How do you control the direction on underwater cameras? After dark use?

[BLACKJACK]

Starting to seriously lust after an underwater camera but everytime I talk to someone that has one, the big downside is trying to control direction, trying to find your jig.

How do you control what direction you look at on your camera?

Also, can any cameras be used after dark?

[JP Z]

Right now with using cameras after dark you generally will only get a foot or 2 of visibility as that is just what the light technology is at right now.

For telling the direction of your bait. The Aqua-Vu SV and DT series both have on-screen Direction so they will show you which way you are looking so that you can line up your bait. And for keeping it in position use either the Ice-Pod or the Motorized Mopod.

[MuskieJunkie]

Yes these two things are a pain, but really they are the only two down sides. When you are on a clear lake in the day time and you have the camera faced right at your lure it's is very cool. The tripods help a lot ($15 or $100 for the motorized one). And as far as the night fishing or fishing a murky lake, you might as well just leave the camera at home. I have found a Seci disk rating of less than about 6 and the camera will be very limited. If you are going to buy one I would say go cheap or go big, the top of the line $600 Marcum has a motorized pod that the camera moves in so you can easily face it in any direction. The $180 Aqua vu is going to have pretty much the same light and direction problems as a $400 aqua vu.

[dec]

the only camera systems that really work at night are the marcum technologies vs460 and vs560 camera systems. yes they are expensive but they are the best hands down, and they work at night.

duane cummings

[TSCTSC]

I ditto that. Have tried the Aqua Vues, and they basically shut down at 4.30 pm. You get a static screen. With the VS460 and 560, you can use em all night although the range of visibility is limited to a couple of feet, but at least u can still see bottom, rocks, fish and lure. With aqua vue, u see squat!!!!

[BLACKJACK]

That VS460 looks nice!! Spendy but nice!!!

Thanks for the advice guys!

[brianh]

Going to Games today, I've got the 560 if you want to try it for a bit.

[Deitz Dittrich]

It really depends on which Vu you have. If you have one with the SR lights you can see at night with them as well. its the IR lights that are not great.

[dec]

sr, ir it dosen't matter you just can't see as well as you can with the marcum vs560 or the vs460. they are the hands down winner in night time viewing.

duane cummings

[mtheis]

Does the Scout II have the SR lights? Does any Marcum model have this feature?

[cliffy]

My wife gave me a Aqua Vu Scout II for x-mas it’s a neat little toy. It will never replace my LX-3 but its fun to have. I agree, the Aqua Vus are a pain to try and get pointed in the right direction without the Mopod or whatever they call it. I bought some 10.00 dollar thingy that looks like a bucket lid. you slide the cable thru the opening...lower the camera and tie off the cable on some hooks on the lid. Just rotate the lid until you find your lure. Its still sorta a pain but seems to work pretty well. I think the Marcum systems have a much better design in this area.

I also have to agree that after sundown you are very limited in visibility. I think the Scout II has the SR lights you talk about....but you are only going to see a few feet....I just don’t think its worth it.

Cliffy