Should I do it??

[catmaster1557]

Was wondering if it is work buying the aqua-view scout. I already have a vexilar and thought that a camera would be nice to have. I know that the Scout is not the best on the market. However it's $200 and I don't feel like spending more than that. Is it worth buying or can I do without it?

[Kylersk]

They are fun to own and use, but you can do with out one. Especially, if you fish mostly in evening hours, since you wont be able to see with it.

I'm still glad I bought one though.. When I do get a chance to use it, it's alot of fun (sometimes frustrating too!) to watch the fish swim around.

[hanson]

Even though I don't think my camera was the best investment I ever made, I do enjoy it. It is a great learning and teaching tool that has paid great dividends.

You will never know what kind of action you have while jigging until you put a camera down. At that point, you'll learn to settle it down a little. You also get to watch the fish and how they react to your presentation.

I guess that kind of learning experience really is pricelesss and will make you a better angler.

[buddha]

I have been asking myself the same question. I think that having the ability to see the bottom and what the fish are doing around your lure has gotta pay off in the long run. I know sitting on Mille Lacs a few weeks ago a camera would have helped. You can see 25 feet down, would have been interesting to see why the fish weren't biting. Is the Scout good enough, or should I buy one of the newer ones that has that infered tech?

[hanson]

On Mille Lacs, the Scout would be awesome. Don't forget the Marcum VS350 either. They are both pretty sweet entry level cameras. On a super clear lake like Mille Lacs, they'll work fine.

[polarsusd81]

A few years back I purchased an AquaView MC2X, and I love it. The only thing that I don't like about it is that the lights tend to scare some fish, not all, but some. What I like best is taking the fiance or my little sister out on the ice and letting them watch the fish come up to the jig, and watch it, bite, and then fly up towards a little 8" hole. The last time out, a pike came flying in on my fiance's line, nailed it and went to shaking, she caught the fish and we released it, but it can make an otherwise slow time go by faster.

Tom

[JohnMickish]

In my opinion when purchasing a camera don't put any consideration on the lights. I have not been on any lake with my Aqua Vu ZT (with the "spectral response" where the lights do any good at night. That's my opinion on the type of lakes I fish on. I am very happy with the camera and have learned alot from it, and it's just down right fun when the pannies are around. They are a viable tool to have, and the clearer the lake the better, I just don't feel the lights are anywhere near as good as both manufacturers make them out to be.

A camera is also a great tool if you are going to bring kids out fishing. This year I purchased a new LX-3 and what I do alot of times is when I see fish on the camera I look at the flasher so I get to see whats actually there and what the flasher is telling me. A great learning tool, especially when the sun goes down. Pick one up, you won't regret it. How much is the Scout XL with the end of year sales now?

[metrojoe]

I own an OV 500 and love it, but I got to use a scout the other day at it works as advertised. It's a nice camera. Cameras are a great tool, but there are situations where they are useless. If your on a budget the scout is a good option.

[katoguy]

Really depends on what you want and expect the camera to do.

You can see how fish react to intricate lure movements. Once you locate fish with your vex, you can drop the camera down to determine species.

You can use it during open water to determine structure and learn how to better read your sonar (i.e. if you see the the large rocks you can then learn what they look like on grey scale, etc...)

You can use it to entertain kids!

[Master Guide]

I have a Marcum and a Aqua, both work very well, and fun to use. Last nite we had cameras down, perch everywhere, hundreds! Then all of a sudden, eyes moved in but did not activate. At least we know now they are down there.

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[homerj]

I had both at one time, but ended up selling the camera. For me it was more entertaining than anything, but that wore off after a few months. One good thing is if you do buy one and end up not using it much you can probably sell it easily.

[jigging-matt]

Was just at Cabelas the other day and they had reconditioned Scout's for 149 or 179 don't remember which but might want to keep your eye on that save yourself a few more $$.

[catmaster1557]

Thanks for all the info guys. I ended up buying one yesterday. So helpfully I can try it out this weekend.

[Mr. Pike1]

I picked up the scout this year as well. I "fish" with my vex but the camera provides me some entertainment on the slow days. I had got mine at Joe's when they had there customer appreciation week. It was selling 179.99 and the aqua view rep was there so he threw in an extra 3 year warrenty and one of the stands for free so I figured what the heck. Some good fun for under 200.00 and a warrenty just in case.

[hanson1287]

I would like to give you my opinion on this topic. I bought an aqua-vu scout and then a VS350. If you are going to do a lot of day time fishing this is better than a flasher in my opinion. I say this due to reasons that have already been said such as you see how the fish react and what your lure is doing when you do certain movements. The other reason is the fact the you can see the underwater structure. Flashers to a certain extent can show you structure, but when you get a camera, you can see such things as say there is a sunken structure provided by the DNR with a few little cave type holes in it. With the camera, it allows you to put your bait in front of the hole where fish may be instead of say on the back side of it where the only way fish will find your bait is by sense of smell. I would suggest on buying the camera if you are open to put the money in on it