So that 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. However as of 2020, there are 6 FL Sequence Fashions to select from. Which one do you have to select? To find out which is finest in your fishing situation, 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. Total, the upper the FL quantity, the extra options you get. Right here’s a breakdown of every mannequin and its power:
FL-8™SE:
It’s the most well-liked flasher for each summer season and winter use. If you’re 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 impressive 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 purchase different ones. The FL-8™SE is available in solely the Genz Pack configuration, so preserve trying in order for you a unique pack.
FLX-12™:
It’s the following technology to the FL-8, however with a singular flat panel display screen 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 allows you to zoom in on the underside 6′ on the left facet of the display screen, whereas concurrently watching your complete water column in actual time on the best facet. If you’re 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 primary enhancements the FL-18 has over the FL-8:
1) The split-screen zoom
2) Low-power mode
3) A lot brighter show lights
FLX-20™ :
Once more, it’s the next-generation model of the FL-18. For those who want a sonar to carry out in any ice fishing setting for any species, then the FL-20 is your mannequin. The FL-20 provides you essentially the most flexibility to ice fish in almost any state of affairs 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 evening mode for straightforward viewing in low-light situations, nothing rivals the FLX-20 for its superior, multi-use efficiency—shallow or deep, day or evening.
What are the FL-20 Enhancements over the FL-18?
The FL-20 has a flat display screen 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 evening blindness. The FL-20 additionally has a built-in low battery indicator. It is best to be aware, nevertheless, that the FL-20 DOES NOT have a Backside Lock possibility 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 Information Switch expertise to provide the brightest, sharpest, longest-lasting flasher show available on the market as we speak. The FLX-28 has 5 coloration palettes to select from (a lot 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. Merely 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 all the way 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 implies its vary extends from 160-300 kHz. Most sonar methods bought as we speak use a frequency of 200 kHz. Whereas not excellent, the 200 kHz is effectively suited to getting sonar depth readings all the way down to 300′. Nobody frequency is “excellent” for all conditions, however the 7 frequencies discovered within the FLX-30 give some nice choices for severe 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 robust 160 kHz sign, however later regulate to a better 300 kHz transmit frequency when fishing in solely 5′ of water. This 160-300 kHz vary provides you ultra-flexibility for fishing all the things from shallow to deep waters.
Just like the FLX-28, the FLX-30™ BB additionally has a 5-color LED, plus is the one one geared up with 140 interference rejection choices. The traditional 3-color Crimson, Yellow Inexperienced show is ONLY the start. With 5 coloration palettes to select from, you’ll be able to customise the show setting to your choice. The extra colours you show at one time, the extra correct the information is in your show. The FLX-30™ BB solely comes with the ultra-pack configuration on the time this text was written.
Take a look at this helpful Vexilar comparability chart for a deeper look:
Understanding your Ice-Ducer® Choices
The Ice-Ducer® transducer is designed particularly for ice fishing. 4 totally different cone angles can be found to match your fishing wants: 9° (additionally known as the Professional-View), 12°, 19°and Broad Band (accessible solely on the FLX-30). Regardless of which cone angle you select, it’ll include a 7′ cable. Regardless of the age of your Vexilar, ALL Ice-Ducers will match on ALL Vexilar Flashers, however choosing the best Ice-Ducer is essential to get essentially the most out of your system.
Ice-Ducer beam angle choices defined:
- 9° Professional-View (Mannequin TB0051): Provides the last word in beam precision and suppleness. Works all the way down to 200′, which makes it nice for all depth functions. Will get the perfect goal ID. It’s additionally superb at limiting interference from different sonar methods. The Professional-View comes normal on the FLX-28 however can be utilized on all Vexilar FL/FLX sequence flashers (it really works on FLX-30 at 200 kHz solely).
- 12° diploma (TB0080): That is the most well-liked Vexilar Ice-Ducer. This mannequin performs nice all the way down to 45′ and is good to make use of with models which have zoom zones, just like the FL-18 and FLX-20.
- 19° (Mannequin 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 (Mannequin TBB-100): Accessible 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 functions the place a large 20° beam angle is required. Or select from certainly one of seven different frequencies all the way in which as much as 300 kHz that hosts a 7° beam angle. Now, when fishing 300′ of water, you need to use a robust 160 kHz sign, however later regulate to a better 300 kHz transmit frequency when fishing in solely 5′ of water.
3 Ice Packs to Select From
Vexilar affords 3 ice pack carrying instances for his or her models: the Genz Pack, the Professional Pack II and the Extremely Pack. Listed here are the most important variations between every:
Genz Pack: That is the entry-level mannequin. The case is designed to suit ON TOP of a 5-gallon bucket slightly than inside it.
Professional Pack II: Has extra bells and whistles than the Genz Pack. It matches INSIDE a 5-gallon bucket slightly than on prime of it. Enhanced options embody a cable administration system and a Vexilar sort out field.
Extremely Pack: Additionally matches INSIDE of a 5-gallon bucket. It has an enclosed battery compartment with a grasp on/off management change design and a sort out field. And it comes with a lithium-ion battery, which makes it lighter to hold.
Wish to see a side-by-side comparability of every Vexilar Flasher/Fish Finder? Obtain this helpful PDF, which reveals much more data, together with Transducer/Ice‑Ducer™ compatibility with every mannequin, interference rejection settings and extra: Flashers:Fish-Finders 2020 Comparability Chart
Hopefully this information provides you a greater understanding of the totally different Vexilar Flasher/Fish Finder fashions, Ice-Ducer beam angle choices, plus the ice pack carrying case choices. Discovering these large fish in hard-water environments? We’ll go away that job as much as you.
Store Vexilar FL Sequence Flashers/Fish Finders at Sportsman’s Information.
