Finally got to use my TC upgraded LX-3, now I have some questions?

[hondavxr]

What do you guys have to set your Marcum gain to? Today was the first time I ever used a Marcum, I switched from a Vexilar. I had to set my gain at around the number 2 to see the bottom and my jig. Is it mormal to set the Marcum gain around 2 to see the bottom? I am used to setting it around .5 to 1 on the Vexilar. LX-3 is a super improvement over my Vexilar. Cuz I was fishing with my friends, with Vex's, and now I really know what True Color means. The Vex's look like they were blurry and the Marcum display didn't look like that. Thanks for the replies.

[trapperdirk]

I'm usually set at 1.5 even in 50 fow to pickup a 1/32 jig . I'm surprised your setting was lower on the vex because in my observations when we compared the units we always had to set the Vex higher . Lots of others here have compared them and I will be interested to see what they say . I'm not sure the settings are the same on each unit to use it as a comparison but we did do it and often when we raised the vex to get more stronger of a view to see the same thing clutter would show too .

TD

[TurnUpTheFishing]

It depends on lure and depth but I usually have the gain set around 2. I set it so that whatever jig I have just barely shows up without flickering on and off.

[Kylersk]

Hrmn... I have my LX3's gain set to 4.. any lower and I cant see my jig. Is there possibly a problem with my LX3?

[maj330]

I start at 0 gain then turn it up until I get a small red band indicating bottom. Usually ends up at about 0.5 gain. I then lower my lure and up the gain until the yellow band doesn't flicker. Usually ends up about 1.0 to 1.5 gain. I then position my lure and quickly switch over to zoom. I then reduce gain so that I get a decent width green band in the zoom half of the dial. Final gain end up about 1.0 in 40 foot range. At this setting I could watch half of a wax worm slowly descend to the bottom.

[hondavxr]

I thought that maybe there was something wrong with my Marcum thats why I posted on the forum. I was around 20 ft of water, and with my Vex its usually set around .5 to 1 on the gain, with the Marcum it was around 2. You guys are right about the vex's that when you turn up the gain a little higher you get crazy clutter. I think maybe setting the gains up higher on the Marcum is just normal. The Marcum and the Vex are two different machines.

[trapperdirk]

Quote:

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Hrmn... I have my LX3's gain set to 4.. any lower and I cant see my jig. Is there possibly a problem with my LX3?

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Well there seems to be a general consensus that we run our Marcums between 1 and 2 and something does seem odd that you are at 4 . Could be a transducer issue and if I recall right they did have a prob with a bad batch of transducers that they quickly resolved .Can you tell us what size of jig your using and the depth of water . I know with my LX-3 I just wait to see the line solid when the jig is sitting still and thats my setting and the bottom will always show regardless as long as I have it in the right range .I can't ever recall having my Marcum gain set at 4 or higher and I fish water 80 ft deep at times mind you when I'm at that depth I 'm usually running something a bit bigger too . If your finding you need 4 in 50 fow or so . Phone Marcum .

TD

[Surface Tension]

Setting your gain on 4 seems high but you didn't say how deep your fishing and what size and type jig your using.

If your fishing shallow water with a large profile jig, its possible you have a bad ducer and MarCum will take care of you if it is bad. Even though your getting by, having the gain that high should give you problems with interference when you have another sounder next to you. Yes MarCum's IR is great but that IR will be compromised with a sick ducer.

Remember the Vex reads hot in shallow water and suppression is recommended to fix the hot display, so you can't compare MarCum and Vex as far as gain settings.

[Kylersk]

I'm fishing in about 15' of water and using a small crappie/sunny jig (#12 hook?). I dont know the weight or exact size. ONce they get out of the package, I cant remember the name of it or any specifics. =)

I just checked the vex to see what I had the gain set to last night. It was at 3 and I was using a BuckShot rattle spoon (1/4? maybe?) in about 15' of water.

I just left a message for marcum. That might explain why I was getting constant interferance while fishing next to a clear water classic?

[Kylersk]

Just got off the phone with Marcum. They thought there was 'something wrong' with my unit and that I need to send it in for repairs. Turn around would be a week... I cant be with out it for that long.. so I guess I'll have to deal with the problem till the season is over.

[trapperdirk]

If it was me I would sweet talk them into sending you a new transducer first to try,and if it works your good to go. If not, you will know its your machine but I would almost bet its transducer but who knows .

TD

[Fisherman For a Lifetime]

Orrrrrr...

You could have a low battery - I've seen it when you have a weak battery, you need to turn up the gain to get the response.