Vexilars are the only new flasher I would buy. And not because I don't think flashers are good...because I think they are that much better than everything else IMO.
I have the FLX-28 and absolutely love it. It's especially awesome if you aren't using a tent as its display is noticeably brighter in direct sun. Battery lasts all day and into the night. I can't say enough good about it.
I have a FL18 and love it. I remember when I first got it I was a bit frustrated but it was mostly my lack of knowledge of how to use a flasher. Once I figured it out, I wont go without.
Nice and bright and much more quick to react than a LCD IMO with finer detail. Love to try out a newer model but can't justify the price because the FL18 works just fine.
My oldest FL8 is now about 30 years old. I bought one of the very first ones that was available in Canada, about 1990 if I remember right. It got a ton of use ice fishing, and on fly in fishing trips. One set of brushes and on its third battery. I like them so well I bought a second one after trying most of the other flashers on the market. Nothing else works as good at -40 and it is hard to beat the simple, easy to use system.
I bought my first flasher, a Vexilar FL20 flasher off an AO member 3 years ago. Not having used a flasher in the past, I found the learning curve was relatively short, it works well, it's dependable, battery lasts all day & into the night.
I can't say exactly what the difference in features would be from the FL18 & FL 20 is but if the flasher works as advertised, it should help you pull more fish through the ice.
If it’s been treated good, and the price is right, you can’t go wrong with Vexilar. I am on the lookout for an FLX20 right now. If I could give you some advice, go for the FLX models if you are buying new. They are brushless and much quieter.
Vexilar fl18
Linear Mode
