View Full Version : Vexilar vs. Aqua View?
Neal/CO
11-09-2002, 06:28 PM
Which system is more valuable to an Ice fisherman? I am thinking about joining the 21st century?
fishhunter
11-09-2002, 07:57 PM
Vexilar then OVS(in my opinion OVS is a better camera but they are all a pain unless your in a house). The camera is for play when your not that intrested in fishing seriously, the Vexilar helps you catch way more fish. That said it is also nice to have both because sometimes perch bite so fast and lite that you do not feel what you see in the camera.
Koldfront Kraig
11-09-2002, 10:31 PM
Vexilar is the way to go. a lot of lakes are murky, visibility is low. With a vexlar you can see in any condition.
Drop the camera on the bottem, kick up all kinds of silt, you then have to wait to adust the darn thing to look at your jig.
To much bullsh_t if you ask me.
I borrowed one to use at Lake Of The Woods a couple of winters ago. After a hour of messing around, it sat in the cabin the rest of the trip.
Just my opinion.
Neal/CO
Everyone has an opinion one what they think is the best and here are my thoughts. I am not a camera fan and I like to use my head when it comes to finding fish so I prefer the Vexilar or any depth finder. The camera will tell you what is down there but is not going to tell you the depth. If I am trying to find a bar or cut out the corner of a flat on a lake I will drill a lot of holes checking the depth and there is where I see a disadvantage to a camera. With the camera, you will also need a depth finder to find your spot on the lake unless you know the lake. And on a big body of water it can be tough even with a GPS. Vexilar is my vote.
Backwater Eddy
11-10-2002, 06:06 AM
A Vex will always provide usefull info in a wider range of conditions, on hard or soft water.
They both have a place I guess but I use my Vex all year long, it is a sharp tool Eh.
Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson...><sUMo>
Backwater Guiding
"Ed on the RED"
bobco
11-10-2002, 06:15 AM
Neil, you have to get a Vexilar. As said before once you have a vexilar you will not go ice fishing without one. It is allmost like cheating! A camera would be second choice. I would recommend the FL18 because of the zoom, we fish Taylor on the ice allot and the zoom is great when looking at a 1/4oz foxie jig in 60' of water, with the FL8 it is hard to see right off the bottom. The Fl-8slt is still a great tool though.. thorme Brothers will build you up one how you want it, blue box, iceducer, etc...
WAeyes
11-10-2002, 09:12 AM
A Vexilar is a great tool. To me, a camera would be going over the line. I just don't want to know everything. Once we know everything, the fun will be gone in my opinion.
WalleyeOne
11-10-2002, 11:15 AM
VEXILAR!!
Neal/CO
11-10-2002, 07:44 PM
Besides the price, can you guys tell me the difference between the FL-18 and FL-8?
fire baller
11-11-2002, 07:05 AM
The FL-18 has more features. You can split the screen and zoom in on the bottom 6 feet. You'll be able to see fish tight to the bottom better. It also has a bottom lock feature that works pretty good soft water fishing. I have an FL-8 and am going to upgrade to the 18 before the lakes freeze!
bobco
11-11-2002, 07:10 AM
Fireball, I just upgraded from the FL8 to the FL18 also, I found that the FL18 lites are allot brighter also, the new FL8s may have the brighter lites also. I would highly recommend selling your FL8 on Ebay, I got $260 for mine , most are getting $200-$230 for used FL8s! It sure makes upgrading easier if you can get a top price for your used unit.
Tom (mich)
11-11-2002, 09:01 AM
Neal, you're comparing apples to oranges. The Vexilar is a sonar, and the Aqua-View is a "toy." Don't get me wrong, I own an Aqua-View and it's a riot, but it only provides a limited sight window into just one portion of the overall water column. For me, it's pure entertainment only. I never viewed it as a serious tool to locate and catch fish - like I would the Vexilar. I have small kids, and the Aqua-View enables me to keep them interested.
Neal/CO
11-11-2002, 01:59 PM
Wish I could afford both! Then I could buy the Camera for my son Josh to watch all day and I could fish with the Vexilar! LOL. Thanks for all the info guys!
potter
11-11-2002, 04:48 PM
Do you guys think the dual beam is really worth the extra price?
dangerfield
11-11-2002, 04:51 PM
what would you think is a good price for a Vexilar f18?
vetspet(ind)
11-11-2002, 05:45 PM
don't any of you guys use a zircom?.....i thought everyone knew they were better than vexalars....boy is this going to get hot!!...just kidding...steve...zircs are better tho...
eyewitness
11-12-2002, 12:13 PM
No offense Vetspet, but what really kills me is that I'd bet that 30-50% of the guys toughting "this one is better than that one" can't even use the equipment they have properly to begin with. I couldn't tell ya how many times I've seen guys crank up the gain on their FL8's to the point where there are all sorts of lines showing up that aren't even fish, and then saying their marking fish but they won't bite. I've used the colorpoints (when they work)and agree that they have better bottom seperation than the FL8, but the new FL18 is the real deal. They just set a new standard for ice fishing, hands down. Now I'm all excited to drill holes! Bring on the hard water!
morriscode
11-12-2002, 12:41 PM
I agree with eyewitness, most guys cant even use the flasher correctly. For them I would suggest either learning the flasher or just buy a cam. Vexilar (any of them) are the best flashers. You can use a zercom....but if I turn the Vex on within 50 feet of your Zerc I am gonna give you a meltdown...hee hee hee
Now, the difference between the FL8 and the FL18 is the zoom and someone mentioned the brighter colors. I will not be upgrading to the FL18....IMHO....wasting your money. Vexilar has made the best flasher, and they know it. So how do you sell more Vex's?? you put a zoom on it and try and make current FL8 owners upgrade and non owners buy the latest and greatest.
The whole key to ice fishing is finding your depth the fastest way you can....I like to check about 12 spots for depth before I even drill a hole, I write the depth in the snow if there is any and move on. When I am ready to drill I start popping holes everywhere and have one guy go round with the vex and look for fish.
I got the cam....it sits in the truck most of the time.
morriscode
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Mr. Creosote
11-12-2002, 01:12 PM
I have both a Vex and a View. Get the Vex, you won't believe the differance it will make in your fishing. Get the fl-18. I've been using an fl-8 for many years and I use it year around. I'll be upgrading to the 18 this season. Do it man, you'll never regret it!