Big News from Marcum

[TruthWalleyes]

There's been a few posts asking about 3D views, down imaging, side imaging, etc. You need to understand how that technology works and the problem is that you CANNOT get those images IF YOUR TRANSDUCER IS NOT MOVING PAST THE OBJECT. If your transducer is seeing a fish or a tree or a dock post or a rock, etc, BUT NOT MOVING PAST IT, all you will see on your display is a solid line or blob across the screen. This is the same way side imaging and down imaging work in open water ---- if you're not moving you don't get the images, you get continuous lines. This is the same way flashers work ---- for example if you're in 15 fow and there are weeds that come up 5 feet off the bottom, the bottom 5 feet of your display will show the weeds that you're not moving past. Most users have learned how this works and have learned how to interpret it on their flashers. Side viewing and down viewing are much newer and a lot of guys still aren't sure how and why it works --- but in order for it to work the transducer has to be moving past the object.

There is no GPS and no underwater camera on the LX-7. I would bet that we'll see those kind of features in the near future, either from Marcum or someone else, but they are not part of the LX-7. The 8" flat panel LCD would be an ideal platform for gps and camera functions.

The LX-7s "Dashboard" feature is very similar to the Pages and Views and Overlay Data features that you get with HB and Lowrance LCD units. You can customize what you're seeing so it shows you want you want. Like Jonny said, you can see the round flasher display, the vertical showdown display, zoom, conventional graph display, battery power, IR setting, etc. ---- and many combinations of that info. There are also several color palletes to chose from, including a grayscale for those who are color blind. The displays are all customizable so you can tweak YOUR display to show want YOU want to see.

The automatic depth range on the LX-7 is really cool. Set it to automatic and drop it in the water, and the LX-7 automatically adjusts its depth scale to match the water depth your in. It puts the bottom at about the 10:00 position on the dial. 10:00 to 12:00 positions show you the info for bottom hardness, and 12:00 to 10:00 positions automatically gives you the majority of the display area for fishing. And since you have the majority of the display area for fishing, you get maximum target separation.

If you don't want the automatic depth range, you can set it to the standard depth ranges that circular flashers have now (ie. 20-40-80 etc.)

Like the Marcum flashers you get a nice fine, crisp display on the LX-7. If you don't like the fine lines and you want bigger targets, you can adjust the display to make the target marks bigger. You lose some of the target separation, but you can customize it to what you want.

Overall there are some very cool functionality and features in the LX-7.

I could imagine SI working by putting a puck in the water, which internally rotated 360 degrees sending sonar to provide you with a complete view under water. (basically giving the effect of 'spinning' the transducer underwater) This would provide good bottom imaging, and with the right set of intelligence would display the bottom without distortion. The distortion will be the challenge to eliminate...those of you with side imaging, the distortion i'm talking about comes when your turn your boat, and the sonar overlaps closer to the boat, and is more spread out the further away from the boat you are. Marcum...You've got a challenge. I bet H'Bird beats them to it. IMO

Also, instead of the traditional open water display where over time it displays the data on the screen, this would instantly update the entire screen with each complete rotation of the sonar... IMO this is achievable.

[Mr.Seaguar]

Say a person went into the store to buy a flasher and was choosing between this and the cheapest one on the market. Would this one help that person catch even one more fish over the years he had it? Maybe yes, maybe not. Certainly not enough to justify the price difference. I have something in common with most other icefisherpeople. Gray hair. We dont want gizmos and doohickeys. We want more fish. I dont see the big news here either. I dont own a Marcum. One reason, when I went to buy my last flasher I told the guy to give me whatever he had the most of, they will all work fine. He told me they received 8 Marcums and 40 of the other kind. He gave me one of the other kind and it has performed very well. That was 7-8 yrs ago. I dont need a new one.

There is one feature that would be nice. A system that automatically sensed depth and set the cone angle so that it was 5 feet wide at the bottom. I only want to see fish that are looking at my bait. I dont want to be looking down the hole for carp that are 20' away. We use flashers to watch for fish and then look down the hole when the fish show up. A 5' cone would be nice. Also, if it would pick up my 3mm Fiska with two maggots but not minnows that would be great.

[muc33]

Seaguar, what works fine for you, likely won't be fine for the next guy. That is why we have options. And as far as your 3mm Fiskas, my Marcum picks up my 2mm fiskas with no meat! FACT!

[TruthWalleyes]

You need to understand how that technology works and the problem is that you CANNOT get those images IF YOUR TRANSDUCER IS NOT MOVING PAST THE OBJECT. If your transducer is seeing a fish or a tree or a dock post or a rock, etc, BUT NOT MOVING PAST IT, all you will see on your display is a solid line or blob across the screen. This is the same way side imaging and down imaging work in open water ---- if you're not moving you don't get the images, you get continuous lines. \

I'm not picking on your perch jerker, but just want to point out that the transducer does not need to be moving past the object, rather the sonar must move past the object. So by spinning the transducer (Assuming i'm talking about a side imaging transducer) the transducer will throw out many individual sonar signals as the transducer makes a full revolution, effectively moving the sonar past the object. .

Because the separation of the sonar signals is drastically different the further away your are from the transducer the objects closer to the transducer will be scrunched together and the objects further from the transducer will be streched. This can be resolved in multiple fashions.

1) Multiple signal strenghts, one for the close objects, one for medium distances, and one for further length awasy. The further out, the more frequent the sonar should be sent from the transducer. Linking these three sonar returns into one display will require some intelligent engineers.

2) The transducer rotates the sonar in 360 degrees at 3 different speeds. The slowest rotating speed would display the objects closest to the transducer, and the fastest rotating speed would display only the objects furthest from the transducer. The transducer would have to complete 3 revolutions, 1 of each signal strength before updating the digital display.

Now, show me big news from marcum...

[Scott M]

Truth, I think what Perchjerker is saying is for Side Imaging to work the transducer has to be on the move and on the same geometric plane to allow for human interpretation on the screen. If I follow what you are saying, you are talking about a new technology that would allow the transducer to spin so you wouldn't have to move to get a continuous read. Two problems I see here. One, the technology would be more expensive to read multiple signals or frequencies, and two, more moving parts means more chances for mechanical troubles.

[TruthWalleyes]

DaChise, Either the transducer has to be on the move, or the transducer signal has to be moving over the object.

I would like to think that this could be achieved with no moving parts, but i'm no expert in sonar technology. The easiest and cheapest way to produce would be with moving parts, but would not be robust enough for us ice fisherman.

We're certainly not talking about a $500 unit anymore, more like $2,000...and there are a bunch of people like me willing to fork out the cash for the latest and greatest technology.

If hummingbird's side imaging units are on continuous back order...there must be a market

[CJH]

Say a person went into the store to buy a flasher and was choosing between this and the cheapest one on the market. Would this one help that person catch even one more fish over the years he had it? Maybe yes, maybe not. Certainly not enough to justify the price difference.

[DTro]

It's pretty comical actually. Everyone is always calling for flasher company XYZ to come out with ground breaking technology for catching fish....something new....something new. And then when they do everyone piles on saying, "is that all?"

Fact of the matter is that is isn't a whole lot of (affordable) technology out there that can be used to help us catch more fish. Sure something will come along, it always does, but in the mean time, upgrades such as this are very welcomed to the market.

I remember reading an article about a bait company once coming up with a formula to a catfish bait that (in their testing) out fished everything by a huge margin, but when investigated further, there was no way they could justify the price they would need to charge to produce it. Point is, that there are many different angles these fishing electronics companies can take, but they also need to make money while doing so.

A total flat screen that is all digital with several customized user options with beau-coup power and endless upgradeable options, is a huge step forward for Marcum (in my opinion).

But, like I mentioned earlier, just LOOKING at the thing, my main concern is durability, software bugs, and full sun viewing. I would assume that these have been field tested and those concerns have been addressed.

It will be a fun discussion to have this winter no doubt.

[CaptainMusky]

Yes, I think it it a big improvement over other flashers on the market and imo marcum already had the bar raised before the lx7. The problem for me is I can't see dropping 700 bones on this without gps on it. I will use my hds unit a lot this winter along with my lx3. I was hoping I could sell the lx3 and get an lx7 to have one machine do it all. Now I will just keep it and use what I have.

[Brad B]

with the talk of price drops on the other models does anyone know how much the lx5 price will drop if it does at all. I currently have a lx3 and wanted to upgrade to a lx5 but now I may hold off and see how the lx7 unfolds for the first season. I just don't want to take a gamble with a new product unless it has atleast one season under it's belt and I can read the reviews to hear the good and the bad.

[TruthWalleyes]

A total flat screen that is all digital with several customized user options with beau-coup power and endless upgradeable options, is a huge step forward for Marcum (in my opinion).

I would agree, this is an obvious improvement.

I guess my main disappointment is that ice fishing electronics are still worlds behind the open water electronics... I'm no longer impressed with new color schemes, power options, cosmetics, show me the new technology...not a new display of the same old technology.

[IamZombie]

I wonder if they could use multiple transducers to create a "image" that people are looking for.

Like 5 transducers looking down, one in the center, and then 4 more a few feet at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions of the center one.

It would require drilling a bunch of holes, but might be worth it to see an image of what's below you in detail.

[CaptainMusky]

I guess my main disappointment is that ice fishing electronics are still worlds behind the open water electronics... I'm no longer impressed with new color schemes, power options, cosmetics, show me the new technology...not a new display of the same old technology.

This is the same feeling I have. I am a Marcum guy, absolutely love my LX3, but I dont see the benefit yet of the LX7 without having a GPS, for ME. I still have to use a separate GPS.

[DTro]

Tough to argue with that. If they can stuff a decent GPS receiver in a small phone, it should have been easy with this.

I also think an input port for a camera that could be hot swapped with a transducer would be game changing.

[pulleye16]

Tough to argue with that. If they can stuff a decent GPS receiver in a small phone, it should have been easy with this.

I also think an input port for a camera that could be hot swapped with a transducer would be game changing.

These guys are all on track! The technology is here and someone just needs to put two and two together.

Take a computer (like a tablet) that has USB ports and use them for connecting transducers, cameras, heck-maybe you could run two transducers (no limits)...software to run those devices would be cheap, and you'd have a perfect piece of fishing hardware. Heck-one could use the same computer (tablet) for open water as all you'd have to do is plug you boats ducer or what not into the USB port. With multiple USB ports one could connect side and down scan, you could have bow and transom mounts plug into the same unit, It would have wi-fi, satelite, or ISP for gps...heck you could even log onto HSO.com for fishing advice right from your boat.

Computer/tablet (what are those, 10-12") $500 pre loaded

Ice transducer ($100)

Camera ($100)

Open water side/down scan ($600)

GPS wi-fi/satelite (FREE)

ISP ($15/mos)

Now that would cause some "buzz"....

[CaptainMusky]

Tough to argue with that. If they can stuff a decent GPS receiver in a small phone, it should have been easy with this.

I also think an input port for a camera that could be hot swapped with a transducer would be game changing.

amen! I think we are close, but not quite there. If they would've held out a year and introduced this they would have sent the others packing. I mean in all seriousness huminbird is the only competition on ice for marcum. You have to figure they are close to releasing something Luke this. That will be the game changer. With all the plug and play devices we have these days no reason it couldn't be applied here and reasonably priced.

[whitebassman]

anyone have any news from icast about the lx-7?

[Esox_Magnum]

[toughguy]

Sweet!!! Now I have to decide on whether to get a new Otter or MarCum this Fall.

[Bulldoggr]

OMG!! I want one!!!!! but My LX-5 still is performing excellently. Oh how I wish iwas in need of a new flasher!

[perchking]

I am 100% getting one... keeping my LX-5 for a backup.

[JbuZZo]

that looks AMAZING!

[JbuZZo]

anyone in the market for an LX5? 1.5 yrs. old? all documentation in box, in mint shape? (seriously)

[TruthWalleyes]

So what do you want, 300?

[BartmanMN]

I love my FL22, but will admit that does look sweet. Hooray for new technologies in the ever advancing ice fishing market.