Aqua Vu Micro

[cps420us]

I just saw the ad for these and they look pretty sweet! Anyone out there have a chance to test them out and find any cons about them?

[DaSwede]

I just saw the ad for these and they look pretty sweet! Anyone out there have a chance to test them out and find any cons about them?

I have another thread going on cameras. You might want to check that out.

I think it looks like a nice little unit, but my one concern is it going through the ice. I'd like to use it with my kids, and since it's so compact, that could be an issue. Just a thought anyway...

[walleye44]

The Aqua Vu Micro is a nice unit. It comes with a wrist strap so you will not drop it in the water. If you have a camera tri-pod you can also thread this unit into that for the kids to just look at too. It is a very portable unit & easy to use.

[JIvers]

I took a look at an Aqua Vu Micro this past weekend, and I liked it. It does come with a strap that makes dropping it less likely, although if I bought one I would add a flat to the camera cable, much like I did with my Showdown Ice Troller. The Micro is waterproof, and the float would make retrieving it easier, should it go down the hole.

I'm not going to get a Micro this winter, barring some modest financial windfall. (Knocks on wood. ) I already have an Aqua Vu camera, and while the Micro would be a big upgrade, as it is a lot smaller and lighter, and more portable, I am currently not able to justify the price for this upgrade, as my employment situation is uncertain.

Plus, I am one of those people who finds underwater cameras useful, but not vital. If I had to choose between my Vexilar and Showdown Troller vs. a camera, I would take the flasher or LCD hands-down over a camera. Cameras are nice, but if I want to travel light I have no problem leaving the one I have now at home. The Micro is smaller, and easier to carry, but my point is I can get by without it this coming winter.

Finally, I am betting there will be a smaller, better version of the Micro available soon enough, and I can wait until it comes out, and have more money to spend on it. The general trend in this sort of technology is to get smaller, better, and cheaper, so I don’t mind waiting another year.

[Brad B]

does anyone know if the micro has a video out option. this is the only thing that would keep me from think about buying one. I want a unit that has a video out so I can do recordings.

[walleye44]

It does not have one.

[sjlund]

Has anyone been out and put one of these through its paces?

[walleye44]

I just saw the ad for these and they look pretty sweet! Anyone out there have a chance to test them out and find any cons about them?

I posted this & some pictures on Aqua Vu's facebook page.

This weekend I got out fishing & tried this Aqua Vu Micro on the ice. I was fishing in 30 ft of water on dirty Rush Lake. There was 7-8" of ice & some snow cover. I fished in the evening till past dark. I put the camera down the hole, but I was thinking it was a waste of time in 30 ft of water on Rush, boy was I wrong!

I am so impressed with this camera. Aqua told me you would see color in 15-...20 ft of water (depending on the water clarity of coarse) & like all cameras then it would start to switch over to black & white. They did not oversell this camera. It was way better then what they told me. I saw color on the 30 ft bottom. I could clearly make out different types of fish. My buddy had the bite. I could tell him what fish was coming through his hole. He could not believe it. He pulled up a walleye after I told him to take it now. The problem with this camera it is so much fun you forget you are there to fish! I had it on for four hours & it had more juice to give. I have some pictures, but the view is so much better directly looking at the camera. The fish were 6" from the bottom so when I moved to take a picture I would hit bottom with the camera & stir up the water so it would not be clear when I was taken a picture. I am goint to add an ice pod & that should help that. I took these pictures at dusk too & the camera flash did not do me any favors either. I will try to get some better photos. The view is so clear on murky Rush lake!! The only thing this camera is lacking is a record option, if I have to give it a negative. Other then that this is a great portable camera. 9.5 out of 10!!! Great job Aqua Vu!

[simple1]

I can see this being integrated into smart phones in the future. That will be interesting.

[Tom7227]

But does it float? Looks to me like something just waiting to fall down the hole.

[CJH]

But does it float? Looks to me like something just waiting to fall down the hole.

You could say that about most things!

[walleye44]

But does it float? Looks to me like something just waiting to fall down the hole.

No going to test mine out on that one! Have to give them a call on that one. You put the wrist strap on & you will not need to worry about it floating or sinking.

[Maverick]

I just saw the ad for these and they look pretty sweet! Anyone out there have a chance to test them out and find any cons about them?

Took mine out for the first time this week. We used it to locate the weedline and it worked like a charm. Using it in 14 feet of murky water produced an excellent picture even in low light. It is very compact and you can carry it in you pocket. I put the camera down the hole I was jigging in and only got tangled once, but that was my fault for not being more careful. I'm not sure how far I could see on the bottom, but in addition to locating the weed line I was able to put it down when something showed up on the HB, but wouldn't bite the fathead. Dropped the camera down and there were a bunch of gills hanging around; pulled up the camera and the fathead dropped a waxie down and caught 4 gills before the went away.

Here are some tips that might be helpful. I put the camera in the black plastic trolling thing and fed my wire through so that it was aiming down at a 45 degree angle or so. This allowed me to keep the camera above my bait and I could still see the bottom very clearly. I think this method is good for the bottom hugging walleyes. Secondly, I attached a depth weight to the bottom of the plastic case to help it go down faster. I think it also helped to keep it from spinning so much. Once I had the camera down I could make it pan the bottom by simply pulling up on the wire or letting out mor wire.

On a scale of 1 to 10 on doing what it should do, I give it a 10. The picture was very clear even in murky water and the ease of use was excellent.

And, yes it does not float, so the strap is a must.

[FishinFools]

Just picked one up at GM today! Can't wait to use it (or watch my son use it, rather)! I plan to install an attachment system of some kind. One end clipped to the unit, the other clipped to the clam. And, also have a clip attached to my son's jacket for when he goes mobile. I was thinking about those magnetic connectors, like on a fly fishing net. Does anyone know where you could pick some of those up?

Also, for when fishing stationary, are those motorized camera rotator tri-pods work? I like the Aqua vu model which as a cordless remote(?)

[CaptSpike]

I bought one but haven't tried it out yet. Looking at it from inside my home the only concern I have is how thin the camera cable looks. It looks like it could be damaged easily so extra care should be taken handling the cable. other than that it looks great. I'll let you know once we get ice how it holds up as I plan on useing the smaller camera for scouting quite a bit.

Spike

[Deitz Dittrich]

the camera cable is 22lb test.. the good news, should you damage the camera or cable, its only $60 to replace.

[buzbunni]

Here are some tips that might be helpful. I put the camera in the black plastic trolling thing and fed my wire through so that it was aiming down at a 45 degree angle or so. This allowed me to keep the camera above my bait and I could still see the bottom very clearly. I think this method is good for the bottom hugging walleyes. Secondly, I attached a depth weight to the bottom of the plastic case to help it go down faster. I think it also helped to keep it from spinning so much. Once I had the camera down I could make it pan the bottom by simply pulling up on the wire or letting out mor wire.

Great tips Maverick. Never would have thought about angling the camera at 45degrees.

Nice.

Wasn't planning on using a weight either, but if it helps to stop the spin I'm all for it.

Here's a question:

What to use for a camera "compass", i.e. camera cable holder? Meaning: the tool that will get you to hold the camera (cable) motionless in the direction that you want it pointed?

I will be using the Micro for run and gun, but I will also be using it for "still" fishing when in the shelter, and would like to be able to hold the focus on my lure if necessary.

[buzbunni]

This should be a nice tool for those who will be fishing in a shack.

Aqua View Pro-snake Av-Micro Camera mount.

Will clamp on most fish shelter poles.

Should be able to get that display right in front of you

[FishinFools]

I have never used a camera before. I picked up the micro today, instead of a second flasher, for my son. I would think a weight (the heavier the better) would "get the kinks out" of the cable pretty quickly. When I eventually drop this this in a lake, I expect a still, rock solid image after 15 seconds or so. Am I not going to get that? And without dropping a jig, how the heck do you know which way the camera is pointing? (yes, compass like info would be great!)

I have a plan for a really simple set up that will at least attempt to prevent my (sons) camera from dropping into the deep. Kids don't wear wrist straps. (ask me about the 15 year old on my daughters soccer team who dropped her camera into 30 ft of saltwater on the last day of a European soccer trip. The water level went up 3" from her tears alone). With kids I think you need to make it automatic, or it ain't gonna work. I'll post our solution if valid after testing.

Can't wait to try it out! Just need some ice!!

[FishinFools]

Yup! No brainer! Getting one of those as soon as I see one!

[uptracker]

I'm waiting for a Smartphone App.....maybe next year!!!!!!

[OtterMN]

uh huh, I was thinking of that

[walleye44]

Just picked one up at GM today! Can't wait to use it (or watch my son use it, rather)! I plan to install an attachment system of some kind. One end clipped to the unit, the other clipped to the clam. And, also have a clip attached to my son's jacket for when he goes mobile. I was thinking about those magnetic connectors, like on a fly fishing net. Does anyone know where you could pick some of those up?

Also, for when fishing stationary, are those motorized camera rotator tri-pods work? I like the Aqua vu model which as a cordless remote(?)

Just received my Aqua Vu Motorized Ice Pod 3 & Pro-Snake AV-Micro Camera mount. Fast shipping from Aqua Vu. Thanks! When I get on the fish I can go hands free!

Just got it so I set it up on the table last night. Hoping to get out this weekend to try it. I put in an extra loop around to make sure the smaller wire stayed on. It worked great! The nice thing is the Pod 3 will span over a 10" hole! Good thinking Aqua Vu. Now with the pro snake mount I can put my micro on my fish house pole or maybe even mount it to my flasher! Now I can be portable or stay put for a little extra.

I would just drill an extra hole to put the camera down. It will help with not having a taggle problems in the future.

[walleye44]

"Took mine out for the first time this week. We used it to locate the weedline and it worked like a charm. Using it in 14 feet of murky water produced an excellent picture even in low light. It is very compact and you can carry it in you pocket. I put the camera down the hole I was jigging in and only got tangled once, but that was my fault for not being more careful. I'm not sure how far I could see on the bottom, but in addition to locating the weed line I was able to put it down when something showed up on the HB, but wouldn't bite the fathead. Dropped the camera down and there were a bunch of gills hanging around; pulled up the camera and the fathead dropped a waxie down and caught 4 gills before the went away.

Here are some tips that might be helpful. I put the camera in the black plastic trolling thing and fed my wire through so that it was aiming down at a 45 degree angle or so. This allowed me to keep the camera above my bait and I could still see the bottom very clearly. I think this method is good for the bottom hugging walleyes. Secondly, I attached a depth weight to the bottom of the plastic case to help it go down faster. I think it also helped to keep it from spinning so much. Once I had the camera down I could make it pan the bottom by simply pulling up on the wire or letting out mor wire.

On a scale of 1 to 10 on doing what it should do, I give it a 10. The picture was very clear even in murky water and the ease of use was excellent.

And, yes it does not float, so the strap is a must."

If you are staying put, you might want to look at the Pro snake mount for the Micro. I figure I can put it on that then the kids can both view the camera & the camera will stay out of the water.

[Maverick]

The way I see it is if you have a flasher going you really don't need the camera down there all the time to see if any fish are around. If something is showing up on the flasher, but not biting dropping the Micro down to take a look is very quick and easy. That's why I angled the camera to face down at a 45 degree angle so that I could see what was down there and limit spooking the fish by needing to put it right near the bottom. With the micro you can just drop it down one of your holes very quickly to take a "peek" and then get it back up easily. Anyone who has tried to drop the large type of camera down knows that it is neither quick nor easy. Great little tool.