Marcum technologies M5 User Manual

Versa Electronics

www.marcumtech.com

Introduction

Thank you for purchasing the MarCum M5 True Color sonar unit. The M5
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 M5
system. Only by reading this manual can you realize the maximum benefit
from your purchase — enjoy

your

new M5 sonar system!

General Description

The M5 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 M5 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 M5 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 M5 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.

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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 M5 comes virtually ready to fish. All you need to do is hook up the positive
lead from the M5 power cord to the battery. Your M5 is delivered with a charged
battery, so you can take it fishing right away. Inside the M5 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 M5 around the ice hole.

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Versa Electronics

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SETTING THE TRANSDUCER FOR ICE FISHING:

When used in conjunction with the retractable pivoting transducer arm and rubber
stopper, the M5’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 M5 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 M5 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 M5 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.

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