Underwater cameras?

[nickdakota]

I am considering purchasing an underwater camera and would like some input. First let me say I have great sonar units on my boat, but would like to use the camera to learn more about what I am looking at. Also my wife thinks it would be fun to watch the fish. How many of you actually use them or have had the opportunity to observe a good one being used? I have been looking at the Marcum vs460, vs560 and the vs820. I like the 8 inch LCD screen on the 820, but the 360 degree camera on the 460 and 560 sounds good. All 3 are about the same price around $500. Of course there are some earlier models under $200. I did look at Aqua Vu also. All input will be appreciated.

[ramp 23]

I have used the aqua-vu scout on the ice & boat,for 4 years. It has taken lots of abuse,by accident & works great. Also I added the DVR which is a lot of fun. You really learn alot, about the fish & your sonar,have fun.

[duckbutter unlogged]

I too have the Aquaview Scout. Don't use it as much as I thought I would, but it's fun to use with the grandkids. It is also helpful to see exactly what your sonar is telling you.

[Backwater Eddy]

The Scout two is a great unit for $199.97 at Gander Mtn.

It has a smaller screen than the XL or the SRT, but the SR (Spectral Enhanced) Lighting makes the package far more user friendly in a wider range of night or day water conditions. A great value for the $$$.

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson
"ED on the RED"
><,sUMo,>

"I would rather go fishing and think of GOD, Then go to church, and think of FISHING"

*Grandpa Art Carlson*

[Matt V]

I had one of the original aqua view's. I loved drifting with it and watching my sonar at the same time. You really learn a lot from them. The screen kept going out on mine and at $75 every time to replace it, I just never got it fixed again. I would think that the screen problem on the newer unit's is fixed by now.

[JC-W]

I have the VS560. Nice camera, but I think there are too many bells and whistles with it and would go with a cheaper unit. I did have my camera fail and leak water, but Marcum replaced it without any problems. They were excellent to deal with in customer service.

[lipripper1]

interesting to see many of you guys using your cameras in the boat. I've tried it a couple times but have such a hard time seeing the screen its nearly impossible. What do you guys do to make it easier?????

The only way it works for me is if I put a towel or something over myself and the camera,, which isn't what I'm looking to do at all..

[JC-W]

I pull out my viewer and slam my face into the plastic. Yep, very tough needless to say. The towel idea is pretty good.

[bouncer]

I love mine! I have the AquaVu Scout that I bought "pre-owned" from a guy who had picked up a couple on Ebay! It's awesome. I use it to identify species sometimes. I also use it around weed lines to see how the bait is behaving so I can offer a presentation accordingly. My 11-year-old loves it too! It's a good way for him to take a break from the rod to explore the underwater world. You have to be careful though. Sometimes you want to spend more time looking underwater then fishing. That's bad! I would recommend keeping it simple, with few bells and whistles. They do take a bit more of a beating than I thought they would. Pretty durable though! As far as seeing the screen, mine has the screen cover that is kind-of cone like so it filters out alot of sun light. Go get one! Check Ebay to see if you can pick one up for a couple hundred bucks.

[walleyedmike]

I just got a Cabela's underwater camera with a 7" screen for $199, great picture, adjustable infrared lights built into the Sony camera, and Cabela's carries the rechargeable batteries so I can get an extra 1 to always make sure I have 1 charging while I'm using the other.

[WarrenMN]

I did some recording with a MAV unit last year and posted it on my site.

http://www.accuemap.com/pages/AquaVu_Videos.html

WarrenMN

[ramp 23]

Something to consider, aqua-vu`s D.V.R. works great,but it is in asf format which is not compatible with windows vista. This is a bummer if you want to e-mail ,enter video contest etc.

[Mr.Seaguar]

I bought the AquaVu 360. Its cheating in my book. It makes it pretty easy to catch fish thru the ice. I dnt use it much unless I forget my conscience at home. I do have to say it works awesome. Only thing I wish it was like the flashr with a battery you could pull out and drop another in.

[Guest]

I have decided to buy an underwater camera and found this past thread. I am not looking for anything more than being able to drop it down, see the fish marked on the locator or bottom comntent and pull it back up.
Has anyone used BOTH the AquaVu Scout XL and the Cabela's Advanced Angler at $189 ? I am looking for an honest answer to if there is a definite difference between the two and if the AquaVu is really worth the additional cost.

One salesperson told me no one compares to AquaVu relative to the actual camera quality. He said all the CRT screens are pretty much the same, the difference is the camera part. Can anyone confirm this ?

Responses are appreciated.

[ffishman]

I've got one and it works good. Only used it a few times. Seems I watch it more than I should, and fish less.

[walleyedmike]

"I am not looking for anything more than being able to drop it down, see the fish marked on the locator or bottom content and pull it back up."

If that's all you need, save yourself some $$$ and get the Cabela's 5" screen version for $129.00.

[ffishman]

If you keep your eyes open, I have seen them at Harbor Frieght, with a coupon for around 80 bucks.

[ramp 23]

I have used both,in day light,thru ice. Picture quality is close,but many times fish would come right up to the aqua-vu cam, ( mine looks like a bluegill ) while the cabelas cam they did not. Also aqua-vu is capable of looking straight down , while cabelas does not have this feature,which we use all the time. I have not used the cabelas unit at night. I can say the aqua-vu is rugged & nature vision service is good. Good luck

[trapper201]

I borrowed one - just a black and white. I used it on our lake that is full of bass, gills, perch and pike. the lake is a small private lake that we all practice catch and release so there are alot of big fish. The result- I only saw a few little perch and gills. I dont know if the camera spooked the fish off or what. There only seemed to be a few feet of picture in focus so the camera has to be close to see something.
I think it would be good for still fishing through the ice or just checking out structure and stuff.

good luck