Genz pack, ultra pack, or pro pack??????

[wrightap]

  Just got the go ahead to buy one and have been looking at the three and would like to get some feedback.  My main question is the price and the features that would justify the price jump.  Are the flat screen models easier to see on a sunny day?  Can you read the Genz packs on a sunny day or do you have to be in a shanty?  I mainly fish for gills and crappies so would a fl-8 be good enough or do I need to spend a little more and get a fl-18 or fl-20?  Thanks guys in advance.  I put in a search for this but never really found what I was looking for.  Adam

[gruntngrin]

Marcum lx5

[WildOutdoorAddict]

It depends on what options and accessories you want. The ultra has almost everything except the flexable light and a soft case.

[dakota]

The blue genz pac wont fit in a 5 gl. bucket. If you carry a bucket that is.

[Piggyn]

Marcum lx5

#1 answer on the board!

[firefish]

I second the lx5

[marmooskapaul]

I've fished with the blue box for years with a fl8. Bought a used fl8 with the round base, pro pack I guess with battery meter. That being said, they are both fine, a fl8 does about everything I need to do. The pro pack that fits in a 5 gallon bucket is handy, keep that in mind.No matter which unit you get, it will work just fine, even the cheapest Vexilar or Marcum will do almost everything you need to catch fish.
Paul

[h2.0shaver]

I take it that your question was of the three which one should you get. I would get what you can afford. I have an fl8 ultra pack that ive had for ages and still works great. I do like the Marcums, but if it aint broke, dont fix it. I personally would get one that will fit in a bucket, comes in handy

[MEMAGGIENCOMET]

WHY DO YOU ALL THE MARCUM GUYS ALWAYS THROW THERE 2 CENTS IN WHEN THE WORD VEXILAR COMES UP.   

[Limit_Out]

If you don't fish deep water, I would stay expensive and spend the extra money on dixie cups to make frozen chum cubes.  I would too make sure it fits in a bucket.  I have a 20 but I don't see any performance difference from an 18.  I use the zoom since I fish deep water often. 

[nove]

WHY DO YOU ALL THE MARCUM GUYS ALWAYS THROW THERE 2 CENTS IN WHEN THE WORD VEXILAR COMES UP.   

    -------->  INSECURITY <--------   

Nove

[crawfishy]

i dont go any where without my vex but im thinking about upgrading from a fl8 to a fl18

[MEMAGGIENCOMET]

I went from a fl8se with a dual ducer to a fl20 with a dual ducer and it was the best thing i did last year ice fishing. I fish a few deep lakes and the zoom was awsome.  The 18 will be great for you. tight lines

[crawfishy]

thanks for the advice

[heinidog]

I use an fl20 and my pal Flattop uses a marcum and we both catch fish. Buy what you can afford as they help.

[rjflynn]

I like my pro pack

[bradmoun]

Buy fl18 genz and add the options that you want

[Lsmith1087]

I switched from an 8 to an 18 and I love the zoom

[Piggyn]

I switched from an 8 to an 18 and I love the zoom

You'd love it more if you could move your zoom window up and down the water column.   

[bubbagill]

In my honest opinion the question at hand is about whatever you can swing finnancially.  With that being said I have a Fl8 Propack but I know a guy who baught a reconditioned fl8 transom boat mounted flasher and made a carry case out of wood for it he catches lots of fish. The difference between the Genx, Pro, and Ultra is not much.  Two questions to consider Will you want it to fit into a bucket?  Will you want/need additional acessories IE rod holder, battery status indicator and so on.  If the answer to both is NO then you would be happy with the Genz Pack.  If the bucket thing or acessories is a Yes then you might like the Pro or Ultra.  I think of it like this I have seen some scary fast cars that looked like crapola, the guts to these units are what matters the Genz, pro or Ultra part is purely the way that it is transported, and does not affect the function of the unit.   No matter what you choose you will catch more fish than no Vex, Guaranteed.

[swisscheez]

Get an 18. I just sold mine to get a 22. There's not much difference between a 20 and 18 other than a dimmer. And all have tri beam opinions.

[wrightap]

 Thanks everyone I appreciate all the info.

[Wink1]

I would get a finder that you can use in the summer time also I use a eagle fish mark
130 bucks and would put it against Anny of them
Wink

[harley-davidson]

swiss cheese, what u think of the 22 havent seen one in action yet

[craigthor]

swiss cheese, what u think of the 22 havent seen one in action yet

I love my 22, its a great tool and the 10' increments are great!

Craig

[icejunky]

I would not go below and FL18, if you have the extra cash go higher, but the FL18 is a great unit. As for the packs, if you plan on getting a dual beam transducer down the road, you will have to go with the Ultrapak.

I purchased the FL18 with a propackm then bought a dual beam transducer a few seasons later, but it would not fit in the holder in my propak, so I have to upgrade to the ultra

[dkfry]

The Propack 2 fits the 9/19 and 9 degree ducers fine. The original Propack had the foam inserts. I have the Genz pack and I like it a lot. My dad has the Propack II and I don't like it at all and feel its too bulky and a little on the flimsey side.

[fishermanna82]

i would say as long as you do not fish really deep water you would be finewith the fl8. and i would go with the pro pack.