LX3 - First Spin around the block

[chunkytrout]

Well the jury has reached a verdict. What an awesome unit! I set my expectations pretty high for the Marcum, being a Vex owner. So the LX3 got it’s first “real” run this trout opener. I had some questions I wanted answers to.

?#1. Whats 1500 watts gonna do for ME? I fish primarily for lake trout. I’m usually fishing in 60-100+ FOW. I loved the FL8SE’s ability to handle deep water. Marcum however is superior in target separation and signal intensity. The detail I got was intense. I watched a smelt five feet above my spoon get hit by a laker off the bottom in 65 feet. (Unfortunately he didn’t visit my rig on the way up)

?#2. What’s with the colors? This is a tough one for me as I’m used to the old GYR set-up. I took a while to get used to. Then I noticed something. With the FL8, when you have a busy bottom it almost gets hard to concentrate on. A little too psychedelic if you know what I mean. Targets get pretty fuzzy if there’s a mess of bait fish milling about. This is NOT an issue with the LX3. Targets were easily recognized and solid. Also I understand that you can get chips to change the color scheme. Handy for folks that have problems seeing certain colors.

?#3. Will I have to take a night course to use this thing? When I finally got the opportunity to mess with the zoom, it was a no brainer. Turn the zoom on and you have a split screen. ROTD is top to bottom, LOTD is your zoom window. Up and down control is easy and the area of the zoom is bracketed by two yellows as you move the zone up and down. The field of view is also adjustable in the zoom mode.

?#4. What about the IR Wars? Well, it’s funny ya know. “ I heard Marcum made their unit to intentionally interfere with Vex’s receive!”. That little quote made me chuckle a bit. BULL! Ok, we’re dealing with sonar here. Radio waves bouncing around the lake and sending back a signal to a receive circuit. The stronger the emitter, the stronger the receive. The Vex is a very sensitive receiving unit. I chuck 1500 watts down the hole and receivers listen. I won’t go into the techs of rejection circuits but Marcum’s worked as well as Vex’s. A funny tech note is I couldn’t quite get rid of the noise from my partners Sitex FL5. I love that thing. He actually got accused of having an outboard on a motor restricted lake once because of that infernal tick/hum. Pretty funny!

?#5. Why only a 20 degree cone? This one bummed me out a little as other flashers are offering more choices and dual beam systems. But again it was a non issue. At 60 FOW my spread is roughly 20 feet wide. When you have the extra power to play with, this gives you a nice wide angle window. Lakers rush distances to whack their prey. Enough said.

All in all, pretty darn impressive. The Deluxe Ice System is the way to fly. Spendy yes but a well thought out package. Materials making up the soft case seems bullet proof. Battery compartment with a mounted digital charging system. The face flap folds up sweetly and is held in place with heavy velcro. Now I don’t want any Vex/Marcum war started from this thread so everybody play nice. The Vex will always have a place in my fishing arsenal but I have a new blade for the ice! Nice job Marcum.

[hanson]

Update on my LX-3 gain problem.

Dietz Dittrich & I did the transducer switch-a-roo out on Medicine Lake today. That seamed to be the culprit. I hooked his transducer up to my flasher and it was a night & day difference. Looks like Marcum will be getting a call for a new transducer.

[vikingmeatwad]

Hanson, glad you figured out what was wrong with your marcum.

I am in the market for a vex or marcum and will see how sales go at the end of the season.

[Bearfish]

Really like my LX-3. Switched from a Vex this year and happy with decision.

Two changes to consider:

Would like larger "UP" and "DOWN" buttons for the zoom. Need to take my gloves off each time I push and hold the button.

Also, I would prefer the zoom start at the bottom of the column rather than the top when turned on.

Nothings perfect....overall, fine unit!

[Fastlane]

Happy for you Hanson, and it's nice that Dietz Dittrich could help you out. Problems like what you had is suseptable to ALL brands. I read your other post and hope that transducer is in your hands Thursday.

[Tom Linderholm]

Well I gotta say after my first impression (Power knob falling off first time I turned it on) Unit is phenomenal. Used it at Burntside while it did not do much for putting fish on my hook it was awesome to compare it next to my vex 8 which didn't put any fish on my buddies hook either. Zoom what a feature, man literally easy to differentiate between baitfish and the ever elusive lake trout. Two thumbs up from this happy owner!