Aqua-Vu Micro Issue

[birz]

I recently purchased an Aqua-Vu Micro. Soon after I noticed two small dots on the screen just up and left of center. The dots are about 1" apart. As the image is rotated on the display the dots rotate with the image so I am assuming they are coming from the camera. I called Aqua-Vu and was told they are reflections of the IR lights. The dots are worse in low light conditions so maybe they are coming from the IR lights; but they are present all the time regardless of what I am viewing and lighting conditions. Also the left 1/5 of the image is out of focus. I would like to try another camera; maybe bring it into the store I bought it at and try their demo camera for comparison. Anyone else with this product having issues like this?

[FishinFools]

I am sorry to tell you...but the Aqua Vu Micro is a piece of, well...you decide. I had the blue screen "diode" issue, which in my opinion, went WELL beyond the "40" defective cameras they shipped out, as the problem continues to populate fishing forums today. Yes, Aqua Vu sent me a new camera. And that did fix the blue screen of death problem. HOWEVER, the problem with this camera is this: Aqua Vu has no idea what this camera is or how if should perform. This is something they bought from China and are just figuring out that it doesn't work. At the least, the camera performs no where near the way it does in their written or video descriptions. The suspect is the IR lighting built into the camera head. It is supposed to be 'on' only as needed in "low light" conditions.

Unfortunately, the lights are ALWAYS on (always as in unless you shine a flashlight directly into the light sensor). These IR lights brightly illuminate the water immediately in front of the camera (and beyond, I suspect, in a truly dark, nighttime fishing environment). During the day, all you see is a snow storm of water-borne particulates, present in even the clearest of water. (I tried it in four different lakes) It really does remind me of driving across North Dakota at night in a snow storm...your eyes cannot help but focus on the white flakes moving in front of you...it is very difficult to see 'past' these white dots.

I would like to hear from the folks who like this camera. Several have posted favorable reviews. Do you not see the white dots? Does that not bother you? Is this typical of all underwater cameras?

Please don't hold back on your opinion!

[sjlund]

I was FINALLY able to get out and test my Micro today on URL. I thought it was pretty nice! I didn't experience the snowstorm effect, and visibility was decent during the daylight hours even in the stained water. I used the camera in the view-down orientation next to my bobber rig - it was helpful to watch the walleye and give the bobber a little wiggle at the right time to trigger a strike.

I will try to get out on a clear water lake this week and test it out there.

[stumper]

Absolutlty LOVE mine. I know a half dozen guys that also love theirs. No snow in this pic, just my reflection.

[FishinFools]

Here is an arm thing I made? It dworks very well.

[newoodhntr]

I had mine out today and it worked great alot nicer than hauling the old big cam. around. Tried it after dark and had a really nice picture . No snow storm here

[Huey]

How is the picture in bright sunlight? Do you need to shade the screen?

I'd like to get a Micro. It seems perfect for scouting for spots (assuming you don't have the snow storm problem0.

[stumper]

wucha want for it Fool? LOL, Felt like Mr T typing that.

[walleye44]

That does look like a sweet attachment!

[ducker]

I think the Micro looks like a pretty sweet deal. Anymore problems or good experiences out there?

[MNCPRGUY]

Once I got one that worked, I love mine. You lose some advanges of the bigger units, but the portability more than makes up for them IMO. Get the flexible mountin arm from Aqua Vu. Well worth the $20 if you are fishing out of a house, porti or perm.

[CJH]

Get the flexible mountin arm from Aqua Vu. Well worth the $20 if you are fishing out of a house, porti or perm.

I have to order one of those! Haven't been on the ice yet, but should be within a few days to give it a try. Can't wait!!

[TroutYammer]

...back in the 1970's we used to call visual effects like that "Micro-Dot".

[randallt]

FishinFool - that really stinks that you didn't have any luck with your unit. Mine is extremely clear and I love it.

It does sound like AquaVu customer service took care of you with a replacement and then a refund. Sounds like they are standing behind this product 100% and the majority of the cameras are working without problem.

[DTro]

I got to mess around with one today out on the ice and I must say that when I first saw a few videos and promos earlier this year, I questioned how good they would work and/or how functional they would be.

Well I have to say the small amount of time I played with it, I was VERY impressed. Not only by the image quality, but how convenient the small package would be and how effective it would work using the camera to scout out bottom structure.

I have a Marcum 380 that works wonderful, but a lot of times it ends up staying behind because of the "baggage" factor.

With this thing, heck it fits in my pocket and I would hardly even notice that the thing came with me.

I also like how you can just hold it above the hole and the thing spools off by itself as if dropping a jig down the hole with a spinning reel.

[Coon]

do most of you point your micro straight down or use it in the horizontal position ?

[randallt]

Coon - I do both depending on what I am looking for and the visibility of the lake. If I can see a long distance straight down will give me a wide enough angle to see weeds, break lines and bottom change. If mor limited I drop down horizontally and spin around to look.

[birz]

After a couple quick calls to Aqua-Vu they sent me a new camera with return postage for the old one; great customer service. The new camera gives a sharper picture with no white dots. A couple things I have noticed is that the lens type makes it difficult to judge size; everything looks smaller. Also the fish don't seem to pay attention to it until they decide to try and eat it; had a good time messing with a northern that was ready to strike.

[CaptSpike]

I have the exact same problem the two times I tried mine out. Guess I'll be calling Aqua view Monday.

Thanks for posting your problem and their response.

Spike

[walleye44]

do most of you point your micro straight down or use it in the horizontal position ?

I prefer the horizontal position. I used the mod pod3 with the pro snake too when in the house & rotate it around if needed. It is a sweet setup!

[walleye44]

I have the exact same problem the two times I tried mine out. Guess I'll be calling Aqua view Monday.

Thanks for posting your problem and their response.

Spike

Make sure you guys have your video cords pushed in all the way. If that does come off you will see a blue screen. Just restart the unit & you are fine. If you do have one of the bad diode units, just call up Aqua Vu, they will take care of you.

[Coon]

what's the mod pod 3 ?

[Maverick]

I attached mine to the plastic holders at about a 45 degree angle. I tried horizontal, but with no snow there was a lot of light on the top. At 45 degrees, I can stop the camera above my bait and get a pretty good picture below and I don't get too much interference from light above.

By the way, I was a victim of the blue screen. Took it back and got a new one. I really like it, so I hope this one doesn't take a dump on me.

[walleye44]

what's the mod pod 3 ?

It is a tripod holder for your camera. You can remotely turn your camera. It is a sweet option, when fishing in one location.

[dafetz]

I used mine quite a bit last weekend at Red Lake. Worked well with a pretty good picture. I liked both the horizontal and downward looking views. We were also using a black & white Aqua Vu. In comparison, the micro didn't see quite as far and wasn't quite as clear.

However, I really bought the micro for scouting. I use it (along with my Ice 45) to check holes for fish and structure and it's great for those things. I wouldn't haul around a larger camera to do that. Before I bought the Micro, I figured that I might end up buying a full size unit for fishing in a shelter, but after using the Micro for awhile, I don't think I'll ever need a separate, larger camera.

One negative is that my unit occasionally suffers from the blue screen problem. I can let the battery drain and it goes away, or sometimes it'll go away on it's own. Neither solution is acceptable in the long term, so I'll be giving Aqua Vu a call next week.