Is my X67 Junk?

[krlseidl]

After reading all the posts here about the x67c I went and bought one about 3 weeks ago.  The  sales rep at Gander Mountain tried to talk me into a Vex but the x67c price and the fact that it had the sonar feature for the summer was what I was looking for.  Once I got it up north and opened it up I could see that it had been opened once before.  I figured it must have been a demo unit rather than a return so I went ahead and started reading the manuals.
I studied all the posts on this forum and tried all the settings that people recommended.  In the simulator mode I was able to make the thing do wonders and saw how the various setting changes worked.  However, out on the ice it's a different story.  Unless I set my sensitivity in flasher mode to 95% or higher, I can't even see my jig.  I read some other posts here where people were running at 75% sensitivity.  I never see any fish lines on the flasher screen that are anything but black.  Shouldn't I be seeing different colors for different size fish?
I just have a feeling that something is not right with this unit and I plan on  taking it back.  But I want someone to tell me that if I get another Lowrance I will be happy because this just a bad unit and not a bad product.
Help me guys.............

[angolajones]

I use an M-68.  The colors don't indicate size of fish.  They tell you the relationship to the cone distance from the hole.  If a fish is right under my hole, it will be yellow.  If it is off to the side, it is black.  Size can sometimes be decerned by how thick the line is on the finder.  The thicker is better usually. 

Jonesy

[Fishin Fireman]

Try performing the hard reset that I posted here http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=50297.0

Hopefully this will fix your problems with the unit.

[krlseidl]

Thanks for your info.  I had done the hard reset prior to taking the unit out yesterday.  Can you guys answer a couple of questions for me.?
1.  What settings do you use in flasher mode for a.) sensitivity b:) ping speed c:) chart speed?
2.  If the unit is in Ice Machine mode can you go to sonar mode and see any fish? If I do this with mine I will see a line that will move if I raise my jig up and down but I don't see any readings for fish that may be in the area?

[mmb]

Thanks for your info.  I had done the hard reset prior to taking the unit out yesterday.  Can you guys answer a couple of questions for me.?
1.  What settings do you use in flasher mode for a.) sensitivity b:) ping speed c:) chart speed?
2.  If the unit is in Ice Machine mode can you go to sonar mode and see any fish? If I do this with mine I will see a line that will move if I raise my jig up and down but I don't see any readings for fish that may be in the area?

I turn off Auto Sensitivity and auto depth when ice fishing and set those manually.  I usually have the sensitivity down to where the lure is hardly marking at all, and I set my depth when I first setup camp over a spot.  I also leave the sensitivity menu with transparency up so that I can change it on the fly if need be.  I have ping speed and chart speed both at 100%.

As for not marking fish, but marking your lure, that just means that no fish have come into the cone that the ice transducer senses.  Move around, or wait some more.  If it marks your lure as it rises and falls, then it will mark fish when they come to your lure.

[krlseidl]

I think the transducer on this particular unit might have something wrong with it.  I did have my sensitivity set to manual.  But in order to see the jig I have to have it so high that I get all kinds of other black lines on the flasher screen that I am sure can't be fish.  What is the actual percentage of sensitivity you are setting your unit to in manual mode?

[wallyboss]

What size of lure were you using. start with a jigging rap and see if you can see it. and then downsize. It might just be that you need time to experiment with it.

  My first open water sonar I went to the middle of the lake anchored and spent 3 hours of playing with the buttons.

If you can't see fish in the area maybe there isn't any!!!!

[IceholeFisherman]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned, Is your line pulling too the side of the hole when you get it near the bottom? It is possible that an underwater current could be pulling your bait outside of the cone angle.

Just a possibility.

[krlseidl]

I really appreciate all the feedback.  Took it back to Gander Mountain and asked for an exchange because I really liked the product.  They didn't have any and say they are having a hard time getting any.  So I got a refund with no questions asked.  That is good customer service.  Now I can look around and see if I can find one for this weekend.

[Fishin Fireman]

Where are you from? There are a few online sites that can get you a Ice machine for less than 300 including shipping. www.onlinefishfinders.com mention Brad from Alaska told you to go here when you send him an email about a price or go www.hodgesmarine.com and look for it there. I would suggest you download the ice machine addendum from Lowrance's website and read the manual as often as you can. I am still learning the fine workings of my machine and I usually cheat by using the fish symbols when in sonar mode.

Below is a coupon for Hodeges marine

[mmb]

I got mine from Thorne Bros for 299 with the skimmer transducer to mount to my boat.  Arrived in 4 days.

[panfishpounder]

I got my from reedssports.  279.99 with skimmer.  The skimmer is on back order though.  I received mine in 4 business days.  I ordered late Friday night and received it on Thurs.  I love mine it definitely has caught me fish that I would not have known was there.  I have to turn my sensitivity up when I am using a very small jig.  But I have not had to turn it higher than 90%.  I also am not fishing down the same hole that I have it in.  I monitor both poles at once.  The only disadvantage I found is it is hard to seem them biting.  I had it down the same hole on FRI and I could actually tell when they were on it.  With the jig being off to the side of the cone it is a little different.  I am still a rookie at using a flasher so maybe this is all BS, but it seemed this way to me.

[krlseidl]

Just called Reed Sports and asked them some questions.  they confirmed that if I am an 80% summer guy and 20% winter like I am that this is a great unit.  Placing order now.  thanks again for all the help.  this is a great site and I will be telling others about it.

[mmb]

Just called Reed Sports and asked them some questions.  they confirmed that if I am an 80% summer guy and 20% winter like I am that this is a great unit.  Placing order now.  thanks again for all the help.  this is a great site and I will be telling others about it.

I was having some issues with mine earlier in the season, contacted Lowrance support multiple times with no response.  I've since fixed the problems I had, and the unit has worked without flaw.

Yesterday in the mail, I received a replacement ice transducer from Lowrance out of the blue with nothing other than the transducer in the envelope.  I guess I have an extra one now.