Marcum's RT9 Ice Sonar

[CaptainMusky]

I am a huge fan of Marcum and think the "idea" of this is great but it misses the mark. Far too expensive and the fact you cannot split screen is ridiculous. Yeah I'm sure that will come later but look into this deeper guys. The pancam requires use of your cell data package if you use that with your personal phone or tablet. I pointed this out in reference to a press release and now suspiciously that little piece of info has been removed from the presser.

[LMITOUT]

It doesn't use your "cell data package". It uses wi-fi.

[CaptainMusky]

Lmit, sorry to mix two units together but the pan can can be purchased to use with your own cellphone and or tablet. In this fashion it does indeed use your cell data plan to share the video feed. Marcum had it in the press release initially and even confirmed it on Facebook. This piece of information has since been removed from the press release.

[LMITOUT]

See video above. It uses wi-fi.

You set up a local wi-fi network between the phone/tablet and the PanCam. Good for 300' (per the specs).

It would be similar to a GoPro with wi-fi in which you can use a mobile device to control the GoPro, watch videos, change settings, etc.

Wi-Fi Transmitter Base (up to 300 ft. range) and Marcum Manta Camera 1/3" Sony Super HAD II

50 ft. camera cable with built-in spool reel for cable storage

Fully integrated camera pinner

Internal Battery-6-8 hours of run time and 110 volt wall charger

Marcum Deluxe Padded Soft case and Marcum Control App (downloadable)

[CaptainMusky]

"The union between your smart device and the MarCum Technologies Pan Cam is made via WiFi, but If you wanted to record and share those images/video beyond device from a remote location, you could do so with your phone’s mobile data package." Right from Facebook. Its the sharing and uploading part I'm talking about.

[LMITOUT]

OK, well that's a different aspect of the complete package and not what you had posted above. Regardless, it's really nothing to get one's pants in a bunch about and most people today would expect that using their cell data is how this information would be shared. After all, once the video/snapshot is on your phone how would you expect to share it? I surely wouldn't blame MarCum for this nor is it a "red flag" of any sort on this product.

If you're talking about sharing the LIVE video feed, well that uses wi-fi too as long as your buddies have the app on their phone/tablet and are within range.

[CaptainMusky]

True my initial post didn't say "share" data feed in it but my second did and that's what I meant. Sorry to mislead.

Surely someone could expect that but then WHY remove it from the press release? It could end up like the dad of a 13 year old girl whose phone doesn't have an unlimited text plan and ends up with a $3000 bill one month.

[DTro]

Bottom line is you don't need any data to use this camera.

[LMITOUT]

It could end up like the dad of a 13 year old girl whose phone doesn't have an unlimited text plan and ends up with a $3000 bill one month.

If they are that dumb to think that somehow the MarCum video/picture on their phone is different than any other video/picture on their phone and that it can be sent around the world magically for free, then they deserve the bill at the end of the month.

[LMITOUT]

Bottom line is you don't need any data to use this camera.

Thank you.

[LMITOUT]

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?

From what I read searching around for these alleged WalMart-quality tablet specs, they made a point to mention "no interference" when using multiple transducers. Guess someone will find out if that is true or not but it won't be me.

I agree it has some cool features and it would be neat, however "neat" has a price limit and I think they kinda went a little overboard, IMO. I'll probably be looking to buy an LX-7 this fall instead.

[CaptainMusky]

Bottom line is you don't need any data to use this camera.

true but you know some guys will send their buddies pics and vids thinking "WiFi" is doing it. That's my point. They had it in the press release originally and removed it.

[CaptainMusky]

I agree it has some cool features and it would be neat, however "neat" has a price limit and I think they kinda went a little overboard, IMO. I'll probably be looking to buy an LX-7 this fall instead.

agreed. This unit is getting closer to what the lx7 should have been from the beginning by having GPS but the cost is way out of line IMO.

[DTro]

I'm sure there will be some sort of disclaimer on the user guide or the side of the box.

If people don't understand that data is transmitted when sharing pictures via email, text, social media etc, then they shouldn't' be using this in the first place.

Not to mention most common options won't let you share a big chunk of data over wireless that will get you in trouble anyways.

[CaptainMusky]

LMITOUT-

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

if you want the camera its another $500. $1600 is just sonar/GPS unit. For that money I will buy an hds 9 touch with structure scan. Can use multiple mapping chips, plug in a camera control my trolling motor in my boat and view everything I want at one time. Not either or with the GPS/sonar etc as it appears with this rt9.

I'm disappointed with Marcum on this one.

[iffwalleyes]

Well that's why everyone can make there own decisions on technology. But I think if I held onto my vexilar fl8 a couple more years I could probably resell for the cost of a fl 28. Since a vexilar has pretty much not changed since Dave Genz first introduced us to these. Sure there are a couple cool things they do. Great unit but very little different than cool cases but hey they must be getting ready to come out with something big. Well I have been waiting and have not seen it. If it comes I'll buy it love cool depth finders best part there is always someone looking to buy one.

[pushbutton]

Yes, that almost goes without saying. The people that should be most happy with Marcum and this new unit, and their previous new units, for that matter...... is the vex heads. I'm sure the new weed mode on the 28 for the tourney circuit is nice, and next time I am fishing for walleyes in January in 4 ft of water, will consider getting one

[fisherman-andy]

"The union between your smart device and the MarCum Technologies Pan Cam is made via WiFi, but If you wanted to record and share those images/video beyond device from a remote location, you could do so with your phone’s mobile data package." Right from Facebook. Its the sharing and uploading part I'm talking about.

[ClownColor]

Well that's why everyone can make there own decisions on technology. But I think if I held onto my vexilar fl8 a couple more years I could probably resell for the cost of a fl 28. Since a vexilar has pretty much not changed since Dave Genz first introduced us to these. Sure there are a couple cool things they do. Great unit but very little different than cool cases but hey they must be getting ready to come out with something big. Well I have been waiting and have not seen it. If it comes I'll buy it love cool depth finders best part there is always someone looking to buy one.

You nailed it! Why change when it works great. Most people own a Vex because they are cheap, durable, and do what everyone wants...marks fish! If I want lake maps...I use my hand held. If I want a camera...I use my aqua micro. all three of which cost under $1000 total and I can bring my hand held gps out hunting, use it in my car for driving and hunting, and easily in my boat for summer fishing. I can also use my micro camera for alot of other things without carry around my flasher.

On that note, I'm happy new technology exists. but just because someone changes the view, color schemes, adds a digital depth reading...its nothing more than wasted money...imo.

[JoeMX1825]

The markup on these units is HUGE for Marcum! They buy some cheap knockoff tablet in bulk from overseas, slap some branding on it and utilize existing camera & transducer accessory inventory for their other products to keep those prices even lower due to higher volumes...The only $$ they put into this was converting their LX9 software to run off the tablet...I'm surprised it took the ice fishing manufacturers this long to figure it out...Now Marcum will get people to pay the huge cost to be free beta users the first year....genius!

My guess is that these will be HEAVILY discounted by the spring!

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

My guess is that these will be HEAVILY discounted by the spring!

At $2100 for the entire package, they could divide it by 3 and I still would have the exact same amount of interest. Zero.

[Putn'am ondaLine]

A few things I might add.

I see a lot of huss and fuss about the tablet not being the latest and greatest... but this unit isn't being sold to replace your existing tablet; it is programmed for ice fishing sonar/camera/gps in one, a bonus of the platform is that you could use it as a tablet as well.

The Navionics side of it isn't the cheap app, it has a port for your Navionics chips, anyone with experience using chips and the app know the huge difference here. The price may be high, but let's look at all it includes and more importantly bulk reduction having them all in one unit.

1) Gps on an 8" screen, or split screen, (You can take the one off your boat and bring an extra battery for it, or use a small handheld one that doesn't provide much detail)

2) 2 Hole coverage with separate transducers and a camera all on 1 battery and weight/bulk of 1 unit. (The other options would include having either 2 flashers and a camera (so 3 total units/batteries) or an LX9 and another flasher)

3) Navionics chip, looks like we're pulling the sonar off the boat again

4) Water proof, and temperature proof; good luck getting your HDS to work in 20 below zero.

5) Ability to addon later. You can get the platform/ice ducer now and add things like the open water transducer, extra ice ducer, camera, etc later.

--All in all this unit means you don't have to lug around a bunch of other equipment when you're pulling the sled around the lake. You don't have to worry about busting your big $$ Boat electronics banging around in the cold, you don't need a separate unit if you use a camera... you basically have every bit of hard water technology available, packed into One Unit on One Battery. Marcum isn't selling a tablet, they're selling freedom.

[DTro]

Can't put a price on freedom

... or 9" crappies

[Putn'am ondaLine]

I don't think Marcum is marketing this unit at the average fisherman. This is a unit designed for those who have been begging for an all in one package. For many a serious ice fisherman that bleed for first ice and push through late ice, hardly missing any time in between; this is a dream finally coming true.

It is common practice to despise progress by a brand one is loyal against, but this is a new era in ice electronics. For those jumping on board, or those choosing to stay loyal to their brand--waiting for something actually new to show up--it is their prerogative. But simple-minded tactics saying small fish are what's in store for users of x-brand is child's play and insulting to any Fisherman's abilities. You can consistently catch big fish using Vexlars, HB's, an old eagle, boat electronics, a bobber, or plain blind jigging, if you're near big fish and present what they want to eat. Anyone with an ounce of intellect knows that. This isn't about Vex vs Marcum, this is about the serious fishermen getting what they've always wanted. It should inspire the manufacturers of the other brands to start appealing to these needs and that in turn will bring the cost down. For those who felt they waited long enough for this to come around, these units will fly off the shelves. For those who are willing to wait until competition brings the price down and adds more options, you can bet your bottom dollar that will happen. For those who simply can't afford a top of the line flasher there will always be lower cost options available. And for those who enjoy catching 9" crappies, there will always be the old "stick it out as far as you can for the picture" technique. =)

[JoeMX1825]

The outdated Tablet's are most likely leftovers from some oversea warehouse, the reliance on having users purchase GPS chips takes Marcum out of paying any licensing fees and the modular setup means additional HUGE markups on existing functionality/parts they have leftover form their existing product lines.

You think "All of these features using the same battery" is a good thing? Maybe so for the 45 mins the battery lasts trying to keep power to everything, oh wait, you can buy additional batteries too, I bet Marcum even sells them?!? They'll be special RT9 "optimized" batteries, with of course a price uplift..

Nice try Marcum! go find another sucker....