Marcum LX-7 update help. Anyone else dislike 3.17?

[Portlis]

Hey guys, reaching out to you for a bit of help.

I'm a relative newbie to the whole flasher thing, just purchased the first one I've ever owned about a month ago. I got an LX-7 (gently used).

It came with version 3.01 on it, and although there were some minor annoyances with the unit, I felt it was overall pretty solid. I could keep my transducer on the side of the hole and only about 6-8" below the water surface and I still had a nice strong bottom signal, my bait/lure showed up nicely on a sensitivity setting of only about 5 and I was able to keep the target option set at 0 so that my bait was a nice thin line and schools of fish would appear as separate fish rather than a blob. My only issue with the unit was the occasional ghosting that seemed to appear when I dropped my lure down and the fact that the "auto range" option sort of sucked.

So I updated to 3.17 because everyone seemed to like it. Now I can't even be more frustrated. In order to get a solid bottom signal and see my lure, my sensitivity setting needs to be around 20. Unfortunately, turning up the sensitivity this high also returns a lot of other minor little signals (I assume baitfish or plankton or whatever) higher in the water column that I'd rather not be seeing. I also seem to need my transducer down PAST the ice thickness and almost in the center of my hole (rather than out of the way on the side) otherwise the signal is still rather weak and it has a hard time picking up my lure unless I crank up the target option, which then causes schools of fish to become giant blobs on the screen which I don't want. The update doesn't seem to have fixed the uselessness of the auto range setting either, and I still occasionally get the ghosting images from my lure being dropped down.

Basically, what am I doing wrong here? Anyone else experienced this? How can I adjust the settings so that 3.17 is better than 3.01, as almost everyone else seems to think it is?

I should add: This has been used almost exclusively for fishing panfish in 15 feet of water or less.

[brian6715]

Use the 6 color option and then for some reason you can turn your sensitivity down to around 8 or so. I think everyone is in the same boat as you on this one.

[Portlis]

Use the 6 color option and then for some reason you can turn your sensitivity down to around 8 or so. I think everyone is in the same boat as you on this one.

Unfortunately, I'm already using the 6 color option

I'm just using small jigs I guess, but that really shouldn't be an issue (and wasn't prior to this 3.17 update)

[fisherman-andy]

Sounds like your having major issues. There's only a couple scenarios I can think of here.

1. You updated using the wrong 3.17 file or the update did not install properly. Thus leading to the issues you now have. You shouldnt have to turn your gain up to 20. The unit only has a 1-25 gain setting, optimal is generally between 7-14.

2. Your transducer is weak or bad, swap to a good transducer. You cannot completely eliminate ghosting when it happens, however it should be very minimal.

3. Call Marcum to get your flasher checked out for service

[Portlis]

Sounds like your having major issues. There's only a couple scenarios I can think of here.

1. You updated using the wrong 3.17 file or the update did not install properly. Thus leading to the issues you now have. You shouldnt have to turn your gain up to 20. The unit only has a 1-25 gain setting, optimal is generally between 7-14.

2. Your transducer is weak or bad, swap to a good transducer. You cannot completely eliminate ghosting when it happens, however it should be very minimal.

3. Call Marcum to get your flasher checked out for service

Hey, thanks for the response. Let me respond to these, just for information's sake.

1. I followed the steps exactly, so I'm very skeptical that I did it wrong. I checked to see which version I had before hand (upgraded from 3.01) and used the appropriate file on Marcum's webpage. Everything went smoothly during the "upgrade", all of the steps happened exactly as they were supposed to.

2. The transducer has only been used less than 10 times total in the life of the unit, and prior to this 3.17 patch, I didn't really have any issues with it at all (except for the minor ghosting issue previously mentioned, which I read is somewhat common on these units anyways). I'm also highly skeptical that the transducer is somehow bad simply because I updated version to 3.17. It just doesn't make sense to me.

3. I could, but again, it seemed to be working fine prior to this update so I'm not necessarily sure there's actually anything wrong with the unit.

Let me ask this question: What was the 3.17 patch supposed to actually accomplish?

[brian6715]

It was supposed to give you more low end gain adjustment, which it did. Having the gain cranked is now the new normal.

It also fixed the dynamic depth jumping around issue, for the most part. It also gave you a zoom option in chart mode.

[fisherman-andy]

Because your having issues, its gonna likely be related to software or hardware. Even if you felt you didnt have an issue before the update its still possible that hardware went bad. That's why I suggested swapping to a known good transducer. If not bring in to Marcum and they will take good care of you.

[Portlis]

Because your having issues, its gonna likely be related to software or hardware. Even if you felt you didnt have an issue before the update its still possible that hardware went bad. That's why I suggested swapping to a known good transducer. If not bring in to Marcum and they will take good care of you.

Hmm, I suppose that's always a possibility.

Unfortunately, I don't have access to another transducer. None of my friends are into fishing, and no one in my family has ice fishing electronics except for me now.

If I do need to "take it in" to Marcum, how exactly do I do that? Are they local here in MN? Do they have a location where I can just take it and have them test it out for me free of charge to see if there is indeed an issue?

[fisherman-andy]

Their local, you can bring your flasher to their office/service center. Try calling first before heading in.

Per the info taken from Marcum's site:

Questions and Returns

If you need service, it is very important that you first obtain a Return Authorization Number. This enables us to track all items that arrive at and leave our location.

We do our best to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner, and we are in the office Monday through Friday, 8 – 4 Central Time.

Our toll free number is 888-778-1208, if we are unable to answer, please leave a brief message. Email us:

[email protected]

To obtain a Return Authorization number by email, be sure to include your name, shipping address, and daytime phone number. We need to know the exact model, approximate purchase date, and what is wrong with it.

Replacement parts and service may be paid for over the phone with a credit card. Email customers will be instructed how to pay either by check or through the HSOforum.

If you are asked to send you unit in to us, our shipping address is:

MarCum Technologies

3943 Quebec Ave. North

Minneapolis, MN 55427

[DB_Cooper]

I too am having some issues with my LX-7 and interference. I bought this originally when they first came out and haven't had problems like this til this last update. I just called Marcum and talked to Mike and we decided to have it come in to the shop at my convinence and they would take a look at it for me. Great customer service.

[McGurk]

I too have worked with Mike at Marcum via email and phone, and they were able to take care of my LX5 issue as I waited (less than 10 minutes). As stated, give them a shout via email or call them. Their info is on their HSOforum, and their shop is in Crystal. You may also want to try and shoot some video of the jig and how it is represented on the LX7 and the noise you are talking about when you turn up the gain. .

[ready2fish]

Use the 6 color option and then for some reason you can turn your sensitivity down to around 8 or so. I think everyone is in the same boat as you on this one.

I also find this setting works best since the others don't

When will we be able to use the other color pallet choices ?

[hamms-scooter]

I spoke to James Holst about this and he said the 6 color option makes the unit more sensative. It allows for way more detail. So if you are dropping your jig down and the line is coiled you will see that till it staightens out or if you miss a hook set your screen fills with lines ... I have v2.9 yet and will be switching to 3.17 for the lower gain control settings and the chart zoom mentioned. It also is supposed to make the target adjust better. I have used it and it does't change how the fish targets are displayed just my jig as it should. It is supposed to be able to fine tune it. Very happy with mine but think the 3.17 will be even better.

[AndRo]

I love my LX-7 and it has worked flawlessly since moving to the newest version of firmware. I do use the 6 color as well and actually prefer it because I am color challenged. My buddy is having an issue with the voltage reading since upgrading though... I do not see the same issue on mine.

[fisherman-andy]

I love my LX-7 and it has worked flawlessly since moving to the newest version of firmware. I do use the 6 color as well and actually prefer it because I am color challenged. My buddy is having an issue with the voltage reading since upgrading though... I do not see the same issue on mine.

This may mean your buddy used the wrong 3.17 file update. Iv'e seen voltage issues, depth reading issues, high gain settings, & target ID flashing due to using the wrong update file.

If he just turns on his LX7 without dropping the transducer into an ice hole it should read depth of 0. If its reading a high number depth then he used the wrong file to make the update. Or the it didnt update correctly.