Another underwater camera question

[hovermn]

Can anyone tell me why I should buy a $200 Aqua Vu Scout or $300 XL instead of the $80 Harbor Freight camera? I've been on the fence with cameras for about 2 years now and I think that this is the year to pick one up. I own an LX5, but think that it would be fun to watch what's going on down there.

Does anyone have any hands on experience with the HF camera? How about the Scout or XL. Why wouldn't you buy the less expensive camera over the Aqua Vu models?

One last question. With any of these units, how do you keep the camera at depth and facing the right direction? Does the Aqua Vu come with some sort of cable mount or is it just plain luck?

[wplatehunter]

I have the Harbor Freight camera and I like it. I think the screens are the same as the scout. Its a good camera for the money, and it comes with a nice case. You can buy a tripod to set the detph and move the camera head for aprox. $15.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have owned a scout, and I do own the Scout XL and love it. I have not owned or used the other camera you mentioned.

I will say this, Aqua-Vu was if not the first, one of the first to come out with an underwater camera. They have made an awesome product and have worked the kinks out over the years.

The main reason I went with the XL over the scout. I liked the larger screen size, but I liked most of all how easy it was to dump the cord off the XL and wind it back up.

[Sandmannd]

I just bought the HF camera yesterday. I got a two yr warenty with it for $20 more. So for $100 I got the camera and a good warenty. I've never used the aquview, but I've heard good things about the HP camera. I've bought all my tools from there in the last couple of years and they hold up as well if not better than my name brand tools. I would expect the same of the camera. I didn't know you could get a tripod for them, do you get that at HP also?

[croixeyes]

You can pick up a tripod at fleet farm and other places that sell ice fishing equipment.

[TeddyBoy]

I have the Scout and am happy with it. The one difference that I see is the Scout's fish-like camera as compared to the HF camera. I can't tell you how many times last winter northerns would take a swipe at the camera thinking it was a fish. To me if a northern is fooled thinking it's a fish, then the other fish will be less suspicious of it. I'm not sure if that's true but it sure seemed like they were fooled to me. Other than that, I don't know if there is a whole lot of difference between the two. Good luck!

[Flaco651]

I haven't heard anything bad on the internet about the HF cam. I used a scout last year and was pleased with it, but for the price of the HF, I am also thinking about picking one up and giving it a shot.

[Meadow Creek]

I built my own camera a couple of years ago, and the northern's were always trying to take it.

[quackattack13]

where can you buy the harbor freight camera?

[huntingislife]

Quote:

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where can you buy the harbor freight camera?

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at harbor freight (online or at the store)

[hovermn]

Thanks for the posts, guys!

BTW, I don't know about the other twin cities locations, but the West St. Paul store has them for $99.99. The HSOforum lists them for $79.99. If you print up the web page with the camera and price, they'll match the site.

Tonight after voting, I picked up the HF camera. I also plan on picking up the AquaVU XL and will compare the two cameras. I'm sure the XL is a nicer camera but what I'd like to figure out is if it's worth another $200 over the HF camera.

I'll post my findings.

[hovermn]

Quote:

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The main reason I went with the XL over the scout. I liked the larger screen size, but I liked most of all how easy it was to dump the cord off the XL and wind it back up.

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Deitz,

I'll keep cord storage and deployment in mind when comparing. I'm like a lot of people, if it's not convenient, I probably won't use it, especially if I'm moving around all day. This area will weigh heavily with my comparison.

Thanks for the input

[Huckelberry]

thanks hoverman for getting this H.F. CAM site going.been thinking about a cam for a coupel years ,for 80.00 bucks tomorrow is the day .