Vexilar Versus Aqua View- What to buy?

[aaron otto]

Will start out with admission of my hard-water addiction. There-past the first phase of denial. Now we can go on with the real important question.

What U/W camera to buy?

In the attempt to move beyond merely a helmet wearing angler to a only having to wear my hardware on the weekends I'm taking the advice seen on Mr. Genz's Ice Fishing DVD: Bluegills.

Acting under the theory that Mr. Genz is so good that when he talks what he's saying has ounces of info that (to the average guy like me) sails completely over my head. So repetition of the video over and over will eventually allow all pieces of wisdom to slap me face-side enough times that they soak in. Finally, on the fifth time it hits me. The suggestion of watching your jig and the fish's reaction to said jig could be important. He literally says that in the video, but I was so focused on what was meant between lake types, water types etc. just missed it. Like I said... helmet.

Aqua View- the expensive one is $399.00

Vex Fish Scout 2000 DT $599.00

My hope is that some one here will help me understand why there is a $200.00 price difference and the pure purpose of learning how to be come a better fisherman... is the Vex worth the difference?

I do find the idea of pairing the Vex Camera with my Vex Flasher attractive. However $200.00 could be gas or half way to the ION auger.. or payment to go fish those really cool Greenback walleye I keep reading posts about... dump it could do a lot of things.

However, if folks out there have advice to suggest it's a $200.00 well spent because x,y,z factors.. well I will suck it up.

Please help- who out there has experience with these Camera's?

Thanks from a guy really just trying to be a better angler,

ao

[Crappyfisherman]

Aaron I'll bring my camera on saturday, also I have a older Aqua-Vu

that I will let you use if you want. Try before you buy if you can.

Let me know what time you want me to pick you up.

Dan

[aaron otto]

Thanks Dan.

[aaron otto]

So no one else is using cameras? Shoot was hoping guys could steer me towards the right buy.

[bigblue]

I have used the Vexilar 1000 last three years teamed it with a FL20 it's been a great unit trouble free . Doesn't have temp or direction no big deal to me. The 2000 has temp and direction . Bought a spare from Reeds they had them on special for $299 did not need it but at that price it was a steel . Had a Aqua View Scout Crt it was ok but the flat screen on the Vex is much nicer .

[aaron otto]

Thx BigBlue.

[Jarrid Houston]

Aaron, here is my take on U/W cameras. They are neat, and it is pretty cool to use if you are to hunker down and fish the same spot for longer periods of time. Love to watch underwater marine life but when it comes to fishing, I am more of a run and gun type. Meaning I am on the move more often than not. Getting a camera set up with this type of fishing takes away time. That's why I 99 percent of the time just use my vexilar. I do own a aqua view scout, but I usually only use it a hand full of times per season. It is nice when the fish are finicky, and the only way to catch them is to see them bite, however I feel I do just as well with the graph. Considering the weather we have coming, it may be to cold to run and gun a lot, so I may set up the scout a few times the next few weeks, but I will never leave my graph at home (it is my bread n butter). This really does not answer your question, but it's just my take. Good luck man!

[Scott Brauer]

Aaron, I will do my best. I have fished with cameras since they were affordable enough to not get divorced for getting one. I have fished with all of them and would recommend the Vex. The price diff is in the electronics. If the camera's electronic boards and circuitry are not sealed after soldering like on the AV any moisture makes the unit susceptible to shorts, under performance and premature death. The other considerations are what quality of camera lens they use. I look at cameras as a learning tool not a productivity tool. If you capture footage and watch it, you can learn a tremendous amount by fishing with one,watching how the fish react to what you are doing.

Good luck with your decision!

[aaron otto]

Thx Guys! Scott - u sold me. Will go vex. The, "cameras as a learning tool not a productivity tool."

That is exactly what I'm looking for. Want to simply be: a better angler.

[Scott Seibert]

Aaron,

Check out Vexilars web site they have reconditioned units for sale.

[TenPoundEyes]

Curious how the older Aqua Vu looked compared to Vexilar........... I imagine it smoked the Vexilar?

[Stobber]

One thing I did not see mentioned is the ability of the vexilar to monitor the entire water column. The camera is great for watching your lure. But when I am fishing whitebass, or northern, crappie etc, it is priceless to be able to pick up the suspended fish. Something you can't do with a camera. Also, what is behind the lense? The versatility of the vexilar and the ability to see all of the water below you is priceless.

[Kevan Paul]

I've been running vexilar camera's and they have a very clean picture. Ive been very happy with the life of the battery also.

[aaron otto]

Thanks all for the advice. Really appreciate the time you took to share the advice. You had direct impact on my purchase or product. Was leaning towards the AV for ease of use. The tiny package was really attractive. However, scary to think the electronics aren't sealed. Being a photographer I get the impacts on moisture and electronics. Have lost more than one camera body to it.

Thanks all- ao

[aaron otto]

Due to everyone's feedback I went w/ the Vexilar combo with the FL20 rig. Will use it he first time this weekend. Forgive my newbness here-

When I watch my jig- outside of spinning, and behavior of fish compared to the action...what am I missing?

[Scott Brauer]

Aaron, I put together a short video with some footage and things to watch for.

[aaron otto]

Thank you Scott! I will watch this many times. Really cool.