Marcum's RT9 Ice Sonar

[fisherman-andy]

MARCUM RT-9

Impressive? Discuss, what do you think?

Brief product description:

Electronics have played a major role in evolving the sport of ice fishing. Now its time for the sport to evolve the electronics, MarCums RT-9 is the result. The Revolutionary RT-9 expandable platform allows anglers to unite ice sonar, open water sonar and underwater camera viewing into one 9" ruggedized Touchscreen tablet. Modular data ports connect MarCums Legendary High Power Sonar and Underwater Camera, and for the first time allow anglers to simulcast real-time intel from three locations on one screen. Features full 3-D Navionics Mapping compatibility with access to the sensational Navionics+Community, internal power for handheld operation, the unit also runs Android apps, movies, and games.The modular concept allows users to build their own system, with 3 data ports the user can start with MarCums Ice Sonar, then add an Open Water Sonar or Camera Module later. Multi-dimensional selectable views include traditional flasher, vertical or chart. The camera module feeds in a live glimpse of the world below, with a full on-screen display of temperature, depth, and direction overlay the sharpest underwater imaging, and a built in DVR. With multiple Sonar Modules user can view multiple holes on one display, operating and displaying independently the RT-9 can simulcast sonar or camera signals from 3 locations. Comes with the RT-9 performance pack, which includes a soft-pack shuttle for RT-9 GPS Touchscreen Tablet, docking cradle, RAM accessories allowing for compact storage and efficient portability,dual beam sonar module, 12-volt 9-amp battery and charger.

[CaptainMusky]

About time! Like what I see. Wonder what the price is and compatibility with map chips?

[PurpleFloyd]

What is the price point? 1500?

[CaptainMusky]

I've found prices ranging from $1000 to $1500 in my limited searching. Very little info avail so not sure what that all includes for that price.

Very intrigued.

[Northlander]

NICE! I think pricing will be in the $1300-$1400. I would love to have one and mount it on the boat in the summer.

[JSK76]

This seems to be what everyone was asking for and much more when the lx7 and 9 came out. Is this going to be out this season? Funny it's not in the 2014-15 Iceforce catalog. Nice work Marcum!

I wonder if the red protectors on the side will float the screen and if it's waterproof? I know if it comes off to play games and watch movies it's going to make its way into a hole.

[Northlander]

Yes I believe it will be at the St. Paul Show being sold. As will the new phone/camera panner.

[amateurfishing]

Waay to much electronics for me, I dont like pi$$$ing $$$ away I dont have endless supplies of it. Im sure it will b fun but I prefer major purchases to b under $500 so ill wait 3-4 years till its obsolete when all dump it for the next big thing just like the copilot link will already b obsolete with the ulterra this fall. I lovr technology but the pricing is absurd. Bet they sell out at the ice shows though specially for guides who can write them off.

[cam white]

A few of us up here will pick them up. Navionics, awesome.

[gonehunting]

I'm a diehard vex guy but dang that looks sweet. Navionics, camera, and ability to use three transducers. Wow. Anyone looking for a used FLX-28 Let's hope vex has got something up their sleeve. Hard to beat this.

[gonehunting]

Correct me if I'm wrong. Maybe there is a single ice transducer and not capable of three?

[HardwaterHero]

Very nice! I love how Marcum is pushing the boundaries but the price tag is a bit hefty. I think the LX7 will do me just fine for now. If they could keep it under that $1000 mark, it would be less of a wallet scare!

[anderson_dc]

Whole lot of money right there!

I know there is a push for an "all in one" flasher/camera/gps unit, but my concern with that type of product is what happens when one of the components quits working. You're going to have to send it in to get fixed and then you're out the remaining items.

[CaptainMusky]

Very nice! I love how Marcum is pushing the boundaries but the price tag is a bit hefty. I think the LX7 will do me just fine for now. If they could keep it under that $1000 mark, it would be less of a wallet scare!

Agreed. The prices I have seen are beyond that and that is without the camera. I wonder what those will go for.

I did find this which I think is insanely cool:

http://usa.rapala.com/catalog/2015/iceforce/files/assets/basic-html/page4.html

Wonder what that is going to run.

[JSK76]

This is what I've found, take for what it is because it's from a site I've never heard of before. They did show pictures of each part listed so maybe it's legit.

RT-9-CMB includes RT-9 Sonar Modual and Rt-PP $1,375.57

Camera Module kit $549.99

Sonar Module ice Ducer $349.99

Sonar open water $379.99

9" Ruggedized Android Tablet w/GPS 1,046.98

Performance pack 149.99

[JSK76]

As far as the PanCam goes $349.99 with camera and $216.56 without the camera.

[CaptainMusky]

They can choke on it for those prices! Ridiculous! Please people I know you like the latest and greatest toys but don't buy it. That's insane. I like Marcum products but man that's insane.

[Esox_Magnum]

I know many will flick to it. Personal I don't want my Gps on my flasher. Perfectly happy with my LX 7'S and HDS for Gps

[iffwalleyes]

I agree with all of your points but lets keep in mind that some of the other open water units are over 2K which I think is nuts. But if this think can work as a tablet by itself and you use it for both ice and open water you would get your value out of it. This thing would be fricken sweet.

[FisH_SLaYer24]

How many custom ice rods can I buy at the price of this new unit?

[CaptainMusky]

An android tablet is dirt cheap. If I want one I would buy one. I don't picture myself sitting playing candy crush on my sonar GPS unit

The other thing is this has navionics which I am assuming is the app. That's what $20?.

At least the vexilar sonar phone has a decent entry point. This does not.

I was critical of that when it came out but I may just get it so my kids can have another unit to watch on the iPad.

[JSK76]

I bought the lx-7 first year out, sold it the next year and bought the lx-9. I don't think I'll be pulling the trigger on the RT-9 this year. I'm glad Marcum came out with something like this, things that do a lot of stuff cost a lot of $. Honestly I would rather them keep coming out with stuff that expensive rather then stopping at the lx-5. When the lx-7 came out everyone jumped all over Marcum for not having a GPS so they could justify it as a true open water unit too. Marcum is listening to what people want they just can't do it all for $499.99. A guy can still buy a great flasher from Marcum in the 300 dollar range. Remember, a flasher came out last season in the 700.00 range that doesn't do much of anything innovative.

[fisherman-andy]

An android tablet is dirt cheap. If I want one I would buy one. I don't picture myself sitting playing candy crush on my sonar GPS unit

The other thing is this has navionics which I am assuming is the app. That's what $20?.

At least the vexilar sonar phone has a decent entry point. This does not.

I was critical of that when it came out but I may just get it so my kids can have another unit to watch on the iPad.

Lets wait till the actual product gets released and see what exactly is all included as far as features. I do agree that price appears rather high at the moment but incomplete as far as actual details of the product. For the GPS mapping I have a feeling its not your basic smartphone $10 Navionics as the description states 3D mapping. This might put it in line with Navionics HotMaps which goes for about $200.

A decent Android tablet would run in the range of $400-$600. Add in the software and hardware by Marcum and it may very well push beyond $1000+.

[Eric_Kruger]

MARCUM RT-9

, with 3 data ports the user can start with MarCums Ice Sonar, then add an Open Water Sonar or Camera Module later.

So does it come pre loaded or is it going to be an 1000 dollar unit you have to buy everything for? It's what I wanted in my seven, but the way that thing worked I'm skeptical....

[CaptainMusky]

Eric the way I read it is its $1000+ and then you add everything. That's what is ridiculous.

We'll see when its official but for now I'll pass.