Underwater Cameras

[Gardiner14]

Been wanting to pick one of these up for awhile, but have no idea about them. All i know about them is i would like black and white.

What do some of you use? Are the 350$ ones really that much better then the 150$? Any info helps, THanks

[Iambjm]

Black and white are OK but if you can afford it go with color. I have the AquaVu Scout from about 6-7 years ago and it is okay for daytime clear water, but nothing at night and minimal in stained water. I know there have been a lot of improvements since I got mine. The AquaVu quad cam is really nice, especially if you are in a fish house and can hook it up to a TV

[chad austin]

I bought a Marcum about three years ago. I don't remember what the model number is but I really don't like it. B&W model that I paid about $180.00 for that hardly gets used. I plan on doing my homework before buying another one, the next one will definitely be color... that I do know.

[Brad B]

Been wanting to pick one of these up for awhile, but have no idea about them. All i know about them is i would like black and white.

What do some of you use? Are the 350$ ones really that much better then the 150$? Any info helps, THanks

stay away from the cheap $150 units. their camera quality is not there. it's that saying you get what you paid for. If you can't afford a color unit or you are set on a black & white then I would recommend you look at getting a marcum vs380. this model is currently selling for around $279.99 plus the place that has it for this price is including a camera panner($49.99 value) at no cost (this may be a marcum promotion so if might be at all places that sell the cameras). the next step up in thier line would be the vs620 for $399.99 (also with the panner). this model is viewable in the day light where as the vs380 would need to be used in your house where it is darker.

[jigginjerk]

I bought the Marcum 620 last year and like it.I like being able to tilt the screen to any position. The only thing I don't like and it's a problem with all cameras is the screen glare outside. I just bought an anti glare screen protector for an ipad, cut it into four pieces and aplied it to my screen. It did cut down the glare noticably. It was only $2.99. Checked out the mini aqua veiw at the big C and really seems like the ticket for run and gun, just think it's a little over priced.

[Werewolf]

I got a Aqua Vu Micro a few weeks ago , reeds $285.00 fits in your pocket and it has a better picture than the new marcums and you can mount it on the flasher , I love mine...

[Brad B]

I got a Aqua Vu Micro a few weeks ago , reeds $285.00 fits in your pocket and it has a better picture than the new marcums and you can mount it on the flasher , I love mine...

the only thing wrong with the micro is that you can't do underwater recordings because there is no video output on the micro. with all marcums you have the option to do recording if you hook it up to a video camera

[SFC]

All you need for a underwater camera is one that you are able to identify the fish ,see the fish bite. I paid about 140.00 for a 7 inch color from the big C. Very happy with it, I dont think the color is all that important. I really cant compare this model to the more expensive ones, I havent used any of them. Dont be scared to try the cheaper model, Iam satisfied with this camera.

[jepik]

jigginjerk..I have a 620 also..like your idea on anti glare screen protector..great idea...do you think it will work outside your tent..I can barely see mine outside..works great inside..

[broman]

For myself, a runner and gunner, I would buy the Aqua Vu Micro. I've had the Cabelas Camera and an Aqua Vu 4x4. I didn't use them much. Why? because they were bulky and you couldn't see the screen in the sun when outside.

The micro appeals to me because of it's small size which makes it great for run and gun folks like me who just want to see the bottom.

If you're going to be inside a dark shack, then any of them will work. Color would be best.

I like the idea of mounting the micro together with a flasher.

[Werewolf]

I used 3 cameras last season ,the marcum was nice but it broke and I returned it, than I tryed 2 Big C modles and after an hour they when back , they had poor low light viewing. the Micro uses a sony camera with a low Lux rating and this thing can see it the dark and the fish dont mind looking at the small camera, I may have to put a hook on it,,, they get so close to it. It is hard to see the screen in the sun , it has a lot of glare on it , I have been putting it in my jacket for shade , in the fish house it will be no problem .

[walleye44]

For myself, a runner and gunner, I would buy the Aqua Vu Micro. I've had the Cabelas Camera and an Aqua Vu 4x4. I didn't use them much. Why? because they were bulky and you couldn't see the screen in the sun when outside.

The micro appeals to me because of it's small size which makes it great for run and gun folks like me who just want to see the bottom.

If you're going to be inside a dark shack, then any of them will work. Color would be best.

I like the idea of mounting the micro together with a flasher.

That what I am doing with my micro when I am not hole hoping!

[jigginjerk]

jepik, I can't say it took all the glare away but it did help.

[tweeder]

I would like to know why everyone is saying color is better? I don't see any need having to see color under the water. I fish next to a guy with the color marcum flat screen and he went and bought the same Cabelas 7in black and white one I have cause the picture is just more clear. Mine is not the flat screen one, his was so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Anyways, point being black and white works very well, save your money.

[Werewolf]

My aqua vu stopped working this weekend , The water temp was 44' when I dropped the camera in the water the screen got zig zag lines and at time a blue screen , when I removed the camera from the water and warmed it for 30 seconds the picture was normal. I called Aqua vu and I was told there is a recall on the cameras ,they have a bad diode and they are sending me a replacement camera...

[Deitz Dittrich]

I would like to know why everyone is saying color is better? I don't see any need having to see color under the water. I fish next to a guy with the color marcum flat screen and he went and bought the same Cabelas 7in black and white one I have cause the picture is just more clear. Mine is not the flat screen one, his was so I don't know if that makes a difference.

Anyways, point being black and white works very well, save your money.

With color you are looking for green weeds.. They give off o2.. where the brown ones are sucking it out of the water. Finding the green weeds you have found active fish. If you can afford color, thats the main reason to get it.

[walleye44]

My aqua vu stopped working this weekend , The water temp was 44' when I dropped the camera in the water the screen got zig zag lines and at time a blue screen , when I removed the camera from the water and warmed it for 30 seconds the picture was normal. I called Aqua vu and I was told there is a recall on the cameras ,they have a bad diode and they are sending me a replacement camera...

Great customer service..

[walleye44]

My aqua vu stopped working this weekend , The water temp was 44' when I dropped the camera in the water the screen got zig zag lines and at time a blue screen , when I removed the camera from the water and warmed it for 30 seconds the picture was normal. I called Aqua vu and I was told there is a recall on the cameras ,they have a bad diode and they are sending me a replacement camera...

I just talked to Aqua-Vu and they said there is no recall on this. A very small percentage of micros did ship with an incorrect diode. They were able to pull the majority of them before they hit retailers, but a few did go out. They will replace the camera for those people ASAP. They were very open & honest about it & will take care of people. That is great customer service.

[harvey lee]

Dietz hit the nail on the head with being able to locate green weeds with the color unit.

If you cannot swing the color unit, the MarCum VS380 is an awesome black and white unit and very user friendly.

MarCum does make some fantastic, user friendly, high quality units.

If you can't swing the more expensive models, the VS 380 MarCum is a great unit for the money. With these cameras, you typically get what you pay for.