Marcum VS380 or Cabelas 7" Underwater Camera?

[gonehunting]

Just another opinion topic. I am in the market for an underwater camera and have two choices. Either the Marcum VS380 for $279 or the Cabelas 7" for $139. Which is the better buy or product? If you own one of these what are your opinions good and bad? They both have 7" screens and a Sony camera. Who makes the Cabelas brand camera? I fished with a buddies Cableas camera and it worked well. Would the Marcum be even better? Thanks to anyone who replies.

[SkitterPopper]

I have a VS380 and really like it. I am pretty sure that the Cabelas camera does not have the Manta camera head. The Manta has Marcums Darkwater Technology. I have had a few friends with other cameras and it seems like mine is always the last camera coming up at dusk.

[Cads]

Buy the one that is NOT made in China. If it is made in China, then it is junk! This goes for 90% of Cabelas [PoorWordUsage]!

[timbo147]

I have the 7" Cabelas camera, been using it for two years now summer and winter. The picture quality is good during the day but once it gets dark out you might as well put it away even with the lights you really can't see anything.

[Josh8481]

You do know you own products that are made in China right? It's kind of an old, tired thought process you are exhibiting. On top of that, even if it's manufactured in the US, a lot of the components are from China. Just pointing that out.

Aside from that rant, I just bought the 5.5" Cabelas model myself. The Marcum does have that Manta Camera, so if you can swing the money, it'd be the better bet. Aside from the camera, they are essentially the same, aside from the better Cabelas warranty for their model.

[MinnGuy]

My Cabelas camera works well, better than my AquaVu. Much better controls. The older Cabelas units used Marcum cameras. I don't know if this is still true.

[Josh8481]

The Cabelas camera got a lot of bad reviews for poor night viewing...only if the people reviewing knew that is the case with the majority of underwater cameras in general, especially Infrared. I had a $300 Aqua Vu Scout shortly after they became popular, and had the exact same problem. It's not the camera per say, it's the lighting type more than anything.

Maybe the Manta Camera will show you a slight improvement, but it still won't look like it does during the day.

[minnbowhunter]

I have one of the older Marcum cameras and it has held up well. I had a problem with it (my fault) and had to send it in for repair. Customer service was great, had my unit back in a week. Personally, I have never seen a camera that works well at night. The lights just light up all of the particles in the water and it looks like you're driving in a snow storm with the hi beams on. As soon as the sun goes down the camera is put on the shelf.

[DTro]

I had my heart set on a 380 this year and sold my aquavu to purchase one.

A couple of weeks ago I had a 2 $20 off vouchers for Cabelas and when the 7” went on sale for $139, I couldn’t pass up getting one for $99. I haven’t used it very much yet at all, but it has a good picture and a nice soft pak setup.

It was more of a financial thing for me since the camera is down the priority list for the type of fishing I’ve been doing the past couple of years.

It has got pretty good reviews on the Cabelas site.

[gonehunting]

Thanks for all the good info. Keep it coming.

[JSK76]

I have a Marcum VS500 and just picked up a Cabela's Advanced Angler II panning camera. The Marcum is slightly clearer, maybe do to a smaller screen but the panning on the Cabela's makes up for it.

[magicstix]

I have a VS380 and I think it works good. Like others have said once it gets dark it gets put away but otherwise its been good.

Like dtro had mentioned it doesn't quite fit my fishing style either. I got it for a toy for me and the kids after the first day of watching it the kids don't care anymore. If i'm going to hunkered down I'll put it in but otherwise I move too much on most days.

I had borrowed a cabelas brand before I got the marcum and it worked good too.

[brianh]

If you can get a panning camera, that is the way to go. I've had a Marcum 560 for five years and use the pan 90% of the time.

Can almost gaurantee it will change the way you jig. Jiggin' for pike and see panfish or vice versa. Got an 11"+ sunnie yesterday, doubt it would've bite on the buckshot I was using.

Forces ya to fish the clearer lakes, but, to me it is worth it.

[gonehunting]

TTT

[harvey lee]

The VS380 is an awesome underwater camera with an even better picture.

One cannot go wrong with this camera. Heck, its even a hundred less in price from last season.

I have used and owned a few cameras in the past years and the VS380 is right at the top for picture quality.