marcum vs aqua vu

[Minn Fish]

im looking at a new underwater camera.a marcum vs380 or a aqua vu quad 4x4 .any ideas good-bad-what would you get? I HAVE no experience with underwater cameras.thanks fish

[JimBuck]

I've got a VS380....Great camera. Sony lens so the image stays crisp even in low light conditions. I couldn't be happier for the money. Never used a 4x4....but I feel like 4 seperate camera's equals 4 more potential problems. Bada-bing.

[Esox_Magnum]

Whos making Aqua Vu's now that Nature Vision went under?? Marcums still around and going strong, I think thats the rout I would go. Having owned both brands hands down the Marcums a better camera.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Nature vision sold all their assets, which included many companies, far beyond MarCum and Aqua Vu. MarCum was purchased by Vista, a Minnesota Company, which is very nice. And I believe Aqua Vu was bought by Crosslake, also a MN company.

Both cameras you are talking about are great. I own a MarCum 820, very nice camera, I also own an Aqua Vu Scout XL. I have used the quad as well. If you are buying the unit ONLY for ice fishing. I say go with the quad. You can see in 4 different directions.. which is VERY nice. If you are going to use it in the summer at all.. Go with the MarCum.

[JSK76]

I have a Marcum VS 500 and an Aqua Vu SP-80 and have owned other Aqua Vu's and I can say the Marcum has the sharper picture.

[hambone842005]

And I believe Aqua Vu was bought by Crosslake, also a MN company.

They were sold to Outdoor Insights which is based in Crosslake, MN.

[harvey lee]

Personally I would go with ther VS380. Qualitity Sony camera and the unit is reduce in price by $100.00 from last season.

Darn good camera at $299.00.

http://www.outdoorprostore.com/

[PerchJerker]

Another vote for the VS380

[Craigums]

I've got a Marcum VS250 and haven't had any problems with it.

[WyoChris]

I noticed the Marcum 380 doesnt have infrared...... do you need to use the lights or can it see in the dark just fine with the "darkwater" viewing?

[Minn Fish]

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP GOING FOR THE 380. FISH

[Deitz Dittrich]

I noticed the Marcum 380 doesnt have infrared...... do you need to use the lights or can it see in the dark just fine with the "darkwater" viewing?

Here is something that is widely misunderstood. Not trying to sound like an expert on this, but hope it helps someone.

IR/Infrafed= Works great for above water use. If you have an IR camera you can turn off all the lights in your house and walk around like its day. Its awesome. You can see coins in your dark pocket(one of the sales pitches I have seen/used). But.. BUT.. Water is the filter of IR light. Instead of going in a straight line, like most light rays, its filtered and sent in all directions. IR under water in PERFECT conditions may get you about 3 feet of visibility.

On the flip side, LED lights on cameras IN PERFECT conditions can and will see further.

HOWEVER, even that is fair at best. Any particulation at all in the water will be amplified and render your unit close to worthless.

That said.. I use an underwater camera a ton.. But I use it to find areas, not to actually fish!..

[MNfishingFun]

starting up the underwater camera topic again.. Marcum go some good reviews has anyone used the new VS820 with the LCD screen?

has anyone tried the Cabelas panning II with 360 deg view?

the VS380 looks nice but Cabelas says it uses a SONY cam and looks a bit cheepier...thoughts ????

[The Slabnator]

I have used both and have been very happy overall with my Aqua-Vu's. I have heard that the new owners of Aqua-Vu are putting out new models this fall.

[MarkAlm]

Having had a Aqua veiw for about 5 yaers now, I would not own the product again. Cheap switches,cheap bodies - the replacement

each time something broke or went bad was $85.00 so they could send a complete refurbed unit. All of the manufactuers of fishing electronics should test their products more in the field. IMO they hand this stuff to the pros for 1 year and they do have problems and they replace them. Alot of this equiptment is replaced each year with new stuff so it is not tested after the first year. Alot of guys cannot afford to upgrade that often, so when something does break they are forced to buy something else. This is my opinion that I have from 1st hand expierence.

[DTro]

On several occasions, I've sat and watched an AquaVu or other off brand Camera side by side and can see a noticeable difference in picture clarity, with the Marcum being better. Also the Marcum has a pretty cool design in how they use their LED lights in the Manta housing.

I will also add that the VS380 uses the same camera as the 820 and 825. It's a great option for those not in the budget of LCD screens.

[FYGR8]

I run Aqua-Vu exclusively, since the Marcum line does not track backwards for video trolling. I am hoping that some new stuff is on the way from Aqua-Vu so I can continue to capture some of the best video footage out there.

[UberDome]

MarCum and Aqua View are both owned by Versa Electronics in New Hope,MN. They are the only manufacturers of underwater cameras in USA.

[Dave]

MarCum and Aqua View are both owned by Versa Electronics in New Hope,MN. They are the only manufacturers of underwater cameras in USA.

I believe just Marcum, not Aqua View.

[Esox_Magnum]

Originally Posted By: UberDome

MarCum and Aqua View are both owned by Versa Electronics in New Hope,MN. They are the only manufacturers of underwater cameras in USA.

I believe just Marcum, not Aqua View.

Your right Dave Versa took over Marcum, Aqua Vu was taken over by another MN company ( name escapes me at the moment) Having owned both Marcum is the better IMO.

[The Slabnator]

Outdoors insight is the owners of Aqua-Vu.

[&JAG]

Marcum.