So you’re available in the market for a Vexilar® Flashers/Fish Finder. You’re already aware of Vexilar®, the world-leader that invented the 3-color Flasher/Fish Finder Sonar, which is half the battle. But as of 2020, there are 6 FL Series Models to select from. Which one must you select? To decide which is finest in your fishing state of affairs, begin with these 3 questions:
- How deep do you most frequently ice fish?
- What species are you after?
- Do you fish primarily at one lake, or a number of lakes all through the season?
After you’ve answered that, then use the abstract beneath to seek out your match. Overall, the upper the FL quantity, the extra options you get. Here’s a breakdown of every mannequin and its power:
FL-8™SE:
It’s the preferred flasher for each summer time and winter use. If you might be fishing for suspended fish (e.g. crappie or sunfish) in 30′ of water or much less, each the FL-8 and FL-12 will do an excellent job. The FL-8™SE has six depth ranges in two teams (shallow and deep). It comes normal with a 19° Ice-Ducer transducer, however you should buy different ones. The FL-8™SE is available in solely the Genz Pack configuration, so maintain wanting if you’d like a distinct pack.
FLX-12™:
It’s the subsequent era to the FL-8, however with a singular flat panel display and enhanced options. The bigger flat-screen show will increase the viewing angle by 50%, plus received’t entice in rain or snow. A brand new enhanced receiver provides you cleaner indicators and fewer noise. As talked about above, it is a good mannequin for locating suspended fish in 30′ of water or much less.
FL-18™:
This was the primary split-screen zoom flasher mannequin within the Vexilar® lineup. The patented split-screen show permits you to zoom in on the underside 6′ on the left aspect of the display, whereas concurrently watching the whole water column in actual time on the fitting aspect. If you might be fishing perch or walleye in deep water and have to see a tiny lure tight to the underside, then the FL-18, FL-20 and FL-22HD are all good selections.
There are 3 most important enhancements the FL-18 has over the FL-8:
1) The split-screen zoom
2) Low-power mode
3) Much brighter show lights
FLX-20™ :
Again, it’s the next-generation model of the FL-18. If you want a sonar to carry out in any ice fishing surroundings for any species, then the FL-20 is your mannequin. The FL-20 provides you probably the most flexibility to ice fish in practically any scenario you encounter. The FL-20 has two auto-zoom zone choices, one for zooming in on the underside 6′ and one for the underside 12′. From the 300′ max. depth vary to the night time mode for straightforward viewing in low-light situations, nothing rivals the FLX-20 for its superior, multi-use efficiency—shallow or deep, day or night time.
What are the FL-20 Improvements over the FL-18?
The FL-20 has a flat display with super-wide viewing that may be seen from each side. The FL-18 doesn’t. It additionally has an evening mode that cuts the LED show output by 50% to keep away from getting night time blindness. The FL-20 additionally has a built-in low battery indicator. You ought to word, nonetheless, that the FL-20 DOES NOT have a Bottom Lock choice for open-water use.
FLX-28™:
The FLX-28 is the primary auto-ranging flasher ever made. And it’s now engineered with Vexilar’s proprietary Brushless Data Transfer expertise to provide the brightest, sharpest, longest-lasting flasher show available on the market at the moment. The FLX-28 has 5 shade palettes to select from (many of the others have simply three) and makes use of even brighter LED’s for higher viewing in direct daylight. The FLX-28 additionally has a weed mode and digital depth indicator with LED depth markers.
The magic of the FLX-28 is the auto function. Simply place the Ice-Ducer transducer within the water, flip the system on and begin fishing. The unit robotically selects the correct interference rejection and depth vary to provide the most show decision right down to 300′.
FLX-30™ BB:
It’s the one one within the lineup that comes with the Broad Band Ice-ducer. “BB” stands for broad band, which suggests its vary extends from 160-300 kHz. Most sonar methods offered at the moment use a frequency of 200 kHz. While not excellent, the 200 kHz is nicely suited to getting sonar depth readings right down to 300′. No one frequency is “perfect” for all conditions, however the 7 frequencies discovered within the FLX-30 give some nice choices for critical anglers on the lookout for the absolute best efficiency from a single sonar machine. Now, when fishing 300′ of water, the angler can use a strong 160 kHz sign, however later alter to the next 300 kHz transmit frequency when fishing in solely 5′ of water. This 160-300 kHz vary provides you ultra-flexibility for fishing every little thing from shallow to deep waters.
Like the FLX-28, the FLX-30™ BB additionally has a 5-color LED, plus is the one one outfitted with 140 interference rejection choices. The basic 3-color Red, Yellow Green show is ONLY the start. With 5 shade palettes to select from, you may customise the show setting to your choice. The extra colours you show at one time, the extra correct the info is in your show. The FLX-30™ BB solely comes with the ultra-pack configuration on the time this text was written.
Check out this useful Vexilar comparability chart for a deeper look:
Understanding your Ice-Ducer® Options
The Ice-Ducer® transducer is designed particularly for ice fishing. Four completely different cone angles can be found to match your fishing wants: 9° (additionally referred to as the Pro-View), 12°, 19°and Broad Band (accessible solely on the FLX-30). No matter which cone angle you select, it’ll include a 7′ cable. No matter the age of your Vexilar, ALL Ice-Ducers will match on ALL Vexilar Flashers, however choosing the fitting Ice-Ducer is necessary to get probably the most out of your system.
Ice-Ducer beam angle choices defined:
- 9° Pro-View (Model TB0051): Offers the final word in beam precision and suppleness. Works right down to 200′, which makes it nice for all depth purposes. Gets the most effective goal ID. It’s additionally excellent at limiting interference from different sonar methods. The Pro-View comes normal on the FLX-28 however can be utilized on all Vexilar FL/FLX collection flashers (it really works on FLX-30 at 200 kHz solely).
- 12° diploma (TB0080): This is the preferred Vexilar Ice-Ducer. This mannequin performs nice right down to 45′ and is right to make use of with models which have zoom zones, just like the FL-18 and FLX-20.
- 19° (Model TB0050): It’s the widest angle supplied, plus is nice in shallow water of 30′ or much less. Any deeper and the indicators received’t be very crisp.
- Broad Band (Model TBB-100): Available solely on the FLX-30. The all-new Digital Broad Band sonar from Vexilar permits anglers to pick out particular receiver frequencies from 160 kHz for purposes the place a large 20° beam angle is required. Or select from one in every of seven different frequencies all the best way as much as 300 kHz that hosts a 7° beam angle. Now, when fishing 300′ of water, you should utilize a strong 160 kHz sign, however later alter to the next 300 kHz transmit frequency when fishing in solely 5′ of water.
3 Ice Packs to Choose From
Vexilar gives 3 ice pack carrying instances for his or her models: the Genz Pack, the Pro Pack II and the Ultra Pack. Here are the main variations between every:
Genz Pack: This is the entry-level mannequin. The case is designed to suit ON TOP of a 5-gallon bucket quite than inside it.
Pro Pack II: Has extra bells and whistles than the Genz Pack. It suits INSIDE a 5-gallon bucket quite than on prime of it. Enhanced options embrace a cable administration system and a Vexilar deal with field.
Ultra Pack: Also suits INSIDE of a 5-gallon bucket. It has an enclosed battery compartment with a grasp on/off management swap design and a deal with field. And it comes with a lithium-ion battery, which makes it lighter to hold.
Want to see a side-by-side comparability of every Vexilar Flasher/Fish Finder? Download this useful PDF, which exhibits much more information, together with Transducer/Ice‑Ducer™ compatibility with every mannequin, interference rejection settings and extra: Flashers:Fish-Finders 2020 Comparison Chart
Hopefully this information provides you a greater understanding of the completely different Vexilar Flasher/Fish Finder fashions, Ice-Ducer beam angle choices, plus the ice pack carrying case choices. Finding these huge fish in hard-water environments? We’ll depart that job as much as you.
Shop Vexilar FL Series Flashers/Fish Finders at Sportsman’s Guide.