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Fl-8 is great unit. I have owned one for a very long time and still use it. But i will suggest getting the FL-18 instead of the Fl-12. Have had my currant Fl-18 for some years now and it is really good at picking up bottom hugging fish like Perch and Walleye.
12 over 8. 18 over 12. the only benefit the 12 has over the 18 is the large flat screen. i know a lot of older guys like the larger screen. but the 18 does have zoom.
dont think anyone has mentioned depth. Not sure about the other vex's but the fl18 goes very deep....i think mine goes 300ft if im not mistaken. All vex models are different as far as depth
I am an older guy who likes his 12. Zoom probably helps see fish but fishing skills catch fish. I do not need more fish than I can already catch in a day. Usually a limit. Icehole, only you know your confidence/skill level. Once a marked fish gets closer to my lure all my senses attune to the rod in hand. If fishing the very bottom and can't see fish all senses again are on the rod-in-hand. As in anything practice,practice,practice.