Vexilar fl-12

[Hooked79]

I think I might be having issues with my FL-12. I purchased it brand new from Canadian tire a week ago, paid $240 for it. When I went to use it the other day, I noticed that there was a lot of interference on the top of the monitor. I tried adjusting the transducer at different height levels and it didn't help. If I turned down the gain, it did clear up to a nice crisp red line marking the top, but I couldn't see the lure or any fish. I slowly turned it up, and as the lure started appearing to a more steady green line, the clutter would re appear. There was lot info time time when lowering the jig, that it would not only pick up the lure coming down, it would also ghost track it, meaning that many little green lines appeared and followed the lure down in at the same speed. I'm really confused, as many videos I watched don't show this issue, all had a nice clear top with the jig showing perfect, and marking fish great. Any suggestions?

[Unclegillhunter]

Did you have the unit set to the proper depth selection?
Keep it safe! JDL

[UFCreel]

Battery fully charged?

[Bartb]

Are you using braid or has the line been on your reels all summer and has lots of memory?

You are most likely seeing your line.  If it's mono and coiled your seeing the coils, if braid your seeing tiny air bubbles in your line.  Fish for 15-20 minutes and it'll go away.

Here is a video from vexilar explaining it in 75 seconds

[JiggingIowa]

Are you using braid or has the line been on your reels all summer and has lots of memory?

You are most likely seeing your line.  If it's mono and coiled your seeing the coils, if braid your seeing tiny air bubbles in your line.  Fish for 15-20 minutes and it'll go away.

Here is a video from vexilar explaining it in 75 seconds

Good chance it is this, could also be heavy line or ice on the line. If you leave it in the water for a bit does it start to clear up?
If it's a persistent problem I would call vexilar direct and ask to speak with someone in service. They have a very prompt and helpful customer service.

[barrelslime]

240 bucks is pretty cheap.  Could this be a reconditioned unit or USED ?

[Flint]

Do you have a S cable to try?

[hardwater diehard]

Agree on line noise...also wipe the face of the transducer ...battery fully charged . What degree is the 'ducer

[Hooked79]

To All questions, unitnos brand new, has been sitting on self for a while now, 20 degree transducer. Brand new braided line, battery is good, always fully charged before heading out, clutter doesn't go away after any length of time. Transducer is spotless before going in, depth is set to just under the ice. I looked for vexilars number, but there's not a toll free number, and it's going to cost a lot to call the US. I'll post a pic of unit in a bit to show screen

[Hooked79]

http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n266/ryancoke9/D6E30D58-99DC-4AE0-BBA2-0C1C4A9A5D31.jpg

On a side note, do you guys prefer the pool noodle thing, or the eye hook to hang your transducer

[hardwater diehard]

Did you try another set up with mono different lure etc? What time of day ...may be a plankton bloom. Did you try turning the unit off/on again ? I know when I hole hop I sometimes get a wonky screen upon placing in a new hole/spot...wiping the transducer due to ice build up and/or turning the unit on off helps.

In an 8 in hole I'll use the float w/o a problem in a 6 in hole use the arm.

[Bartb]

what size line are you using??? It shows up very thick on the picture.  I really think you are marking your line.

[WiMeatHunter]

Is the unit on zoom where it splits the screen? Are there any other units near by that could be causing interference?

[DR.SPECKLER]

on the top of the display will always have a red mark that gets bigger with gain.ghost marks following your lure is either line noise or bubbles coming of the line.if the disappear after a few minutes it has to be that your line is coily.you said braided line theres your problem.im betting,most guys that use braid tie in a floro or mono leader to the jig.how deep are you fishing?5 to  around 20ft should be a gain of around nothing to 2 on gain to pick up a 3mm jig.

[Unclegillhunter]

Did you have the unit set to the proper depth selection?
Keep it safe! JDL

I was not talking about how deep your transducer was. If you have your unit set to the first depth setting and you are fishing in over 20 fow of water you will see exactly what you have described.
Keep it safe! JDL

[barrelslime]

To All questions, unitnos brand new, has been sitting on self for a while now,

I assume the battery has been sitting on the shelf for a while to.  Just because you charge it doesnt mean it taking charge or holding charge. 

[russelln114]

Do you see this clutter even when your lines out of the water? If so you have a bad transducer. If you see this clutter only when your lines in the water then I would say it's either your line or bad transducer. You talk about turning up your gain how far do you have to turn it up before you see your jig? If you are turning it halfway just to see your jig then I would say it's a bad transducer.

[russelln114]

Are you sure you don't mean a 19 degree transducer.vexilar does not make a single 20 degree. It only comes with the tri beam I believe.

[bergal1]

I purchased a FL-12 unit from cabelas not to long ago.  battery went sour after 2 months.  contacted vexilar and they claimed battery is 5 plus years old.  called cabelas and they stated up front that the unit was on a warehouse shelf for years.  cabelas made good on battery. 

[RoeBoat]

240 bucks is pretty cheap.  Could this be a reconditioned unit or USED ?

That's what I wondered, you can't get a fl8 down here for that

[Hooked79]

I can assure that the unit is new, not re-man. As for the line it's 15lb braided test. I believe that I am seeing the line as it goes down. Had to be the only explanation. As for the battery, it was 2/3 charged when I purchased it. Checked it right away when I bought it. The battery it's self is good, and yes the transducer is 19 degrees not 20, sorry for the mistake. I've spoken with bexilar today, and they will call me back tomorrow to discuss potential issues. As I described it, they think something might be off a little. As for the S cable, I asked them, and they said it's only really useful for 20ft and below as that's where too much power tends to muddy up the readings, but the FL-12 has a low power mode for shallow depths. There's no zoom feature either, that picture was a lake depth of 30ft. The gain is turned up to approx 1/4-1/2 way up in order to see the jig steady. Unfortunately I'm only using a 6" hole as my youngest brother broke my 8" auger

[Bartb]

15 pound?  Wow.  I am using 3lb braid and I can see it when it goes down at first.

[DR.SPECKLER]

you should see my vex flicker with 20# tipup line while setting the depth on my tip ups.

[russelln114]

To eliminate braids being a problem why don't you just Tie a piece of monofilament to a jig and drop it down the hole.