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Looking to buy underwater camera. Suggestions? Likes/Dislikes?

SomethingFishy*

By SomethingFishy*
in Ice Fishing

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Scott M Grand Master

Scott M

Posted
Posted

*Night viewing options, research infrared and spectral viewing

*Downviewing and side-viewing. What will you be targeting, anything in particular? What is the degree of vision?

*Get the biggest screen possible

*Get some sort of sunlight cover

*Output jacks or recordable?

*black and white or color?

That's a quick and dirty run through of questions to ask at a store or things to look into. Don't forget that accessories are helpful. I have a few extra fins, a magnifier, and a weighted stand for bottom-up viewing.

Enjoy your purchase.

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Hotspotter Veteran

Hotspotter

Posted
Posted

SomethingFishy:

I can only tell you what I like/dislike about the cameras I've owned in the past. Keep in mind, all these are subject to change depending on how/where you fish!!!

What I Look For:

-Portability - Something that's unweildy, doesn't close-up nicely or isn't carry-able in one hand, isn't worth my time to lug around.

-Durability - If it looks cheap, it probably is. Really look the things over before buying. The more cheap plastic, the less durable it will be, esp. in key areas like around the screen and most importantly, around the camera optics themselves.

-Size/Weight - Is it compact and light enough? Does it fold/fit into the compartments of your fish house, atv, or whatever else you may be carrying it in?

-Quality Optics - Do they advertise the specs. of the their cameras? Most cameras work great in clear water. Quality optics make the difference in stained or turbid waters.

-Completeness - Do you need to buy the batteries separate? If so, is there a compartment for the battery? (See Portability) Do you need to buy extra accessories to spin the camera, weight it down, etc.? If so, what do they cost?

-Screen - What size, is it sunlight viewable? The larger the screen the better IMO.

-Lighting - Lights that are offset from the camera a bit are proven to reduce particulate reflection, the "bright headlights in a snowstorm" effect you get towards dark or even under snowy ice on a cloudy day. IR, blue, white, etc?

For all of these reasons, I've been a Marcum guy, and currently own a VS560. I'm going to be trying out the new Marcum VS820 this season and am very excited. For the money, I don't think it can be beat.

It utilizes a huge 8" sunlight viewable screen (no lurching over viewing shrouds), portable and extremely durable housing and carrying case, and the thing folds down into a unit the size of a kids lunch box; easily stackable and carryable for anywhere you might take it. For $499 retail I think it's a steal.

I'm going to miss the pan-able viewing of the VS560 I think, but am looking forward to trying out the Camera Compass this year as well, for more than just adjusting the view of my camera. Many times I drill the camera hole just outside the front door of my Otter, and every once-in awhile I open the door and step into it!

Do your homework and buy what works best for you!

Joel

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Hotspotter Veteran

Hotspotter

Posted
Posted

Ha, we were posting at the same time.

Quote:

Does color make a reasonable difference?

I think the answer to that question depends mostly on where you fish and the clarity/conditions you'll be fishing. Black and White will always provide the highest contrast viewing, but with clear enough water, you may be able to glean more information with the color unit. I'm thinking mostly about matching the hatch type applications with larvae colors. Another great use would be weed growth/quality. Green weeds can be your best friend, esp. when they're dead most everywhere else.

Joel

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CSP88 Collaborator

CSP88

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Quote:

I thinking I am leaning towards either the scout SRT or Quad 4x4. Screen size is a non-issue as it will be getting hooked into a 19" tv in a wheel house.

Does color make a reasonable difference?

Of those two choices I would go with the Quad 4x4. You have ~360 degree underwater viewing all at one time on one screen instead of having to pan the same coverage area with other cameras to get the same picture.

Chad

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Dave Grand Master

Dave

Posted
Posted

Even with the new cameras on the market, I think the Marcum 560 IS the best quality for the dollar. The auto pan mode captured me since day one, some three seasons ago. The on screen display for temp, depth, battery level and cmaera direction have been really helpful as well.

How do you know which direction the quad view cams are looking?

Now, if I can only connect the 560 panning camera to a LCD screen grin.gif

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