How to Use Ice Fishing Sonar (Marcum LX-7 Fish Finder)

Ice fishing has just been made better the moment the Marcum lx-7 was introduced into the market. Using this fishfinder will improve your angling. Furthermore, it is one of the most advanced ice fishing sonars you can find anywhere right now. 

Whether you are an experienced angler or a newbie trying to learn new skills, this would bring along the perfect fishfinder. We have prepared a detailed guide on ice How to use ice fishing sonar Marcum lx7. A good understanding of how to use it will minimize the hassle for you a great deal.

Features

Before you can learn the proper way to use this device, first take a look at the features. In a nutshell, it has a customizable dashboard display that is 8 inches in size and offers a resolution of 800×600. Other main features include a dual-beam transducer, twelve-level interface rejection, and adjustable zoom. Also, it comes with a 12-volt 9-amp battery with a 3-stage charger. It is the perfect blend of macro features with micro precision. All these features, qualities, and more makes up the Marcum lx7 and serves as the primary points of its usage.

Basic Setup

The Marcum lx-7 comes virtually ready to ice fish. But before you even begin using it, open the upper cover of the padded nylon soft pack that protects it. Then loosen the knob so that you can position the monitor how you want it. Move the monitor around and once it is positioned right, tighten the knob to hold it into that position.

For power connection, you can hook up the power cord from behind the monitor to the battery. You can only do all these after removing the entire unit from the padded nylon soft pack. Since it comes with a charged 9-amp battery so you can take it to work right away.

Setting Transducer For Ice Fishing

When you use it together with a rubber stopper and the retractable pivoting transducer arm, your digital sonar’s transducer is bound to level in the ice hole automatically. Therefore, beginning operation requires you to take the digital sonar’s transducer out of the recessed holder and then rotate out its adjustable ice arm from within the shuttle. With the cable already threaded with the stopper in position, lengthen the transducer arm and position it into the water.

It is advisable to set the stopper to have your transducer immersed as little as possible. However, when the ice is more than two feet thick, you may need to set your transducer somewhat further down. 

Also, remember that the less the transducer cable length left out, the easier it will be for you to pull it out from the water to bring in a fish. Similarly, it will be easier to move it to a different location. The transducer should never be logged under the water under any circumstance because that would damage it.

Furthermore, make sure you keep the cable close to the middle of the ice hole. That way, you will not be allowing your cable to freeze into the ice hole’s side.  However, if, unfortunately, that happens, make sure you turn off the unit before you try to chisel it out. If you accidentally cut the cable in the process, forget about the transducer, and never use it again.

Reading Through Ice

The Marcum lx-7 provides accurate information through the ice. However, the ice has to be clear for the Digital Sonar to provide accurate reading through it. For the transducer to couple properly with the ice, pour at least a cup of water on the ice to wet it. Then place the transducer’s face on the wetted part of the ice until it is firm. 

This is when you can see its depth displayed digitally. You will also be able to see a signal that shows the bottom, fish, and other elements on the open sonar window. If there are air bubbles in the ice, or if the ice’s surface is rough, it is necessary to drill 1 to 2 inches into the ice first.  

Functions And Operations

The Marcum lx-7 boasts numerous functions and settings, which you can select and change by the control panel buttons. There is the power button, which when you press and hold for two seconds, the unit will turn on or off. The SENS (sensitivity) button regulates the amount of sensitivity that the unit requires to pick up objects under the water, such as fish, weed, bottom, and such. 

A lower SENS number means less sensitivity and vice versa. When you press the SENS button, a bar will appear on display. That is when you can now press either UP or DOWN to adjust the sensitivity.

Then there is the RANGE function. The Marcum lx-7 boasts nine fixed ranges. You can also use the Dynamic depth feature to create ranges. When you press the RANGE button, a sub-menu with four different ranges will open up on the Digital Sonar. The four include auto range, manual range, dynamic, and manual dynamic.

Use the ZOOM button to choose the higher range of the portion of the column of water you want to zoom in on. Also, you can adjust the real size of the zoom window in the main menu. Then there is the IR button, which stands for interference rejection. It controls a system designed to subdue opposing return signals from other sonar units that are in use within close proximity.

Final Verdict

Now you know how to use ice fishing sonar (Marcum lx-7). Generally, using this fishing sonar is so simple. You have to turn it on, and the factory setting will appear automatically. Hence, it allows you to use the device in the most common configuration. There are plenty of options available.

Consequently, you can customize and modify your dashboard display. To be exact, there are 5 dissimilar sonar portals, 2 cone angles, 4 color pallets, and several other settings to help you set it just how you want it. As you can see, there are many possibilities.