Broken Flashers

[savage270]

I now have 3 inoperative ice fishing flashers sitting in my storage room collecting dust (2 vexilars and a marcum). They all turn on, run and light up like a Christmas tree but they don't function at all with the transducer. Just a bunch of random lights on the screen. They range from 5-20 years old and I have always taken good care of my equipment, so that shouldn't be the issue. So my questions are:

Do these things just have a useful life of 5-7 years and need to be replaced? Is there a way to clean/tune up them? Is there a place in Bismarck that services them? Can you send them back to the manufacturer to get refurbished? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and buy a new one?

Thanks for any input.

 

[MicLee]

My first guess would be to try new transducers on them.

 

[Kentucky Windage]

I have buddies that have sent theirs to Vexilar and had things fixed and returned.

 

[Wall-eyes]

Yep send Vex's in like he said above

 

[jdfisherman]

Most of the time with Vex it's dirty/worn brushes in the display unit. A good cleaning usually takes care of it. I'm sure there's Youtube videos if you want to tackle it yourself, otherwise send it in as stated above

 

[jdfisherman]

I have buddies that have sent theirs to Vexilar and had things fixed and returned.

Any idea on what it costs for repair?

 

[Sluggo]

Couple thoughts. First, try a new transducer with the Vexs. If it works, then you know its a ducer issue. If it does not, then its the unit itself. You can either use a buddies ducer or take your unit to scheels and try one of theirs. The unit should give you a bottom reading even when out of water and holding the ducer a few feet off the cement floor. If its the unit, send it in. I sent 1 in once but I do not remember what it cost. I do remember that I was happy with the work, the cost and the turnaround time.

 

[Slappy]

Vexilar has a helpful troubleshooting guide. Their website also says repairs are typically $30-$125.

https://vexilar.com/tech-support

 

[Kentucky Windage]

Any idea on what it costs for repair?

Both friends sent in FLX-28’s because they were noisy. One friend said his only cost him the money to ship it to them. I think his was relatively new so they fixed it under warranty. Both were happy with the results.

 

[johnr]

Must have close to 20 years on one of them, still working as it did when new

 

[fireone]

I bought a FL-18 the second year they came out and still use it. Five years ago I hit it with the truck tire, sent it in to the company and had it back in a week. Less than $100 and it works like new. They have terrific customer service.

 

[savage270]

Thanks for the responses and I will be sending them all in. Vexilar will call me with the price to fix them prior to doing the work. Marcum is a flat $95 you pay up front and includes the shipping back to me. It looks like I should end up with 3 working units for less than the cost of a new one.

 

[Fenced In]

I now have 3 inoperative ice fishing flashers sitting in my storage room collecting dust (2 vexilars and a marcum). They all turn on, run and light up like a Christmas tree but they don't function at all with the transducer. Just a bunch of random lights on the screen. They range from 5-20 years old and I have always taken good care of my equipment, so that shouldn't be the issue. So my questions are:

Do these things just have a useful life of 5-7 years and need to be replaced? Is there a way to clean/tune up them? Is there a place in Bismarck that services them? Can you send them back to the manufacturer to get refurbished? Or do I just need to bite the bullet and buy a new one?

Thanks for any input.

Vex will fix them if you send them in for a little coin there really reasonable.

 

[riverview]

yep marcum and vex have fast and cheap service for what ive seen and heard.

 

[Auggie]

Vexilar's customer service is top notch. I've mailed in to Vex on a Monday and had it back Friday. I've had 3 different times I've mailed a vex in and it's been the same every time. I get a phone call Wednesday, give them a credit number over the phone and bingo.