lx3tc problem

[Jae]

i just bought a lx3tc less than 2 weeks ago. this is the second unit i have bought after selling my vex fl-12. it was working fine today from 6:30am-12:30pm till it just decided to stop reading bottom. i had a solid red bottom with structure, and i know it reads the high spot and my jig falls 2' lower. was markin fish then it resets, so i now have no bottom, (have it set in 40' fishin in 24' in the 5' zoom mode) gain is set at 2.5 and no reed bottom just a few yellow lines. lost my jig in the clutter tried to turn gain up to see if its not recieving, and i got a minimal red bottom and still couldnt make out my jig. turned unit off chrcked all connections, 2 on the back of the head and 2 on the battery. turned it back on same thing. went to 4 different holes same result. took the ducer and rubbed the bottom an my pants to clear off any ice buildup at each hole, same result. ended up shortning my trip in half and questioning myself if im gona keep getting lemons. i need a functional unit for tommarow so i hope it works after a charge, btw it had 60% left, also battery life seems low and marcum is sending a new one out. i have read that it could be the ducer and i have e-mailed them reguarding this, but am asking if anyone has ever had this happen to them. and if it doesnt work and marcum wants me to send it to them, im going to return it and get the lx5, but i will call them in the am. thanx for any input.

[Northlander]

May just be the ducer. I know a guy who just went through the same thing. Marcum sent him a new ducer. Their customer service is great.

[Surface Tension]

I thought the ducer problems were ironed out a couple years ago before the LX3tc line came out.

Did you try this without the zoom? Let us know if this works today, it could have been a weak battery.

If not then MarCum customer service will take care of you.

[Jae]

well havent heard from them so im going to return it and get the lx5 if they have it there. this killed my day

[Jae]

well returned the lc3 and got the lx5 so ill see if this one craps out on me.

[NCLaker]

LOTS of posts regarding problems with the Lx3/3tc's ducer. I had the similar issues with mine and sold mine after it was repaired. I would guess you'll be much happier with the LX5. I have read very few posts on issues with that model. Which is odd, since you would think the LX5 Dual beam would have more issues given it's increased complexity.

[Jae]

im gona try it tomarrow after work in a spot that never gets hit hard, and see if its gona work, or im gona have to return it and get another one, third times the charm right ?!?!

[Down Deep]

I bought a 3tc in late 07. After about three uses I had the same problem. I took it in and the retailer sent it back. It was supposed to be back in 4 days. After three weeks of waiting and being a bother to Marcum I finally got it back. Not what I would term good customer service. They replaced the ducer. I also had the battery problem which wasn't addressed. On the next outing, which happened to be a 5 day trip to Canada, the unit lost contact with the bottom on the first day out. When I returned I got the retailer to give me another unit which has worked flawlessly. You may have a bad unit. In terms of customer service in my experience I wouldn't give Marcum high marks, but would rate the retailer as an A plus.

[palisade1kid]

Doesn't matter who's flasher you buy ice ducers are very touchy.

The tolerance needs to be just right in production or there can be issues.

Marcum is now owned by Nature Vision and although they are swamped at this time of year they will take care of you.

Be patient please.

As they grow there will be growing pains.Hopefully they increase the service reps to handle the load.

As a pro staffer for Marcum I know that from speaking with them

,they want to take care of the customer base.

I can appreciate the frustration of having your unit go down on you.

All mechanical products can and do fail ...sometimes at the worst time like when we are fishing.

I have an LX3tc and I have never expierenced any problems for 2 years since I've made the switch.I fish several days a week and it goes through heck and back.

[Jae]

well got to try it out today it worked fine other than i thought i was in 30' of water but turned out to be in 44' i was freakin out! but it worked better than the lx3, but im gona keep an eye on it