Aqua Vu VS. Aqua Cam

[FrontenacPike]

Hey guys I need a little help. I've been thinking about purchasing a underwater camera. This morning while out Ice fishing a guy showed me his Aqua Cam. Has anyone ever used a Aqua Cam? I asked him what the differences were between Aqua Cam and Aqua Vu and he told me that you are only paying for the name. He bought his from Menards for $85 bucks. Wow compared to an Aqua Vu you are saving some serious money. I really haven't done too much researching on either one, and was wondering if anyone could give me the skinny on these two products.

[nofishfisherman]

I bought the Aqua Cam from Menards as well. It is actually the exact same camera unit as the Atlantis Underwater camera. If you look online it is 100% exactly the same as their $180 unit except the name on the side is different.

I haven't ice tested it yet but it looks good and I can't imagine it being worth the extra $100 to buy the name brand camera.

[Bobb-o]

extra $100? i dont know where you are shopping, but the one my girlfriend bought me (yes she took me shopping to buy my christmas present and was even nice enough to let me have it then!) was only $125 and it is an aqua-vu. The things i like better aboot the aqua vu are the fish camera, the downviewing fin, the sun shield, the little holder for the camera on the top, and the fact that aqua-vu has some great customer service as well as a warranty, dont know if that aqua-cam comes with a warranty or not.

[nofishfisherman]

I found a price of $180 on the internet for the Atlantis, not sure if it was their HSOforum or another retailer.

[Deitz Dittrich]

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he told me that you are only paying for the name.

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unfortunatly you are not just paying for a name... You are paying for years of research and a great customer service. Go with the Aqua-Vu. As stated above, you can find some great deals now on the Scout...

[FrontenacPike]

Bobb-o where did you find yours for $125???

[FrontenacPike]

I was thinking about years of research and I'm sure both companies didn't go out and re-invent the video camera they simply used years of technology that have been used for many years in personal video cameras by Pannasonic, and Sony. When it comes to the camera itself they can't be much different, because the technology and research has already been done. You mentioned a couple other things in your post about featurs that you really like in the Vu, can you elaberate a little more on the things you mentioned????

[McGurk]

I got my Scout (not Scout II) for basically 109.00 after a markdown to 155.00 and a 25.00 rebate and a 20.00 coupon given at the door at Gander. Don't think it's gonna be that cheap till spring closeouts, though.

[Toad]

If you want to actually, you know, see the monitor during bright daytime conditions, a sunshield is kind of a must. All AV's have sunshields. The Atlantis / AquaCam models I've seen don't. The Aqua-Vu fin allows you to view from a bird's eye perspective (vertically) by simply clipping the cable into the fin. This key feature isn't available in other systems.

As to the cable wrap-- Aqua-Vu has one, Aqua Cam doesn't. No cable wrap = big mess. Not sure on the warranty on the Cam, but I do know Aqua-Vu includes a 1-year warranty (and a great customer service staff, should you need it.)

Finally, if you don't mind a 40 to 50% customer return rate on the Aqua Cam, then maybe the gamble is worth it.

-a friend called Toad

[Orlip]

Go to fleet farm. Aqua vu Scout is $149 then there is a $25 mail in rebate. Good till the 12/17 or when supply runs out. It looked like there was only a couple left in Lakeville. Was at menards the other day looking for the other brand but did not find it. Never did ask if it was still there.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I really dont think the technology is in the camera much..its in the cable and how it attaches to the camera, and what is used to make that cable strong and last for many years. I agree with you, the cameras are probably pretty much the same. But please do look at the cable as well, as that is the most expensive parts of these underwater cameras.

as far as features.. I myself have the Scout XL. I like how the cable is stored, I like the cary case. The fish camera comes through the water very well in open water and the fin works great for down viewing during the winter months. Aqua-Vu has many different cameras to fit the budget and needs of many different anglers. You need to decide what you want in a camera. Some like better lights, some like temp at the camera, some like to know what direction the camera is facing. Some like to see multiple directions at the same time.

It really depends on what you want and how much you are willing to spend.

[FZ]

Why Aqua-Vu is trying to get rid of the last year model Scout by giving away $25 coupon? It’s same marketing practice that Atlantis tried to do by packaging their old camera differently and sells at Menerds at a discount price. If we had money, we’d all jumped to a Marcum 560, won’t we?

[opsirc]

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As to the cable wrap-- Aqua-Vu has one, Aqua Cam doesn't. No cable wrap = big mess.

Finally, if you don't mind a 40 to 50% customer return rate on the Aqua Cam, then maybe the gamble is worth it.

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Aqua Cam does have a cable wrap on the base of the unit. I picked up the camera because they were only 80 dollars at menards. What info I could find on the internet about them, they seem to be a alright camera. Curious where did you get the info about 40-50 percent of them returned.

O

[JP Z]

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Why Aqua-Vu is trying to get rid of the last year model Scout by giving away $25 coupon? It’s same marketing practice that Atlantis tried to do by packaging their old camera differently and sells at Menerds at a discount price. If we had money, we’d all jumped to a Marcum 560, won’t we?

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The reason they are getting rid of the Scout one is to make room for the Scout II and the other new cameras that are on the burner for the new season.

[JRFISHBAIT]

If you're in southern MN, stop by at Reel Fishing and Tackle in Madison Lake. We still have the scout and the $25 rebate.

Joe, Matt and Katy

Reel Fishing and Tackle

507.243.3388