Vex (FL-8)

[jhanks50]

Ok so my Fl-8 which is about 5-8 or so years old (bought it from a buddy a year ago so not sure exactly how old it is)is having some problems latley. It was working fine when i was in shallower water 15 ft or less i could see me jig and the bottom and any fish. Now i have moved to some deeper water about 28ft and i cant see my jig after about 18ft even when i turn my gain way up. Is this a problem with the unit or would a new transducer be in order and if anyone has any suggestions on how to fix this i would appreciate it!!!

Thanks~

[BIG DS]

Usually a transducer issue.

[shinde]

One thing I would suggest checking first is whether there is an "S cable" in use. This is a cable used in shallow water to reduce the power below the minimum, hence the term "S", or suppression cable. If this cable is in place, it could very well be the cause of you not having enough power to get a bottom signal in deeper water. You can quickly identify if your vex has this by seeing if there's a short (4" or 5") piece of cable between your vex and the rest of your transducer cable where it plugs into the vex.

[dewyg]

Sounds like it might be your battery, I have the same vex and when my battery is low that is the issue.

[leech~~]

jhanks, if the ice is getting thicker you may have to drop your ducer down deeper in the hole maybe. I run mine at the bottom of the hole so I don't get any feed back issues from the ice. But you may need to go to a diffrent size ducer.

[jhanks50]

Thanks for the info so far guys, i dont think it is a battery because it is always charged and does not work right when i first get to the ice, and i usually try to have my ducer right under the ice so i dont think it is to far up the hole but ill try dropping it down a litle further like you suggested. Ill check for the S cable when i get back home. If anyone else has any suggestions they are all appreciated (dont really want to spend the money on a new vex)

[PerchJerker]

I think the S-cable and the transducer are the two mostly likely things and the things you should check first. If the unit is 5-8 years old it is probably due for a new transducer, they wear out over time and diminish performance as they wear out.

[jhanks50]

Thanks for the replies everyone it is appreciated, i went out and got a new ducer today and am heading out to the lake morrow and will report back and let ya know if that was the problem. Thanks again!!