Marcum's RT9 Ice Sonar

[iffwalleyes]

It is starting to come out in some store. Amazon has them as does Cabelas. Retail is $1599. Going to need to procure some $$$ but I got to have one of these. Looks like I better sell some stuff I don't use to much anymore. The LX 6 is awesome that I have and I know my buddies LX7 is really sweet. He put his on the boat this year and that was a nice addition. I am going to buy this with the intend for it to be used year round.

[ClownColor]

You can get a 8" HDS gen2 with stucture scan right now for less than that...and a HDS has way more functions.

But...I'm sure many here will buy it!

[BradHawthorne]

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.

The system is modular so if by chance have a problem with one of the modules you can just send the module in. Unless its internal this will save sending the whole unit in. Price point, yes, its not the cheapest date on the block, but look at what you get and then compare it to combo dinosaurs on the shelf for $1,000.

I know I'll get accused of being "Red" and thats fine, heard it all before.. I'm proud of MarCum for pushing the limits with the RT-9 and building what we have been screaming for in a high end unit for years. Remember the threads in years past "wouldn't it be great if" they removed the "if".

[iffwalleyes]

I have found out a little more about this unit. The android tablet can run all the android apps out there which included the Navionic App. The tablet is water proof and pretty much looks like you could drop kick it and still work. The unit also have a micro SD card slot so a Navionic Map card is compatible. In order to run both GPS with Mapping and sonar in a split screen mode you'd need the chip. You can use the GPS mode running the App in a single screen setting. The unit do not allow say split screen with an app running and then using the camera or depth finder. As far as the sonar module go it is the brains behind the tablet. They snap on the back of the tablet and have a singe screw. With one of the sonar modules you then attach the transducer. If you plan to just run a single transducer open water and hard then you'd just use one of these. There are 3 ports on the backside to accept the modules so you can add the camera on and multiple transducers if that is your choice. The tablet has a built in battery for running it as a standalone tablet and is a wifi tablet. It has alot of options for making it a year round unit that I like. While I don't have a depth finder with structure scan or side imaging I think this is going to be the most versatile unit for me. I can set it up how I want with the modular design. I am really excited to get my hands on one of these unit.

[Kyle]

The tablet that is used on this system is already obsolete among every other tablet on the market(its junk). I'm sorry, but if Marcum's direction is advanced technology, then they should have built the unit with the ability to connect your own tablet. Wouldn't have been hard to simply build a durable case in multiple sizes to fit all of the tablets out there, and it would have saved the consumer a boat load of money.

I just don't see this unit being around for more than a couple years before someone does something better. And, how many time's are you going to buy the latest and greatest accessory for this unit? I see this unit as a money pit.

[DTro]

Yep that would be a great idea Kyle. Sell the exoskeleton, accessories, and software for a "bring your own tablet" setup.

[LMITOUT]

I just have to wonder how efficient it would be trying to incorporate a foreign tablet to their hardware (ports, carrying case, etc) and still retain the compact form factor. You know that someone would try to use their Samsung 12.2" tablet and then complain that it doesn't fit in the case.

These days people have a tough time just breathing on their own without someone reminding them to, let alone figure out if their tablet is compatible or not.

I don't see a problem with this tablet supposedly being obsolete. Does it work for it's intended purpose? Nobody has one but I would assume that it does so who cares if it doesn't have the latest whiz-bang screen, memory, or processor.

[LMITOUT]

MarCum PanCam

The new MarCum WiFi PanCam immediately sets the bar for how mobile camera systems should

work.

Much more than just a way to view what your underwater camera is seeing, you now can control

your camera from up to 300 feet away. Remotely change camera direction

with exclusive "Swipe To Rotate" functionality. Capture still images or

record videos and instantly save them to your photo or video library...

or even post to Facebook or Twitter. When connected to your camera, the

MarCum WiFi System and free MarCum app connects you, your smartphone or

tablet and camera into one advanced, integrated system.

The MarCum WiFi Systems give you the freedom to move around the ice and

still keep an eye on the action. Free MarCum App gives mobile control

and even allows networking multiple cameras to one-smartphone or tablet

for incredible on the ice Coverage.

The app is available on Google Play.

[amateurfishing]

Saw this today at thorne bros ice fishing mod show. The screen is a tablet with wifi connectability along with lake maps card, gps, and "3 modules". Modules are transducers and cameras so u can have any combination of 3 modulez you choose. The big addition on this is the gps which was lacking from the lx9 which everyone wanted. They did that and a little bit more. I will admit it blows my HB 597 away but in no way will I pay that much for electronics. I think its actually better served on a boat where u can have 2 ducers (1 front, 1 back) plus camera all working simultaneously but thats alot of $$$$$ if u break up the partz and can get cheaper individually.

[Hayzuse]

I also looked at it at thorne bros today. I am in the market after selling my vexilar but I think i am going to go with a lx7 and a pancam from marcum I don't need the gps I have a phone and a tablet that work fine for that

[Kyle]

LMITOUT-

For $1600, it better have the latest and greatest everything...

Perfect example of how society gets used to paying insanely high prices for marginal-junky products without taking a minute to think about the value of their dollar. Think about what you else you could buy for $1600...

[JSK76]

I just have to wonder how efficient it would be trying to incorporate a foreign tablet to their hardware (ports, carrying case, etc) and still retain the compact form factor. You know that someone would try to use their Samsung 12.2" tablet and then complain that it doesn't fit in the case.

These days people have a tough time just breathing on their own without someone reminding them to, let alone figure out if their tablet is compatible or not.

I don't see a problem with this tablet supposedly being obsolete. Does it work for it's intended purpose? Nobody has one but I would assume that it does so who cares if it doesn't have the latest whiz-bang screen, memory, or processor.

Couldn't agree more!

[LMITOUT]

Perfect example of how society gets used to paying insanely high prices for marginal-junky products without taking a minute to think about the value of their dollar.

[ClownColor]

It sure will buy a top end lowrance or humminbird and with a bigger screen...and with down imagine...and side imagine.

[LMITOUT]

Not one that is top of the line, which is near double what this RT9 is listed at...and people still buy them.

[Kyle]

I think the tablet that comes with the unit is a joke. Sure, the tablet does what it needs to do right now and nothing more. In a year or two when they come out with a better camera, or some other accessory that has better specs/output than what this tablet can convey then what?

Why build a unit like this and include a tablet that has less potential than all other tablets on the market right now? The whole intent of this unit is plug and play accessories, and the idea of the build was founded on a unit that wouldn't be hindered by ever changing accessories. Except they missed the boat with most important part of the system....

[slammer]

Like what Marcum has done here. It will be something new every year with the speed technology changes. Will you catch more fish with it? Will it make you a better fisher person? Maybe but for some its just having the latest and greatest. You know Vex has to have something in the pipeline to compete with this. So with a camera and ducer you could have about $2k into this thing? Sorry, I'll pass and wait to see what Vex comes out with. Competition is a good thing.

[brian6715]

I love Marcum, and there is no doubt the LX-7 blows any Vex out of the water, but I don't see this new one succeeding very well.

[Kyle]

I agree that I love marcum products. I run an LX-7 and love it. It was as much a shock that they used a marginally low end tablet on this unit... I'll stick with my 7

[LMITOUT]

What are the specs on the tablet? I've looked but haven't been able to find anything except the screen size.

[DTro]

All I know is that its pretty cool to see companies continue to advance and add some new things. In the end, the businesses are there to make money.

It's a lot of money but some cool feature for sure.

I wonder though if it can run 3 transducers at a time, will it be the first unit ever to interfere with itself?

[pushbutton]

Yep, every time there is the newest and best coming out, it cheapens the previous newest and best. Thanks for making this and would also like to thank the people for buying it No way I would In a year or two something like the 7 will be affordable to the average Joe blow out there.

[PurpleFloyd]

What are the specs on the tablet? I've looked but haven't been able to find anything except the screen size.

I would post them but the file is on a 1989's era floppy disc and I can't find a floppy drive anywhere.

[Walleyehooker]

Ill still be catching just as many fish with my LX5 5 years from now. A locator only marks fish , a good fisherman goes out and finds them and catches them.

[brian6715]

I guess I don't see the problem with the tablet, as long as it does what it is asked what more do you need? The unit is already priced high, I can't imagine how high it would be if it was a high end tablet.

I can't imagine the logistics nightmare of letting people use their own tablets, that sounds like a customer service disaster in the making.