Vex upgrade; DD-100 or flx28?

[CoachWalleye74]

I am in the process of adding and upgrading my vexilar situation.  I have a fl22 that is great, but I would like to have the digital depth option.  Also, I am looking to get my young son (8) a vex as he has been fishing with me a lot the last few years and has been swiping mine.

Thoughts on the options below?

(1) I buy a flx28 and give the kid my fl22. Cost would be about $500-550 overall, and I’d need to buy a dd-100 for the fl22 to help the kid with depth readings, so total of 550-600.  FYI,  He has the bottom part of the vex figured out with lure and bottom and fish, but not depth markings.

(2) I keep the fl22, buy a Dd-100 for it; then buy the kid a gently used fl8 (I have an option to buy one for between $175-200) and buy a dd-100 for it.  Cost is $100 for two dd’s and roughly $200 for fl8, so $300 total. 


Side note, with the dd-100 I can simply replace the battery level indicator on my fl22 with this and not have to have both, correct?

[DR.SPECKLER]

if you got the cash upgrade yourself to a flx28,then sit down and teach the kid the depth readings and what it means.jmo my kid at 8 learned the depth readings after a few lessons.was a tad frustrating but..shes running a fl22hd also.yeah you can unhook the battery status indicator and wire in the dd-100 if need be.

[Junkie4Ice]

I am in the process of adding and upgrading my vexilar situation.  I have a fl22 that is great, but I would like to have the digital depth option.  Also, I am looking to get my young son (8) a vex as he has been fishing with me a lot the last few years and has been swiping mine.

Thoughts on the options below?

(1) I buy a flx28 and give the kid my fl22. Cost would be about $500-550 overall, and I’d need to buy a dd-100 for the fl22 to help the kid with depth readings, so total of 550-600.  FYI,  He has the bottom part of the vex figured out with lure and bottom and fish, but not depth markings.

(2) I keep the fl22, buy a Dd-100 for it; then buy the kid a gently used fl8 (I have an option to buy one for between $175-200) and buy a dd-100 for it.  Cost is $100 for two dd’s and roughly $200 for fl8, so $300 total. 


Side note, with the dd-100 I can simply replace the battery level indicator on my fl22 with this and not have to have both, correct?

I'd go with option 1, while the FL8 is a perfectly good starter unit, it sounds like your son is into the ice fishing game for the long haul so giving him an FL22 would benefit him more in the future being a significantly better unit. I thought the FLX-28 was more in the $600+ range though? And are you wanting the DD-100 for your own unit too regardless of which option you go with?

[CoachWalleye74]

Yea, I’d like the dd100 for the fl22 regardless. 

[CoachWalleye74]

We typically get out fishing between 4-10 times a year, so I’m really leaning towards the fl8 and dd100’s for both option.  Half the cost and can always sell the fl8 later and upgrade. 

[Unclegillhunter]

I am sure you are aware but the dd-100 also has a battery gauge. I added on to my fl-18.
Keep it safe! JDL

[Keith Walters]

If you get the fl8, your son will still be swiping your unit and you will be fishing with the fl8.

[hardwater diehard]

We typically get out fishing between 4-10 times a year, so I’m really leaning towards the fl8 and dd100’s for both option.  Half the cost and can always sell the fl8 later and upgrade.

Sounds like a solid plan..the FL8 w/DD-100 would be a great unit for starters ...add a $20 suppression cable for shallow water/weeds..a better option would be a FL18 for starters. Also don't forget the DD-100 does not work in low power mode …..some wonky/incorrect readings can occur . I love bells and whistles but the FLX28 lil too much and yet not enough...plus do not like the ProView ducer.

[holehopper]

We typically get out fishing between 4-10 times a year, so I’m really leaning towards the fl8 and dd100’s for both option.  Half the cost and can always sell the fl8 later and upgrade.

Totally agree on the FL8 route.  For an 8 year old, it is the perfect setup especially for a fairly light usage level (4-10 trips).  Absolutely the right way to go. 

[Plharroun]

If you buy the flx-28 and give the kid your fl-22... you’ll start going more than 4-10 times a year. Both are great units but the 22 and 28 will benefit you both for much longer that the fl8. Save yourself the haste of buying the 8 and then having to upgrade it again later. It’s cheaper in the long run to just get the 28 and keep the 22.

[Iceassin]

Totally agree on the FL8 route.  For an 8 year old, it is the perfect setup especially for a fairly light usage level (4-10 trips).  Absolutely the right way to go.

X2 on FL8. I've owned the SLT and SE for over 20 years and have never found the need or a reason to upgrade. They find fish...I catch fish...we eat fish...all year long.

[spoofhoundicefisher]

agree with the fl8.  with just a few more hours he will be able to tell depth with it in no time and for a small investment maybe he will be able to pass it on down to his son as well. 

[Bryfish84]

I have the FL-8SE with a DD-100 on it. Love it! No need to upgrade

[Papa Sly]

I am confused??? I have a Showdown and have never used a Vex but doesn't it show water depth on the flasher? My Showdown shows the bottom and the water depth.

[Chuck Enwinde]

I am confused??? I have a Showdown and have never used a Vex but doesn't it show water depth on the flasher? My Showdown shows the bottom and the water depth.

The dial on the vex is segmented to show 20ft of depth, full circle, then you can set it at x2 x3 x4 etc to show the depth you need.  So for example if you're on x4 and bottom shows at 15ft - you're in 60 ft of water. If you're on x10 and bottom shows at 15ft - then you're in 150ft of water.

Personally, I'd tell the young lad to work on his multiplication tables and tell him there's $50 for gear waiting for him if he can figure it out.  Kids are smart and learn quick when motivated.

[Iceassin]

I am confused??? I have a Showdown and have never used a Vex but doesn't it show water depth on the flasher? My Showdown shows the bottom and the water depth.

When I first started reading this thread I thought..."digital read out, that'd be a nice little feature". Then I thought more, and to your point Papa Sly..."why? my flasher already does that". Sometimes, we get too caught up in thinking that bigger, brighter and bolder is always better. And after reading some responses here and doing some research, this DD-100 thing can be problematic. So I thought why risk the $50 (plus the $20 on the s-cable that some have suggested) on something I already have? I just set my power mode so that it shows bottom at between the 4 and 6 o'clock position and adjust the gain accordingly...works for me. And I doubt very seriously that your son is going to care how he's reading bottom...and fish...once he starts throwing a few on the ice. JMO. 

[UFCreel]

I have the Fl-8 and the Fl-18. Both solid units. I catch lots of fish. My kids and wife picked up what depth they are in in no time. Not that knowing actual depth means much as you can see bottom with both units and you can see your jig going down to the bottom.

[DR.SPECKLER]

Really only reason to know the actual depth is to know what depth setting to use.but even that can easily be figured out by turning the depth setting knob.