lx3

[gman2002]

k guys here we go! been reading the forum now since last winter and finally signed on, don't know why it took so long. great questions and great answers. so here's mine . i just bought the lx3 been a vex user for years, but i love the things the lx3 can do ,but is it me or does the battery seem to get real low 40-50-% real quick like in about an hour. hope this isn't a drawback cuz i really like this unit !!!1

[CrappieJohn]

Gman Welcome aboard! Nice to have you here and , yes, you did wait too long to sign in!lol I jst answered a similar question right before this, the question posed by Howard. His concerns were not drain related, but in my experience, no I have not seen this sort of decline on a battery within an hour of use. It could be a battery issue or it could be within the unit. Marcum has a tech address for q&a, and I believe and you should perhaps contact them.

I know that with the smaller chargers that equip todays locator batteries, you have to have both the charger and the battery at a warm room temp to get a decent charge. If you are charging in the garage and it is not heated and the temp drops much below 40 degrees, the charge you think you are putting on the battery is very shallow and rapid discharge will result. I'd try getting everything to a room temp of say 65 degrees and try the chargjob...see if that doesn't do better. If it doesn't, contact their service center with your concerns or ask where you purchased it. e

[Hammer-Smites]

My battery read out seems to dip low fairly soon as well. I don't think the battery power gauge on these are totally accurate. With mine, even though it reads 40% - 50%, I fish with it for hours. Other guys I fish with have experienced the same thing. I have fished for 2 full days (day light to dark) without charging.

I have both a Marcum LX-3 and a Vexilar FL-8. I only bring the Vex along for a back now and much prefer fishing with my Marcum.

[gman2002]

yea thanks guys. it does still seem to run fine with the gauge that low . no lines fluttering down or anything , just wanted to make sure cuz i sure like this unit , especially the zoom.i guess my son just inherited a vex, and thats not so bad either!!i've had great luck with those also

[CrappieJohn]

Now that you guys have mentioned it, I noticed the same thing on my Bottomline LCR and thought it was a bad battery. Drove me nuts to see it at half charge but it never missed a lick. The meters they hang on these units may be so-so at best and should possibly be used to ESTIMATE the condition of the battery. Funny how little things like this can make a guy worry.

[jltimm]

I've noticed this with mine and it's even worse this year.I charge the battery up to 100% and after little use it drops right down to 10-20%.I have fished with it for several hours on 10-20% and it still runs,I'm wondering if I have to get a new battery already and the unit is only on it's second year.I do not have many hours on it either! Maybe I'll have to start using the Vex again?

[CNY Tim]

This sounds like a DCS 100 problem. Contact MarCum at marcum.com and tell them what you've told us here. Out of 23 units we have had only one bad DCS and that unfortunately was mine. I had mine within a week. Let us know how you make out.

[Shawnny B]

So does that mean its just a new Meter basicaly or do we have to live with out the LX3 for a week or so?

[CNY Tim]

No you will not have to live without your LX-3. Not at all.. they will probably ship a new out to you immediately and you can return the old one when you get the new. I dont know about your situation but I have always maintained a back-up battery charger cause sometimes you just never know. Let us know how you faired with MarCum we appreciate the input.

[newoodhntr]

Hi, I am new to this site and have a question about the lx3 before I buy one . Can they be used in a boat or are there transducers avaible for use in the boat with a longer cable ? Thanks Newoodhntr

[f1sh1nfool]

they can be used in a boat. if you go to marcum's HSOforum they have the highspeed transducers pictured there and they have longer cables.

[CNY Tim]

Check Cabela's as well they have them.

[newoodhntr]

Ok thanks I'll check them sites out. Newoodhntr

[Eckie]

Gman...now that you've owned both the Vex and the LX3, which do you like better? What's your biggest dislike of each?

[gman2002]

to be honest with ya , i think they both make great units. but i really like the split screen and being able to zoom at any depth with the lx3. i also like how the lx3 is such a small compact unit with its own case, really easy to transport . the blue box i had with the vex was a little clumsy. but i wouldn't complain if i had to use either one !!

[Jim W]

A couple things to add. For best results and usage on these types of batteries it is best to use them up before recharging.

ALso, the LX-3 does suck a little more power from the typical battery than , let's say, the FL-8.

However, on a full charge, you will not have your battery going out on you. Unless bad charging practices, possible bad connection etc.

JUst a couple points to consider.

Keep the rods bendin'!!

Jim W

[CrappieJohn]

Newoodhntr...Welcome to FishingMinnesota.com! Great to have you on deck here!

A couple of persons have mentioned the Marcum's carrying case. It affords a great degree of protectiom from bumps and thumps, but also tends to help keep the unit and the battery warm while en-route to wherever you are going to fish as long as it isn't miles and you are towing by hand. It is amazing how cold can affect these smaller batteries.