Where's the LX9 software update?

wall3y3 wrote:

On a related note, looks like 2 of the most prominent folks from MarCum that highly promoted the LX-6 thru LX-9 line (Steve Hanson & Jon Marshall) have departed MarCum to form their own Sporting Goods marketing company (Marshall and Hanson), and MarCum isn’t one of their partners.

In an attempt to keep things factual I’d like to clarify… Jon and Steve started their own rep group that support non-Marcum brands but they still work directly for MarCum and will continue to work in significant roles, including new product development and refinement, on the MarCum sonar product lines.

jeff_huberty wrote:

No response from the IDO promotion Department for Marcum Products here? must be a sign.

Nope. Not a sign. When I read a string of speculative and inaccurate responses in a thread like this I remind myself I have better things to do. Marshall and Hanson no longer with Marcum? False. The Digital series no longer a priority with the release of the RT9? Not even close to accurate.

I get the sense that some think that if they pound their fist and scream their discontent on the internet that’s the best way to get someone’s attention. I can tell you that doesn’t work with me or others that could provide answers to just about any MarCum question one could come up with. At one point in my life I might have had the desire to wade in and attempt to set the record straight. As I’ve grown older and wiser I’ve come to realize that nothing I can add, even the truth, with make people that rant in forums happy.

FWIW – The update for the LX9 is in the works. The LX9 runs on a different code base than what is found on the LX6 and LX7 due to the LX9 having camera functionality not found on the other two models. Because the LX9 DID NOT have any significant performance issues like the shallow water reading issue some saw on the LX6 and LX7 it made sense to work on the update for the Lx6 and LX7 first. The LX9 update will be released when testing is complete.

James Holst wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>jeff_huberty wrote:</div>
No response from the IDO promotion Department for Marcum Products here? must be a sign.

Nope. Not a sign. When I read a string of speculative and inaccurate responses in a thread like this I remind myself I have better things to do. Marshall and Hanson no longer with Marcum? False. The Digital series no longer a priority with the release of the RT9? Not even close to accurate.

I get the sense that some think that if they pound their fist and scream their discontent on the internet that’s the best way to get someone’s attention. I can tell you, with 100% certainty, that doesn’t work with me or others that could provide answers to just about any MarCum question one could come up with. At one point in my life I might have had the desire to wade in and attempt to set the record straight. As I’ve grown older and wiser I’ve come to realize that nothing I can add, even the truth, with make people that rant in forums happy.

FWIW – The update for the LX9 is in the works. It will be released when testing is complete.

It would be easy to not complain if we got product for free by a sponsor that pays our bills, but when you pay full retail for a top of the line product and the company doesn’t deliver on one of their key selling points, we have every right to complain. It’s been mentioned on this and other threads that calling and talking directly with Marcum gets nothing answered, so a logical next step would be to post on a Marcum sponsored user board with other owners and show our displeasure of not being listed to. Marcum could solve most of these problems by simply providing status updates on what they are working on, but they never do, we’re constantly left in the dark not knowing if our product has been abandoned (case in point, last LX9 update was 3 years ago…)

Here’s a example of what Marcum could communicate of their website/facebook page that would solve alot of problems:

Future LX9 Update Status – We’re currently working on several enhancements to the user interface including the saved Video playback issues we’ve received numerous calls about. In addition, we’ll be adding new 1 button shortcut keys to simply common tasks and adding new combo view layouts to improve visibility when using Camera/Sonar combo views. Estimated release date is 12/1/2016, we’ll provide another status update if testing and bug fixes push that date out.

Seems pretty simple…

delete. I posted about what the problem was with the unit… then I read the entire post.

My bad… sorry

Another option they need to add is the ability to adjust the LED light level like any other Marcum camera, right now the only option is on/off. The camera settings needs its own menu option instead of burying it under Play/Record settings…

Hello Marcum? when is the LX-9 software update going to be released? you’re over 3 years now since the last release!

I’m sure if they could move a few of the RT9’s out of the way, they could locate the keyboard and maybe upload the file?

______________ wrote:

I’m sure if they could move a few of the RT9’s out of the way, they could locate the keyboard and maybe upload the file?

now that’s funny right there, I guess Marcum gets the last laugh though as I purchased a LX-9…

James and the IDO crew might get gear from their sponsors for “free”, but nothing is really free in this case. Sponsors provide their gear to these shows for two reasons: promotion of their products and field testing by the pros. They could spend several thousand dollars on ads and commercials or they can provide gear to the pros to use and get even better promotion than conventional marketing methods. The IDO crew pay the price for their gear by using it on the ice. If the gear doesn’t work the way they expect it to they won’t use it, and furthermore there is risk on the manufacturer to provide gear that does work in the field. If their stuff fails on a high profile show like IDO it’s worse than if they had never provided the gear in the first place. The IDO crew is a valuable asset to the manufactures who they give product to, in the area of field testing and product feedback.
IDO has no incentive to say good things about products just because they don’t pay for them. Marcum makes great products. If they didn’t, I highly doubt the pros would use them and promote them. Perhaps Marcum and other companies could do a better job at communicating updates and tech info to the consumer. As a business owner I know I can and should do a better job of this in my respective field. But saying that the IDO staff is paid to say good things about their sponsor’s product is inaccurate. If Marcum is worth their salt they will listen to the feedback and try to improve. In all my personal dealings with them I have only had great experiences. Contacting them directly rather than assuming they have abandoned their LX9 owners and griping about it online is called trolling.
If you are simply assuming things without knowing the facts you are not helping anyone.

Wharf Rat wrote:

If Marcum is worth their salt they will listen to the feedback and try to improve. In all my personal dealings with them I have only had great experiences. Contacting them directly rather than assuming they have abandoned their LX9 owners and griping about it online is called trolling.
If you are simply assuming things without knowing the facts you are not helping anyone.

I agree, I’ve had great customer service when it involved broken parts on my LX5 or my cameras. The real issue I have, and most others will agree, is their total lack of communication with these updates. People assume things and spread rumors when they don’t get any answers from the company when they ask. I’ve emailed them 5 separate times about the LX7 update (before and after release) and never received a reply. These were appropriately worded, simple emails with questions about the release date, suggestions for improvements, and even one asking what improvements were made in the newest LX7 release.

Since people cant get answers from the company itself they’ve turned to a Marcum sponsored forum crawling with pro-staff to try and get answers. At the very least the pro-staff members should have the ear of actual Marcum staff and be relaying the suggestions and feedback expressed here back to Marcum. Maybe they are and Marcum just isn’t listening. If Marcum doesn’t want rumors spread they could very easily hop on here or the website and issue a statement with the facts and clarification. Until then, I wouldn’t hold your breath on any LX9, LX7, or RT9 software release.

Wharf Rat wrote:

IDO has no incentive to say good things about products

the latest and greatest is whichever company steps/pays up.

Constantly saying “Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?” won’t get the updates done any faster…

Wharf Rat wrote:

James and the IDO crew might get gear from their sponsors for “free”

Now I may be wrong but…..I do not think this is true…
Every “Pro staffer” that I know has to pay (or maybe at a reduced price) for what they get…

Mudshark wrote:

Now I may be wrong but…..I do not think this is true…
Every “Pro staffer” that I know has to pay (or maybe at a reduced price) for what they get…

I’m also sure every pro staffer you know also doesn’t have a TV show sponsored by the company they represent. They aren’t your typical weekend warrior pro staff guy from down the street. James and company don’t bust their butts every week to create a show just for fun, it’s a business to them as well. They don’t put anything on their show, just like any other show, that they don’t get paid to display. Maybe they have to pay for some gear at a discount upfront but the $$$ they get for advertising more than makes up for the cost of the gear.

McCord Stowater wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Mudshark wrote:</div>
Now I may be wrong but…..I do not think this is true…
Every “Pro staffer” that I know has to pay (or maybe at a reduced price) for what they get…

I’m also sure every pro staffer you know also doesn’t have a TV show sponsored by the company they represent. They aren’t your typical weekend warrior pro staff guy from down the street. James and company don’t bust their butts every week to create a show just for fun, it’s a business to them as well. They don’t put anything on their show, just like any other show, that they don’t get paid to display. Maybe they have to pay for some gear at a discount upfront but the $$$ they get for advertising more than makes up for the cost of the gear.

Pretty accurate I believe. My guess is that much of the gear they use is part of a package that includes advertising on their show and their website. It might be on loan from the sponsors until their contract is terminated, at which time they can either purchase the gear or return it to the manufacturer.
I’m also guessing that there are a lot of companies who would die to have the IDO team using their gear for the exposure they get from it. They likely do offer to send them test samples to try and keep since they know this is an easier way to entice someone to try it. I worked in another sports related industry for over 20 years and had some influence in the position I had. I received a lot of free samples from companies wanting me to choose their products for us to represent. It’s cheap advertising for them if they get the fish to bite. Pretty common practice in many industries.

why is everyone so angry? some of the posts on IDO lately have gotten fairly negative. remember we are all here because of our passion for the outdoors!

if anyone knows how difficult coding is, you would understand the complexity of making any simple change with the type of technology we have at our fingertips.

I have never had a bad experience with the companies, I also tend to be a patient and cordial person and realize that I am not automatically first in line.

Seeing these examples about a lack of software updates and leaving customers in the dark on them is the sole reason I have not purchased a Marcum LX-7 or LX-9. I am sure I’m not the only one like this. Seems like they are missing the boat just by not even giving their customers an update. Feel for you guys.

I own an LX-6 and was having a difficult time with the shallow water issue, hence I was glad for the update. Therefore, I’m just ASKING, is there an issue with the current software for the LX-9 that has been adequately voiced to Marcum, that would require an update? I’m echoing James’s point, here. Or is it more that people are wanting the enhancements and general improvements?

Delete, just read the earlier part of the post. I understand now.

Yoshi wrote:

if anyone knows how difficult coding is, you would understand the complexity of making any simple change with the type of technology we have at our fingertips.

Some of the simple changes requested aren’t complex and wouldn’t require a bunch of time or testing. Simple GUI changes would take less than half a day for any programmer who is familiar with the system. Some of the requests like turning off the transducer (hardware dependent possibly) or different camera interface would indeed take some time but they wouldn’t require in-season testing like what was cited by Marcum for delaying the recent LX7 shallow water update another whole year.

Wharf Rat wrote:

I’m also guessing that there are a lot of companies who would die to have the IDO team using their gear for the exposure they get from it.

TV shows are many and very competitive…..
Do you really think that James has it that easy?

OK guys…..I’m bumping this to sense Nov 2017 interest level.
Who among you are going to the upcoming MN ice show this weekend and can once again try to corner any and all official representatives (actual Marcum employees or official pro staffers) on where this infamous update is??

I’ve given up all hope…although with no RT-9’s selling, what else are their developer(s) doing with their time now? developing a better 5 gallon bucket with unlimited future upgrade ability?

JoeMX1825 wrote:

what else are their developer(s) doing with their time now? developing a better 5 gallon bucket with unlimited future upgrade ability?

Hopefully they build a better one that Yeti. They already have the $40 5 gallon market covered so they better outdo that bar before releasing the Marcum version.

Anybody get an answer at the show?

JoeMX1825 wrote:

Anybody get an answer at the show?

Seems you need to spend the time and do it yourself. I did buy the lithium caddy for my lx6 and got a shirt and a hat to boot!

I know that this is an old thread, but, if I were marcum I would be concerned.

The humminbird helix 7 ice, with chirp, gps and a MSRP of $649 is nipping at there heals.

I don’t own any LX’s or RT’s, I am into simple and old, Showdown 5.6. But, I am always looking for something new at a good price point…

The HUMMINBIRD IS MIGHTY ATTRACTIVE.

I think Marcum has it’s software folks working on the RT-9 trying to save that product. They don’t have time to work on it’s core business. I would love to switch to Garmin or Bird with a 60 deg cone from my LX-9, but I am afraid it will not compete and I will be sorry. I fish mostly 3-20′ of water for trout.

Screw your LX-9 update. At least your units work without the update. I bought the marcum pan cam. It says the app is available on the apple App Store for iOS 4.0 and greater rite on the box. I go to download the app, and it is nowhere to be found on the App Store. I emailed them asking, they said they are doing updates to the app. Been emailing them back and forth about 2 months and it is still not up. So I have a $350 underwater camera that is useless. Makes me sick. Guess they don’t realize that $350 to some people is a lot of $ to pi$$ away. BTW, I sold my LX-9 to buy the pan cam. Fooled twice, shame on me. It won’t happen a third time. I can’t even sell the thing in good conscience because it it useless. I will never buy another Marcum product. And I’m going to sing this story from every outlet I can to whomever will listen. What a joke.

What was wrong with your LX-9 that made you sell it? There really isn’t much of anything wrong with the current version of the LX9. I agree there are a few improvement updates that could be put in place, all of which are well documented on IDO but nothing that I know of the prevents you from using your flasher/camera in a very successful manner. Or is your complaint that there has been no update for a few years?

MNdrifter wrote:

It says the app is available on the apple App Store for iOS 4.0 and greater rite on the box. I go to download the app, and it is nowhere to be found on the App Store. I emailed them asking, they said they are doing updates to the app. Been emailing them back and forth about 2 months and it is still not up

The App came right up for me…….Try this…https://www.rapala.com/marcum/underwater-fishing-cameras/wifi-camera-systems/pancam-camera-system/MPC01.html?cgid=marcum-underwaterCameras-wifiCameraSystems#start=2&cgid=marcum-underwaterCameras-wifiCameraSystems