Looking for some input on the primary differences between these 2 units
I currently have the fl18 but was considering the fl12 for my son or myself as I like the flat screen on the fl12
Any opinions would be greatly appreciated
I think the 12 does not zoom.
I would suggest the FL18. The FL18 has bottom 6 foot zoom feature which I love for teasing picky walleye and lake trout. The FL18 also has a low power mode for shallow fishing in weeds to help distinguish targets from weeds. I put the magnifier shield on mine to keep snow and water out of the screen. Hope this helps and good fishing to you!
Why not the lx3i or vx1?
I looked and the FL-12 does not have zoom as a feature. I have a flx-28 and I got my son a fl-18. They are both rock solid.
If you are looking at used units you can usually find an 18 for 300-400. I would take a look at the FL-20 if you are looking new as It has everything the 18 does, and it has the LED screen.
As far as catching fish any unit will work, But I would not trade a nicer screen for the bottom zoom. If you get in over 15 ft of water it makes a huge difference.
If you are not locked in to Vexilar, the new Marcum VX-1i looks pretty sweet for the money.
The marcum vx-1i is an awesome product. Its 300 dollars and its better then the fl18 and fl12 by a long shot.
The marcum vx-1i is an awesome product. Its 300 dollars and its better then the fl18 and fl12 by a long shot.
Really?
What makes you say that?
I would buy one in an instant if I could be convinced as my fl18 has been bullet proof for the last 12 years
18 over the 12 any day
I have an FL12 and I like it just fine, been a great unit for 8 years. It does not have zoom although for the fishing i do (90% crappie and blue gill) i haven’t really wished i have had it. If you find you use your zoom alot on your 18 or money isn’t an issue get an FL18 or better, if you are buying on a budget you will be very happy with the FL12.
The vx-1i has a true 3 color display so its easy to no what your looking at. If its for your son its a easy unit to get used to because there is two buttons a zoom which locks in at the bottom 5 feet and a interference rejection button. I used my uncles fl-18 all last year and now I own a marcum and i’m not very good with technology but I can honestly say the marcum is easier to use. Little bonuses the marcum has is its awesome red padded case, and the swinging arm to keep your transducer in place.
I’ve got an 8 and a 22 which share some of the same differences. If you spend time walleye fishing get the 18. If you’re less than 20 feet and/or mostly panfishing, get the 12.
They’ve got it right above, no 6ft bottom lock on the 12. Matters if you walleye fish, not so much for panfishing in my experience. If it weren’t for walleye I would never have left my FL-8 to get the zoom feature.
Flat surface vs hood on the 18. Personal preference here. Ask me on any given day and I might give you a different answer. If I’m hole hopping I have problems with the sun on my 22. Any other time I like it better.
Theres a reason the in depth guys use marcum and that because its the best unit on the market. just saying.
Or because Marcums a sponsor…..
Theres a reason the in depth guys use marcum and that because its the best unit on the market. just saying.
Kole-
While everyone appreciates your love of Marcum, respect the original posters question… it had nothing to do with a Marcum. One post of your opinion on it was enough.
Back to the original question, some great advice based on the depth you are fishing. I love my FL18, and use the zoom often even on crappies and such when they are tight to the bottom in as little as fifteen feet. Tried a non-zoom model, and it was still good… but I like the zoom. Just had to remember to switch modes on and off when hole hopping. Mine was one of the first seasons it came out… not sure how long ago that was, but still works great. I have one of the transducers where I can change the angle.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>gonehunting wrote:</div>
Theres a reason the in depth guys use marcum and that because its the best unit on the market. just saying.Kole-
While everyone appreciates your love of Marcum, respect the original posters question… it had nothing to do with a Marcum. One post of your opinion on it was enough.
Back to the original question, some great advice based on the depth you are fishing. I love my FL18, and use the zoom often even on crappies and such when they are tight to the bottom in as little as fifteen feet. Tried a non-zoom model, and it was still good… but I like the zoom. Just had to remember to switch modes on and off when hole hopping. Mine was one of the first seasons it came out… not sure how long ago that was, but still works great. I have one of the transducers where I can change the angle.
Actually chuck he stated that “any opinions would be greatly appreciated” so I am giving my opinion. Second thing you didn’t answer the original question yourself as you expressed your love for the fl 18 without providing information on how it is different from the fl-12.
Or because Marcums a sponsor…..
They have even said in videos that marcum in their opinion is the best unit out there. I’m not saying vexilar isn’t a good product i’m saying in my opinion marcum is better.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>gonehunting wrote:</div>
Or because Marcums a sponsor…..They have even said in videos that marcum in their opinion is the best unit out there. I’m not saying vexilar isn’t a good product i’m saying in my opinion marcum is better.
That’s how sponsorships work. They provide you with money, gear, etc to say that their product is the best. Marcum would probably stop sponsoring them if they said, Vexilar makes the best flasher, but we use Marcums. Personally, I use a Marcum. However, the topic was FL-18 vs. 12. The zoom feature is invaluable in my opinion so I’d opt for the unit with that. I use mine all of the time whether I’m fishing panfish or walleyes. Nice to be able to get a close view of the fish in relation to your bait, it helps me anticipate the bite better. I’d go with the 18.
If you’re willing to up the budget to the FL 20, I would. If interference is ever an issue, it will be much less to nonexistent with a 20 than the 12 or 18. In my experience fl 8-18’s do not handle interference very well and in some lakes up here they even interfere with themselves. Whenever someone is looking into purchasing a Vexilar I always reccomend FL20 or newer based on interference alone. Nothing is worse than being the guy in the group that can’t see whats going on under the ice, because pacman is running circles around the dial trying to eat the ghosts.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Kole Hedeman wrote:</div>
The marcum vx-1i is an awesome product. Its 300 dollars and its better then the fl18 and fl12 by a long shot.Really?
What makes you say that?
I would buy one in an instant if I could be convinced as my fl18 has been bullet proof for the last 12 years
X2 all my lightly used lx3tc ever did was crap, crap, motor replaced on both in one season. Bought brand new.
everything is pretty much the same except the fl18 has a 5 ft bottom zoom vs the fl 12 which has the large flat dial. both have low power mode.
if you find you dont’ use your bottom zoom on your 18 much or don’t fish water over 25′ much, the 12 will be cheaper i think and a better option.
These guys have explained it well. I’ll throw in my opinion as well.
Fl-12 has a flat screen and sees from the transducer, to the bottom of the lake and everything in-between. If you fish less than 20′ MOST of the time, you will be fine. For technology, this is the same as the Fl-8. I’ve used my Fl-8 for 8 years and love it. Simple to use yet highly effective. I’ve used mine many times for perch in 55′ on Devils Lake. Still works, but the Zoom is much more efficient for this.
Fl-18 has a sunshield, a Normal mode (with the bottom 6′ Zoom and also a Bottom Lock (used for summer)) and a Low Power mode (6’Zoom and Bottom Lock as well). If you fish MOSTLY bottom hugging fish (walleyes and perch) I would go with the Fl-18.
I prefer the 18 to the 12 for all of the reasons stated. On a side note, a Marcum will screw with your buddies Vex.
i’ve never NOT been able to clear a vex up while around marcums. my fl18 was around lx5’s all the time without an issue. unless your buddies vexilar is an original unit, having a marcum will not be an issue.
Lx3tc did not work well with lx7. Lx7 works fine with fl18 and flx28. Or fl18 and flx28. Anything else I don’t know, never used it.
It’s the zoom, does that help
Yep, vexilar ?, nothing to do with anything else, but some just don’t get it!!
It’s the zoom, does that help
Yes it does
I appreciate all the responses
I have nothing against Marcum but I’ve had such good luck with my Vex that its hard to steer away from its reliability
After all the responses I’m leaning towards the Fl 20
Appreciate everybody’s input 
I have a fl 18, had the 12 and loved the flat screen but needed the zoom and couldn’t swing the $ for anything more
I have a fl 18, had the 12 and loved the flat screen but needed the zoom and couldn’t swing the $ for anything more
Yea the zoom and the flat screen are the key points for me I guess
After all the responses I’m leaning towards the Fl 20
Lean harder.
If you’re thinking fl20, I’d consider the flx28. I love mine. I’ve had a fl8, fl18, lx5, ice55, fl22 and lx7 so far. The 28 has been a sweet tool, close second would be the lx5.
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