Anyone with Aqua-Vu experience?

[Far-I]

I am debating between two models, a couple years old, that I can get for a reasonable price.

The first is about $50 more, the aqua-vu svc-100. It has a 100ft cable and a 4 inch b&w screew with snap-on sungaurd.

Its advantage is on screen temp and bearing/direction of the camera lens to the monitor.

The other model is the Spool Series, which is compact, has a cool "shiner" finish camera and easy spooling cable (for easy running and gunning). It comes with a 4 inch screen and 80ft cable. It includes on-screen temp but no direction. It also doesn not come with a sungaurd because it has an LCD screen that is supposedly viewable in the sun.

The problem with this one is a 1 amp 12 volt battery vs. a 7amp 12 volt on the other.

Anyone have experience with either of these units?

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have used both.. I would lean towards the SVC. The spool series is nice to use, but the battery does not last long. If you have it attached to an outside power source its not an issue. I think the SVC may be more water resistant as well.

[buddha]

I wish I had a spool on mine cause it has a 100 ft cord, a real pain in my opinion. However the camera has been awesome so no complaints.

[Far-I]

I actually went a little over board and got an Aqua-Vu 4x4 Camera instead. Got a great deal so I figured why not? Ever use one of these Deitz? What do u think?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Far-l, Yep, used one of those as well. (Kinda helped, Used to be on the AquaVu Prostaff before.) They are a great unit! Tons of fun in the winter. Not the best unit for me as I like to use mine in the summer as much as I do in the winter. The Quad does not work as well in the summer. But if you are going to use it primarily for winter, the Quad is the cats meow!!!

[Far-I]

I have been testing out the Quad in some clear, deep, trout ponds around here. This thing is just right for my style of fishing, and I highly reccomend it to anyone who can get it for a decent price, retail seems a little high, but it is a luxury item.

Anyone ever use one of the DVR recorders. I suppose you could study "the one that got away" for clues on how to improve your fishing?

I bought the aqua-vu because i knew it would fascinate my son and keep him intereted in fishing longer, but i think i am more into it haha. I am interested in its analytical qualities as well now, and i saw a popular retail store was dumping these DVR units for 66% off. Would anyone reccomend one?

[Deitz Dittrich]

I also have a DVR.. on my computer I have a heck of a time editing the film.. but I still ahve the information. I like to study it later and look to see how the strcture lays out. I use theDVR far more in the open water months but have also used it in ice season.. I have some great footage of me not catching large walleye.. BOOOOOOOO

[Far-I]

At least you can prove to ppl u "almost had one" haha

[Go2fish]

I am looking to buy my first underwater camera for this winter. It seems like there are 50 difft models with 1 model has a black zipper and 1 has a grey zipper.....

I am going to fish Tonka for Crappies and Walleyes 95% of the time use the camera in the winter.

Can you shed some light on what you should look for in buying a camera?

Assuming the lighting and screen clarity in the sun are where the extra $ is going to go?

Thanks

[Far-I]

The one i bought is so great for ice fishing because it is actually 4 cameras in one. There are four lenses, attached to a square housing, that when in use shows 4 simultanious views, in a 360 degree fashion, of the underwater world. The screen can toggle to any one view, or split to show all 4 at once. U don't miss a thing! Set up strategically in a ice-house, multiple ppl can each watch their presentation on the same camera, very cool!

As deitz said, this is not a good model for trolling, drinfting applications in open water.

I vertical fish year round, and ice is my primary season. This camera is great!

Good luck with whatever u get, I'd also like to hear other ppls opinions as well.

Color is another option, and is where a lot of the extra $ goes, dividing the price ranges substantially

[Go2fish]

I like the looks of the quad. Have you used it at night much? From others I have seen the night viewing is not exactly spectacular. Any insight as to Spectral lights vs the LED lighting? The marcums claim to eliminate or minimize the "snow" effect in the water?

[Deitz Dittrich]

the spectra lights are LED.

however all LED lights if the water has a lot of "particulations" will look like your driving a F1 race car in a blizzard.