Tool or Toy

[Bob/Mn]

I have been thinking about getting a underwater camera. I have talked with people that own and sell the units and have received a mixed responce on there usefulness. This is especially true under low light conditions and at night.

What I am interested in is viewing areas below the light penetration.

What I have heard so far is that night viewing is like driving at night in a blzard with your high lights on.

Most everyone I have talked with used the unit on clear lakes durning day light with good results.

I have not heard of anyone using the unit below the light penetration durning day light.

Any input?

<BTW> Harbor Freight has a unit on sale for $99 this week.

[Fishin4Life]

I would be curious too. And also interested in getting one if you can get them for a hundred bucks!

[countryboy9799]

Me three

I have wanted to know how they work in lakes around willmar where the clarity can be not so good. I would really like to see one in person at a lake so I can use my judgement from there as to whether it would be worth it to purchase one.

Also it would be nice to know if the scout is good enough.

For the fishing I do I cannot justify 500+ dollars for one.

[big musk411]

I bought an aqua-vu right when they came out in the winter of 2000. It is the original model and I am sure the new ones are better.

Ice Fishing

It is excellent for ice fishing on clear lakes during the day.

Works good during the day in shallower stained water.

Does not do well at night, or in dark deep water.

I have not found it very usefull for open water as it is difficult to keep the boat in stationary. The cameral moves around and you dont know what you are looking at.

If you ice fish during the day in clear lakes you will be very happy.

[Ufatz]

Aahhhh yes, as my old pal W.C.Fields would say. The ol' underwater camera deal. P.T.Barnum had a saying that might be appropriate at this time... Ah...yes.

A guy could buy TWO Shimano Calcutta's for the same amount of money. And be sure to check out Harbor Freights reputation for quality before you invest your hundred bucks for THAT model.

Trying to be helpful.

[PerchJerker]

I have a camera, don't use it very often.

I like to be mobile on the ice so I don't like carrying it around and setting it up. I use it some through the ice or on open water to see what the fish are doing or to interpret what I see on my sonar, but most times I'd rather fish and use my sonar or graph.

[harvey lee]

I agree with every thing bigmusk411 stated.I will add that for looking at structure while ice fishing I like it alot for that.I dont probably use it that much but I would not sell it and not have one.It has its time and place.I just dont use it all the time.

[prov1900]

I had the camera before I bought a Vexilar (Dont want to get us in another Vex vs. Marcum thing ) But if you have a choice, in my opinion, stay with the flasher, or like the other post said, buy yourself two Calcutta's. I like my camera, but it kind of sits around and collects dust right now. Definately dont use it during the summer. Icefishing only on clear lakes. It is pretty neat ice fishing, but it is cumbersome and a pain in the rump to transport around. One of the biggest +'s is that it is great for the wife and kids. I found myself staring at it for long amounts of time myself. If you got the spare cash, treat yourself, if not, buy a Vex/Marcum and a handheld GPS and call it good. Lots of info on these cameras in the ice fishing section by the way...volumes.

[kslipsinker]

I have the basic Aqua View Scout with infared lighting. A great day tool for ice fishing. It is good for checking bottom stucture during the summer.

I found it great for sight fishing finicky pan fish that you can see on the Vex, but have a hard time getting to bite. As all of the other posts, I don't use it a heck of alot during the summer. I do own a FL-18 also, which I use in the boat on the bow mount during the summer and on the Pro Pack during the winter.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have a AcoutXL... and use it a LOT!!!, both summer and winter. However, I do not use it at night... Love it, and for me its deffinatly a tool, not a toy!

I learn so much about deep water fishing with that unit! Yes, they do not work well in stained water at night, and some lakes are so stained they dont work well peroid! But that only SOME lakes.

[lawman]

I have owned an underwater camera for seven years. It is definitely a toy. It is hard to use in bright sunlight when I have tried to determine bottom features for example. I have used it ice fishing but it has more entertainment value than anything. It has not helped me catch more fish while on the ice.

[nytelyter]

deffinatly tool. but like said not much for open water,although, i have used it to locate/identify structure. or bottom. it is a part of my electronics bag int he winter. i have a marcum ovs400 and i think it is on its fifth season. not much use at night either as i believe the light spooks the fish and then there is the snowstorm thing. i do belive that the ones that have the lights mounted above the camera lens and not around the lenz may be better but i have no expierence with them. but i will say again tool not toy. ... paul

[Dave]

I think a lot of people who are thinking about getting an underwater camera expect results like watching cable tv. Sometimes it will be while other times and lakes it won't. There's a lot of particulates in water that will reflect the camera light that you will not see during daylight, like your headlights do in a nighttime snow storm. There's no getting around that. Some lakes are worse than others.

As far as daylight depth and light penetration, I've viewed down 40 feet and the camera has been very useful. It's a toy and a learning tool, to me.

[Polar Bear]

Definitely a toy... but I love it for icing pan fish in clear water during daylight hours.

[Fishin4Life]

Tool or toy? Always depends who is asking