ice fishing

I am planning on upgrading my vexliar. i currently have a fl-8se and am looking at getting the FLX-28. would you suggest me doing that or should i go for a different model.

I do like the flx28 but I’ve switched to a hummingbirds helix like the ability for open water and ice fishing too use the gps lake master chip to get to my spots or drive a contour. like the target separation too and my jigging history to see what worked to catch the fish
But flx28 is a good unit and still use that too

ok thanks i might have to look into the hummingbird selection

Depending upon what Pro Pak you get with the FL28 you are going to pay nearly as much as what you will invest in a Hummingbird all season with gps. Maybe look into Garmin as well. Lots of research and pricing to do but you get a lot more bang for your buck with a gps unit imo. Lots of end of season sales going on right now for all ice fishing related stuff you should be able to get a lot of bang for you’re buck right now.

I really like my helix 7 and have used some other vex units. It does have a little learning curve, so if you’re not big on figuring out settings and stuff that might be a deterrent. If you are using it for open water make sure you do research into what you want. I made the mistake and bought a unit without mega side imaging (only regret). Upgrading to a lithium battery is a must imo.

If you are constantly after the newest technology and are buying something new every few years, other brands will do great! If you want a bullet proof, dependable, ice fishing machine that’ll last 20 years, go with vex.

Oh. upgrading a vex.

I would go with a rock tied on a string.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Oh. upgrading a vex.

I would go with a rock tied on a string.

You’re just mean this morning ep. Got a hangover??

mxskeeter wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
Oh. upgrading a vex.

I would go with a rock tied on a string.

You’re just mean this morning ep. Got a hangover??

Pros dont get hangovers 😂

how much of a process would it be do learn how to use the hummminbird.

josh schauf wrote:

how much of a process would it be do learn how to use the hummminbird.

Depends how techy you are and how quickly you can pick things up. There is a lot to learn if you have no familiarity with a digital unit at all. They are capable of giving you a lot of information. I don’t know about other digitals but I can say the Humminbirds are not very intuitive to use at least not for me. You are going to have to spend some time going to school. Sitting down at home with the manual and put the unit in simulator mode and getting familiar with the menu’s and views and which menu’s apply to specific views.

If you take it out fishing for the first time without spending time with it first you are going to get frustrated. Also lots of info on this site and You Tube vids that will help you cut the learning curve. But imo it’s well wirth the time.

You will not be disappointed in the FLX 28. Simple, bright color palettes, auto zoom, digital dept reading, big range of interference rejection, and a few other modes. It also fits in a 5 gal bucket. If you fish in a shelter a lot and don’t hole hop then the Helix is great.

One thing to consider is your style of ice fishing. If your equipment bangs around behind a tow vehicle much it’s hard to beat a Vex for durability. Love my G2 Helix7 but will not get rid of my FL18 or 20.

Battery life with big screens can also be an issue if you do deep expeditions.

I love my Flx-28. It is a huge upgrade over the 8. IMO, I didn’t want to spend a ton of time adjusting and dialing in my flasher, so the ease of use of the Vex was the main selling point and the fact that I don’t have to worry about screwing up my summer graph in a winter mishap.

I have a Vexilar FL20 and a Hummingbird Helix 7 G3. It is the perfect combo. I have not upgraded the battery on the Helix yet as I get about 7 hours on it but I am thinking I will upgrade for next winter.

As far as settings and getting used to unit I watched a video from Clayton Schick and he sets you straight in a couple minutes. Plenty of other videos out there as mentioned as well.

On mine I do not use any other view besides the main flasher screen. Only thing I change now that I have it dialed in (takes two minutes) is I change the depth setting to the depth of water I am fishing. That is a preference of mine you don’t really have to do that.

I am taking the unit fishign this week on shallow water in that 6 ft or less range. I would say only downfall on vex is shallow water but have heard FL 28 is better for that compared to other vexilar units.

I think decision is simple. If your only using it for Ice Fishing get the vexilar. Will last you forever and it is a rock solid unit. If your going to use something all year round then Hummingbird or Garmin would be the answer.

No software updates on the vex.

rjohnson8404 wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mxskeeter wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>eelpoutguy wrote:</div>
Oh. upgrading a vex.

I would go with a rock tied on a string.

You’re just mean this morning ep. Got a hangover??

Pros dont get hangovers 😂

Well Thank you, Thank you very much!

Sold my FL28 Ultra and now have 2 Helix 7’s. I dont miss the Vex at all.
The helixes fit into a 5 gal bucket as well and offer you updates and mapping.
Vex is solid but its running old technology.