Marcum Flasher Improvement Thoughts

[NCLaker]

I am a Vexilar FL-18 guy and picked up a used Marcum LX3tc so I had and extra unit and to see if I prefered it over the Vex. Some observations/wish list on the Marcum:

(1) Why don't they offer other transducer cone options for the LX3. I really like the 12 degreee mid-range transducer on my FL18. Has anyone heard if Marcum has considered this as an option, and if it would be backward compatible to their current units? This is a nice option with the vexilars. I find the 20 degree less precise and when I am in a portable I end up seeing my buddy's and my lures on my screen at the same time(very annoying). If I would have know this before I purchased the LX3, I would have spent the extra money for an LX5 or maybe gone to an FL-20.

(2) Instead of the marcum defaulting the zoom window to the top of the water column - they should have had it automatically lock on the bottom. 9x out of 10 this is what most people are zooming in on anyways. Would be a nice convinience.

(3) I think they have a somewhat prevelant problem with their LX3 quality. Had to have mine fixed due to issues with the gain (need to turn up too high to see lure). I have read many posts of people having similar issues. You should not have to turn it up past 1-2. Cudos to their customer service - they stand behind their product and repaired quickly.

(4) Would be nice to have a master shutoff on the LX3/5 so that there is now battery draw when not using for long periods.

(5) Back lighting or small light attachment would be a nice convinience when using the unit at night so I can see the buttons/setting when making adjustments.

I am still undecided on whether I like the Vexilar or Marcum better. I find the Vexilar easier to read (seem to get a lot of clutter on the bottom so it is hard to read whats what on the Marcum - blame this on the wide cone angle). But I love the Marcum's charging system and access (great design), softpack, and quieter then the Vex. If the FL20s had the adjustable zoom, I would have probably gone that route and just bought Marcum' digital charger as an add-on.

[PYROPAL]

Glad I read these posts. Never had much experience with flashers. A friend has a Vex of some sort, and fishing with that guy and that machine was great. So I got the Marcum Lx 3. Since it was new I figured it would be "better". Now I read that The reason The gain has to be turned up so high is the units are defective. I don't go ice fishing often enough to have a good handle on what is "normal" with any flasher, let alone one that isn't quite right from the "git-go"! I bet there are a lot of other folks with Marcum units who don't realize that they have a unit that doesn't work right. I hope Marcum gets to read this entire thread, when I send them my unit I'll mention it in a note!

[slipperybob]

Another wish:

Improved target tracking. Sometimes my lure is moving so fast that it doesn't register on the display, it blinks out or flashes in momentarily. It might be a signal extraplolation algorithm processing in the likeness of an analog signal. It's not like I'm moving it too fast for the speed of sound.

It would apply to fishes as well. Sometimes I get a strike, but no fish is on flasher. They're coming from outside of sonar cone area so fast it doesn't pick up. I say a few lines flashed in indicating a very fast moving fish clearing over 5 feet rise from bottom.

[slipperybob]

*bump*

with the recent melt and standing water...

Hey, I would really like a little extendable legs on my unit, simply to keep it off a few inches of puddle melt.

I've got a little camp prep table to set it on the floor but hey, that's a separate piece of equipment. Would be very convenient if the flasher unit came with that built into it.

[Northlander]

I would add that I would like a Marcum to be able to read bottom in 300' for Lake Superior Apostle Islands Lakers. A would also like it to fit in a 5 gallon pail for protection when hauling the house with a snowmobile. I havent found any crates or storage boxes that would work for mine.

Lighted buttons, zoom to start on bottom, longer ducer cord, and a bigger screen would all be nice. A magnifier for the screen would be cheaper than redoing the size of the screen and I really liked the maginifier on my old Vex.

Also a new design to make it easier to switch out batteries. Man its tough to do at times. Even when the velcro is all undone.

Oh and do all this for the same price.

We did say this is a wish list right?

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

Regarding the 5 gallon pail issue, I may try to fit my LX5 into one of the UltraPack cases for that very reason.

I would also like if the zoom started at the bottom.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Northlander,

The Marcum fits perfect in the bucket that Kitty Litter comes in! Just stand the Marcum on end in it.

Cliff

[Northlander]

Hey Cliff thanks a lot. I guess I never tried that. I will now for sure.

E-mail me if you have a day to hit some crappies.

[Esox_Magnum]

My LX 5 fits in a 5 gal bucket. Just drop it in battery first.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

Northlander,

I tried to use Outlook Express to e-mail you last week but I cannot get thru on it.

Anytime you want to go after crappies just call or e-mail me. I have lots of free time right now!

My brother and I kept 16 crappies and 39 sunfish on Friday.

Eimail your phone # also!

Cliff