Marcum Technologies LX-3 User Manual

USER MANUAL

3-COLOR
SONAR ICE
SYSTEM

3-COLOR
SONAR
SYSTEM

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

General Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Ice System Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Open Water Set-Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Display Diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Deluxe Ice System Only . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Product Performance Specifications . . . 11

Signal Interpretation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

User Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the LX-3 multicolor sonar unit. The
LX-3 incorporates the latest in sonar technology, featuring a
flexible zoom that can be set anywhere between surface and
bottom, 1500 watts of peak-to-peak power, signal interference
rejection, and target separation down to 1 inch. Our goal at
MarCum Technologies is to set the industry standard for perform­ance while maintaining the highest level of reliability. Please read
this operation manual carefully before using your unit. Only by
reading this manual can you realize the maximum benefit from
your purchase. Enjoy your new LX-3!

General Description

The LX-3 multicolor sonar unit utilizes three different colors
within its display to differentiate between densities of objects.
The Red light displays the strongest of return signals, often signi­fying a hard bottom or a larger fish that is often in the center of
the transmit signal (cone). The Orange light displays the next in
the line of weaker-signal returns, often signifying a softer bottom
or smaller fish in the middle of the transmit signal or a larger fish
on the outside of the transmit signal. The weakest return is dis­played by a Yellow light and often signifies weeds, small bait-fish,
medium-sized fish on the outside of the transmit signal, or a very
soft bottom. The use of different colors in defining return signals
is meant to be informative in indicating the size of fish, type of
bottom or location of weeds. The interpretation of these signals
improves with experience and use in the field.

The LX-3 offers six levels of signal Interference Rejection (IR)
that knock out signals from nearby competing units. This is most
prevalent in ice-fishing applications where anglers utilizing sonar
are often grouped together within small areas. The LX-3 offers a
Zoom feature that allows the user to hone in on a specific sec­tion of water within the water column and, conversely, improve
the ability to separate targets from 2.15 inches down to 1 inch.
The Zoom window (area of water being selected) can be set at
either 5 or 10 feet on the 20- and 40-foot depth range, 10 or 20
feet on the 80-foot depth range, or 20- or 40-feet on the 160-foot
depth range.

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This allows for a larger Zoom window to be viewed on the deep­er range settings. The Zoom window can be moved anywhere
between the surface and the bottom by use of the UP / DN arrow
keys located on the keypad.

The LX-3 is offered with any one of three different twenty-degree
(cone angle) transducers. The puck-style transducer is often
used for mounting on the bottom of trolling motors or for in-hull
applications. The high-speed transducer is intended for outside
the hull mounting on the transom of a boat and is designed for
picking up depth or return signals at higher speeds. The ice
transducer is a weighted, self-aligning transducer used for ice­fishing applications. The LX-3 runs off of any 12-volt power
source and includes a power cord for wiring directly to the
battery or into an electrical panel. The unit is mounted onto a
factory-supplied gimbal bracket that can be in turn attached to a
rotating swivel base (not supplied) or mounted directly to a boat
deck, drivers console, portable electronics shuttle, or located in
an electronics locker. The LX-3 is designed to withstand moisture
from rain, sleet or snow. This unit was tested under the harshest
of conditions to ensure that you will receive the kind of depend­ability that you deserve.

Ice System Set-Up

Your LX-3 comes virtually ready to fish. All you need to do is
hook up the positive lead from the LX-3 power cord and DCS to
the positive terminal of the battery. If the LCD display indicates
less than 70 percent of battery charge remaining, it’s recom­mended that you plug in the power supply as described under
Digital Charging System (see section Deluxe Ice System Only).
Inside the LX-3 deluxe soft pack is an electronics shuttle that has
recessed compartments for the battery and transducer. Take the
transducer out of the recessed holder and rotate the adjustable
ice arm out from inside the shuttle. The adjustable ice arm
allows for maximum flexibility in positioning the LX-3 around the
ice hole. The transducer is weighted and self-aligns no matter
how uneven the ice. The amount of cable hanging below the ice
arm should allow for the transducer to be completely submersed.

Open-Water Set-Up

The LX-3 is an excellent sonar unit for open-water use. To con­vert the LX-3 from an ice system to open water, remove the LX-3
powerhead, gimbal bracket, and powercord from the soft pack.
The gimbal bracket can be mounted on any flat surface. The unit
should be mounted in a location that is free from other electrical
apparatus to eliminate interference. If interference is observed,
reposition the unit until optimum performance is obtained. Your
boat’s 12-volt DC electrical system can be used to power the
unit. A power bus can be used, but interference may result.
Interference is recognized as random flashes around the dial.
Lowest noise will be obtained by direct connection to the battery.

The LX-3 is protected from accidental polarity reversals. No
damage will result from an incorrect battery hook-up. The ice­fishing transducer supplied with the Ice System is not designed
for open-water use. There are two transducer choices for use in
open water. The high-speed transducer is designed for transom
mounting (outside the hull) and reads depth while the boat is on
plane. The puck-style transducer is most often mounted on the
bottom of a trolling motor or epoxied into the hull of a
fiberglass boat.

High-Speed Transducer Installation

High-Speed transducers are designed to be mounted on the
transom of a boat. If properly installed, you will be able to read
depth, weeds, and fish while the boat is on plane. Transducer
mounting location is critical for optimum performance of the LX-3
sonar unit. The mounting location should be free of any white
water or turbulence resulting from rivets, ribs or hull strakes. It is
preferable to mount the transducer at least 18 inches from the
centerline of the boat to avoid turbulent water resulting from the
outboard motor. The transducer is wedge-shaped and should be
mounted with the leading edge mounted against the transom.
The leading edge of the transducer should be mounted flush with
bottom of the boat. This can be best achieved by using a flat
object like a ruler and holding it flat along the bottom of the boat
and matching the bottom of the transducer to the bottom of
the boat.

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Attach the mounting hardware to the high-speed transducer as
shown in the instructions included with the transducer. Hold the
transducer with attached mounting hardware to the transom of
the boat (flush to the bottom) and mark the center of the holes
on the transom. Drill the appropriate-size holes and attach the
transducer to the transom. Tilt the rear of the transducer between
2 to 5 degrees below the transom to ensure solid contact with
the water when the boat is on plane. It may be helpful to use a
small amount of marine silicone along the leading edge of the
transducer filling in any gap between the transducer and hull.
This will help eliminate any white water or air bubbles, which can
cause random interference on the sonar display. Use caution in
applying silicone to ensure that it only comes in contact with the
leading edge of transducer, and does not smear across the face
of transducer resulting in reduced sensitivity. More-detailed
installation instructions are included with the high-speed
transducer and mounting hardware.

Puck Transducer

Puck-style transducers can be mounted on the bottom of a
trolling motor, epoxied in the hull of a fiberglass boat, or mounted
to a suction cup for portable use. Mounting to a trolling motor is
achieved with the use of a large, adjustable stainless steel hose
clamp available at most hardware or automotive stores. Slots are
included in the puck transducer for passing the clamp through
and then around the motor. Align the transducer so that it is per­fectly centered from right to left on the bottom of the motor. If the
transducer is tilted or angled, you won’t receive a signal on your
sonar display. Do not mount the transducer next to the propeller.
Turbulence from the propeller may cause disruption in the sonar
display. In-hull mounting is designed for achieving high-speed
sonar readings in fiberglass boats. For the best readings, the
transducer must be mounted in the layer of fiberglass that is in
direct contact with the water. This is best achieved by mounting
the transducer in the area surrounding the bilge pump in the
transom area of the boat. Some boats have false bottoms
or floors.

Mounting the transducer in a location not in direct contact with
the water will result in dead air space and no sonar reading.
Once the correct area is located, the transducer is installed using
a good grade of marine epoxy. For more-detailed installation
information, refer to the directions included with the
puck transducer.

Operation

The LX-3 utilizes a combination of control knobs (Gain & Range)
and keypad (IR, ZM, UP & DN) to change or activate various
system functions. The keypad has an audible beep when a key is
depressed to indicate that a system function has been activated.
The following is an explanation of the various system functions.

Range Select - The Range select knob is used for turning the
LX-3 on or off, as well as choosing the correct depth range. The
LX-3 offers four depth ranges to choose from that can be select­ed by rotating the knob clockwise. The depth ranges are 20, 40,
80, or 160 feet. The depth-range setting is determined by turning
the unit on and turning the Gain knob looking for a solid return
(band of light) indicating bottom on the display. If no return is
present, then select the 40-, 80-, or 160-foot range until a bottom
reading is displayed on the screen.

Gain Knob - The Gain knob controls the amount of sensitivity
required by the unit to pick up objects like bottom, weeds, fish,
smaller bait-fish, or small lures and jigs. The lower the number,
the less sensitivity. Conversely, the higher the number, the more
sensitivity. However, too much Gain (sensitivity) will result in too
much information being displayed, and it becomes difficult to
interpret the return signals. The best Gain setting is achieved by
turning up your Gain from 0 until you receive a clear and steady
bottom reading. If you’re looking for your lure or bait, turn up the
gain until you just begin to display your bait without it fading or
flickering on the screen. The lower the sensitivity, the narrower
the display segments, the easier it is to distinguish targets.

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