Marcum Camera question

[TravP]

I posted this on another forum, but would like opinions from others as well.

I'm looking at buying a marcum camera. The 380vs and the 620vs use the same camera, but the 620 has the lcd screen, which I'm assuming is better for outdoor use because its brighter, while showing more detail too. I fish some really clear water and some stained water too. How significant is the difference between these 2 cameras, vs the 625sd and 825sd being that these too have the New Super HAD II CCD optics, as far as use in stained waters?

[Random guy]

The LCD screen is well worth the extra ching. First of is the Solar Intelligent screen. These things are truly daylight viewable in all conditions that even means sitting on the boat on a sunny day your camera will work great. That in itself is a huge plus for me. As for the higher definition LCD screen they do make a significant difference in stained and dark water such as my home waters of Upper Red Lake. When viewing is easy it doesn't matter as clarity is clarity but when its gets tough such as heavy snow cover, dark conditions, debris filled water and other situations that hinder underwater visibility the LCD screen will clean up better and can be "tuned" with on the screen menu to match the conditions giving you optimum visibility in poor conditions.

[TravP]

Thanks Jonny.

[dogs]

John Hows it compare to a the older Aqua view Scout, worth junking the scout for?

Thanks

[Random guy]

Night and day...literally.

[harvey lee]

I had both and sold my 825 and kept the 380. I do not know about the 620 but the 825 was nothing special.

The 380 for the money I believe is the best camera on the market. No need to spend all the money for the spendy unit when the 380 does the job it does.

When I purchased my 825 and it was not cheap, I got talked into the unit by a fellow who praised it. Then to find out he gets his units free and simply said they were great. So many times there are people on the web that get a product for free and then promote the heck out of it so they are sure they will get another next season. I am not saying that one cannot trust these people but there are some out there who would do or say anything for a free unit.

I have used and owned many different camera's and the MarCum vs380 has to be the best camera for the buck hands down. Yes, the newer ones may offer a little more but for the difference in money, I will stay with the 380.

Keep on checking Trav and you will find what fills your needs.

[jepik]

Jonny P..I have the vs 620. is there a difference in veiwing outside of tent between vs620 and the vs625sd..625sd has the sony ccd super had II camera. while the vs620 has sony ccd super had camera. is the II a better camera. thanks

[TravP]

Jonny P..I have the vs 620. is there a difference in veiwing outside of tent between vs620 and the vs625sd..625sd has the sony ccd super had II camera. while the vs620 has sony ccd super had camera. is the II a better camera. thanks

I just talked to a guy with an 825sd yesterday. He told me he rarely uses the color and the screen is next to unreadable outside on a sunny day. Definetely not worth it to me.

[TravP]

I had both and sold my 825 and kept the 380. I do not know about the 620 but the 825 was nothing special.

The 380 for the money I believe is the best camera on the market. No need to spend all the money for the spendy unit when the 380 does the job it does.

When I purchased my 825 and it was not cheap, I got talked into the unit by a fellow who praised it. Then to find out he gets his units free and simply said they were great. So many times there are people on the web that get a product for free and then promote the heck out of it so they are sure they will get another next season. I am not saying that one cannot trust these people but there are some out there who would do or say anything for a free unit.

I have used and owned many different camera's and the MarCum vs380 has to be the best camera for the buck hands down. Yes, the newer ones may offer a little more but for the difference in money, I will stay with the 380.

Keep on checking Trav and you will find what fills your needs.

Thanks Tom. I might save myself a hundred bucks and just go with the 380 instead of the 620.

[walleye44]

Thanks Tom. I might save myself a hundred bucks and just go with the 380 instead of the 620.

I thought I wanted color so bad too, but color turns black & white if the conditions are not perfect. I have researched this one. Have you checked out the Aqua-Vu AV360? You do not need to turn the camera. You see in all directions.

[TravP]

Yes, but the Marcum uses a better camera.

[servocam]

Quote:

I thought I wanted color so bad too, but color turns black & white if the conditions are not perfect. I have researched this one. Have you checked out the Aqua-Vu AV360? You do not need to turn the camera. You see in all directions.

I purchased the VS825c on close-out at GM for a good deal 4wks ago. I didn't realize it swtiched Color/B&W when lighting gets poor. If the price wasn't good, I would of just done the B&W lower cost unit. I wanted one for seeing structure and pan-fish. So far, the kids love it and we use it everytime we go fishing. Son loved watching a Pike stare us down for 15 minues. So far, liking the LCD, but when bright out, have to shroud the display, but no diff than the CRT IMO.

I would recommend the panning mechanism (or make one).

[Dave]

I just talked to a guy with an 825sd yesterday. He told me he rarely uses the color and the screen is next to unreadable outside on a sunny day. Definetely not worth it to me.

I'm going to disagree with the outside viewing opinion, if all's equal to the 825C model. I've had one since they came out. First the 825C and the last few years the 820. I use mine summer and winter. I agree, I would stick with the B/W model. It's not like watching TV in the living room but I use mine for hole hopping outside quite a bit. You can adjust the contrast and brightness which might help out your buddy. Much better than shrouding a CRT type camera with your hands in order to view it at all outside, IMO.

http://www.hotspotoutdoors.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/1282224/1

[Dave]

I purchased the VS825c on close-out at GM for a good deal 4wks ago. I didn't realize it swtiched Color/B&W when lighting gets poor. If the price wasn't good, I would of just done the B&W lower cost unit. I wanted one for seeing structure and pan-fish. So far, the kids love it and we use it everytime we go fishing. Son loved watching a Pike stare us down for 15 minues. So far, liking the LCD, but when bright out, have to shroud the display, but no diff than the CRT IMO.

I would recommend the panning mechanism (or make one).

The 825C wasn't designed to change automatically from color to B&W. What you're experiencing is the color fading as you view deeper. You can adjust the color to off in the Menu, too. The new 825SD's are designed to automatically adjust the color, however.

And, BTW, I paid for mine just like everyone.

[katophil]

I traded my 380 and some cash for a 825c, wishing I keep the 380.

[fisherman-andy]

I have the old 250 and the Cabela knock off versions. But my buddy has one of the first generation 825 from a few years ago.

In poor light or cloudy water conditions black and white may be easier for viewing, but if the water was clear or somewhat clear during daylight the visability was incredible on the 825.

If your just using the cameras to only view fish to see whats down there then your using it for the wrong reason. Not only should it be used to view fish type, its important for bottom structure and most of all looking for patches of "GREEN", you know the aquatic plants that fish loves to hang around? That becomes very useful in Spring and Fall and even in the winter where you can find such. Cant do that with a B/W camera.

[PeteBauer]

I've got an 825c and my good buddy has a 380vs.

For the money, the 380vs is a better unit. My 825c is hard to see outside in the sun, at least his 380 has a Sun Shield

[fisherman-andy]

I've got an 825c and my good buddy has a 380vs.

For the money, the 380vs is a better unit. My 825c is hard to see outside in the sun, at least his 380 has a Sun Shield

Its a LCD type screen, you'll have that problem viewing any device with such type screen on a sunny day or outside. Think laptop screen, smart phones, portable dvd players. You'll have some sort of glare or poor viewing condition in daylight outside.

[walleye44]

Yes, but the Marcum uses a better camera.

From Aqua-Vu "upgraded our AV500 & AV700 systems to the Sony Super HAD camera system this season. Did Marcum switch to the Sony Super HAD II cameras? &If they even did can the naked eye even see the difference? That is the big question.

[walleye44]

Its a LCD type screen, you'll have that problem viewing any device with such type screen on a sunny day or outside. Think laptop screen, smart phones, portable dvd players. You'll have some sort of glare or poor viewing condition in daylight outside.

That is why I think the Aqua Vu AV500, AV700 & Aqua-Vu AV360 systems are better for viewing outside.

[TravP]

Wow, I didn't know aqua view upgraded to the sony HAD camera. The newest high end marcums are using the HAD II, but I don't think that makes much of difference. I won't be buying color regardless. If I need to make sure weeds are green, I'll put on a spoon and snag some to check. Color is not worth $300 IMO.

[fisherman-andy]

I won't be buying color regardless. If I need to make sure weeds are green, I'll put on a spoon and snag some to check. Color is not worth $300 IMO.

Go right on ahead, try. LOL.. you wont find it as easy you think. I have a B/W camera and have tried already. Sitting there and trying to spot green plants when all you see is b/w isnt going to be easy. Then thinking you should be able to snag some to see if it is actually green?

I guess to each their own advantages & skills...

[walleye44]

Wow, I didn't know aqua view upgraded to the sony HAD camera. The newest high end marcums are using the HAD II, but I don't think that makes much of difference. I won't be buying color regardless. If I need to make sure weeds are green, I'll put on a spoon and snag some to check. Color is not worth $300 IMO.

You can buy (2) black & whites for the price of color!

[TravP]

I'm pretty sure I could snag some weeds with a darter...

[Tom7227]

I have the B&W Marcum 820 and it's neat on hard water. I've tried it during the summer out on the boat and first of all you can't see the screen very well unless you put a towel up or something to keep out the light. Secondly once the water clouds up the thing is pretty much useless unless you like to look at a 12 inch circle at the bottom of the lake. To be honest if I knew what I was going to end up with I don't think I would have bought it. Luckily I used Cabela bucks and so out of pocket was minimal.