Marcum technologies M3 User Manual

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the MarCum M3 True Color sonar unit. The M3
incorporates all of the sonar technology from the flag ship VX series, but now
features the new Max Brightness and Clarity patented MBC lighting. Still
featuring 1000 watts of peak-to-peak power, patented signal interference
rejection, auto zoom, and target separation down to 2.15 inches. Our goal is
to set the industry standard for performance while maintaining the highest
level of reliability. Please read this manual carefully before using your M3
system. Only by reading this manual can you realize the maximum benefit
from your purchase — enjoy

your

new M3 sonar system!

General Description

The M3 True Color sonar unit utilizes three different colors within its display
to differentiate between densities of objects: RED, ORANGE, and GREEN.
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 M3 offers multi-level Interference Rejection (IR) from nearby competing
units. This is most prevalent in ice-fishing applications where anglers utilizing
sonar are often grouped together within small areas.

The M3 can utilize 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 ice-fishing
applications.

Your Marcum is water and weather resistant and is designed to be used in the
outdoors, but in extreme weather conditions, care should be taken to shield
the monitor from driving rain and boat spray. At no time should the monitor
be in direct contact with large amounts of water. Should your M3 become
wet, it is unlikely that any harm will come to it, but make sure to get the entire
system completely dried out as soon as possible.

BATTERY CHARGING

Your Marcum system comes with a 3-stage battery charger. This style of charger
has proven to be the most effective and easiest to use of all charging systems
available. Because this is a 3-stage charger, there is no danger of overcharging your
battery. When properly cared for, a sealed lead acid battery will last for at least a
couple of years. Batteries are made to be used, and they need to be used to make
the most of them. The most important thing you can do is to promptly recharge your
battery after each use. Not charging your battery immediately after use is the
number one thing that leads to battery failure.

For safety reasons, it is recommended that you place your system on a flat, hard
surface like cement or tile when charging it, away from any flammable materials. Be
sure to disconnect the charger from the wall when not in use, and avoid leaving your

battery hooked up to the charger for extended periods of time.

- 2 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

When you get home from a trip, put your battery on charge right away and leave it
there overnight, or for around 8-12 hours. Likewise, on the night before an ice fishing
trip, put it on the charger again, just to make sure. Again, there is no danger of
overcharging your battery. We often talk to people who hesitate to charge their
battery after each use for fear that the battery will develop a “memory” and this will
lead to a shortened run time—THIS IS FALSE!!! ALWAYS CHARGE YOUR
BATTERY AFTER EVERY USE!!! Be sure to use the charger that came with your
system, or a similar one that is between .5 amp and 1 amp. Using a larger charger,
like you would use on a car, truck, RV, or boat is likely to cause damage to the
battery. There is really no danger of overcharging your battery with a low amp
charger, and most chargers automatically go into “maintenance mode” once a full
charge has been achieved.

TO CHARGE YOUR BATTERY:

Your battery has a wiring harness attached to it that has “piggyback” terminals on it,
enabling you to keep the power cord from the unit attached to the battery at all times,
as well as having the wiring harness with receptacle for your charger attached at all
times. To charge, simply couple the end of the charger with the end of the wiring
harness. It is normal for a green light to appear on the charger at this time if the
charger is plugged into the battery only. It is also normal for the light on the charger
to be green if it is just plugged into the wall. When it is plugged into the wall and
battery, you will see a red LED light appear on the charger. If the light is red, the
battery is being charged. When your battery is fully charged, this red light should
change to green. If it is time to go fishing and the light has not turned green, go fish
and try to allow a longer charging period next time.
Batteries are an expendable item, and must be replaced periodically. The batteries
that we use are the “Sealed Lead Acid” variety, they are 12 volts, and range from 7
to 9 amps. The more amps the battery has, the longer it will run on a full charge.
Your Marcum can be powered off of any battery that is 12 volts, even a large
automotive or deep cycle battery.

If you are having difficulty with the charging process, please see the Charger
Troubleshooting section at end of the manual.

If you need to remove the battery, slide the power cord leads from the battery.
Remove the strap that is holding the battery in place and lift the battery out. To
replace the battery, place a new battery of similar specifications into the battery
compartment and secure it with the Velcro strap and re-connect the positive and
negative terminals.

Ice System Set-Up

Your M3 comes virtually ready to fish. All you need to do is hook up the positive
lead from the M3 power cord to the battery. Your M3 is delivered with a charged
battery, so you can take it fishing right away. Inside the M3 deluxe softcase is an
electronics shuttle that has recessed compartments for the battery and the dual
beam 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 M3 around the ice hole.

- 3 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

SETTING THE TRANSDUCER FOR ICE FISHING:

When used in conjunction with the retractable pivoting transducer arm and rubber
stopper, the M3’s transducer will automatically level itself in your ice hole. To begin
operation, take the transducer out of the recessed holder, and rotate the adjustable
ice arm out from inside the shuttle. Extend the transducer arm, (the cable should
already be threaded through it with stopper in place) and deploy the transducer into
the water. We recommend setting your stopper to have the transducer down the least
amount possible. The Marcum M3 puts out enough power that in most cases it is not
necessary to have your transducer down more than a few inches below the water line
to get a good reading. When the ice thickness is over two feet, it may be necessary
to have your transducer set somewhat farther down. Remember--the less transducer
cable you have out, the easier it is to pull it out of the water when bringing in a fish, or
to move to a new location. Under no circumstances should you ever have the ducer
below the ice—this can lead to the ducer becoming damaged.
It is also important that you keep the cable near the center of the ice hole. We
frequently hear from anglers who allowed their cable to freeze into the side of the ice
hole. If this should happen to you, make sure the unit is turned off before attempting
to chisel it out. If you accidentally cut the ducer cable, do not try to use that ducer
again.

MOVING THE DUCER TO A NEW LOCATION

Being mobile is one of the keys to being successful on the ice. Whenever you move
from one spot to another, it is tempting to leave your transducer hanging on the
transducer arm. This is likely to lead to failure of the transducer arm, and can cause
damage to the transducer itself. Always stow the transducer inside the pack when
you are moving. Keeping the amount of transducer cord you have out at a minimum
will make transporting your M3 easier. Similarly, you may need to quickly remove
your transducer from the hole when about to land a fish. We have actually seen
anglers in a panic actually grab the shuttle itself and toss the entire unit to the side.
This is no way to treat any piece of electronics; a much better approach is to simply
lift the transducer out of your way by the cord, and the shuttle itself can be gently
pushed aside. Whenever you are moving via sled or vehicle, always fold up your
transducer arm, stow the transducer inside, and close the protective soft pack.

READING THROUGH ICE

The M3 will provide accurate information reading through ice providing the ice is
reasonably clear. Wet the ice with at least a cup of water to improve the coupling of
the transducer to the ice. Place the face of the transducer firmly on the wetted ice, and
you will now be able to see the depth and fish displayed on your dial. Drilling into the
ice 1-2” before taking a reading may be necessary if the surface of the ice is very
rough, or if the ice is filled with air bubbles.

- 4 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

Operation

The M3 utilizes a combination of control knobs (Gain & Range) and keypad
(IR) and (ZM) to change or activate various system functions. The keypad has
an audible beep when the 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 M3 on or off,
as well as choosing the correct depth range. The M3 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.

Interpreting the different rings of numbers around the dial
When on the 20’ range, simply go by the white numbers. When on the
40’ range, use the outer white numbers, but multiply x 2 to determine
your depth [13 on the dial = 26 feet]. When on the 80’ range, use the
red numbers. When on the 160’ range, use the red numbers x 2. The
innermost numbers are for the split screen zoom, and they are used in
a similar manner.

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 higher
numbers mean 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

looking for your lure or bait, turn up the gain until you just begin to

you’re
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. We

cannot emphasize this strongly enough. Too much Gain will only
clutter the display with unnecessary information, making it more difficult to
interpret the return signals. Keeping the Gain at minimum levels will actually
provide you with the most accurate and precise information.

Interference Rejection

- The Interference Rejection system is designed to
knock out competing return signals from other sonar units being used within
close proximity. When other sonar units are causing interference to the
display of the M3, activate the IR feature by depressing the IR key located on
the face of the M3. When you press the key, a beep will be heard. There are
multiple levels of interference rejection, and each press of the key will change
the level of Interference Rejection. The correct level of IR will be achieved
when the display is clear of display clutter. In some extreme cases, clutter will
be greatly reduced but not totally eliminated. It is recommended that only one
person in a group adjust the interference rejection at a time.

- 5 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

Zoom - The Zoom function can be activated by depressing the ZM
key. An audible beep will indicate that the Zoom function has been
activated. The Zoom function divides the circular display screen in
half. The right half of the display, (12 to 6 o’clock on the dial) will
become your entire surface-to-bottom display. This will be indicated
by a RED band of light at the top (zero) and a RED band of light at
the bottom (or 6 o’clock). If you are on the 20-foot depth range, the
12 o’clock position will be the surface of the water and 6 o’clock will
be the bottom of your chosen depth range (20 feet on the 20-foot
scale). When utilizing the Zoom function, you will be reading your
depth markings by viewing the inner circle (YELLOW numeric)
located in the center of the M3 display dial. If you select the 40-foot
scale, the same applies, except you multiply the YELLOW numeric
markings by 2. The 80-foot range setting is a multiple of 4, and the
160-foot range setting is a multiple of 8. Once you use the M3 a few
times, your brain will automatically make the adjustment without any
noticeable thought process. The backside of the display (6 o’clock
moving clockwise to 12 o’clock) is the other half of your split-screen
display. This half reads what you see on the right half, but in a
magnified version. This will greatly enhance the precision of your
presentation and show that multiple smaller targets might exist on
the left half (Zoom) where it appears - 6 - Versa Electronics
www.marcumtech.com that one larger target is showing on the right
(normal display). You can determine the size of your Zoom window
(the width or amount of water viewed within the water column) by
depressing the ZM key. If you depress the key once (turning Zoom
ON), the window is 5 feet on the 20- or 40-foot range setting, if you
press the ZM key again the Zoom window is expanded to 10 feet.
Depress the ZM key again and the Zoom feature is turned OFF. The
80-foot range allows you a 10-foot viewing window; depress ZM
again and it will become a 20- foot Zoom window. The 160-foot
range has a 20-foot window, or it becomes 40-foot when ZM is
depressed again

Signal Interpretation

Hard-bottom readings (rock or gravel) will be displayed by a wide band of RED
light indicating a strong return signal. Conversely, a soft bottom (mud or silt)
will return a weaker signal and will result in a narrower RED band or possibly
even a combined RED and GREEN band. A soft bottom with weed growth
will often appear as a narrow RED or GREEN band combined with both s

olid
and broken YELLOW segments indicating weeds. Any fish in the weeds may
show as RED or GREEN depending on fish size and relationship within the
transmit beam (in the middle or on the outside of the transmit signal).

- 6 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

Reading Fish ­Fish will generally appear as separate targets from the bottom. A fish
target can be displayed as RED, ORANGE or GREEN, depending on
the size of the fish and the location within the transmit beam. Larger
fish located in the center of the beam (cone) can appear RED and
will be displayed as a wider band on the display. Smaller fish or fish
on the outside of the cone may appear ORANGE or even GREEN.
Fish moving through the transmit beam may change color as the
return signal strengthens or weakens reflecting their location. Fish
that are right on the bottom can appear as part of the bottom. The
best indication of a fish sitting right on the bottom is that the leading
edge of the bottom return signal is either ORANGE or possibly a
dithering or flickering RED segment. It is important that the GAIN or
sensitivity be kept to a minimum when displaying a strong bottom
return. Too much GAIN will flood out the ability to differentiate targets
and clutter the display. Fish - Fish will generally appear as separate
targets from the bottom. A fish target can be displayed as RED,
YELLOW or GREEN, depending on where the fish is located within

the cone.

Reading Your Jig -

The M3 will pick up and display small objects like jigs, spilt shot, or
swivels. When tuning the unit to display your lure or bait, lower the
object to the desired depth and turn up the GAIN until you see the jig
on the display. It is important that the GAIN be set so it displays the
jig as you raise or lower it. Sound waves emitted by the M3 bounce
off targets and return with the strength of the targets’ density. Denser
targets return with a stronger signal, displayed as RED. Less-dense
objects (small fish) return a medium-strength signal, displayed as
GREEN. The least dense objects (weeds, bait-fish, lure) return a
weak signal, displayed as YELLOW. Objects on the edge of the
sound cone may appear as YELLOW. A fish moving through the
cone may appear first as YELLOW then GREEN, then RED,
depending on where the fish is located within the cone.

NOTE: Too much GAIN will cause clutter and may make it difficult to
distinguish other targets like fish near the bottom. When tuning the unit to
display lures or bait, make s

ure that the objects are in the center of the hole
and therefore in the center of the transmit beam. If t here’s water curre nt (some
lakes have underwater current or movement) and the lure doesn’t weigh
much, it may move to the outer edge of the signal or out of the transmit beam
altogether. This will make it difficult or impossible to pick it up on the display.

Dead Zone

ll sonar units will have a dead zone in certain circumstances.

- A
This occurs on sharp drop-offs where the transmit beam (cone) hits the
shallower edge of the drop-off and returns before the deeper edge returns.
This in effect creates an undisplayed area between the shallower and deeper
water within the transmit beam.

- 7 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

BATTERY CHARGER TROUBLESHOOTING

A majority of inquiries that come to our office are battery or battery charger
related.

times the issue is with the fuse on the wiring harness. If you suspect your battery is not
being charged, follow these troubleshooting tips:

1.

2.

3.

Battery failure can be caused by a fault in the charging system, and many

When the charger is plugged into the

light. If there is no light showing, confirm that the outlet is good. If the outlet is
good, it is very likely that the charger itself is faulty.

If the charger is plugged into the
lig

t. If it does not show a green light, it is likely that the charg er is no t making

h
contact with the battery. The most likely reason for this is a faulty fuse on the
wiring harness. This fuse is a 2-amp automotive fuse, and it should b
replaced with a 2 or 3-amp fuse available anywhere that sells auto parts. The
fuse can blow out if there is a short in the charging system, or if t
of the wiring harness comes in contact with a battery terminal.

When the charger is plugged into both the wall
be a red light showing on the charger. A red light showing indicates that the
charger is in contact with the battery and is actively charging the battery.
Once the battery has reached a voltage level that is considered “fully charged”
the red light should change to green. If after 24 hours the light has not
changed to green there is no cause for alarm! Remember that when the light
is red, the battery is being charged, and you will be able to use your system.

WALL ONLY

BATTERY ONLY

and

it should show a green

it

should show a gree

e

he plug end

the battery, there should

n

4.

If the charger is plugged into the w
the c harger, it is ver y likely that the battery is faulty and should be replaced.

Battery Draw

The M3 has a cur rent draw between 250 and 300mA per h our. With a
st andard 7.2-amp hour battery, the M3 should last between 18 and 22
hours if fully charged. To extend the battery life, recharge the battery after
every use.

Cone Angle Coverage

The cone angle of all M3 transducers is 20 degrees. The approximate area of
coverage with a 20 degree transducer is determined by dividing the depth by 3
(in 30 feet of water your area of cove r- age is approximately 10’).

Product Performance Specifications

Output Power .. ... ... ... ... . .. . 2000 watts peak to peak

Depth Ranges ..................... . 20, 40, 80, & 160 feet

Transmit Frequency ................. . 200 KHz

Current Draw .. ... ... ... ... ... . 300 mA

Operating Voltage .................. . 10.5 to 15 volts (12-volt DC)

Display Colors ..................... . Red, Orange, Green

Transducer Cone Angle .............. . 20 degrees (all transducers)

Target Separation .. ... ... ... ... 2.15 inches (20-foot depth scale)

all and batter

y, and you get a bli nking light on

1 inch in Zoom Mode
(20 foot depth scale)

- 8 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

WARRANTY - SONAR

Marcum warranties this product to be free from defects in materials and
workmanship for two years from the date of purchase. This warranty applies to
customers who properly complete the online product registration form found on the
MarCum Technologies Website: www.marcumtech.com/support

WARRANTY - LITHIUM COMBO BATTERY

Marcum warranties the Lithium Combo battery to be free from defects in materials
and workmanship for one year from the date of purchase. This warranty applies to
customers who properly complete the online product registration form found on the
MarCum Technologies Website for the sonar unit as well as the lithium shuttle if you
buy the combo unit. Proper maintenance and storage is required. Please reference
included literature found in lithium combo systems.

If you are unable to use the internet, please fill out and submit the enclosed warranty
registration card to be eligible for the two year warranty. Marcum Technologies will
repair or replace any components that fail in normal use. Failures due to abuse,
misuse, unauthorized alteration, modification, or repair are not covered. The
warranty is valid only for the original owner who purchases the unit from an
authorized dealer. An original sales receipt dated within the warranty period is
required for all warranty claims.

In an effort to best serve our customers, Marcum Technologies has set a
standardized battery warranty policy. Battery warranty coverage requires a proof
of purchase. Please see our website, www.marcumtech.com/support, for full
details on warranty coverage.

HOW TO OBTAIN SERVICE

If your unit is malfunctioning, check the FAQ section of our website. You may find that
the solution to your problem is something you can resolve yourself. If you need to send
it in, there is no need to contact our office. Getting repairs made is as simple as going to
our website, clicking on the service tab, and then filling out the Warranty Service Form.
If your unit is under warranty, be sure to attach a picture/scan of your proof of purchase
with date included. If your system is out of warranty, we have several flat-rate fees that
will cover the cost of repairs, including parts and labor. Once you have completed the
Warranty or Flat-Rate repair, package the unit as described on the website and ship it to
us.

There is no need for an authorization or reference number, just make sure that you
have included your contact info and a brief description of the issue on a note in the box.

If you do not have the ability to use the Internet, you may also fill out the warranty
service form included in the box with your unit. If you enclose this form in the box with
your unit there is no need to contact our office, just include the filled out form in the
shipping box.

Some people are more comfortable calling for shipping instructions. During peak ice
season, we sometimes receive a high volume of calls, making it impossible to get to
all customers who phone in. For this reason, strongly consider using the on-line
form or email rather than calling. In your email, please provide your name, complete
address, and phone #. Please indicate what model Marcum you have, approximate
date of purchase, and what has gone wrong with it.

- 9 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

OUR ADDRESS:

MARCUM TECHNOLOGIES

ATTN: SERVICE DEPT.

3943 QUEBEC AVE NORTH

MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55427

Please send your email inquiries to [e-mail]

If you are unable to use email or internet, you may call us at 763-512-3987.
Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 8 – 4 Central Time.
International callers may use 888-778-1208.

The customer is responsible for shipping costs associated with returning the unit to
Marcum Technologies. Marcum will pay for shipping the repaired unit back to the
customer while it is still under warranty. All out of warranty services will be charged a
fee for service and shipping which must be paid in advance. The unit should be
securely packed and shipped “pre-paid freight” and insured to Marcum Technologies. It
is the customer’s full responsibility to track their products sent out in the mail or other
forms of delivery service. Marcum Technologies will not be liable for packages lost en
route to us. Unless specified otherwise, do not include batteries or other accessories
when returning the product for repair. Marcum Technologies will not be responsible for
lost or damaged accessories. Turnaround time can vary, on average it is about 1 week.

ACCESSORIES

Soft pack—This is the red pack that protects your flasher from the elements.
Shuttle—This is the plastic base that your flasher is mounted to.

Transducer Arm—This holds your ducer cable. Having an extra one on hand is
not a bad idea, clumsy friends have been known to break these.

Ice Transducer—If you have lost or damaged your ducer you can buy one from us

or premium retailers. If you think your ducer quit working, you should contact
customer service before buying a new one.

Universal Open-water transducer - converts Ice System for open water use

Stopper—
12 volt Battery—Batteries don’t last forever, buying an extra one is cheap

insurance that you will always be able to use your flasher

Power Cord —This connects your flasher to the battery
Universal Charging System —This includes a charger and a fused wiring harness

This suspends your ice ducer in the hole along with the ducer arm.

These items can be ordered off our website, www.marcumtech.com or by calling

763-512-3987

- 10 -

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

OTHER GREAT PRODUCTS FROM VERSA ELECTRONICS

LX-7

The LX-7 Digital Sonar takes DNA from other fine Marcum sonars –you might say it was “bred” for
excellence. Because the LX-7 is digital, we can pack it full of more features than have ever been
found in an ice sonar before. With an 8” customizable dashboard display, superior target
separation, 12-level interference rejection, dual-beam transducer, expandable zoom, and much,
much more, the LX-7 is the perfect combination of macro features and micro precision.

Showdown Troller 2.0

The Showdown Troller Digital Fish Finder is a palm-sized sonar device with full size performance.
For use in either ice-fishing or open water situations…quickly “troll” from hole to hole while ice­fishing or shoot through your canoe or kayak in order to find fish and the correct depth. As a scout­ing tool it has ne equal; the ultimate in portability is matched to ShowDown’s proven Crystal­Quick® vertical display. The sonar instantly locks on to bottom, and clearly displays the location of
fish and your lure, anywhere in the water column.

VS825sd

Using an 8” LCD display, the 825sd will deliver the sharpest, most vivid display possible; on­screen displays of camera direction, depth, temp and battery voltage take all of the guess work
out of your camera position so your new VS825sd can be used to hunt for underwater treasures,
locate the “spot on the spot”, observe fish in their natural habitat or learn how fish react to your
lure or bait presentation. The applications are endless, and it’s never been easier or more fun to
view.

- 11 -

www.marcumtech.com

Marcum Technologies

3943 Quebec Ave. N

Minneapolis, MN 55427

MarCum User Manuals are available for download from

www.marcumtech.com.