Aqua-view

[Lundluvr]

With the boat shows comming up, and my boat pretty much rigged. I was thinking of what toy I wanted to purchase this year. I was wondering about the Aqua-view camera. Does anyone have any experience with these. I've always thought it would be nice to be able to look at structure and compare it with my graph. Some questions that I have are. How much can you see? Do they work well in clear lakes, but not in reservoires, or rivers? Thank you for any insight you can give me.

[EAGLE EYES]

I personally feel that the best use of the camera is, finding a certain piece of structure. When the particular area is found, the confidence that I feel usually helps me catch more fish. I do not own a camera, however my fishin' partner does. He owns an AquaVu junior with infa-red. From my experience using the camera seeing fish is pretty neat at first, but then for me it is turns into a structure/bottom substrant finder. As far as infa-red vs. no infa-red, it seems it's not used that often we usually put the camera away at dark. I feel you can see better without it under diming light conditions. I will definitely own one my self, but not for the reasons most people would think. I've tried out the VistaCam in comparison, It worked fine. I do like the AquaVu better however. It's stores well and seems to be a little more handy. That's my OP. Good luck!! EE

[EAGLE EYES]

Whoops, I forgot to the answer to your clarity question! :'(
Seems to be pretty self explaining. Clear water: you can see very good down there. Dirty turbid water: hard to see but you still can. That's it.

[Chad]

The one thing nice about the vista cam is that you can get a 9" screen. This is great for in the ice shack where everyone can watch. The small screen make it tough for more then one person to see the fish.

[EAGLE EYES]

That's a very good point about the VistaCam! Chad, I never tried it, but can you use the VistaCam monitor for Broadcast TV viewing also? I heard that you could, but not I'm not sure about it. Thanks

[Gunga Din]

I've got an Aqua-Vu II IR I'm thinking of upgrading. Email me if interested, Dennis@Climbing-Guides.com

[Jack]

Just a thought. Since you want the camera for boat use.
I was on a charterboat on Lake ontario last year. The operator was trolling with a strike vision video system.
they do cost more than the rest but you do get the functional elec. rigger retriever system that has the single thin metal rigger cable. probably 1/10 the drag of coax and the signals go right through it.
we saw lots of fish chasin and hitting lures down at 90 feet, while we were trolling at 3 knots.
nice and clear video and it only took about 1 minute to setup each lure. the cptain said there isn't another system made that really works for trolling like it.

[IBFSHN]

Hi,
A friend of mine had bought the Atlantis last year. This is the big model and not the JR unit that is out this year. Anyway he seems to like it, but he had trouble with the camera leaking water the first time. The second time he had a monitor problem and had that switched out. Now he is using it and really enjoys it very much. Seems to be working out and all is fine. I have played with various models of cameras including this one, ovs, aqua vu and am seriously looking at this one for myself in the JR model. I just until 1 week ago took back my Aqua Series. I had there Z model to start and switched to the MC series and again went back to the Z model. The last unit that I had had a cable problem shorting out in the camera. So I am without one again. Last year I had 3 units of the JR burn up on me when they first came out. They later had a fix for that with the new plastic ring to prevent shorting. Where ever you get your camera, make sure that there is the possibility that you can take it back if it doesnt work out. Several lakes here after using them at night either does not work well because of water clarity or you get a complete white out with them.I really like to use the camera. It is a definitely a educational tool that can make you a better fisherman. You will learn all kinds of neat information on the underwater that you would never even know. Out ice fishing it has helped me find the fish that my FL-8 wouldnt even pick up. I had eyes right on the bottom that where sitting there and not moving at all. With the camera I seen them, on the FL-8 I did not detect them.I am also in the market for a camera. One that works, has a clear picture that is adjustable for sharpness and contrast and a 100 length cord with kevlar or some means of strength. I am going to try out the Seaview next week after using an ovs this past one. Good thing for friends.