Marcum VX-1P INFO

[Chi]

Need some help with VX-1P zoom, My owners manual doesn't say this but I read this at the marcum website, it says 5' bottom zoom at 20' & 40' range /10' zoom at 80' range/20' zoom 160' range. been fishing in 44' to 55' and can get only bottom 5' zoom. flasher purchased 12/09, any info would be appreciated.

      Thanks

[Bean]

I think you read the wrong manual. It only has a 5' zoom. Here is directly from the VX-1P manual:

Zoom - The VX-1 is equipped with a "bottom zoom" feature. When the ZM key is depressed the circular display is divided in half. The right half of the display (12 to 6 o’clock on the dial) will become the entire depth range (20, 40, 80, or 160 foot) you chose when turning the depth range knob to your desired depth setting. This will be indicated by a red light at the zero mark (12 o'clock) and another red light at 6 o'clock. These will be stationary and will not move while in the Zoom mode. The backside of the display (6 to 12 o'clock) is the other half of your split screen display. This is the Zoom window portion. The VX-1 comes with a bottom zoom that displays the bottom 5 feet in an expanded view. This expanded view of the bottom 5 feet is what is displayed on the left side of the split screen display (6 to 12 o'clock). For the Zoom to be activated, you must have a strong bottom return signal (Red) that equals or exceeds one foot on the display dial. If a strong return signal is not achieved the unit will not go into the Zoom mode. Repeat the process by turning

[Chi]

I think you read the wrong manual. It only has a 5' zoom. Here is directly from the VX-1P manual:

Zoom - The VX-1 is equipped with a "bottom zoom" feature. When the ZM key is depressed the circular display is divided in half. The right half of the display (12 to 6 o’clock on the dial) will become the entire depth range (20, 40, 80, or 160 foot) you chose when turning the depth range knob to your desired depth setting. This will be indicated by a red light at the zero mark (12 o'clock) and another red light at 6 o'clock. These will be stationary and will not move while in the Zoom mode. The backside of the display (6 to 12 o'clock) is the other half of your split screen display. This is the Zoom window portion. The VX-1 comes with a bottom zoom that displays the bottom 5 feet in an expanded view. This expanded view of the bottom 5 feet is what is displayed on the left side of the split screen display (6 to 12 o'clock). For the Zoom to be activated, you must have a strong bottom return signal (Red) that equals or exceeds one foot on the display dial. If a strong return signal is not achieved the unit will not go into the Zoom mode. Repeat the process by turning

Ken, yes your correct my maunal says exactly what you state, however this is what is stated at the Marcum website-----        

VX-1 PRO Ice Sonar System
Setting the standard for performance at an all-new price point. This unit comes complete with battery, charger, electronics shuttle with adjustable transducer arm, self-aligning transducer, gimbal bracket, and VX-1 sonar powerhead. Even at this great price point, the Marcum VX-1 offers our patented interference rejection, a bottom zoom feature that automatically locks on bottom: 5' in 20-ft and 40-ft scale, 10' in 80-ft scale, and 20' in 160-ft scale, and expertly engineered receiver design. With its 1000 watts of peak-to-peak power and complete package of features and accessories, the VX-1 beats the competitions product that sells for nearly twice the price.
Product SKU: 6 56169 00705 5  
Am I reading this incorrectly
 
 

[Chi]

Ken, yes your correct my maunal says exactly what you state, however this is what is stated at the Marcum website-----        

VX-1 PRO Ice Sonar System
Setting the standard for performance at an all-new price point. This unit comes complete with battery, charger, electronics shuttle with adjustable transducer arm, self-aligning transducer, gimbal bracket, and VX-1 sonar powerhead. Even at this great price point, the Marcum VX-1 offers our patented interference rejection, a bottom zoom feature that automatically locks on bottom: 5' in 20-ft and 40-ft scale, 10' in 80-ft scale, and 20' in 160-ft scale, and expertly engineered receiver design. With its 1000 watts of peak-to-peak power and complete package of features and accessories, the VX-1 beats the competitions product that sells for nearly twice the price.
Product SKU: 6 56169 00705 5  
Am I reading this incorrectly
 
 

   never heard back from you Bean, you work for Marcum  ??

[topher7694]

here is a partial copy of the info I got from Icetechy, a MarCum rep that used to be on the Shanty :

Early ice less than 4" of ice when fishing shallow water (weeds) or as a start procedure to every new hole where there's a depth change...
"keeping the transducer in the middle of the hole and lower than the bottom edge of the ice is critical"

Turn on the unit which will be the 0-20' setting, make sure that the the bottom of  the transducer is just below the ice and centered in the ice hole. Drop your jig or spoon to the bottom, (Jig closely near your transducer in shallow water 5' or less) now, slightly reel the jig about 6" off the bottom (watching the screen constantly).  While looking at your display you want to be able to see your lure/jig  at still and at motion, so this is where you adjust your gain up/or down so that you can recieve a solid yellow line read out.  Yellow is the weakest signal. If weeds are really thick you may want to go to a horizontal jig in super shallow locations.  Reason being is a horizontal jig gives a better return at a lower gain setting thus reducing weed clutter when adjusting. After you play around with that basic set-up and get used to it you can try the zoom feature which amplifies the bottom 5' in 0-40 setting, 10' at 0-80, and a whopping 20' at 0-160 ft.

When you have a good thick red return signal from the bottom the zoom button can be pushed now.  Push the zoom button in less than 20" and the bottom 5' of whatever depth your fishing will be blown up and placed on the left side of your display as the screen split's.  So what you have is the entire water column on the right side of your display and the 5' zoomed portion on the left side of your display.  This feature is nice when fish are finicky and precise presentations and reactions to the bait by the fish help you dictate how aggressive or non-aggresssive your jigging should be.  Catch fish!

[Bean]

Chi, sorry for not getting back to you immediately.  I looked at their website and see that you're correct. The manual says one thing and the home page "featured products" listing says differently. I sent an e-mail the other day and am waiting for a reply back. Whenever I receive an answer I'll post it.

[marcus]

CHI I read the same thing , but I was fishing in 60' and it was only giving the bottom 5' for zoom. I am not a fan of the zoom feature but I have tried it

[Chi]

Chi, sorry for not getting back to you immediately.  I looked at their website and see that you're correct. The manual says one thing and the home page "featured products" listing says differently. I sent an e-mail the other day and am waiting for a reply back. Whenever I receive an answer I'll post it.

I also wrote to them  and haven't heard back as of yet. Maybe I opened up a can of worms LOL

[Chi]

CHI I read the same thing , but I was fishing in 60' and it was only giving the bottom 5' for zoom. I am not a fan of the zoom feature but I have tried it

Marcus, I use the zoom all the time and like it and was wondering what I was doing incorrectly not getting a 10' zoom in the deeper water, come to find out it doesn't zoom to 10 feet. I've written to them and have not heard back, not a good customer support dept. When I first received the flasher the transducer was DOA and they had to send a new one, also purchased a LX-i hand held digital sonar, the battery compartment cover doesn't lock down tight, faulty "O" ring or design problem. They suggested putting a non petroleum lubricant on the O ring and suggested Chapstick, it helped but didn't solve the problem completely. And now the misinformation on there website concerning the zoom which in fact was why I purchased this unit.  I'll have look at there competitions products next time I'm shopping for electronics.