Marcum issue

Not wanting to be a hater as I love my Marcums over the Vexs all day long, but I was just wondering about the moving dial (jumping bottom) that Marcum has had issues with. What causes this and why can’t they take care of this problem? I have a six year old lx5 that had issues, my son has a two year old lx3 that does it and I have a brand new lx3i that I am sending back for this issue. I hate to think about looking another brand’s way, but the jumping dial is driving me crazy and can be nauseating. Someone help enlighten me please.

It’s the motor that needs to be replaced. If I can get 5 years of use before it breaks I’m happy. The same reason why I switch to vexilar. Yes, I to love marcums technology but their quality sucks. 2 lx3tc broken in one season, Im done because thats $800 right there. I have my flx28 for 2 seasons now with extensive use and fishing mostly outside and it works fine.
Yes, you probably open a can of worms mentioning marcum on here as some will find it anal rather than informational

I’ve had two Marcums that I’ve had to get the motors replaced in. I find it hard to believe that people are still having this happen. I would think they would have improved these motors by now. Maybe marcum can reply in this thread.

My vx1p has been great for 3 seasons, my buddies appears to have the bottom bouncing issue as we tried an new battery and transducer with no luck and it’s only 4 years old. I bought an LX7, it seems great but I wish I would have gone lx5i for many reasons. I hope a software update comes out soon.

I will not knock vex they seem to have a next to bullet proof reputation but MarCum is pushing the technological envelope where Vexs seems not willing to move too far out of there comfort zone. I am willing to send in for repairs to push for superior technology.

I have had my lx-5 12 years. No problems with the unit. Only problem with the chargers.

Sorry for your luck. I have and an LX5 since 07, I think and it has been a great unit. Only thing I have done is replace the battery. Have had and LX6 for 3-4 years and works well. I have heard this about the motor problems too many times. There must be some problem that they are missing. Hopefully they will take care of you.

I have a 10 year old LX5, replaced the transducer once, otherwise bulletproof

Yeah, I was thinking it was the motor. Thought maybe a mount or other technology piece versus the component itself, but I am sure someone will chime in. My ’09 5 only does it occasionally, my son’s does it more frequent and my new 3i does it about 50% of the time. I am concerned that they have not taken care of this issue from their end (design/engineering, components) as I know it has been as issue over the years. I agree that Vex is more reliable overall, but I still love my detail over theirs. Only other issue I have had with Marcum has been with the charger from the 3tc model.

That’s disappointing that the new I series may have the motor issue still. I had an LX2 a few years ago that had it. I now have an older VX-1 as a backup that also has the bottom moving issue. Just haven’t took it in yet to get it fixed. Good thing is for $80, they will fix any issue, plus you usually get a new case and ducer. My main 6 year old Vx-1p never had it, but it did have an issue with the lines thinning and fading sometimes. This happened after the first year of use. Finally took it in this Fall and it has been working good so far. Plus I got the new style case too!

I have thought a little about the next one being a vex, but about 5 minutes of fishing next to one in a portable, that thought goes away quickly. The Vex hum is very loud and annoying! Display just isn’t as crisp either.

Hopefully the Marcum guys read these posts and try to come up with a resolution for this issue.

WarEagle wrote:

I have had my lx-5 12 years. No problems with the unit. Only problem with the chargers.

The DCS 100 charger/display is lousy,I had one get hot and melt the display.I got a UPG charger and works great.

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Sending unit in for a new motor. They also are going to fix my 3tc under warranty and it will be $80 for the 5. I shared my love for their technology and disappointment with the reliability (motors, chargers and ducers). The customer rep said they are always trying to improve things. I am feeling that they may be too diversified with too many skus/product lines to keep all these balls in the air at the same time.

I had to replace my motor 2 years into owning my 3 year old LX-5. Marcum replaced it for free. had mixed feelings about their service. while they fixed it and did it rather quickly the communication wasn’t great. I called them a few days later and they were surprised I hadn’t picked it up yet as it had been sitting on the shelf for a while already done. had some other issues with their service as well. like you guys im a little disappointed in marcums reliability but I love it compared to the competition. Maybe we will have to look at hummingbirds?

Can someone explain the bottom jumping issue. What does it look like on the screen?

It’s not just the bottom. The top, bottom, and whatever you’re marking will shift up and down a foot or two.

The retrun reading on the scale will shift/jump back and forth in a 1/2 foot incrament.

Click “sonar flasher” in the white boxon left then click “why are my signals shifting?” in this link http://marcumtech.com/faq

I sent my unit in and noticed that I definitely had something loose that was rattling around in the case. Wondering if that contributed to my issue as it looks like motor timing is the typical reason?

They are still under contract with the new motor supplier they changed to after the rapala merger. We have had at least a dozen units go back from Manitoba, some on their second and third times for the same motor issue. They will not acknowledge it and do a good faith recall, and their reputation is getting pounded for it.

Such an unfortunate deal for the folks who work hard for their money to be able to purchase these units. I’ve had good luck so far with my past Units (Two LX-5’s) but I know I’ve seen a similar thread on other forums talking about these same issues. I hope having the big brother corporation pulling on the purse strings doesn’t cause a decent company like MarCum to let the quality of their products go down the tubes.

Got my unit back yesterday and it worked fine. I am saddened to hear that I still might need help with this same issue on this unit in the future. Two other units to send in for me at the present.

Cameron white wrote:

They are still under contract with the new motor supplier they changed to after the rapala merger. We have had at least a dozen units go back from Manitoba, some on their second and third times for the same motor issue. They will not acknowledge it and do a good faith recall, and their reputation is getting pounded for it.

Jeremy Hadrava wrote:

Such an unfortunate deal for the folks who work hard for their money to be able to purchase these units. I’ve had good luck so far with my past Units (Two LX-5’s) but I know I’ve seen a similar thread on other forums talking about these same issues. I hope having the big brother corporation pulling on the purse strings doesn’t cause a decent company like MarCum to let the quality of their products go down the tubes.

You both realize they are an independently owned company, not owned by Normark. They have a marketing/sales agreement with Normark but are in complete control of their own product manufacturing, quality control and R&D. Polaris is also a brand that is part of Ice Force. Hate for you guys to be blaming Rapala for a bad valve stem on an ATV tire.

I’m aware they are independently owned. They need to make a statement about the motor issue, fix the units, and correct the problem. They still deny there’s even an issue with the motors.

My bottom was jumping on my 5 yr old lx5. They replaced the motor for $80 this December.

Cameron white wrote:

They are still under contract with the new motor supplier they changed to after the rapala merger. We have had at least a dozen units go back from Manitoba, some on their second and third times for the same motor issue. They will not acknowledge it and do a good faith recall, and their reputation is getting pounded for it.

From a business stand point a contract means nothing, especially when it’s dealing with quality. I work for an aerospace company and if we didn’t meet our customers demands regardless of the terms, we loose that contract.
I may be speculating but marcum choose to stay with their vendors for a cost reason.

Got number two back (motor and transducer this time). In less than a week for repair and working fine now. Glad it was covered outside the warranty window. Don’t think a transducer should also fail after being used maybe 25 times over two years.

Both my lx-3 and lx-5 had motors replaced under warranty. I would not have been mad if I didn’t have to pay the shipping each time! $30 with appropriate insurance thru UPS. My lx-3 was only used twice and they wouldn’t do anything to help with shipping costs.

c_w wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Cameron white wrote:</div>
They are still under contract with the new motor supplier they changed to after the rapala merger. We have had at least a dozen units go back from Manitoba, some on their second and third times for the same motor issue. They will not acknowledge it and do a good faith recall, and their reputation is getting pounded for it.

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jeremy Hadrava wrote:</div>
Such an unfortunate deal for the folks who work hard for their money to be able to purchase these units. I’ve had good luck so far with my past Units (Two LX-5’s) but I know I’ve seen a similar thread on other forums talking about these same issues. I hope having the big brother corporation pulling on the purse strings doesn’t cause a decent company like MarCum to let the quality of their products go down the tubes.

You both realize they are an independently owned company, not owned by Normark. They have a marketing/sales agreement with Normark but are in complete control of their own product manufacturing, quality control and R&D. Polaris is also a brand that is part of Ice Force. Hate for you guys to be blaming Rapala for a bad valve stem on an ATV tire.

I understand they are still independent owned. However when you are trying to maximize profits because someone else is setting the price it always seems as though the quality takes a hit. I just don’t like to see the consumer pay the price because a larger company names their price and expects the goods delivered no matter the issue.

My 3i was fine the first few times but now is jumping more than ever. Bad motor again it would appear. AARRRGGGHHHHH!

Get a LX6… ditch that old technology

Don’t think I like the display in the direct sunlight. I am a hole hopper. I am also not sure about the battery life as I know the largest unit can push 1 amp/hr draw.