I have not ice fished much in 10 years and am looking for somthing that can read panfish near the bottom in 30 feet of water or in 5 feet with weeds. The ice fishing shows push whatever brand pays the bills, but no one compares features, model and cost. I'm looking for panfish and walleyes and rarely fish more than 40 feet deep. I'm recently retired and need good advice. Thanks fishman47

why spoil a good thing, the vexilar fl-8 is a great unit, it just takes a little practice to read, the next step to me would be a camera. Even the new fl-20 is a great unit, with dual cones and more bells and whistles, but for the added cost I would and do stick with the fl-8 and it has never let me down, I can find the gain spot now that you can actually see your jig dissapear as the fish inhales it, pretty cool in anyones book.
Just hang a sign on my computer that I am gone fishing. I may be at work, but you can't make me think of work.

If all you think is whatever is new is better is just hype then you're missing out on the real comparison of flasher units. I will say that dual beam is a useful feature. If you will never fish more than 40 feet deep, standard zoom is another useful feature.

There is nothing wrong with the old standard, FL-8; I've used it prior to buying my Marcum LX-3, which is on par with the FL-8.  However, if you've got money burning a hole in your pocket and you must spend it, try visiting other while on the ice.  I'm sure those that have the newer models will tell and show you the features that they like or dislike.  I would also suggest that you consider an underwater camera too!

I agree with slipperybob, in that the newest unit out there is always going to have the better gadgets and will give you a lot of great features, In my case though, I just do not feel that the extra bang, ( such as the new dual cone and the zoom feature) is worth the extra money.  Especially when you fish lakes that do not drop into the range beyond 60 ft. deep,   even at that depth I can pick out a 4" perch and have plenty of  info for how I fish.  Would I like the  fl-20 or similar unit? who wouldn't, but I can say that for my budget the extra $250-300 after selling off the fl-8 and probably not giving me any better catch ratio, it is just not in my deck of cards,  I feel with the tool you have you could better use those assets towards a camera, and use the two in tandem to give you as complete a picture as would the fl-20 with more versatility ( from occupying the tot you take fishing on a sunny afternoon, to finding those keys you just tossed overboard in 10 feet of water.)  Maybe I feel this way because I have only minimally used the fl-20 of others and do not have extensive knowledge of the unit or others like it.  All I know is if you have something that works for you, especially when it comes to fish locators, an upgrade of hundreds of dollars in most cases, still does not garauntee you catch more fish. I guess I am stubborn and stick to what I know and depend on,  (No body said I am perfect, and I am not by any means.) HEHE well good luck finding what is right for you if you plan on upgrading, if you do, keep this post alive or send me a message to let me know what you think of the offset cost to the benefits ratio, if the update was a good choice for you,  I am always open to learn.
Just hang a sign on my computer that I am gone fishing. I may be at work, but you can't make me think of work.

I can only say the same as the rest. I'd stick with the FL-8 noting the depths your looking at fishing. I bought a new FL-12 last year only because my FL-8 that I used since 1983 was loosing it's steam. The 12's were on sale so I went with that one, and I do like the flat screen, otherwise for the money the FL-8 is the way to go.

 

 

Mosssback & Mrs. Mossback (aka Tom & Laure) Smallie Slayers

Just got one for christmas. The FL-8 se, I've only used it twice and love it. It's my first flasher and I've never used one before. I think it's a nice unit. Works great.