Underwater cameras

[rkpolaris]

Out of all the new cameras out this year what is your favorite and why?

[WalleyeSlayer21]

Ive been looking at getting a Aqua Vu Av Micro 5 camera, but its so expensive i gotta save my money and i would like it because it has good Reviews and is small and portable more so than others, will fit in a pocket.

[rkpolaris]

I've noticed aqua vu has many different versions of what appears to be a very similar device but the prices vary quit a bit, what are the differences in there models?

[WalleyeSlayer21]

Not sure, never had a Aqua Vu, ive used one but never owned one. I think its probably the features that vary,.. as they do for all electronics.

[allsports]

I just bought the Aqua Vu 5C. It is $399.00 retail. I saved $80 with my Cabelas coupon. Have not used it yet with the holidays and crummy ice. I like the 5" screen. I did not buy the one with dr built in as it was $200 more and I would not use it. I asked this similar question on forums and had a lot of different answers. I chose it for the portability for hoke hopping and use in my boat. I will report back once I get it down a hole. Good luck. By the waywalleyeSlayer, I used to have a cabin on Lake Jefferson, I see you are from Cleveland. That was the address there.

[Fowlmouth]

I would save my money. I got a camera when they were really popular and the must have item. Now it stays home, more of a novelty. If you have little kids out ice fishing and want to keep them entertained their nice but thats about it. A good flasher will tell you what kind of bottom it is, weeds, etc. But thats just my 2 cents.

[allsports]

I do agree with fowl mouth on that one. A flasher is easily the most valuable. I was considering an ice troller for the kids to use, but thought I would get a camera since I already have a flasher. I hope I find some value in it. I want to learn to read my flasher and graphs better and thought this might help me "see" the bottom and verify what is actually there. I also hope it helps teach me more about how the fish are reacting to certain baits and what fish I am actually marking. I think the kids will like it also. Merry Chistmas to all!

[Naturboy]

I would agree that if you could only have one it would be a depth finder. but a camera really helps in picking out the bigger fish in the school, and when to set the hook. a lot of missed hits are because the fish might be biting just the head of a jig or something like that. They are cumbersome to haul along and not very useful in dark or cloudy water but if you take the time to set them up they really are very useful.

I have never used a micro cam but from what I've heard they don't stay positioned very well. Someone could correct me on that though.

[walleye44]

I love my Marcum flasher, but also love my Aqua Vu cameras. You can see what fish specicies that are looking at your bait. I have had a minnow down with a bobber and the bobbler does not move, but the fish has the minnow in its mouth! I have a Aqua-Vu V715c and this full size color camera for $300 is a nice unit. If I am hole hopping, I have my AV micro plus. Once I get on the fish, I use a pro-snake and the mo-pod3 for hand free fishing with the AV micro plus. The mo-pod does work for the Micro even though it was designed more for the full size units. The kids stay interested longer, which means you can fish longer.

[Boar]

I have a aqua view micro and dig it, but it is just a novelty, I won some money to spend ant a sportsman supper and I figure id buy something I normaly wouldnt. their fun, my daughter hase a great time spearing with, specially when it gets attacked by a norther. spearing i think they have a great advantage to see far under the ice in any direction.

[schlich]

I have a micro 5c and love it. As far as I am concerned all the people who call it a novelty have no clue. I can see exactly how the fish react to my presentation as well as tell what species of fish I am dealing with.I can also pan and watch multiple lines or see if the fish is just swimming out of range of vex getting ready to come at my bait again/ I learn more from my camera than I ever would from my vex. But to each,his own.

[allsports]

Schlick, I am so glad to hear you say this. I haven't been out to use mine yet and have been questioning my purchase. I hope to enjoy it and learn as much as I think I will. Thanks for the positive push!

[th64]

I fish some lakes here in the metro where the gills are potato chip size but the crappies are keepers-vex does'nt tell you but the camera will. Hard to see fish on your vex in wood but the camera can. It is not good for every situation but many times it is.

Good Luck

[Fowlmouth]

I have a micro 5c and love it. As far as I am concerned all the people who call it a novelty have no clue. I can see exactly how the fish react to my presentation as well as tell what species of fish I am dealing with.I can also pan and watch multiple lines or see if the fish is just swimming out of range of vex getting ready to come at my bait again/ I learn more from my camera than I ever would from my vex. But to each,his own.

You just haven't learned how to properly use a vexilar then. A vexilar, marcum or whatever brand is a way more useful tool than a novelty underwater camera.

[PurpleFloyd]

You just haven't learned how to properly use a vexilar then. A vexilar, marcum or whatever brand is a way more useful tool than a novelty underwater camera.

what kind of response is that? Kinda like saying once you know how to use a router that a circular saw is no longer necessary.

They are tools and each does its thing. A flasher is only useful for the fish directly under the puck. Anything just outside of that doesn't exist as far as it knows.

I bought a camera last year and in one case we were marking fish but couldn't get them to bite. Dropped the camera and found they were sheephead. That told me in an instant to move and get away from that school. Also, fishing in shallow, clear water you can pan and watch the fish come in and go by. In the weeds a few feet one way or the other can change the number of fish you see and we found "channels" that they were following as they swam by. No vex will give you that detail that quick and that clearly. They are different tools that serve different purposes.

I just got a new camera delivered to my door yesterday. It has a panning color camera, a hard case,LCD monitor and is under$400. It will be a great tool to have for what it does.

[DTro]

The Aqua Vu Micros are a GREAT tool! I just upgraded to a 5C and it has basically made its way into the "don't leave home without" category. So convenient and in certain circumstances invaluable to have in your pocket. Not everyone fishes the same. But those those that understand the how, why and whens to use a camera will catch more fish. Bottom line.

[Boar]

totally understand its pros/cons. i dont need it, novelty.