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So I want to buy a Vexilar but I am having trouble narrowing it down to which model. I have looked at FL-8 FL-12 and so on and so on.. Has anyone on here ever owned the FL-8 and went to a newer model and could tell me any pros and cons of the newer model or will I be just fine with the FL-8? I have fished beside a FL-12 and I loved it but will the FL-8 do the same things?? Or do I need to go huge and get the FL-22? I mostly fish at depths no more that 60' and I just fish for anything no target species.. Any help you guys could give will be great. Or if anyone has an extra they are wanting to sell let me know.
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I have the 18 my dad has the 8 mine has more options but I only use the setting that shows depth and fish that's all I need the 8 does that just fine I'm debating on selling my 18 and getting the hummingbird.
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Mort
I've got the 12, if I had it to do over again I'd spend a little less and get the 8, or spend a bit more and get the 18.
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Go with the hummingbird in my opinion. Have the ice 55 and love it. It comes with a carry case. My buddy has a vex and It's nice too. But it didn't Come with a soft case like the hummingbird did. They all work the same for the most part. Most of us don't even use the options available on the higher end models.
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I have the 8 and the 18 and really think the 8 is just fine. The 8 has worked like a charm. I got the 18 for the narrower transducer cone and the zoom feature but I really dont use the zoom much and I see no difference between the transducer ranges.
Just getting a flasher will enhance your fishing.
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Thanks for all your input I think I will be leaning toward just getting an fl-8 since all I want is to see depth and fish.. If anyone has one for sale send me a pm if not ill just order one... Thanks again... Stacey the fl-12 I fished with was Rogers and I think you ordered it for him
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GO BIG, MORT!!
Its like your optics. I know you don't use Bushnell.
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Ya I ordered Roger's 12 for him, because he got used to mine, and the controls are slightly different on the 8. And we all know Roger when it comes to knobs and buttons!! [sly]
If ya have the option, I would get the 8 degree transducer as much as you fish deep in that puddle over there.
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I may be alone here, but I have the FL-18 and I find the zoom feature to be indispensible. I find that it is relatively rare to find fish suspended in the water column while ice fishing. It does happen, and when it does you still have the split screen feature to show the full water column and the bottom 5 feet at the same time. I use this mode almost exclusively.
Most of the time, the fish are on the bottom or near the bottom, and with the zoom feature you can really get good resolution on your jig and how the fish are reacting to your presentation. When you only see the whole water column, the resolution is worse and you can't tell if the fish came up an inch when you lifted your jig an inch. Maybe I'm too finicky, but I like to see how the fish are reacting to see if it is my presentation or if I need to switch jig/color, etc.
My 2 cents.
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Having owned 6 different flashers I would guide you to purchasing one with a zoom. I believe the 18,20,and 22 vexlars all have zoom. The reason being if you got a lttle fisherman (child) you can fish 1 pole up and 1 pole down and still see them on the flasher. Why he was pounding the rainbows I used to pound the Mack. Just thought I would share with my 2 cents take it for what it's worth.
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How close/how far did you have to be to be able to pick up both poles pikeman
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I would do 3 holes in a row. Put the vexlar in the center hole. With the 8 degree cone his1/2 inch jig would show up in 15 feet of water for the rainbows and I would fish my 3 inch jig in 65 feet of water. When I hooked up I would just have him reel in. I have fish scout now and I have a 22HD triple beam. I very seldom go off the 8 degree and if I do it is only to the twelve. another good perk for havinh a vexlar is if you have a buddy with a vexlar you can fish in the same tent and not have interference with each others sonar. I have often wanted to get out one of the hummingbird 4000 watt with side image just to throw the interference with those other things that are sold on the market. I did have a markum 3 and a markum 5 and I went back to my true love the vexlar.
ps the holes are a foot1/2 apart
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Thanks for your info on the bottom zoom that might be a feature I would use for sure...
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Best bang for your buck would be a Marcum vx-1P. includes the soft case and bottom zoom and still under $300. Everybody has their own preference but I would take a Marcum anyday over a Vex. ford vs chevy though.... both good units.
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I agree with Pikeman as it comes to two people fishing off one flasher. Think of it this way.... on the dual beam, you see differently, and I would argue you have more options. Here is what I mean.....
To know the diameter of cone of an 8-degree transducer at any depth, simply divide that depth by 7. For instance, at a depth of 21 feet, the diameter of the circle of coverage would be 3 feet (21 divided by 7 equals 3).
To find the diameter of the cone of coverage of a 20-degree cone, divide the depth by 3. For example, at the same 21-foot depth, a 20-degree cone covers a circle 7 feet in diameter (21 divided by 3 equals 7).
Having options like this can give you more ways to fish. If you drill 3 holes in a row, all about 6 inches apart, and put the flasher in the center one, then 10 feet down you can see both jigs on the outer holes. Or, you can fish for the rainbows suspended,and the other fish on the bottom as commonly happens at FL (Lake trout) and Starvation (Perch).
I have fished with a Vex and liked it. I ultimately chose a Marcm LX5, just out of preference, but I could be happy with the higher end Vex very easily. If you can afford the higher end ones, you will not be disappointed.
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I have 3 models of the Vexilar, for my sons-in-law and I, and they all work very well for us. I don't think you'll go wrong regardless of the model you pick. Just having that flasher makes all the difference in the world.
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I really like the ones with zoom. I have an Fl18 and find it adequate for everything I do. I wouldn't have one without zoom.
Windriver
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