Vexilar opinions?

[EyERipLip]

Went with a friend and used a his vexilar
flx-28 this weekend. Had a lot of fun with it and even caught a few lakers. Now I’m wanting to buy one but having a hard time getting good info online what the big difference between the models is. Obviously price.  Anyone on here who has used both or either I would appreciate your opinion.
Thanks in advance

[EyERipLip]

I meant to says between the flx28 and fl18 as that’s what’s available locally

[QuinnTheEskimo]

I only have a 28 and have never used an 18 but I think the biggest difference is what the 28 will do automatically, select the range and eliminate most interference, and that you have a 5 color option in addition to the traditional 3 colors.  The 28 also has both 6 and 12 foot zoom option as well as low power and weed modes. 
Maybe someone that has both will have more info.

[jrjach75]

I had an 18 and now have a 28. The differences I can think of off the top of my head:

The 28 will automatically set the depth range, the 18 is manual. The 28 can be used with manual depth settings as well.
The 28 in shallower water has more ranges. With the 18 you set it to 20ft, 40ft, etc. On the 28 you can set it to 10ft, 15ft, 20ft, 25ft, etc. This is nice as you can use more of the screen. I use the 10ft setting a lot.
They both have low power mode, the 28 also has weed mode meant to remove weeds from the screen and show the fish.
The 18 is fixed 3 color display. The 28 has a larger flat display with up to 5 colors, with different options. The screen on the 28 is brighter, easier to read in sun, and can be dimmed for night or inside a shelter.
the 18 has bottom lock, I think this is for using in open water from a boat. The 28 does not have this.
Like mentioned the 28 had 6ft and 12ft zoom modes, the 18 just has 6ft.

Big difference is the 28 comes with the proview transducer and the 18 has a 12degree transducer. You can swap any transducer to an 18 or a 28, but as is, that proview is really best used in deeper water, 20ft or deeper. I fish a lot of shallower water spots, less than 15ft, and ended up buying a 19deg transducer, and it made a big difference. That 12deg that comes with the FL18 is a good all around transducer and you wouldn't need to consider changing it for shallow or deep water.

The both work really well. For me, having the extra ranges for the shallower water I fish, the better screen for fishing outside, the autorange, and extra color options made the 28 worth the upgrade.

[EyERipLip]

Thank you very much great info I appreciate it

[Nthaburgh]

If you really want to immerse yourself in the subject Vexilar has their own YouTube channel called Vexilar Marine.

https://www.youtube.com/c/VexilarMarine

[nindo24]

Also, check out the refurbished section on Vexilar's site. They have good deals on there.


Reconditioned, not refurbished

[Doeslayer]

I have a 20 and its amazing... Also have the 200' range so if deep water lake trout fishing is your game is a must.... Ive never used the 28 so i cant comment on it...

[Light liner]

This summer keep checking they’re reconditioned units stock, They don’t last long. Same as a new unit warranty.
That’s my plan this year for an upgrade from my 18.

[Hardwater2]

Have an original 8 and my go to is the 18. Vexilar’s are solid units. Extremely Well made.
I love my 18 and couldn’t imagine fishing without it. Perch, crappies, walleyes, smallmouth, northern pike to jigging lake trout. The fl- 18 has marked them all. Mine has the digital depth reading which is nice for quick readings and I got the soft case from Vexilar. Keeps the dust out of it during the off season. I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase another unit again if I needed it.

[ice dawg]

I had an FL18, LX5 and a Helix 7. The FL18 went to my son this winter. I didn't want to let it go, but my son has been wanting it for years. He has been using the Micronar FL8 I had given him years ago. I'll miss it, but it has a good home.

[TRT]

I have the FLX 20 which is manual controlled rather than automatic like the 28. It comes with 3 color fish distinctions unlike the 28's 5.
Its a solid unit, never an issue, always starts, never run the battery dry even after a weekend of use. Are there better units out there?
Absolutely but you will be happy with a 18 or flx 20 or 28 at the given price point. Call Reeds Sporting goods in MN after watching a bunch of
videos and you tubes explaining  the differences. Reeds will take care of you.  The flx models are quieter and have more features. If you strictly fish lake trout
in 30-100 foot depths you cannot go wrong with a 18. I switched to a Vex from another brand and very happy i did.

[ship of fools]

I have a 20 and its amazing... Also have the 200' range so if deep water lake trout fishing is your game is a must.... Ive never used the 28 so i cant comment on it...

My 20 goes to 300'. It goes 2x, 3x, 4x and 15X. I actually like my 20 better because if you're fishing deeper than 80' you only get a little more than 1/4 of the screen and in zoom it's a little more than 1/8th!

[EyERipLip]

Thanks for all the great info. I decided for what I do typically less then 100 fow the
fl-18 was a good starting point for me. Even got a lil discount for being the season is winding down. Brought it out today marked a few fish but couldn’t get one to fully commit. Wind was unbearable after a few hours so I packed it in. Anyone have any accessories they find super necessary I’m just traveling with it inside a soft cooler for now. Obviously a backup battery if your going out for extended trips.  Thanks again always nice to get info from actual anglers who use the equipment regularly

[Doeslayer]

I have it on the hardcase that can accept the rodholders or glow rings.... Highly recommend the rod holder

[hardwater diehard]

Thanks for all the great info. I decided for what I do typically less then 100 fow the
fl-18 was a good starting point for me. Even got a lil discount for being the season is winding down. Brought it out today marked a few fish but couldn’t get one to fully commit. Wind was unbearable after a few hours so I packed it in. Anyone have any accessories they find super necessary I’m just traveling with it inside a soft cooler for now. Obviously a backup battery if your going out for extended trips.  Thanks again always nice to get info from actual anglers who use the equipment regularly

The FL18 is the workhorse of the Vexilar line . Good luck with your purchase.

Not sure which case you have ..but these are what I added to my FL 18 Ultra Pack and fit the Pro pack as well

https://www.scheels.com/p/vexilar-transducer-support-arm/05276211600.html

https://www.scheels.com/p/trophy-angler-elite-ice-electronics-shuttle-case/72388895207.html

https://store.vexilar.com/ultra-pack-and-propack-ii-rod-holder-1-per-package.html

https://www.scheels.com/p/vexilar-glo-ring/05276218001.html

https://store.vexilar.com/digital-depth-and-battery-gauge.html

If you have the Genz box ..the Glo Ring has an adapter and the DD100 will fit as well ..the other stuff will need some DIY modifications

https://www.scheels.com/p/trophy-angler-square-bottom-electronics-bag/66179934202.html

[EyERipLip]

Thanks diehard. I’ll definitely get The battery and depth gauge. Didn’t even know they had em

[hardwater diehard]

Thanks diehard. I’ll definitely get The battery and depth gauge. Didn’t even know they had em

What case do you have?

Note  Heads up the DD100 can only read depth accurately when in normal power mode .and should you install a lithium battery it wont work accuratly eith ..it will read 100% for quite a while ..then 90% for a while ..and w/o warning game over

Install on the Ultra pack

 

[lowaccord66]

Sell you mine.  Flx28. Was a huge fan (exclusively for lakers) went to livescope now it collects dust.  500 would do it.  Proview ducer.

[Light liner]

The FL18 is the workhorse of the Vexilar line . Good luck with your purchase.

Not sure which case you have ..but these are what I added to my FL 18 Ultra Pack and fit the Pro pack as well

https://www.scheels.com/p/vexilar-transducer-support-arm/05276211600.html

https://www.scheels.com/p/trophy-angler-elite-ice-electronics-shuttle-case/72388895207.html

https://store.vexilar.com/ultra-pack-and-propack-ii-rod-holder-1-per-package.html

https://www.scheels.com/p/vexilar-glo-ring/05276218001.html

https://store.vexilar.com/digital-depth-and-battery-gauge.html

If you have the Genz box ..the Glo Ring has an adapter and the DD100 will fit as well ..the other stuff will need some DIY modifications

https://www.scheels.com/p/trophy-angler-square-bottom-electronics-bag/66179934202.html

Who makes the hard case?

[hardwater diehard]

Who makes the hard case?

The cases ...Ultra ...Pro Pack and the Genz Box are made by Vexilar  . The soft/outer cases are made by Vexilar and Trophy Angler