Ice Trolling 2.0 – Coming to a Lake Near You

  • In-Depth Webstaff
    Keymaster
    Posts: 2756
    #1303812

    TROLLING ON ICE?

    Digitally Enhanced MarCum ShowDown Troller 2.0 Upgrades Performance, Not Price

    Minnetonka, Minn. (August 22, 2012) — A delightfully diminutive departure from traditional ice fishing sonar, category leader MarCum Technologies ventured forth last winter with a major concept within a micro package. ShowDown Troller is a high-level portable fish-finder that actually fits into a parka-pocket; literally a smartphone sized device that delivers all the fish and structure finding intelligence offered by its power-laden counterparts.

    Yet before the Troller’s initial sonar software even entered its final stages, MarCum’s eminent engineers were already delving deeper. How to improve upon something so fundamentally sound, so functionally superior? The answer was clear: ShowDown Troller 2.0.

    Endowed with a digitally enhanced mini LCD, Troller 2.0 has undergone a radical upgrade, and done so without even escalating the price-tag. The vibrant new LCD displays depth, fish, lures, structure in staggeringly sharp resolution. This potent little sonar also acquired a virtual “intelligence,” exhibited in an all new Auto Bottom Lock Zoom feature that tracks and magnifies structure so you never miss a bottom-hugging fish again.

    “Troller 2.0 is the ultimate micro-sonar unit,” says Ice Force member and professional angler James Holst. “With Auto Bottom Lock Zoom, I can skip from hole to hole, shallow to deep and always stay zeroed in on the money zone—that critical area near bottom swarming with gills and fins, from walleyes and perch to sunfish and pike.”

    Exceeding MarCum’s own benchmarks in sonar design and performance, ShowDown Troller 2.0 generates a snappy 4,000 watts of power, and functions continuously for 20 hours on just 6 AA batteries. When used with an optional ShowDown Performance Pack, Troller 2.0 can also run on a 12-volt rechargeable battery for days on end.

    Driven by an intuitive push-bottom operating system, the ultra portable Troller displays the water column so clearly that even beginners recognize what they’re seeing. Add in MarCum’s proven, patented 10-level Interference Rejection System and 25-Level Sensitivity, and you’ve got one smooth-running sonar that’s light on its feet.

    Troller 2.0 even includes a built-in LCD heater for use in extreme cold. And an Auto Depth Scale function immediately locks onto depth, displaying targets and digital depth from 1 to 120-feet of water. Attached to a 20-degree transducer and 6-feet of cable, Troller provides instant fish-finding data.

    “Whether you’re a run-and-gun angler or just like to lighten your load, Troller 2.0 performs flawlessly on the ice,” Holst offers. “It delivers all the goods to serve as your primary sonar. Troller also shines for trips into those remote backwoods lakes. Either way, just drill and dip the transducer.

    “Troller is the quickest, most convenient means of mapping structure and locating fish under the ice, and now it’s even better.”

    About MarCum

    Manufactured in the U.S.A. by Versa Electronics, MarCum Technologies offers the highest standards in flasher-sonar units and underwater viewing systems available today. Visit http://www.marcumtech.com for more information.

    icenutz
    Aniwa, WI
    Posts: 2540
    #1094050

    Great improvements, can the original Troller be upgraded to the 2.0?

    JoeMX1825
    MN
    Posts: 18377
    #1094086

    Quote:


    Great improvements, can the original Troller be upgraded to the 2.0?



    +1 I too have an original and would like to update if possible..

    Joel Nelson
    Moderator
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3137
    #1094129

    Quote:


    Great improvements, can the original Troller be upgraded to the 2.0?


    Absolutely, all Showdown Trollers will be upgrade-able to the 2.0 version. To improve and allow for the new functionality, there’ll be a nominal cost for a new face-plate along with the new software.

    Joel

    pete/ny
    Youngstown NY
    Posts: 230
    #1094166

    Joel- will Marcum take our older Ice trollers now to have them upgraded? I contacted them but have not heard back. Thanks.

    Joel Nelson
    Moderator
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3137
    #1094169

    Quote:


    Joel- will Marcum take our older Ice trollers now to have them upgraded? I contacted them but have not heard back. Thanks.


    Not quite yet. They’ll be rolling out this program in the next few weeks as we get more into fall.

    I know I’m looking forward to it as well for my troller!

    Joel

    loren_keizer
    Posts: 113
    #1094172

    Another solid upgrade from Marcum. It is great when companies are always thinking ahead on what can be improved. We are seeing the beauty of digital technology!!!

    pete/ny
    Youngstown NY
    Posts: 230
    #1094190

    Thanks for this great info.

    Bass thumb
    Posts: 77
    #1094276

    So my question to all you guys that have a marcum showdown. Have any of you had any other sonars? Why did you buy a showdown? Would you go back to your old unit? What was your old unit?

    JoeMX1825
    MN
    Posts: 18377
    #1070058

    Quote:


    So my question to all you guys that have a marcum showdown. Have any of you had any other sonars? Why did you buy a showdown? Would you go back to your old unit? What was your old unit?


    I like it because it’s small, simple to use and runs off AA batteries…

    JoeMX1825
    MN
    Posts: 18377
    #1094314

    What exactly is new in the 2.0 model?

    Here’s the 1.0 specs:

    •5-inch Vertical LCD Display

    •20-degree Transducer with 6’ cable

    •Up to 4,000-watts Peak-to-Peak Power

    •2-inch Target Separation

    •120-foot Range with Auto Depth Scale function

    •25 Sensitivity settings

    •10 IR (noise) settings

    •12-volt or 6 AA Power capabilities

    •Runs 20 hours continuous on 6AA (not included)

    •Daylight Viewable Backlit Display

    •Ice-Mode activates Internal Heater to aid LCD in extreme conditions

    •12 volt Performance Pack Accessory sold separately

    icenutz
    Aniwa, WI
    Posts: 2540
    #1094360

    I have a Vex FL-8 and a Marcum VX-1. I bought a used Troller with the Performance Pack at a really good price, it had an issue with the screen flickering when you turned up the gain enough to see your jig. Marcum took care of that no questions asked and it’s been a great unit since.

    I think they both have their place, for me the Troller is what I use when fishing a new area to locate structure and get fishing fast.

    Once I’m settled in on an area or it’s somewhere that I have fished in the past I use the VX-1. The Vex is getting sold and possibly the VX-1, to be replaced by an LX-6!!!

    bret_clark
    Sparta, WI
    Posts: 9362
    #1094369

    The performance pack brings new life to the Ice Troller. With the addition my ice troller became a second unit for company to use while on the ice.

    Joel Nelson
    Moderator
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3137
    #1094393

    Quote:


    What exactly is new in the 2.0 model?

    Here’s the 1.0 specs:
    •5-inch Vertical LCD Display
    •20-degree Transducer with 6’ cable
    •Up to 4,000-watts Peak-to-Peak Power
    •2-inch Target Separation
    •120-foot Range with Auto Depth Scale function
    •25 Sensitivity settings
    •10 IR (noise) settings
    •12-volt or 6 AA Power capabilities
    •Runs 20 hours continuous on 6AA (not included)
    •Daylight Viewable Backlit Display
    •Ice-Mode activates Internal Heater to aid LCD in extreme conditions
    •12 volt Performance Pack Accessory sold separately


    Specs are the same except for the auto-lock zoom. I thought I heard rumblings of a battery meter or new metrics regarding it, but we’ll hold off until more information becomes available before confirming that!

    Joel

    JoeMX1825
    MN
    Posts: 18377
    #1094420

    Quote:


    Quote:


    What exactly is new in the 2.0 model?

    Here’s the 1.0 specs:
    •5-inch Vertical LCD Display
    •20-degree Transducer with 6’ cable
    •Up to 4,000-watts Peak-to-Peak Power
    •2-inch Target Separation
    •120-foot Range with Auto Depth Scale function
    •25 Sensitivity settings
    •10 IR (noise) settings
    •12-volt or 6 AA Power capabilities
    •Runs 20 hours continuous on 6AA (not included)
    •Daylight Viewable Backlit Display
    •Ice-Mode activates Internal Heater to aid LCD in extreme conditions
    •12 volt Performance Pack Accessory sold separately


    Specs are the same except for the auto-lock zoom. I thought I heard rumblings of a battery meter or new metrics regarding it, but we’ll hold off until more information becomes available before confirming that!

    Joel


    thanks! battery meter would be nice..

    mplspug
    Palmetto, Florida
    Posts: 25026
    #1094510

    Has there been an update to the software for the 5.6 models recently?

    bee
    Maine
    Posts: 357
    #1094638

    At 50.00 plus shipping i think i,ll pass.

    onepine
    Elk River
    Posts: 136
    #1095954

    Will the upgrade fix the screen switching issue? Or is that a separate issue? When will the upgrade be available? What does the new face plate enhance?

    James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    #1095963

    Quote:


    Will the upgrade fix the screen switching issue? Or is that a separate issue? When will the upgrade be available? What does the new face plate enhance?


    The new faceplate is needed because there’s new buttons needed to access/manipulate the zoom functionality. I’m not aware of a “screen switching issue.” Doesn’t mean there isn’t one… I’m just not aware of one.

    onepine
    Elk River
    Posts: 136
    #1096148

    Quote:


    So my question to all you guys that have a marcum showdown. Have any of you had any other sonars? Why did you buy a showdown? Would you go back to your old unit? What was your old unit?


    Jonny I’ve had an fl8 and lx3 I upgraded to the troller because of the size the aa batteries and the ease of use. I also use it in the canoe and boat in the summer. The only thing I don’t like is not having a place to put it while fishing in the portable but that is only because I don’t have the performance pack yet although if you have a larger cup holder in your shack it would fit in there nicely that is what I use in the boat and canoe. I would say I get about 15hours on a set of batteries in the winter. I am going to try the enloop rechargeable batteries this year just to see how they perform. I use my Garmin Nuvi with a Lakemaster chip to get myself close then find the break or structure with the troller. My eyes would rather look at a vertical bar than a rotating dial all day. Also it makes no noise like the dial flashers.

    pete/ny
    Youngstown NY
    Posts: 230
    #1097136

    Joel- would you let us know here when Marcum will be letting us send in our older units for this update? I have recently sent them 3 messages and have not heard back from anyone!! Hope this isn’t the kind of Customer Service I will get if either of my Marcum flasher and Troller needs service. Thank you.

    Joel Nelson
    Moderator
    Southeast MN
    Posts: 3137
    #1097168

    Absolutely. Between the Troller upgrades, and LX-7 to LX-9 upgrades, there’s quite a few logistics in-the-making. You can bet that we’ll be informing people right here as soon as the program is officially rolled-out!

    I’m guessing the lack of response is because at this time, there’s no response to give. No hard/fast date has been picked yet, though we know it’s soon in the works. Stay tuned, we’ll be keeping you posted!!!

    Joel

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