Flasher Issue-any ideas?

[Gunflint Guy]

My older Marcum LX-1 has developed a blind spot below 40 feet. I can see my jig clearly to 40, then it disappears into a sea of interference. Interference suppression clears up some of the lines, but I still cannot see my jig. Turning down the gain does not help. I'm not fishing near anyone, so it isn't that type of interference. Ironically, I used to have a zercom grayscale flasher that was great until it developed the same disease. The store owner said it was a faulty transducer that goofed the zercom and of course you can't find replacements anymore. That's when I bought the Marcum about 3 years ago only to have it do the same thing. Anyone else seen this phenomenon?

Is there an easy fix that I am missing? I hate to have to buy a new unit.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Are you fishing a steep drop-off?

I have that problem when fishing steep drop-offs. My graph says its 70FOW but my bottom line is at 30, so there is a blind zone there where I can't see anything......

[Gunflint Guy]

I should have mentioned that I know it isn't a drop-off issue...I was fishing the top of a deep reef one day and a flat the next day. The blind spot started at forty feet in both spots.

[gritsnham]

That is interesting and I have never heard of the problem. It could be a problem with your brushes (I hink marcum uses them also). I would give them a call as they should know the best course of action.

[superbee]

I had a similar problem with my Marcum LX3. I just swapped transducers with a buddy to verify it was the transducer. When I swapped the transducer out, it worked perfect. Then I called Marcum and told them the problem and they sent me a new transducer free of charge and it arrived within a few days. They have had excellent customer service over the years.

[Gunflint Guy]

Thanks, that verifies what I suspected.

[so haaad]

I've basically got the same issue with my LX-1, but mine is a little worse. Anytime I'm fishing over 20 feet or so and I can't pick up my jigs most of the time. And not just micro jigs, but 1/4 ounce vertical spoons with the gain turned up to 8 or 9. I thought it was a transducer, so I bought a new one for $75. Nope, I still have the same problems. I talked to Marcum yesterday and I have to send in the whole unit.

If you know someone else with a Marcum LX-1, 3 or 5, you can try switching out the transducer and that should tell you if you have a bad ducer. All the ducers in the LX series will work on the LX-1, even the dual beam.

[leech~~]

hey how about ahhh gunflint? I think he may need a new one?

[DTro]

I've basically got the same issue with my LX-1, but mine is a little worse. Anytime I'm fishing over 20 feet or so and I can't pick up my jigs most of the time. And not just micro jigs, but 1/4 ounce vertical spoons with the gain turned up to 8 or 9.

If this is happening in the spot I ran into you last time. I had the same issues with my LX5, till I discovered that the current was pushing my jig out of the cone. I had to drill another hole a couple feet away and then it worked fine.

[Northlander]

Ya current was my guess too. If it was a bad ducer it would show signs of failure in less than 20' as well.

Find someone with the same graph and swap ducers and see if that cures it at the same spot. If not its current.

I have this problem on the St. Louis River. I drill 3 holes in line with eachother. Move the graph to the hole that gives you the best read.

If it does turn out to be a ducer call Marcum. Their customer service has been great.

[Gunflint Guy]

I don't think Snowbank Lake has that much current, thanks for the ideas, though.

[so haaad]

Originally Posted By: so haaad

I've basically got the same issue with my LX-1, but mine is a little worse. Anytime I'm fishing over 20 feet or so and I can't pick up my jigs most of the time. And not just micro jigs, but 1/4 ounce vertical spoons with the gain turned up to 8 or 9.

If this is happening in the spot I ran into you last time. I had the same issues with my LX5, till I discovered that the current was pushing my jig out of the cone. I had to drill another hole a couple feet away and then it worked fine.

I am having issues in other non-current areas too. Marcum customer service is thinking it's just a bad ducer. I have since bought a new one and am still having the same issues, so I'm thinking it's more than just a bad ducer. I'll most likely wait until the end of the season and send it in to Marcum. A two week wait isn't bad for turnaround time, except during ice season.