fl 18

Looking at a FL 18 pro pack II priced at $431.what do you guys think of this price and the pros and cons of this unit. It has a 12 degree ducker and 90% of my fishing is less than 15 ft.

From all the Vex units I have owned, I would buy a 1995 FL-8 over a FL-18. I was never able to get satisfactory use out of the IR function and got really frustrated with it. I still own 1 of the Vex FL8s I bought in 1995 and it runs great – Loud as hell, but it runs. I know guys own & like them, it just wasn’t good for me.

I had an FL18 and it worked well, but it did Have IR issues big time. One of the main reasons I sold it. I know a guy selling a FL22 w/ dd100 and proview for $480.
So if you’re buying a used FL18 for that I would look at other options.

Its a new unit

I have had a FL18 for at least 8+ years as well as do most of my fishing buddies. They are great units and we have no problem with the IR just have to hit the button a few times and were all happy. Is the IR perfect? No but the 18 is like a bullet and works fantastic IMHO Go read some of the reviews from retailers like Cabelas and Gander.

As far as the price…..so so.

If you are looking for used I have an extra FL18 Ultra Pak that I would let go. PM me if you are interested.

I also fish with an Fl-18 and I love it, It does have the low power mode for shallow water. and you can also run the six foot zoom in low power mode as well. Also if you do ever fish deeper water it has depth settings up to 200ft stock. So if you ever want to fish a deeper lake you always can very well.
Just to throw another option out there you could always look at a used marcum lx5 for around the same price. the variable zoom is nice for suspended fish more than 6 feet off the bottom. Either unit is a great thing to have.

I would look at the LX3tc. I had an 18 and think it was vex best unit I hate their flat screen units. All glare. For the money savings and extra features the marcum lx3tc is far better. You can buy a custom rod with the savings. Marcums vx1 pro is based on the fl18 and is far less money. Plus they come with a soft pack. Will have better IR too. Take a look.

They are absolutely bulletproof, super dependable, and easy to use. I’ve seen them for sale from about $200-$250. I have one I would sell also, PM me if interested.

Go to the vex web site and look at reconditioned units you can get the fl 22 for $430.00

Yellowdog, did you get my reply? I’ve never done that before.

No I don’t think so. Try it again please.

I don’t know, but I would be leary about recommendations from guys who say the FL18 unit is great and theirs is for sale…????

You’re right! But in my case I have a Christmas bonus burning a hole in my pocket and I sure like the new FLX28.

Yellow Dog, please check your PM’s.

hamms wrote:

I would look at the LX3tc. I had an 18 and think it was vex best unit I hate their flat screen units. All glare. For the money savings and extra features the marcum lx3tc is far better. You can buy a custom rod with the savings. Marcums vx1 pro is based on the fl18 and is far less money. Plus they come with a soft pack. Will have better IR too. Take a look.

You pay a lot for the Vex name, x2 on the LX3tc, I have one and its great, the IR works wonders and I never have interference problems from any unit! Variable zoom works great and it is still cheaper than the Vex, and a better unit IMHO! Marcum is soon to pass up Vex, I have convinced more people to give up their vex and buy a Marcum and now almost everyone I know runs a marcum!

That’s because they’re trendy and hot now, not better.

Might want a slight change if 90% of your fishing is less than 15fow. Getting a wider angle on the transducer wouldn’t be a bad idea, say 20 degrees instead of 12?

Imo my experience with lx3tc is terrible. I bought 2 units 1 from joes and 1 from cabelas in march 2013. They both had motors replace in January 2014. I sold them.. I don’t have time to bring them in if they do that again. If someone ask me do I recommend lx3tc or lx5 my answer would be no. I wont say much other than my experience.
I own an lx7 which has been good to me. And recently bought a vexilar flx 28 which seems to work well.