Choosing the Right Underwater Camera

[Matt Johnson]

Both the MarCum OVS systems and the Aqua Vu systems will get the job done, it all comes down to personal preference and what you want to get out of your underwater camera. Both brands have dolled up units with all the bells and whistles, and both brands have basic units for a cheaper price. You get what you pay for and a lot of added features are nice to have, but not always necessarily needed.

I personally prefer a MarCum OVS 560, it just suits be better than Aqua Vu. I've become very fond of the MarCum LX-3 and I've been using them for the last several years since they made an appearance, and the OVS 560 has shown the same quality and I've developed a similar liking to MarCum's underwater cameras as well. I used the OVS 500 prior to the 560, and the OVS 500 is another excellent choice. Take a look at both units before making a decision, but if you can swing the extra cash than I would personally go with the 560. The 400 and 460 are both nice as well, and they will identify weeds, fish, your presentation, bottom make-up, and all the other fascinations of the underwater world just fine. I also fish with a few anglers who run OVS 400's and 460's and they wouldn't have it any other way. Top 4 options for MarCum in my opinion (if all 4 are an option in your budget)... 1)560, 2)460, 3)500, 4)400

I've also had the chance to use several different Aqua Vu systems as well. The ZT Series is a very nice all-purpose (with a nice price tag too) unit that will do the job that an underwater camera is intended for. It's not stocked full of features, but it has (what I believe) you need to be effective with an underwater camera. Yes, you can make the jump to the SV or DT Series, and if you can do so then I would, but don't feel that you have to have the top-end unit in order to be effective with an underwater camera. The Scout is about as basic as you can get, yet it will fit ideally into many ice anglers arsenal and has done so this past ice season. I also like the Quad 360 unit, and I've had the opportunity to use one on several occasions as well. The Quad 360 is a system full of features that can have it's advantages and disadvantages. I personally think it's a little too big and bulky, but then again, I like to spend days on the ice when all I take with me is the power auger and underwater camera, and I like to be as light and mobile as possible. If I did run with a Quad 360, the first thing I'd do would be to put some sort of platform on the bottom with a larger base, so when I'm running and gunning, I can quickly set it down on fluffy snow giving it more stability and a flatter stance. However, the Quad 360 is an excellent choice if you fish out of a permanent fish house or a drop-down. But, for the highly aggressive, run and gun style ice angler I would go with the Scout or ZT Series as a starter unit. The SV and DT Series would be my choice if the money was there. I don't know much about the spool systems so I don't have any comments on those. My top choices for Aqua Vu systems... 1)DT Series, 2)SV Series, 3)ZT Series, 4)Scout, 5)Quad 360

(Run a search on the Internet for both MarCum Technologies and Aqua Vu for more info and specs on all the different underwater cameras)

Underwater cameras are an outstanding learning tool, for both experienced and novice anglers. What better way to learn about what's going on below the ice then to have an actual set of underwater eyes giving you the real-time, life-like appearance of what the underwater world is doing. I enjoy spending entire days with just the auger and underwater camera, searching out structure and looking for possible fish holding areas. We've all heard about the concept of "spot-on-the-spot," and with an underwater camera you can fully clarify what that concept means. With a flasher unit, we can determine the mood of the fish and how they react to different presentations, but we can't tell (for sure) what specie is swimming below us, nor can we fully understand how they are relating to minute structure as well as what subtle movements they make in response to the various movements (or non-movements) we make. You will have a better understanding of what's going on below the ice after using an underwater camera, and that will help you to become a better ice angler. Not to mention that underwater cameras can be a lot of fun too!

I enjoy setting up the underwater camera for clients when guiding. Whether it's a small panfish or monster pike, they get a thrill out of seeing a fish actually swim around on camera, knowing that the fish is right below them. Then to even add to that thrill is when that same fish takes their bait and they get to watch the whole thing happen. After that you have an ice angler for life

A person could go on and on talking about underwater cameras, and everyone is going to have a different point of view and have different opinions. Take a look at all the options for yourself and then decide what will suit you the best.

For me, it's the MarCum OVS 560, but for you it might be something different.

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[Dave]

There's no doubt about it, Matt, watching the underwater world with a camera is fun for anyone! Most underwater cameras are going to give a user the same view. The feature I like about the Marcum 560 is the auto-pan mode. The camera pans 360° by itself so you just watch. Setup between a couple of holes works best for watching both lines.

Then, get ready when the big one comes in......

[zebco4040]

I just got my Marcum VS 305 and I can't wait to use it this winter. I hope to get it out this weekend up in Grand Rapids to start scouting a few winter hunny holes that I hit last year. Love the camera because you can distinguish weeds from fish more clearly and even underwater depressions...

[Ryan_V]

I would have loved a 560, but for budget reasons, went with last years 500. still a VERY nice camera for what I paid and it is a wonderful tool for fishing, and an even better tool to keep a 4 year old occupied when the fish aren't biting!!! keeps the down time very interesting!!

[berke99]

I bought the OVS 560 last winter. I really like it but I still wonder if the price was worth it?!?!

[Ryan_V]

that's why I didn't buy the 560. I spent under $400 for mine, and still have the auto pan, just not in the enclosed camera, the cable sits on a bobbin and spins, which is still 100% better than spinning it by hand. and I don't need the depth, or the temp, I have a vex that gives me the depth. so all in all, I think the 500 was the best for my buck!!

[DigitalFisherman]

Great timing Matt; I have decided to add a camera to my long list of gadgets and you just answered most of my questions. I have used an Aqua Vu in the past and while I like some of the features (down view/larger screen) positioning the camera was kind of a pain... A MarCum OVS seems like the way to go.

[Dave]

The Marcum 560 comes with a plastic hook that can be attached for down viewing.

[hanson]

This point is not brought up much when discussing underwater cameras, but when you downview with the Marcum VS560 or 460, you have the ability to pan to the left and pan to the right WHILE downviewing!

You are not restricted to viewing straight down. You could put your camera down a separate hole (lets say to the left of your lure), drop it down and pan the camera a little to the right so you are really looking at your lure from above & to the left of it.

This is one subtile feature of the VS560 that I've come to appreciate that you can NOT do with any other underwater camera currently available.

[Tyler Holm]

Great tip Hanson,

I just purchased a used Marcum 560 from an FMer and am looking forward to using it. I have read dozens of articles and posts on the camera prior to my purchase. This is one tip that has not been mentioned yet. That sounds like a valuable feature. I'm surprised its not marketed with a mention of that feature. Thanks again

[BradB]

Good summary on the products! I decided on an Aqua-Vu SV-100 and the primary decision making factor for me was customer service. I was treated very well by Nature Vision and I like the fact that I can drive to their office in Brainerd and get same day service if I have an issue.

[Chad711]

Bought the 460 this summer, had the aqua vu before that...

As far as in the boat, well I took my 460 out 1 day, after that it stayed at home. You cant see anything because of the cheesy "sun-shield". For $500 they did not do a good job on that at all.

I spose I will like it better this winter though...

If you looking for one to take with you on the boat, go with the Aqua-Vu...

[Dave]

Chad,

As an example, I believe the Aqua Vu LCD B&W units, which claim to be viewable in daylight (I haven't tried one yet) are $500 as well. So, as Matt opened this thread, it's a personal preference on the features of a camera that's right for you and your budget. That's where the consumers are in the driver seat. Myself, I rather adjust a sun shield on a monitor a little more often (which I don't think is much of a problem on my Marcum 560 to begin with) and have the rotational camera, rather than trying to align the Aqua Vu camera using the cable. I like the compactness of the whole Marcum camera units as well. A simple matter of preference.

[Chad711]

The sun shield is a joke, you have to pull it out with butterfly like hands to avoid having it fly completly apart in 2-3 pieces. Its too short to, the aqua vu works perfect in the sun because they actually designed a working shield.

Personally I had a friend of mine mold an aqua vu shiled to my marcum, yet to try it but I shouldnt have had to do this IMO...

Plus the cord is too skiny, hard to handle. The cord "storage" system is extremely awkward.

[Dave]

I don't see how a shield about 16-inches long would telescope in to fit in the case. Of course, unless you wanted to look through a peep hole . That's part of the compact design that many like. Sorry to hear you don't.

I don't think there's a perfect camera on the market for everyone's taste.

[joco]

hi have a athlantis sportscam,and it those work great,,,,but i did have to change the camra once,it did past under the warenty,there was a leak in the camera,,but they did not no what cause the leak,it was a pike that attack my camera,,,,,i wish i ad that on a tape.....

[JP Z]

A couple new options from Aqua-Vu are the XL and SRT. These are a 7" monitor with 65 or 100' of cable and an extremely compact and easy to use system. The HSOforum is currently being updated to show all the new cameras but I'll give an update once it's online with all the New Aqua-Vu/Nature Vision Products.

[Matt Johnson]

Thanks for the update JP. I'm looking forward to hearing the new reviews come this winter...

Good Fishin,

Matt Johnson

[JP Z]

Thanks Matt,

Nature Vision will have a bunch of new items for icefishing. From their complete line of Ice Rods designed by Dave Genz. To a Handful of new Aqua-Vu cameras. And a few others that you'll just have to wait to see.

Here is what the XL/SRT will look like. The difference between the 2 is that the XL has IR lights and the Bluegill Fish. While the SRT has SR lights and a Perch Fishskin.

[JP Z]

The new products are now up and live at Aquavu's HSOforum.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Fun looking new stuff JPZ... thanks!

[river-rat4]

Anyone have any thoughts about the new camera shaped as a panfish?? Think predator fish will take any pokes at it?

[Dave]

River-Rat,

We've heard of large predators taking a swipe at the decoy type cameras before.

For those of you who haven't seen it, here's a thread from last year where we took a closer look at the Marcum 560 underwater camera.

Marcum 560

[LOWinEYEin]

This has happened to me on multiple occasions. Always a pike practically every time I went out. Sometimes they nail it pretty hard.. Has anyone had a bass or other fish take it?

[DaveyG]

I primarily do my ice fishing at night after work. I was thinking about getting a camera, but I was wondering about the visibility. Can anyone comment on the visibility of these cameras during daylight and nighttime? How far can the camera see?