flx 28 or humminbird Helix 5

[carcus1]

Thinking of selling my fl20 and getting one of these two,  I already have a 2 fl18's a fl8 and a lx3tc, so this is why the helix is a option, something different, what do you guys think?  Out prices locally are crazy expensive so I'm thinking my fl20 will sell quick

[Panfisher78]

Never used a Helix 5 but I've got an FL-18 and an FLX-28 that I upgraded to this year. The FLX-28 is awesome. It's much quieter than the FL-18, not totally silent but close.  The auto range, LP, and weed modes are great.  The color options are nice as well. I've started using the four color setup and like it.  I was uncertain at first whether the upgrade from the the FL-18 was worth it or not but after using the FLX-28 I'd say it is for sure.

[missoulafish]

What are you hoping to gain with the 28?

[carcus1]

What are you hoping to gain with the 28?

Brighter screen, this is why I'm leaning more towards the helix

[missoulafish]

Dad has the 28, it's seems super bright to me and not adjustable from what I can tell.
 My old 8 is much darker. My 18 is much brighter than the 8 but not as intense as the 28.
LX 7 is adjustable.

[DR.SPECKLER]

Dad has the 28, it's seems super bright to me and not adjustable from what I can tell.
 My old 8 is much darker. My 18 is much brighter than the 8 but not as intense as the 28.
LX 7 is adjustable.

the flx28 has night/day mode cuts the brightness down by 50%

[missoulafish]

I thought it was adjustable but have never played with it....

[SpitzoMT]

I like my FLX-28, it's a nice unit. No experience with the Helix 5, but I'm sure it's a nice unit as well. I'm sure you'll be happy with either !! 

[3300]

i normally say go with digital sonar when ever asked, but because you limited your choice to a brand that did me wrong, i would say stay with the mechanical flasher of the vex.

being you would spend that much, means you could go with a different digital unit and that would be a marcum lx-6. some thing to add to the mix of options.

take a look at garmin too.

[ice dawg]

Humminbird has some nice digital units also. The Helix Ice 5 and Helix Ice 7 would be nice since you can put lake map chips in them for depth contours and structure locations. I have always been treated very well by Humminbird if I needed their help. I use my Humminbird 597 with a Lakemaster map chip for navigation on the ice and I'm considering a Helix Ice 7 at this time for my next sonar unit. I have an FL18 and an LX5 at this time and like them both. I wouldn't go digital without getting something with map chip capabilities.

[carcus1]

Went with the helix 5, love it so far, caught a pile of walleye on lake winnipeg using it already

[3300]

thanks for the update!

what options made you decide hb?