Lx-3tc Questions Cont.

[cybermuskie]

I have a few questions while still getting use to my lx-3.

I have had a vex for years, so I am still adjusting.

Tonight was only the second time using it. Ok here's what's going on: I was set-up in 30 FOW eye fishing. Now how do you guys set your zoom? I was zooming in on the bottom 5 ft. Do you set it so the bottom line comes up to the 0 on the inside ring? I was using a smaller jigging spoon, and if I dropped it from 1 foot off the bottom, down to the bottom, I couldn't see the jig. Is this normal. To try to answer the questions, my gain was set at a little more than 2, and no current. I still wonder also when a mark comes in there is 2 lines. One being 1 color and the other being another. They do change as they get closer, but it seems strange. Also, I know it's 1 fish cuz both lines come up when I set the hook. Is this normal? One last thing...Can I borrow someones sunglasses so I can look at it!

Maybe I just need more time with it, but I don't want to waste my time setting it up or reading it wrong!

Thanks guys!

[Surface Tension]

So your in 30' of water and you'd be in the 40' scale, hit the zoom once and you'll have a 5' zoom window, hit if again and you'll have a 10' zoom window. At this time you'll be zoomed from the surface down 5 or 10' which ever you selected. If you want to zoom the bottom use the down arrow till the bottom just starts to show on the left side of your screen. If you don't go far enough you won't see your jig in the zoom window. If you go too far your bottom will continue to rise on the left side. I don't pay any attention to the inner yellow graph. Now if you had the zoom window down far enough and still couldn't pick up your jig then you have a weed or rocks down there. Lower the gain, if theres a weed under you or rock off to the side of your come angle it'll show up as a yellow mark thats separated from the bottom. You'll be able to see your jig go below the weed.

If your zooming suspended fish then use the upper and lower yellow hash marks on the right side, they indicate your zoom window on the left side.

The LX3tc has 3 colors, yellow being the weakest, green mid range and red which is a strong signal. At times you will see yellow and green together, as the signal gets stronger that will change to all green and then to green and red and hopefully just red. Those multiple colors really give you and indication of whats happening as opposed to just yellow, green and red.

[cybermuskie]

I could see my jig when I had it zoomed to the bottom, I guess I was wondering how far you brought up the bottom on the screen. I don't think I was in weeds, maybe rocks. There was one yellow mark, then the solid red behind it, on the zoom screen. maybe I need to get out more!

[JWB475]

Hey Cyber,

I have an LX-3, the zoom is an outstanding feature and once you get used to it you will love it.

You might also be experiencing the one limitation, or draw back (In my opinion) with the LX-3. The dead zone.

If you are set up on a sharp breakline, the 20 degree cone angle on the LX-3 transducer will cause a deadzone at the bottom. You won't be able to see the bottom 1 or 2 feet, your lure will disapear when it gets down there.

I am hoping now that the LX-5 is out (which has a dual cone transducer), that the dual cone transducer will soon be an upgrade option from Marcum for the LX-3. With the LX-5 you can switch between an 8 or 20 degree transducer. Since the 8 degree cone angle is much narrower, this would make the dead zone disappear, or at least be a whole lot smaller.

There are times out on a sharp break line with my LX-3, where I can't see the bottom 2-3 feet...

[Surface Tension]

Normally I set it so the bottom just appears. I'll verify that I'm zoomed deep enough by following my jig down to the bottom and tweak that with the up and down keys.

If you have it set so you can see the bottom on the left side and you can't see your jig the last ft or so, use the down key again to make sure you have zoom window down far enough. If you still can't see that last ft then you could be on a sharp break or theres a large rock underneath you.

What you don't want is there to be a weed under you and you have the gain to high which would give you a false bottom reading.

Reduce the gain to confirm this. If it was a weed you want it to be marked as yellow and the bottom will then be true. You'll have no problem seeing fish in between the weed and the bottom.

[cybermuskie]

Ok thanks guys....I will just have to get use to it a bit more!

[CrappieJohn]

You have to toy with these to really understand just what you have got. One of the biggest things to remember is when you are hole hopping and take the rig with you that depths change and so does whats under you on the bottom.

Once you get accustomed to what you are seeing in the zoom mode, you will not want to use the standard mode other than maybe to find out at what level the traffic is at.

The adjustable zoom is incredible in concept, even moreso in use.

[cybermuskie]

Hi Tom...good to see ya again! I have only used it on zoom so far, so I can learn with that. Then maybe I will try without it....naw! I just need to get out more!

[CrappieJohn]

We all need to get out more. lol That's the trouble with winter. We all get musty sitting in front of a computer. I'm going to the garage and clean the boat. I was going to the lake yesterday real early and had a guy pulling a boat heading for the RedWing Dam. The guy made me feel like I was missing something. lol

[schweady]

Quote:

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If you want to zoom the bottom use the down arrow till the bottom just starts to show on the left side of your screen. If you don't go far enough you won't see your jig in the zoom window. If you go too far your bottom will continue to rise on the left side.

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Thanks, ST. I'm starting to think that's the problem I've been having with zoom lately. When we were in less than 20 ft using the 20' scale, I'd hit 'Zoom' and then press and just hold 'Down' until the display quit changing... then I'd be seeing the bottom 5 feet on the left half of the dial. Lately, when I've been in 35 ft or so using the 40' scale, that same procedure gives me very little 'open water' displayed on the left, maybe only 1/4 of the dial. And I'd still see the jig on the right side, but not on the left. That side seemed worthless, so I'd go back to unzoomed. Didn't know you could zoom "too far." Guess I need to pay closer attention and quit holding down the 'Down' so long ???

[cybermuskie]

Ok...here we go again!

I went out tonight again...different spot. I had gone back to a spot where I had used my old Vex before I got my LX-3. Can someone tell me why I could see my jig on the bottom with my old Vex, but now that I have this great LX-3 I can't see my jig unless it's 2 feet off the bottom??? I was fishing blind. I got annoyed and I left at 5:30 because I don't like fishing without my finder, and that's what it was like. With my old Vex I could turn it on, find my jig and fish. It's seems like there is a lot of messing around,and no wonder they have zoom, you couldn't see anything if ya didn't!

Ok I will calm down now, but I spent hard earned money for this thing thats so wonderful!

[CraigM]

Cybermuskie, It sounds to me like you're hitting the down button too many times and going past the bottom. ( coming back up in the range) I was confused by that at first with my LX-5. I hit the down button until the following flashing yellow line hits the bottom of the scale. It will be before it gets to the 0 on the scale. Don't know why they have it lined up that way, I don't pay any attention to it. The leading yellow line will be up 5' from the bottom on the left hand side. Hope that helps. It's difficult to explain this stuff on a computer.

[cybermuskie]

Craig, it wasn't that. There was just 2 feet of dead area. I adjusted it to the minimum. I tried up and I tried down. I didn't watch the inside circle. It just wasn't reading it. Maybe I was catching part of the break. I was set up on the bottom of it, but why could my vex be ok and not this? I just can't figure out why their basic model won't let you fish anywhere you want. I am going to look and see what cone I have on mine. I would think it only has the 8 degree. (no it has the 20 degree)

It was kinda funny I called up to a friend of mine that I trust when it comes to these things. He works for a Gander, and his first question was "Why did you buy one of those?" So it makes me wonder if Marcum is all hype?

[lunker651]

Cybermuskie, I wonder why did you buy one of those? When I was going to buy a Marcum for ice fishing, one of my buddy told me that alot of peoples been having problems with them and has been returning them. He said they've been having problems with the transducer and they can't see their jigs at the bottom like you are having, but when they uses one of their buddy's vexilar on the same hole and they can see their jig. So guess what happen the next day, they returned it and got a Vex. Now I have a Vexilar and I'm happy I took him shopping with me that day. He works at a Sportsman store and he sees them return marcum products alot and buys a vexilar and haven't had a complaint yet.

[cybermuskie]

Lunker,

The reason I went with Marcum is because of all the praise they got on this web site. I like have the best equipment, and didn't think people on here would steer me wrong.

[CraigM]

Maybe you are catching the edge of the break. Doesn't the Vex have a 12 deg. trans instead of 20? I do remember reading on here that someone else was having issues with a 2' dead spot on the bottom. If I remember correctly he got a new transducer to solve the problem. I have a Fl-18 as well as the LX-5 and haven't had issues with either one. There has been a tad bit of hype going on though. It's getting tougher to read between the lines.

[cybermuskie]

When the guy I bought it from gets back on Monday I am going to go talk to him about it. See if we can figure something out.

[IndyEFI500]

Cybermuskie:

Your kind of scaring me. I am going from an FL6 to the LX3tc that I just got yesterday. Have you tried talking with Marcum? I was told by friends that have Vex, they would trade in a heart beat because they have had bad experiences with the customer service at Vex. Don't know if it would help but if it is new, they should back you.

[IndyEFI500]

Cybermuskie:

Your kind of scaring me. I am going from an FL6 to the LX3tc that I just got yesterday. Have you tried talking with Marcum? I was told by friends that have Vex, they would trade in a heart beat because they have had bad experiences with the customer service at Vex. Don't know if it would help but if it is new, they should back you.

[cybermuskie]

Don't mean to scare ya Indy, but I was kinda lead to believe that these units were the bomb! And that might be as long as you are fishing on flat bottom, or you want to spend more money and bump up to the LX-5 for the dual-beam. I would suggest bringing your old unit out with you for a back-up or til you get used to the 3. I know I can't be the only one to have troubles. I wish someone would let me be a field tester. I would be great at it!

[Bigbartguy]

I finally bought one of these this year, and had 2 Vexs and the Marcum in the same fish house last weekend at URL. The Marcum was much sharper than the Vexs. Everyone commented on the difference. I think either you've got a defective unit or were on a shelf?

I'd try it again in another spot. Bring the Vex out also and compare the 2

[cybermuskie]

Bart,

I totally agree that the 3 is much sharper than the vex. I have had the vex in that exact same spot (re-opened holes) and I could read the bottom 2 feet. Like I said I might have been catching part of the drop-off. But why didn't they put a smaller cone on the base model, so a guy could use it in more areas. The whole idea is to get people to like there product. When I bought it the guy said "this is all you'll ever need" I guess he was wrong. I would go grab my vex, but my buddies flasher died on him, so I let him use my old one, he's in Duluth.

[CNY Tim]

cybermuskie- What degree transducer do have on the Vex if it's a 19 it would be close to the same dead zone as the 20 on the MarCum. I was fishing for perch today in 38' of water on a slow taper that goes to 40' in the basin and I left my LX-5 on 20 deg. all day today., I could have gone to the NBT (Narrow Beam 8 deg. transducer) if I wanted to but I like having the early warning of a wider beam and noticed the walleye at 31' sooner than I would have with the 8 deg. and yanked the spoon up quick, flipped in his face a couple of times and wham! Ther'es no doubt if your going to be fishing "break" walleyes or "break" anything you need the LX-5 you can eliminate alot of the problems your having with the 8 deg.

I would take the MarCum any day of the week and twice on Sunday it's been a solid unit for me from the get go.

[cybermuskie]

Tim,

I am not sure what the cone on my vex is. It was a old model.It still had the old dull colors. i guess I am surprised that Marcum didn't put a smaller degree cone, so it would work in a few more areas. I was working the bottom of a pretty steep drop. But when I can't see from 2 feet to the bottom walleye fishing I get a bit upset. More than likely I will see if I can jump up to the 5, but it's going to cost me more money. I don't like spending more money. Maybe that was the plan, get people to spend more money. A little smaller cone and I probably wouldn't have had this issue. I know I am a bit bucky tonight...sorry! It's just when I spend 400 I expect it to work like I need it, not have to spend another 100 to have it work. Make the base model work in more spot, then add bells for more money.

[CNY Tim]

That was one of the things that some MarCum and Vexilar switch over customers wanted was a narrower beam ducer for applications such as yours, not an overwhelming majority but a few. New customers waited for the dual beam LX-5 before making the move but what I wan't to know is this, "How did they know to wait? or "Did they just guess right?" Unfortunately it is a guessing game for Joe Q consumer, a roll of the dice to buy right now or hold off and stick with what you have and wait. Most of us do not have a crystal ball unfortunately.

Who new MarCum would be changing the display color with "true color"? Adding a dual beam? Introducing new technology in "super fine line",etc..

CM are most or all your applications for ice fishing more geared to the scenario you described?

I, like you never thought I would need anything other than the LX-3 because it has done everything I asked it to do for my style of fishing which is mostly flats and slow tapers in less than 40' of water. I still believe the LX-3 is a fantastic unit but the LX-5 is so incredible that my LX-3's sit back-up to it now.

I think customers should weigh there applications and get the unit that best suits a majority of there needs and fishing conditions. The guys who guessed right and held off and purchased the LX-5 have been totally blown away by it's performance. I know it's an extra $80 for the LX-5 over the LX3TC but I guarantee that you will see the results immediately. I am impressed more and more with this unit everytime I take it on the ice from fishing heavy weed cover to deep water it's the best performing and most versatile unit I have used.

I know alot of folks recommend the FL-18 and still do which baffles me, over the FL8SLT but I for the life of me honestly don't see where the extra money went into that unit. Brighter colored blobs wasn't about new technology it was more loyalty and name recognition that there customers including myself had no problem spending the extra dough to get one. I had to see for myself and made the move to the 18 then immediately sold it after comparing it to the LX-3. The bottom line.... was the FL-18 was just a brighter FL8SLT with a restrictive zoom window that was not functional for me while hole hopping and if I had known this before hand I would have waited for a FL-28, but here we are again back to the crystal ball. Did Vexilar bait and switch there customers with the FL-18? I doubt it.. They just did the best they could with 80's technology and there loyal customer base bought into it. It's called marketing and there is no one that markets harder than Vexilar to there credit I might add.

CM I don't know if MarCum will be carrying a seperate 8 deg. transducer for purchase... You could always email customer service and request it. They do listen to the customer I can tell you that two of my suggestions have been realized with the LX-5. The deeper opening for viewing on the softpack and the change in spectrum from orange to green.

Sure I'd love to be able to know what's going on with these manufacturers R&D wise behind the scenes.

Who know's maybe I should have waited for the LX-5 from the get go and stuck with my FL-8SLT? But how would you know that? Fishing Minnesota staff did not hype this flasher I assure you the LX-3's performance speaks for itself. It is still a better 3 color flasher than the FL-18 no doubt. I doubt that MarCum or any manufacturer are into bait and switching. If it wasn't for sales of the LX-3 would they have added funds to R&D the LX-5, no., would I have been happy with my LX-3, yes. I just think MarCum's engineering is just so advanced that it answered it's customers demands and engineered increased performance features, hence the LX-5. Like any company starting out to make it any industry the base unit is directed toward most fisherman and the LX-3 did just that. I credit MarCum with not sitting on there base unit and listening to the customer, that's how most companies start they listen, engineer and deliver.