Aqua-Vu advice??

[jphersh22]

I'm looking at adding an Aqua-Vu to my arsenal this year but I can't afford the top of the line new ones. I was wondering if it was smart to buy either a used or factory refurbished unit? Are they generally pretty problem free or am I asking for problems buying either a used or refurbished one? Also are there any particular models that are better or worse than others? I see the Scout is about $200 new and Cabelas has their own model this year at $200 as well, but I'd like to get by cheaper if I can.

Also, I fish in Iowa and the water isn't always as clear as it is for those of you in Minnesota. Are there different lighting options that I need to be aware of when I make my decision? Sorry, there's a lot of questions here but I know this is the place to go for the answers. Thanks for the advice!

[stubby1]

Here is my two cents...It depends on the lake you use the camera on.I bought my scout two winters ago and its worked great.I have a friend and he bought a $600 camera with a remote and on Lake of the Woods, My camera works just as good as his.I have just as many features as most high dollar cameras and works just as good.I don't care what camera you have, if the clarity is poor the cameras don't work very good.Last year L.O.W. was really bad for visiblity and we hardly used the cameras. We could only see about a foot or so.We really only use the cameras to see the bottom of the lake for structures and thats it.5 minutes of use and thats it.With that said,If the lakes are clear they are great!! I fished some small lakes back home in ND and I get about 10-15 feet of use.Like I said the lakes are clear.When we fish I usually drill my holes in a semi-circle and put the camera in the middle and swing the camera from side to side to see the action.ITs great when you can see the fish bite on the other end.Let me tell you, when a 20-30 inch pike cruises by the camera really close it looks like the hinnenborg closing on you. You will have a smile on your face when that happens. My friend and I always go back and forth about who's camera is better.We ussualy agree that cameras work about the same.His only claim is the remote,I'll give him that but for the extra $400 I'll adjust and re-adjust my cord in the hole any time.I used the extra money for the hand-held color gps and LOVE it.I hope this helped.

[wplatehunter]

Harbor Freight sells a underwater camera for aprox $100 and it comes with a nice carrying case. It has the same screen as the scout. Mine works good.

[Sandmannd]

[Note from the admin-no unauthorised links please]

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I bought an aqua view scout last season, had it in my eskimo lodge where usually 2-4 guys fished. Took it back to the store and got my money back. The 5 in screen was just to small for Me,however it did work well and I wanted a camera. So I went on Nature Visions web site (http://www.naturevisioninc.com/aquavu/) and bought the refirbished Ice Pro camera with a 7in screen for $130 got it, and I took the down viewing crappie cam and a small drill to the back fin so i could use the $6 front viewing fin on the camera. For a $136 you get everything you need, plus the bigger screen. Oh just a suggestion, but you might want to get the Ice pod. It really helps to position your camera when using it, and also makes it easy to twirl it around and get the view to where it was. Just my opinion. I think the camera cord was 50 ft on the ice pro, can't remember though if it is important to u I can check. After I bought mine my brother did the same thing has me. Both of us are happy.

p.s. I also like the stand that the ice pro has for the camera better then the one I used when I had the scout.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Sorry forgot to talk about the water clatrity issues. Being in NW IOWA and having what feels like 101% of the ground being use for crops around here most of the ponds are Very Fertile and usually limit the viewing possiblility of the cameras. Usually you can see anywhere from 4-6 feet in most ponds (gravel pits around here usually have good visiblity), Last year there was only one lake that I couldn't use the camera on and it's waters were stained, and the snow cover almost allowed no light below the ice I think if the snow wasn't so deep the camera would have worked. Don't know if this is true but a friend told me when he used his camera up in N Minn. He could see 30ft due to the clear water. Mostly forest ground around though. After using an aqua view last year, I won't go pond fishing with out it. Really lets you know what is going on down there, and lets you catch the light bites. I Figured it this way, the camera saved me $30 on not having to buy a pole for the light bite panfish, I use my walleye rod all the time now.

[jjohnson5150]

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I bought an aqua view scout last season, had it in my eskimo lodge where usually 2-4 guys fished. Took it back to the store and got my money back. The 5 in screen was just to small for Me,however it did work well and I wanted a camera. So I went on Nature Visions web site (http://www.naturevisioninc.com/aquavu/) and bought the refirbished Ice Pro camera with a 7in screen for $130 got it, and I took the down viewing crappie cam and a small drill to the back fin so i could use the $6 front viewing fin on the camera. For a $136 you get everything you need, plus the bigger screen. Oh just a suggestion, but you might want to get the Ice pod. It really helps to position your camera when using it, and also makes it easy to twirl it around and get the view to where it was. Just my opinion. I think the camera cord was 50 ft on the ice pro, can't remember though if it is important to u I can check. After I bought mine my brother did the same thing has me. Both of us are happy.

p.s. I also like the stand that the ice pro has for the camera better then the one I used when I had the scout.

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I have the same camera. What you did to get the front view could be of use to me since I have learned through use that down view is not my preference. Could you please explain further how you did this and what part you bought from Nature Vision? Thanks.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

go to this HSOforum. http://www.naturevisioninc.com/shop_nvi/home.php?cat=3

order the front viewing fin, use a drill to modify the holes in the back of the fish cam by the tail. Then the hook in the back of the front viewing fin will hook onto the camera cord pointing the fish down and allowing the actual camera to be used has a side view. They told me that when i ordered the front view fin from this HSOforum that it wouldn't work with the ice pro crappie camera, a little modification with the drill and it works great. The reason I did this was to get the larger 7" vs the small 5" screen on the scout. Also it save me $20-$30 dollars.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Just some info, but the front viewing fin is what is use on the side view fish cameras to actual get them to do the down view for those who prefer that view. Also if you are boating it helps to keep the camera pointed straight when trolling. I agree with you though, I don't really like the down view mode either. I actually ordered a side view camera from aqua view for $100 dollars and then figured out that I could modify the down view fish camera to do the side view. Kinda succed but I guess having an extra camera around isn't a bad deal.

[jjohnson5150]

^^^^^^

Thanks man. That really helps. I called NV and they offered me the same $100 camera, but me too cheap.

[jphersh22]

Lots of great advice. Thanks. I checked out the Nature Vision HSOforum and saw the factory reconditioned units. Has anyone seen the SP-80 unit? This is one with an LCD screen which is supposed to make the screen visible in full sunlight so you don't need a sunshield. Does this work well?

[Deitz Dittrich]

I do some prostaff work for Aqua-Vu.. I have an Aqua-Vu Scout XL and a MC2X... I would say that 9-10 times I use the Scout XL.. to me it just works better for what I use it for. I like the screen size and the ease of getting the cord in and out!

I have not had the chance to use one of the Sp units.. they do look pretty slick however!

[jphersh22]

One more dumb question. I see some units use "infrared" lighting and some use "spectrum response". The "spectrum response" lists that it can be used at night. Does that mean it also lights better during the day in stained water?

[Deitz Dittrich]

Ohh boy..

The answer is no...

First.. infra red is great above.. unfortunatly water is an infra red filter, So, in it does help some as the light is comming up and is going down, but in darkness does not get you a ton.

Spectra response lighting uses special colored LED lights. These help a ton in clear water. I have used them on Mille Lacs in the winter and have seen out at least 6 feet. However, if used in stained water it looks as though your driving a Porche at 200 MPH down the freeway during a blizzard.... And its not the cameras fault.. you could have a $100 camera or a $1000 camera.. its all the same. Its light and particles.

I use mine more for setting up, than I do actual fishing. So, I dont use a camera with lights. I use my camera so that I know I am on the spot that I feel the fish will be when the witching hour hits!.. and it has done a fine job of that!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I would have been 2 if I new I could modify the old one.

[Sandmannd]

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Harbor Freight sells a underwater camera for aprox $100 and it comes with a nice carrying case. It has the same screen as the scout. Mine works good.

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They actually have them on sale now for $79.99. Might be worth checking out.