Last minute advice on buying a underwater camera

[Bushwacker]

I am finally going to break down and pick up an underwater camera this weekend. I am still up in the air as far as which one to get. I fished with a AV Scout last week and it is a great camera for the price. I am not a big fan of how it worked about a half an hour before sunset and in the dark. It basically did not work at all. Are there any cameras below $600 that work in low light situations. The lake I was on has pretty good water clarity, but the LED lights on the Scout did not seem to work at all. Does the SV-50 have a better lighting system, or are they all basically the same. Is the Marcum 560 worth $100 more than the Marcum 460 and the AV 360? Any advice would be great. I have read all of the old posts, but I am not seeing that much discussion in low light conditions. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Deitz Dittrich]

First Off the Aqua-Vu Scout does not have LED lights.. it has IR(Infra Red) lights.. In clear water the LED lights on the more expensive cameras do work a ton better... A TON.. but the water has to be clear.. in murky water at night all of the units become pretty useless. The cameras are only as good as the water clarity they are in.!

[andy j]

D.D. is right, go with the LED(multicolored or visiable light) The IR is a invisable light and is the older technology, THe IR does not work during low light conditions or at dark.

[jrsue]

yes i'm opinionated but heres the deal on underwater cameras. dont buy anything that doesnt allow more than one view. example ,if you have to screw with twisting the cable to try and find your lure or target dont even bother. you'll use4 it for a while because you spent a couple hundred dollars on it but in the end its a pain in the a$$.

the only cameras that i know of allow you to search for your target easyily enough are the aqua quad, or the marcum 560. I've got the 560 you drop it down and you can pan the head via a remote control, even with pan it can be difficult to locate your bait or target. but believe not half as frustrating as trying to twist the cable then try to keep it their.

either spend the bucks for the marcum 560 or aqua quad or dont bother. imho

[Bob_D]

Quote:

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THe IR does not work during low light conditions or at dark.

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Huh? IR is made to work in the dark. It is the only real option if you want to use it at night for walleye. Colored lights tend to spook walleye.

I have a Marcum 500 that has both IR and colored LED's. I liked the screen and connections over the Auqa-Vu.

[Deitz Dittrich]

IR when developed, was awesome...Above water its the best known. You can use it for night vision glasses to whatever you want. Unfortunatly, water is a filter of IR rays.. and is thrown in all different directions.. So, for what works great above water, is only decent below. IR Under water is really only good for a couple of feet. The LED lights are much better. Do they scare fish.. maybe... Probably!!!

IR-will you see bottom content.. yes... will you see fish.. maybe...The truth is.. no camera works great at night without the possibility of spooking fish. None.. zero.. zilch!!! If they say they are, they are lieing!... do they work during the day.. .You bet.. they are wonderfull!!!

Are they worth the money?.. Without a doubt!!! I couldn't be the angler I am without one... The money they cost is well worth the information they give you. You just have to understand thier limitations!

[jrsue]

bob,,, typically how far away do you position your camera head from bait. i've used other cams in the past but this is the first one i've owned, and i'm finding that i need to be within 5ft, and i question wheather or not this spooks fish. i know it didnt spook a 10lb 30in walleye 2wks ago that came calling, it was an awsome sight seeing that fish inhale a 5in chub. but i havent seen many perch yet, just wondering if it may be better to try downviewing.

as far as low light the led's on the 560 really do work quite well, in some situations the bait totally dissapears unless lights are on.

[psegriz]

Now this topic is brought up again I'll ask a few ? I'm considering for the second time in 4 yrs of getting one. My sole purpose of getting one would be for night time crappie and walleye use. I'd hang it pointing straight down at my jig 2' to 3' above. I've rented one b4 to see if I liked it and could see but was not overly impressed. I'm just wondering if they've gotten better or if the led is that much better? When I tried them out I could see the fish but had a little difficulty in telling the difference between sunnies and crappie. This lake was not real clear but it was not dirty either. It was clear enough to spear during the day at 12' depth without using any sight aid.

[Deitz Dittrich]

PSE griz.. they have improved a little bit.. but not enought that it matters as far as night time viewing is concerned. I still think they are well worth their money.. just not for night viewing. If you are only going to use it at night, then no, they are not for you! They are not magic! I think they are awesome, I love mine...but I really dont use it much at night...

I use mine for seeing bottom content.. if there is structure around, all during daylight hours.. I dont use mine much for watching the fish bite at night... I use mine for set up.. which for me is just as valuable as watching the fish bite!!!!

[psegriz]

deitz

Thanx I guess I wouldn't want one to watch fish bite more for watching their reactions to my presentations and different baits.

[walleyedan]

Hi Guys,

Here is my point of view. I have only used Aqua View because they are here in Brainerd,Mn.. I have a number of units and I use them mainly in my rental fish houses. They are the best thing to come along since the "Hondex"!! We don't use them at night, but they are the best tool for teaching someone jigging techniques, checking out structure and also for watching fish behavior. I use the cameras in the open water season, but normally I'm too busy trying to catch fish. I have the Quad 360 and I believe this one is a must for people with permanent houses. Pop a hole smack in the middle and it will work like a charm!! If you want to see them in action, rent a house from us and you will see how they work. From my experience, the service that Nature Vision provides is a huge reason to go with Aqua View.

Walleyedan