. How far off the bottom are you fishing?

[NCLaker]

I recommend calling vexilar support - they can diagnose the problem very quickly. Great customer service. I have an FL-18 and have never seen these symtoms.

[eyebjim]

You may want to turn off the auto zoom when fishing stationary(ice fishing). Like walleyewild said it could be a big fish or a good sized reflection that the sonar auto zoom function reacts as if it is a new bottom.

[anyfishaldo]

Thanks guys- I'm hoping to peel that "false bottom" fish up next time!! If it continues I will be calling the Vexliar service line

[Deitz Dittrich]

What year is your 18--- they updated the software dealing with an issue of this sort about 2-3 years ago... it dealt more with hopping from hole to hole, but again, it dealt with the bottom jumping on zoom mode..

I had a pre softwear upgrade unit that did the same thing you describe... but had the upgrade and it has not doe it since!

If that isn't the prob.. check the battery!

[Scott K]

Deitz does Vex update this for free, or is there a fee to do this, I have noticed mine does this and since there is an update I want to get it fixed.

[NAMASafetyDirector]

Sometimes what I will do if my 18 starts doing some "funky" stuff is just shut it off for a few seconds and turn it back on without changing anything else. Most of the time it clears it up and gets me back to where it was working good.

[CNY Tim]

Sounds like it needs the FL-18 upgrade and have the serial number handy when you contact customer service.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I cant remember if it was free or not... Call cust service, they should be able to tell you by your serial number if you need the update.

[CNY Tim]

It was free back then I believe...

[Scott K]

I just got off the phone with Vexilar, they told me the motor is going bad with it, it would cost me $75 to get it fixed, includes shipping. Mine is 3-4 years old.

[CNY Tim]

This is what I would do if I was you.. Get it fixed find a local Gander that has MarCum LX-5's available (very hard to find) but they were on sale out here and sold out quick for $399, incredible $80 off the regular retail price. Keep the FL-18 for back-up or sell it. I might be biased now, but I was a former FL-18 user...

[CSP88]

 Originally Posted By: 4wanderingeyes

I just got off the phone with Vexilar, they told me the motor is going bad with it, it would cost me $75 to get it fixed, includes shipping. Mine is 3-4 years old.

I'd send it in and have Vexilar take a look at it. Who knows, maybe it is not the motor, instead it's something that turns out to be a less expensive repair. I'm certain while they have it in service they will go through the whole unit so when you get it back it will be just like new.

Chad

[Scott K]

I will send it in, it still works just jumps once in a while, sometimes it wont at all. I use it alot, so I will hold off until ice out, then send it in, I really dont think its unfair, just would have been nice if it was a free fix! Like I said this thing has a few hours on it.

[CNY Tim]

It still sounds like a software upgrade but let them do there thing so you can get back out there..