Vexilar FL-8 question

[AllSpecieAngler]

I have an older Vexilar fl-8 and its been acting up lately. I've been getting alot of what I call "phantom markings" where it shows a bunch of small lines moving upward in the water. Also in deeper situations I have had to turn the gain up to 6 or 7 just to register the baits in 20ft of water. It has a brand new 19 degree transducer so I know thats not the problem. I have also noticed the colors aren't as bright as some newer ones I have seen. Other times it works just fine. Any suggestions on how to correct this?

[fishyhands]

I have a Showdown and have experienced the same thing. Most of the lakes I fish are still stirred up from the rain/flood. Lots of floatys in the water. I am going to fish a crystal clear lake tomorrow and see if my theory is correct.

[AllSpecieAngler]

I have thought that too, and I think there is some truth to it. But that still doesn't explain the weakened colors. I have heard someone say something about cleaning his brushes? Anyone know about this?

[2Lungs]

I had a FL-8 Like I said had. About the 3rd year (bought new) it was doing the same thing ( like when the battery gets low) the colors wasn't as bright. Repaced the battery still did it, not at first but after it ran a little ? I replaced with a older Zercom. Good Luck

[ih772]

Clean the brushes. It tells you how to do it on the web site. Click on the support link.

$21 for the kit
$60 plus S&H to have them do it.

[DocHoliday]

My fl-8 was doing the same thing last weekend. It turned out to be bubbles comming up from the bottom. I was fishing smelt and had some interfernce from other sonars in the area. The small line comming up were sporatic and had me puzzled at first until I saw the air bubbles being trapped under the ice in the hole that I had the transducer in.

[pondcat]

clean the brushes that makes a world of diff.:confused: