underwater camera Q's

[mtmer1]

This has probably been covered before but my internet is to slow to search around. I planned on buying a marcum lx-3 this winter but after reading some posts and seeing pictures of the new cameras out there maybe I'd like one of them instead, specifically the marcum 560. Is a camera an effective substitute for a flasher or is it more of a toy to just have fun with? Do they scare fish away? I guess thats my biggest concern. I'd mainly use it on red lake and winnibigosh for crappies, perch, and walleye. Whats the battery life? Do they work with regular vexilar batteries?

How do they work in low light conditions? Do they interfere with flashers? Thanks

[Ryan_V]

The answer to your first question is no. a camera isn't a substitute for a flasher, they are more of a toy. if you have a choice, I'd definetly go with a flasher first!!! All of your other concerns are fine. they do run on a vexilar battery, work good in low light and don't scare fish. The battery will last pretty much as long as a vexilar, in my experience. I run a Vex and a Marcum VS 500 camera and have yet to loose a battery in a day fishing!!!

get what you want to....for you the camera may be a better buy. but the flasher will show you surface to bottom, where the camera will only show where the camera is positioned!!! I had my vexilar for a few years before purchasing a camera, and if I had to choose one, I'd take the flasher!!

[rod bender]

I've got both the toys you mentioned. Without a doubt purchase the flasher before the camera. I love the camera and rarely fish without it, but locating fish with it takes a while. It's nice to just plop the transducer in the hole and see that there are fish, instead of setting up the camera. As far as scaring fish...not a bit in the day time, but the lights do spook some fish after dark. I think that depends on the lake and style of fishing you are doing.

[croixeyes]

I agree with the guys.A flasher is your most important tool.Cameras are great for learning how fish react to your presentation.Also when you can see a fish take your bait and not see your bobber move it does open your eyes.However learning to interpret a flasher is just as fun.Not all water has the clarity needed for camera use but thats not an issue with a flasher.I wouldnt consider either a toy both are necessities as far as im concern.But thats just my opinion.

[mtmer1]

I'm no greenie when it comes to fishing so knowing whats going on down there isn't my concern. I just was wondering if i might be better off with the camera. I've owned a vexilar 8 and 18 but didn't have one last year. I think I might just get the lx-3 or wait and see if the lx-5 is worth the extra $150.

[augernaut]

no question - flasher first, then camera. This question is asked all the time, the answer is always the same. The camera can be a toy or tool - depends on how you use it.

[zebco4040]

I have both also and the flasher should be 1st prioity and then the camera if you want to have fun. Videos, seeing how the fish react to certain jigging techniques, etc.

Flasher then teh camera.

[BRANDON RANDT]

I BAUGHT A VEX AND FISH PRETTY MUCH WITH ONE BUDDY WHO DIDNT HAVE ANYTHING LAST YEAR, AND HE SAID WELL SINCE YOU HAVE THE VEX ILL BUY THE CAMERA AND TO THIS DAY HE WISHES HE WOULD HAVE BAUGHT THE VEX INSTEAD. RYAN V IS MY UNCLE AND HE HAS BOTH AND SWEARS BY BOTH...FISHED WITH HIM AND DONT KNOW WHAT TO THINK, I BELIEVE HE HAS THE MARCUM AND MY BUDDY HAS THE AQUA VIEW, I DONT NOTICE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN QUALITIES. ID GO VEX, I HAVE SEEN THE CAMERA SCARE FISH I HAVE ALSO SEEN NORTHERNS TAKE BITES AT IT, THEY ALSO DONT WORK THAT GREAT AT NIGHT.

[tightlines]

mtmer1:

Food for thought.You can now have the Lx3 upgraded to the 3 true color for 49.00. You would have to send the unit in to Marcum for the up grade. You can find some pretty decent buys on new and used Lx3's. Just another option to consider. I was planning on selling my 3 to upgrade to the 5 until I heard about the 49.00 upgrade. Saved enough money to buy the hand held Lx1 for quick locating. BTW, I agree with the flasher 1st over the camera.

[Deitz Dittrich]

First I will just again say what others have said. A camera in no way can replace a flasher. The only time it would is if all you fish is really shallow clear water where you mostly sight fish anyway. Then a camera can help you see off to the sides where a flasher can not. Cameras are too limited to water clarity and light. Does that mean I dont have one... No way!.. I have one!.. and Love it! Do I use it as much as a flasher, NOT EVEN CLOSE! maybe a 10th of the time.. maybe even less than that. Get the flasher, it will be your best decision you have made.

mtmer1- as for your question. The LX-5 is deffinatly an upgrade to the LX-3. Is the LX-3 a bad unit, no.. its an awesome unit! I love mine! However, I have ordered an LX-5 and can not wait to get it on the ice! THe LX-5 has more power, more interfierence rejection, superfineline 3/4" target seperation. This unit is the cats meow!, the top dog, whatever you want to call it!.. Its the real deal! Well worth the extra $150 in my opinion!