In the market for a underwater camera

[Knoc]

I am currently in the market for a underwater camera. Ive been looking at some of the pro's and con's of each unit (size, weight, color, b&w, portability etc).. Today while in the Scheels in St.Cloud I was talking to one of the rep's and had asked him what was his most returned/problem proned camera's and to my surprise he had said that in the past 2 weeks he has had 7 people come in looking for new cameras for their acua-vu micro's due to the thin cord either snapping/fraying or pike taking the camera. (Which I hadnt really thought of before).

While I was in there a guy who was shopping told me he had a Marcum VS825c for sale $380. Said it didnt have the temp (which Im not worried about) or the depth (which Id like to have). This camera is a few years old, so it makes me wonder if its going to be as clear as the new camera's today. Any thoughts?

Any suggestions? Is there such a camera that is color, works decent in the evening, show depth, for $500 or under?

[PerchJerker]

The VS825c uses a camera and monitor that are not as good as those on the newer VS620, VS625SD and VS825SD. The cameras they're using now get a better image with less light in the water, and the monitors they're using now are brighter and can be viewed in the daylight.

Color is great as long as you have lots of light in the water, but when conditions darken then you'll get a better image in black/white than you will in color. The SD cameras work in color or in black/white so you always get the clearest image possible.

[BrandonJ]

Ive owned the marcum 825 c and loved it but shortly after buying it had problems with the pixels in the screen so I even exchanged it. Got the new one home and didn't notice anything that season. But the next season one pixel was messed up and I couldn't stand it, looked like a lure of fish in the distance. If it was me Id go aqua-view, but $380 for a 10" color screen camera ain't bad. Just look the screen over really good when the camera is in a light and dark area while moving the camera a little bit, if the screen is jacked a little bit you will notice.

[Knoc]

What aqua vu are you talking about brandon?

The more I read, the more people have nothing but great things to say about the Marcum Sd's.

Are there any guys out there with the B&W units that wished they would have got a colored instead? Is it really a factor when owning a camera or more preference?

[harvey lee]

I owned a MarCum VS825c when they first came out and was not overly happy with the quality of the picture.

I went back to using my MarCum VS380 black and white camera and sold the 825.

[ozzie]

I hope the Marcum VS825SD is a solid unit as I just dropped the cash on one. Searched the net and found it for sale for $599. I did the research watched videos and played with the different models in the stores and decided that everything the Marcum camera has looks solid and clear picture. Compared to the Vexilar Camera I thought it showed a better picture, not as distorted, as the screen is more square (Marcum) then rectangle (Vexilar). I plan to use my camera in the open water if not just to use the temp reading at different depths and just to locate structure.

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'll ask the question of why is color an important factor to you? I'm colorblind so it means nothing to me, but is it important enough to you to drop the extra cash for it?

I could see where it would be cool. However, ask yourself why you're looking at a camera. Is it for entertainment? To see how fish are reacting? It's just neat to see things underwater? Personally, I can't see how color would help anything except for the cool factor.

Again, I'm colorblind so I don't have a reason to drop extra money for color anything. I have the Vs380 and it's been absolutely problem free since the day I bought it years ago.

[superseal]

I'm a former Marcum VS820 black/white owner....and I recently bought the AquaVu AV760cz.

Played with it in Cabelas next to all the Marcums and Cabelas brands...IMO it had the best picture! The 3 stage zoom is really amazing. The sun visor and the way it stows away for storage is a very clever set up. When I got it the camera was damaged and I had to exchange it...still waiting on the new one to arrive...and we still don't have ice here in Indiana! Can't give you a accurate review yet.

Cabelas had a very slick camera that had a 360 rotating camera with remote...very clever camera also!

[Knoc]

I ended up buying the Marcum vs620 last night. Found it for a good price at Reeds by Mill lacs yesterday and couldnt pass it up. Excited to try it out!

[PerchJerker]

I'm colorblind so I don't have a reason to drop extra money for color anything. I have the Vs380 and it's been absolutely problem free since the day I bought it years ago.

I like the color camera but it is mostly "cool" having the color. The only time I have found the color to be a real benefit is when looking for green weeds.