Vexilar 38?

Have been reading / seeing some noise about a new Vexilar unit. Aside from what looks like a number of additional ‘technical capabilities’ (frequencies, etc.) – that I think the average rube does not care that much about – it appears that ‘all’ this does is allow the user to zoom in within the exiting zoom ranges. If this is the case, maybe a bigger deal than I am thinking, but do not see this as a reason to spend what looks like over $700.

I think the bottom zoom capabilities are great on existing units and use extensively but for what appears to be the price, I think I would rather put 7 crisp ones in the pile of cash I am trying to save for a forward-facing unit.

Would love to hear from others that may know more and provide a more informed summary of the capabilities.

Marcum has had the adjustable zoom for years, they are just adding it LOL

When the Vexilar FLX-28 came out I thought there was enough design changes and new features to justify the upgrade from my 18. I have looked at each new unit released since them.So far nothing I’ve seen has me excited enough to spend the $. I am sure at some point I will take a look at this new unit and see if it’s worth an upgrade. To me it depends on what unit you currently own and are using. If a 18 or older unit it may well be worth the cost.

fishthumper wrote:

When the Vexilar FLX-28 came out I thought there was enough design changes and new features to justify the upgrade from my 18. I have looked at each new unit released since them.So far nothing I’ve seen has me excited enough to spend the $. I am sure at some point I will take a look at this new unit and see if it’s worth an upgrade. To me it depends on what unit you currently own and are using. If a 18 or older unit it may well be worth the cost.

That’s why I just bought the flx 30, to upgrade the kids 18. Was hard to pass on the 250 dollar sale. I wouldn’t justify 799 for the 38

Hard pass.

This unit doesn’t do anything for me that something half the price can’t do.

That’s not a rip on Vexilar either. I love the durability, affordability, and simplicity. If they want to continue to exist they will have to lean into those 3 strengths because they are not at the cusp of anything new whatsoever. Pumping out “new” more expensive units with the same relative technology seems like a lackluster move

Idk, I can still see a bluegill fart on my fl-8’s

*shrug*

LabDaddy1 wrote:

Idk, I can still see a bluegill fart on my fl-8’s

*shrug*

thats the bubbles coming up your hole you drilled!!!!!!

buckybadger wrote:

Hard pass.

This unit doesn’t do anything for me that something half the price can’t do.

That’s not a rip on Vexilar either. I love the durability, affordability, and simplicity. If they want to continue to exist they will have to lean into those 3 strengths because they are not at the cusp of anything new whatsoever. Pumping out “new” more expensive units with the same relative technology seems like a lackluster move

X2

I own four Vexilar flasher units, among cameras and other sonar products, so I guess you could call me a “fanboy”, but there’s nothing compelling me to pick up a 38. Adjustable zoom should have been in the 30…Humminbird and Marcum mechanical flashers have had that feature for years.

The Pro Pack Elite caddy is more interesting than the flasher unit to me.

buckybadger wrote:

Hard pass.
This unit doesn’t do anything for me that something half the price can’t do.

That’s not a rip on Vexilar either. I love the durability, affordability, and simplicity. If they want to continue to exist they will have to lean into those 3 strengths because they are not at the cusp of anything new whatsoever. Pumping out “new” more expensive units with the same relative technology seems like a lackluster move

Well said – all of it. My 2001 FL-18 is likely going in the ground along with me and my Browning Gold Fusion someday. I now have other ice fishing electronics, including my LVS34 rig, but I still run my Vexilar in certain situations.

As a longtime Vex fan, this direction they embarked on seemingly to grasp at the market is off-putting. It makes me wonder how much of a factor the Valiant Wealth Management acquisition from ~one year ago plays into this.

What is the deal with the vexilar hate? They make a few innovations and add features every 5 years or so. But wait, it doesn’t have a GPS, play dvds, or bake my hot pocket? Pfft. What a piece of junk… I have all the GPS and lake maps on my phone. They are pretty dang good too. The vex is for looking at my jig and fish. It needs to work and I don’t want any screen lag or other bs updates that the helix has. They are dead reliable and the battery life is great. That’s why I use them.

I’m a big Vexilar fan as well. I got sucked into all the hype on the Marcum’s when they became a big thing with the powers to be here on this site. Never liked that unit at all even with the zoom ranges. Its currently a back up to a back up unit in my collection. I would take my old FL-18 over it any day.
So no vexilar hate here. Just not anything new in the 38 to justify me spending the $ on it. I get it, Vexilars are so good and last so long that they have to put out new units to try and keep sales coming in ( don’t stay in business long if not selling ) Like I said if someone had a old FL-8 or even a FL-18 then this new unit would be a good upgrade.

Dave maze wrote:

What is the deal with the vexilar hate? They make a few innovations and add features every 5 years or so. But wait, it doesn’t have a GPS, play dvds, or bake my hot pocket? Pfft. What a piece of junk… I have all the GPS and lake maps on my phone. They are pretty dang good too. The vex is for looking at my jig and fish. It needs to work and I don’t want any screen lag or other bs updates that the helix has. They are dead reliable and the battery life is great. That’s why I use them.

What in the world are you going off about? I do not see any Vexilar hate in this thread. I see a bunch of Vexilar fans who are perplexed at why anyone would spend $800 USD on Pro Pack Elite FLX-38 w LI and BB Ice Ducer. If that unit is worth it to you, more power to you.

You are the first one here to mention GPS or maps. Playing DVDs – huh? Was this supposed to be some kind of clever retort? What was posted here that compelled you to defend Vexilar’s reliability? It had not been challenged on this thread. I specifically stated that I still run my ~23 year old Vexilar – the presumed implication being that it has been incredibly reliable.

You are coming across as oddly defensive on matters which were not prompted by this thread.

FL-8 user here No complaints. Wish I would of seen that deal but was camping and missed it.

All kinds of resellers on FB Market Place for $575 LOL

orve4 wrote:

FL-8 user here No complaints. Wish I would of seen that deal but was camping and missed it.

I might be down on the 38, but Vexilar’s new fish cam I think will be a good seller. It’s coming in at a price point under Marcum’s Pursuit HD and the specs are pretty similar between the two cameras. I do like that Vexilar has implemented a camera-like grip with their unit based on a product photo I saw over at Thorne Bros. website, so ergonomic advantage to Vex.

I loved my 18, like Anutz said I might have taken mine in the box too. But when I got the 28 it was a huge improvement if for no other reason than the quiet. I would never spend what they want for the newer ones. I too am a hard care Vex fan, they exactly what they are made to do, and dependability is undeniable.