Showdown 5.6

[acmarcus]

I have a showdown 5.6. It currently has a single beam transducer. My question is, can I upgrade it and get the dual beam? Or am I stuck with a single?

[mathews4ever]

My understanding is that all you have to do is buy the dual beam transducer and plug it in. The firmware is the same for all 5.6 units.

[lefty2053]

Pretty sure the 5.6 is capable of dual beam. No upgrading to do. Just the transducer is all you need. Contact Marcum they will get you set up.

[3300]

i don't have one, just trying to lend a hand.
does yours have a button for selecting which beam to use? or, what button does the dual beam use to select them? for those who use one.

the manuals should clue you in too
http://marcumtech.com/manuals

heres their contact

We do our best to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner, and we are in the office Monday through Friday, 8 – 4 Central Time.

Our toll free number is 888-778-1208, if we are unable to answer, please leave a brief message. Email us:

[email protected]


Showdown 5.6 Dual Beam Features
ACTIVATING DUAL BEAM MODE – Your Showdown 5.6 Dual Beam transducer
can be easily switched from a 20 degree cone angle (good for general
use) to an 8 degree cone angle (good for water over 40’, or any time there is a
lot of structure below you) . To switch between the narrow and wide beams –
First – Press and hold the “UP” button and then press and hold the “RANGE”
button to “activate” the Narrow Beam or the Wide Beam. When the cone
angles have been switched, an “8” or “20” will appear briefly on the bottom of
the display, indicating which cone angle you are currently using.

[Rebelss]

I have a showdown 5.6. It currently has a single beam transducer. My question is, can I upgrade it and get the dual beam? Or am I stuck with a single?

No, you can't upgrade to the dual beam....I talked with Mike at Marcum about that just this morning. The internal boards are NOT the same and cannot support switching bewteen the 8* and 20* cone angle. He also said another question they get a lot is can the LX3 be updated to the different series, no, it can't. They DID do it for a short time, but not anymore. He'd be glad to help anyone with a question...1 888 778 1208, Mike.

[acmarcus]

Thanks for the responses. I have contacted marcum. I will update when I get an answer.

[acmarcus]

No, you can't upgrade to the dual beam....I talked with Mike at Marcum about that just this morning. The internal boards are NOT the same and cannot support switching bewteen the 8* and 20* cone angle. He also said another question they get a lot is can the LX3 be updated to the different series, no, it can't. They DID do it for a short time, but not anymore. He'd be glad to help anyone with a question...1 888 778 1208, Mike.

Oh bummer. Well it's a good thing I don't fish deeper than 40' often.

[Rebelss]

Don't feel bad, I wanted to do that a couple years ago, too. Unfortunately, not possible. 

[lefty2053]

No, you can't upgrade to the dual beam....I talked with Mike at Marcum about that just this morning. The internal boards are NOT the same and cannot support switching bewteen the 8* and 20* cone angle. He also said another question they get a lot is can the LX3 be updated to the different series, no, it can't. They DID do it for a short time, but not anymore. He'd be glad to help anyone with a question...1 888 778 1208, Mike.

Thanks Reb, I was unaware there was 2 different 5.6's out there. I thought they were all dual beam.

[Rebelss]

No prob, lefty.  Glad I could answer that one for ya.   

[joefishmore]

i don't have one, just trying to lend a hand.
does yours have a button for selecting which beam to use? or, what button does the dual beam use to select them? for those who use one.

the manuals should clue you in too
http://marcumtech.com/manuals

heres their contact

We do our best to respond to all inquiries in a timely manner, and we are in the office Monday through Friday, 8 – 4 Central Time.

Our toll free number is 888-778-1208, if we are unable to answer, please leave a brief message. Email us:

[email protected]


Showdown 5.6 Dual Beam Features
ACTIVATING DUAL BEAM MODE – Your Showdown 5.6 Dual Beam transducer
can be easily switched from a 20 degree cone angle (good for general
use) to an 8 degree cone angle (good for water over 40’, or any time there is a
lot of structure below you) . To switch between the narrow and wide beams –
First – Press and hold the “UP” button and then press and hold the “RANGE”
button to “activate” the Narrow Beam or the Wide Beam. When the cone
angles have been switched, an “8” or “20” will appear briefly on the bottom of

Don't count on anybody answering that number---they wouldn't last year.
the display, indicating which cone angle you are currently using.

[acmarcus]

I emailed marcum and mike got back to me with in a cpl mins.

[Rebelss]

I emailed marcum and mike got back to me with in a cpl mins.

What was the problem? Thought reply #4 answered it?? 

[Idahogator]

Acmarcus, what did you find out ?

[acmarcus]

What was the problem? Thought reply #4 answered it?? 

it did. As you can see on post 6. Joe was saying that no one at marcum would get back to me. And they did promptly. And I had emailed marcum before you answered my question. But. I do appreciate you answering the question.

[Rebelss]

Whoops, my bad. MY misunderstanding. Post removed; no offense intended.  Glad Mike talked to you; I've never had a prob with Mike, Chris, or Jon over the years at Marcum...I don't understand why so many people seem to. Enjoy your unit!!