Issue with lx-9

[JSK76]

Since I'm not seeing any other post on this I'm starting to fear I'm the only one. First my Dynamic Depth doesn't work at all, graph jumps around and is completely unusable. Second thing I don't get a depth reading in the center of the flasher display or at the bottom of the vertical display it just reads 0 and every once and awhile maybe a few times in an outing, it will blip the depth and then go back to zero, this is happens in any depth range I select. I do get the depth reading numbers on the side of the vertical display and flasher so it's still usable. I bought the lx-7 last year and was using it right up to buying the lx-9 so I know what I'm doing. I hope this is just a software problem that can be fixed over the computer and not something wrong with the flasher. Funny how the camera part is new and that works great (other then camera direction indicator is way off but you can recalibrate that but funny it's not accurate out the box) and flasher has been out for a year, you would think it would be the other way around.

[fisherman-andy]

Are you having issue with Dynamic settings at different depths? It wont work in shallow or anything less then 10 fow. I had difficulty with it in 13 fow. However it has work for me well enough in 20-30 fow but still experience jumps.

How does auto or manual depth settings work for you? Does it also jump depth settings often or randomly? Does dynamic cause your screen to pixelate or garble?

I am going to assume you have the 3.01 software as your on the LX9, I have the LX6. I also have compared it to the LX7 running on 2.09 which doesnt seem to have the same issues.

The 3.01 software appears to be more sensitive then 2.09 and requires fine adjustment. The 3.01 sensitivity setting curve are also set higher and you will need to play around with multiple settings to find an optimal range that works for you. Setting a higher sensitivity range may just allow dynamic to jump less on depth. However this is going to cause more interference or issues with other flashers nearby. So its crucial for all nearby units to be set properly.

Somehow I cant help thinking we may have gotten the test lab guinea pig software with 3.01, kinda like what happen with the LX7 last year. I am going to foretell that Marcum will likely release a software update over 3.01 sometime in near future. So we may have to be patience for the tweaks to happen.

[slurpie]

I know 3 guys with an lx7 and all do that same thing. Just how they are I guess at least when a new update comes out it will be a quick fix.

[muc33]

I wouldn't at all think anyone is being treated as a "guinea pig". It's brand new, it runs off of test runs before it is distributed. Marcum as much as any company wouldn't want to do that to themselves let alone their customer base. It's new technology, conditions vary from location to location, bottom structure, settings from one machine to the next, these things all take large evaluation time. i.e. Apple's iphone map system. Many people all over said locations were wrong, I used it the day it came out and have yet to have any location off? I just wouldn't classify yourself as a "guinea pig". These things take time not only to figure out, but to find out too in every situation. Marcum is what I use, and through experience, that is who I trust. That is what I like, they have never done me wrong, so that is why I continue to use them, much like you I am guessing.

[JSK76]

I stared out fishing in 10' and I had the big depth reading number. Moved my house out to 19'

and now it's gone. I'm forced to use the manual depth range but still don't have the big depth number. In auto it jumps all over on the depth like it just can't find bottom. The bottom I'm fishing in is sand and no weeds and its flat. In Dynamic Depth I do get wired stuff happen like the black triangle in the color portion of the bottom in flasher mode plus it just jumps around and never stays still. I have played with the depth the transducer is in the water from the top of it out of the water to 6" below the ice.

I can say after the last update last season my lx-7 worked 98% flawless I had two times while lake tout fishing in deep water where it was working great and then it started to act up kinda like my lx-9 but it did for a minute or so and went back to working right.

[BartmanMN]

I am curious how many software developers work for Marcum?

What kind of programming is used?

[mojogunter]

I had the same issues until I turned my sensitivity down. I think if it is too high the unit gets confused with such a high return on your jig or spoon and it thinks it may be the bottom. Once I turned mine down all the way then up until I could see my spoon it was fine. Try that

[JSK76]

I use the least amount of sensitivity I can and still see my bait but I will go lower even if my bait disappears just to see if it clears up the rest.

[muc33]

I set my sensitivity as low as I can to see my lure, then I use the target adjust to fine tune.

[schmoe147]

I have a lx6 and having issues myself with 3.01 software.

[fisherman-andy]

I know 3 guys with an lx7 and all do that same thing. Just how they are I guess at least when a new update comes out it will be a quick fix.

[fisherman-andy]

I set my sensitivity as low as I can to see my lure, then I use the target adjust to fine tune.

I think most do that or already know, however with 3.01 on my LX6 I have been finding that setting it to the low sensitivity 3 or 4 loses it signal completely and not pickup your lure or give any depth at all. As said the sensitivity settings on 3.01 is now set at a higher mid range. The LX7 on 2.09 wont have an issue picking up your lure at 3.

[slurpie]

When someone spends 700 plus dollars they expect it to work flawlessly. I think the units look cool and have some advantage like the ability to update easily. But the jumping would drive me crazy. Is it possible to upload the old version?

[fisherman-andy]

When someone spends 700 plus dollars they expect it to work flawlessly. I think the units look cool and have some advantage like the ability to update easily. But the jumping would drive me crazy. Is it possible to upload the old version?

I would agree however that is often not that case when we are dealing with software upgrades that run computers, systems, and now our flashers. The software itself however should be at least usable and satisfactory.

Dont know if one could downgrade, I am not sure of the internal specs or memory. You could say it should be possible but I have not tried it yet. Its also possible that the LX6 or 9 wont recognize version 2.09 or cause your unit to BRICK! lol. So the risk is there if your willing to try.

P.S. I would love a software hack that allows me to edit the unit's settings like give it the same target separation as the LX7 & 9.

[Brad B]

here is a little clarification.

it is 2.9 and not 2.09.

3.01 just adds zoom in the graph chart mode when used in a boat during the summer. it added more settings to sensitvity and I believe target adjustment also.

the LX9 runs on it's own totally different firmware and does not run 3.01 like the LX7. they had to do this because of the firmware that runs the camera.

[JSK76]

So get this, today I was out fishing in the same spot and hole and the flasher still wasn't giving me the big depth number and then my girlfriend turned on my lx-5 in the hole next to me and all of the sudden like the flip of a switch I had the big depth number, then the lx-9 froze up completely. I turned it off and back on and big depth number was there for the rest of the night. I still have issues with the dynamic depth not working no mater how I set the sensitivity even without a jig down the hole. Another funny thing is now that I have the big depth number working, in 20' mode it gives me a reading of 19' for the depth im fishing in and in dynamic and auto 21' and the lx-5 looks to be 18.5' both transducers at the same depth so I trust the 19' reading.

In my first post I said the camera works great, yes and no. The actual camera is very nice and clear but today I calibrated the camera because it was way off from the direction arrow, now the arrow is accurate until it hits the 8,9 and 10 o'clock area then the arrow jumps to the 2 o'clock direction, all other directions work fine. I also noticed the camera depth reading next to the temp and direction that was working now read zero at all depths.

I'm starting to think I should of held off from buying it this year but my old camera quit on me and I took two weeks off from work to fish and really wanted a camera. I already sold my lx-7 otherwise I think the 9 would be going back for sure. Anyone else notice that in the online manual it says it has a 2 year warranty and on the very next line it says marcum will warranty it for one year? Also I'm ticked that it was being advertised as having a video in and out, all I have is video out. I was going to use it in the front of my boat and run my Humminbird that is at the helm into it. This was one of the major features that made be buy it, hopefully it will be coming with an update.

I know marcum and their pro staff read these post so that's why I take the time to make a post like this, not to rip on them but to give them feedback to help the get the bugs out so we all can get a better product in the end.

[fisherman-andy]

here is a little clarification.

it is 2.9 and not 2.09.

3.01 just adds zoom in the graph chart mode when used in a boat during the summer. it added more settings to sensitvity and I believe target adjustment also.

the LX9 runs on it's own totally different firmware and does not run 3.01 like the LX7. they had to do this because of the firmware that runs the camera.

My bad, I stand corrected and meant 2.9. Not 2.09. lol

LX9 running its own special firmware version makes no difference cause its very likely that its running a version of 3.01 or actually 3.01 with added camera software features. So its sonar settings features are going to be the same as the LX6 and 7 on 3.01 hence why you see the original user make this post about similar issues. What makes you think its going to be different just because it has camera? Unless otherwise said so by Marcum I assume the sonar settings are going to be the same.

[eyedr]

I have a vex you can borrow, it's far inferior in the "technology" but it does actually work Im kidding, I like to get a little good natured ribbing in. I would be frustrated if I had paid good money and my product was not performing the way I expected, regardless of who the manufacturer is. I have heard good things about the marcum customer service so you should be good.

[JSK76]

I'm the kind of guy that wants what he has to work 100% or rather not even have it. I told the girlfriend while out fishing to never let me sell my lx-5 because its just a great solid unit.

[fisherman-andy]

I'm the kind of guy that wants what he has to work 100% or rather not even have it. I told the girlfriend while out fishing to never let me sell my lx-5 because its just a great solid unit.

Amen to that. Dont get rid of your old reliable. Always have a backup. I always carry 2 flashers with me on most outings and make sure on longer trips.

I've fished around LX7's with v2.9 long enough to notice the differences and at this point as said before I dont completely trust my LX6 unit on v3.01 yet, especially when using zoom and dynamic range. Which are 2 very important features to me.

[AndRo]

I just got one for Christmas and haven't had a chance to get out with it yet. You guys have me scared.

[DRH1175]

There is no doubt that the LX-9,7, and 6 are awesome. These are a few of the reasons I am not going to leave my lx-5 at this point. It is flat out reliable. I am one for technology, however what was wrong with the Fl-20,22 Lx-5,3 and even the Birds. They flat out work. Maybe I would change my mind if I owned one. But at this point it would be hard to drop $700 when my LX-5 is so reliable. Good luck and I hope it is a simple firmware issue, that can be changed with an upgrade!

[JSK76]

I think it's only fair to report that today the lx-9 worked much better. I moved my house to 17' from 19' and the dynamic depth didn't act up at all but it was exactly the same as being in 20' range. The depth on the manta cam started to work again but the depth was off by about 2' but better then reading zero. The direction arrow still was only accurate for 3/4 of a rotation. Auto range didn't jump around like before but it put me in 40' range when fishing in 17'

[fisherman-andy]

Was at Joes and some guys was returning his LX9. Said he just couldnt handle it with all the fidling and issues he was dealing with it.

Had my LX6 out today on 30-37 fow. Fished along 3 other LX7 on v2.9 and we all had variant results. Alot of interference but as the Morning proceeded and we spread out it became less apparent. I had the LX6 on dynamic range. Sensitivity was 5, zoom was 10. Had minor hiccups today and a few times zoom would completely lose out or go blank? Surprisingly zoom only jump around a half a dozen times today and worked at least satisfactory into the afternoon till we had call it the day.

[pbowhunter]

I was all excited to have bought the lx-6 today until i went out fishing with it next to my friends fl-8 and encountered HORRIBLE interference and "bottom jumping" on my unit, his was pretty much flawless. Tried ir adjusting sensitivity on both of the units and on just one to no avail. If the store was still open i would return it tonight extremely upset for the amount of money.