Underwater Camera's

[thordog]

I purchased an OVS 400 underwater camera this weekend after reviewing the archives on this and other websites. I liked the portability vs. the aquaview. I tested it out today in a lake and a river to see what I could see, both were fairly clear since the ice is just off. My question is this? I could see only 3 to 4 foot horizontally before the visibility really dropped off. The IR mode and the lights mode seemed to make little difference. Is this typical of what I can expect?
I saw guys on the mississippi river at Guttenberg using one this weekend, and they said they could see fish. I am wondering how?
Input please, as I am thinking of returning it.

[REW]

You are welcome to the world of underwater viewing.
It is a very limited world indeed, in many waters of the country.

The 2-4 foot of visability, is rather common for most stained or dingy waters where we normally fish.

If you happen to be fishing one of the really clear great lakes, or some of the spring fed trout lakes that are crystal clear, then you can get visability that might go to about 10 feet.

I suspect that with the focal length of the lens, it is doubtful, that you are going to be seeing much more than about 10 foot in any event.

As a test - simply set your camera on the kitchen table and observe the view. How much can you see, with the camera out of the water. Obviously - this is the best case, but will give you a good idea, of general lens and overall camera operation.

If your camera is similar to the units used in security camera - you could very well have an above water range of several hundred feet. However, as your light darkens, and the water thickens, your range is going to drop significantly.

Now repeat the test outdoors on a dark night - with heavy cloud cover and no moon light. See how far you can see on the camera with the IR lights. This will give you the best case for your night vision.

Remember, you have a "camera" -- you don't have to use this camera underwater to enjoy it.

If you aren't using it for fishing - just to keep it active, you can set it up by your front or back door - and use it as a security camera.

Or you could put it inside your garage, and run a wire to your house and keep an eye on your boat etc.

You may as well as get a good use out of the camera when you aren't using it - rather than just let a $200 - $600 piece of electronics sit around doing nothing.

Take care

REW

[thordog]

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[thor]

Is REW the only one out there with one of these?

[Skeeter]

I have an Atlantis Camera and I have used it mostly for ice fishing but have used it a few times to see what kind of fish I am marking in the summer. Rew is right about how far you can see. If the water is murky it lesses the distance you can see. With mine I usually on the adverage see about 10 -15 feet in the water I fish in. Not bad, I wouldn't be with out it ice fishing and don't even pack my Vexiar any more. NL

[eye1]

I have one of the OVS 300's 2 or 3 years old.Although I have used it during the open water season I mainly use it for ice fishing.I'm with skeeter in that I hardly even use my flasher anymore.It's kinda like when I first started using a flasher and couldn't imagine how I could have caught fish without one, starting to feel that way about the camera.It's an awesome tool for learning about fish behavior and reactions in a way most of us never would be able to see if it weren't for the camera.Also very good for learning how to make certain lures work as intended. Generally I setup with the camera in one hole and the two lines in line so that I can see both baits.I'd say the distance from the camera to the furthest bait is about 6' but I can see well beyond it depending on light conditions.The lighter the better.I would geuss that I can see fish at 10 -15' or so.As far as I'm concerned though the IR lighting is a waste , once it gets dark enough to need the light the IR just seems to illuminate the particals in the water.You can see their eyes shining if they get close enough but thats about it.

[Darenwh]

Your vision with an underwater camera is allways going to be limited. Even in the clearest water you will only see so far. As water becomes murky the distance will derease. Plankton blooms will hurt too. It comes down to water clarity. Even in the clearest water you will not see more than about ten to fifteen feet. if you are wondering why just get yourself a snorkel and mask (in the summertime) and see how far you can see with your eyes. The camera will not be as sensitive and any cloudyness no matter how slight will greatly limit your ability to see very far under water.

[Rocketman]

Just thought I would add to this post. I have just put together an under water camera. I purchased the camera lense portion from Intelicamspy$79.99, the small tv from Radio Shack $49.99 a couple of adapters $5.99 and it works GREAT.I can even watch TV inbetween bites!!lol...
Thanks for the help guys!!
Brian Price

[thordog]

Rocketman.... Could I get the specifics?? model #'s etc...... That sounds like a better deal than $400...

[skeeter]

I agree with you also eye1

[Rocketman]

http://www.intellicamspy.com/underwater.htm
The site above is where to buy the camera.On sale now for $79.00. You will need to tie up the power cable w/ a plastic tie or something, otherwise the camera will point down. You will understand once you hold the camera in your hand.
Then I went to Radio Shack and bought a 5" b/w portable.on sale now for $49.00. Make sure it operates on 12v and has a "video in" jack, otherwise it won't work. That is the yellow port. I am using a 12v jumper pack (these can be purchased at any Kmart,walmart FleetFarm etc. about $50.00, they come w/ jumper cables and a cigerette outlet, and I never go out in my boat w/o it, it has saved me many times over)for power source on the ice. I purchased a dual power lead to connect 2 power needs into 1 outlet, as the camera and the t.v. both need 12v. power sources. You will also see on the intellicamspy site they have accessories to power the unit that you can buy from them, but they are cheaper at Radio Shack.
I have rented the Aquaview, and I have to say the "view" quality is the same. My camera does not have a light for night vision, but when I used the aquaview at night I could not see nearly as much as during the day without the light. You could buy a camera w/ the infrared light, but, I would not waste the money, I don't think it's worth it.
I have not yet made a carrying case for it, but I think that will be easy.
Hope this helps

Brian Price
Brian Price

[Rocketman]

I must make a correction to my last post.
As it turns out, this camera DOES have INFRARED. After my last post a turned the camera on again to play with it and when I tuned off all the lightss in the room, it was able to still broadcast a nice picture. I would have to say this might work good both during the daytime and night... WOW, maybe I got a better deal than I thought.

[thordog]

Rocketman - Can you turn the IR lights off? I have heard that they will scare off the fish. Have you noticed this when you use it?

[Rocketman]

Actually, I was not even aware that it had the infrared. It has no visible light coming out of the camera lense, thus, there is no on/off switch. but, the night vision is very good. I know what you mean by scaring the fish with the bright light that aquaview has. I do agree it could scare off the eyes.
Brian Price