IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Equipment => Ice Fishing With Electronics => Topic started by: Mudslide on Dec 06, 2011, 12:07 AM
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Picked one up today at Bass Pro. There is a fin to attach so you can use it with a side view but otherwise it's rigged to look straight down. It's on the charger now. (important to fully charge batteries before using them) I will get out and try it on the ice this week and I'll report back. Looks sweeeeeet!!!!! Keeping it away from the big pike as much as possible. Down-view should be good for that.
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Please post and let us know how it works out. I was considering getting one.
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Epoxy a treble hook to it and bring on the pike! Have fun and let us know what you think.
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Tried mine out last weekend, and couldn't get a picture. Brought it back to the house, and it worked fine. Any little bit of moisture on the connection between the camera and display will render the unit useless. I'm going to add a coating of dielectric grease to the connection to help prevent this. Otherwise, the unit is tiny, and the picture quality is quite good, although a little distorted (I think it's a wide-angled lens). Should be great for hole hopping.
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Here is my Aqua Vu Micro / FL-20 setup...
Attached a small camera tripod to the back of the Micro
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310598_2002590079181_1676466884_1446135_1621141942_n.jpg)
Plastic reel for the camera head is attached with Velcro
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307896_2002590199184_1676466884_1446136_1184910499_n.jpg)
(https://s-hphotos-sea1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/375585_2002590519192_1676466884_1446137_932029524_n.jpg)
Removable and portable...
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/390939_2002590799199_1676466884_1446138_1440390983_n.jpg)
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that is the smartest thing I have seen so far with this tiny little camera. Personally I thought they looked useless, who want to pay $300 for a camera that is designe to hole hop, but making it usefull at the hole makes it more valuable.. now if you could only improve the battery life ;D
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Have you guys been using these on the water yet. My son works at an outdoor store up here and they are starting to get them back, water getting into the camera.
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Guys,
The micro camera is podded so the issue is not leakage. A small shipment of micros arrived with the wrong diode from the factory. The issue was discovered very quickly but some had already shipped to retailers. The retailers were contacted and pulled everything from that shipment but some had already been been sold to customers. Basically the diode will malfunction in cold temperatures but work in temps above 60-degrees. If you have this problem and again they anticipate it to be a small amount from only a few retailers, contact Aqua-Vu support and they will fix you up ASAP.
Thanks
Chris Munchow
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that is the smartest thing I have seen so far with this tiny little camera. Personally I thought they looked useless, who want to pay $300 for a camera that is designe to hole hop, but making it usefull at the hole makes it more valuable.. now if you could only improve the battery life ;D
The one I have is running a strong 7 hrs. on a charge at room temperature. But i just got a Trent portable charger/power supply that has 11,000 MA and is smaller than a cigarette pack and will run it for days!!! And re-charge my Droid phone too!
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Guys,
The micro camera is podded so the issue is not leakage. A small shipment of micros arrived with the wrong diode from the factory. The issue was discovered very quickly but some had already shipped to retailers. The retailers were contacted and pulled everything from that shipment but some had already been been sold to customers. Basically the diode will malfunction in cold temperatures but work in temps above 60-degrees. If you have this problem and again they anticipate it to be a small amount from only a few retailers, contact Aqua-Vu support and they will fix you up ASAP.
Thanks
Chris Munchow
I heard this from another member as well, so I contacted Aqua-Vu. They are sending out a replacement immidiately. Sorry to hijack the thread, hopefully I'll be able to post a better review with the new cam!
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Tiny, Did yours leak?
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I bought one a couple of weeks ago and it does take awhile for the screen to turn from blue to actual picture when cold. Is that normal i just thought the screen needed to warm up.
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Tiny, Did yours leak?
It didn't leak; at first I thought the problem was a bad connection from the camera to the monitor due to moisture. The campany says that a lot of diodes (in the camera) was bad. Therefore, when I dropped the camera down into the 40* water, I got a crap picture. In warmer, dry temps the unit worked fine.
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What about this one? ;)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004T4RG3M/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=14252923890&ref=pd_sl_1jz6sx4y66_b (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004T4RG3M/?tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=14252923890&ref=pd_sl_1jz6sx4y66_b)
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Lance how does that Trent power pack hook up to the Micro. Is it like plugging in a cell phone to a charger ?? :tipup: Glenn
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interested in hearing a solid equipment review as well! ordered mine 8 days ago and is finally shipping today!
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Used mine all day today, works great. Did have one "problem", the catfish kept comming up and trying to eat the camera. You'd see wiskers comming in, then all the sudden all you could see was the inside of the mouth. Held up fine to the bite test.
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The one I have is running a strong 7 hrs. on a charge at room temperature
room tempurate and the temp on the ice are two very diffrent things. I find that most smaller pieces of electronics not using large flasher style batteries suffer from decreased battery life. My digital camera is a "freeze proof" camera, but the battery sure isnt so i have to keep it close to the chest to ensure i get the use of it all day
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If the battery life is that much different from warm to cold you could stick an instant a toe warmer to the back.
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Lance how does that Trent power pack hook up to the Micro. Is it like plugging in a cell phone to a charger ?? :tipup: Glenn
Yep! It came with a connector that plugged right in. Now can recharge/ power cell and micro for days!
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I got a Micro for Christmas. I charged the battery and tested it inside. Seemed to work just fine.
So yesterday I take it to the ice and the monitor goes blue screen, grainy video, blue screen, back and forth. It would not work. I brought it inside the shack for a while and it worked a bit better, but still issues. Not going to cut it if 30 degree weather malfunctions this thing.
So, thanks to this post, I was able to figure out we have an issue. I called Aqua Vu and they are sending a replacement camera. Bad Diode problem like was mentioned. I was instructed to cut the camera cord and send proof of this in an email. Then new camera, cable and spool is being sent out with a "free gift" for my troubles.
I will let you know how long shipping takes as well as what the free gift entails. Nina assisted me and she was very helpful and apologetic.
**Don't do anything until you contact Aqua View support obviously.
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I got a Micro for Christmas. I charged the battery and tested it inside. Seemed to work just fine.
So yesterday I take it to the ice and the monitor goes blue screen, grainy video, blue screen, back and forth. It would not work. I brought it inside the shack for a while and it worked a bit better, but still issues. Not going to cut it if 30 degree weather malfunctions this thing.
So, thanks to this post, I was able to figure out we have an issue. I called Aqua Vu and they are sending a replacement camera. Bad Diode problem like was mentioned. I was instructed to cut the camera cord and send proof of this in an email. Then new camera, cable and spool is being sent out with a "free gift" for my troubles.
I will let you know how long shipping takes as well as what the free gift entails. Nina assisted me and she was very helpful and apologetic.
**Don't do anything until you contact Aqua View support obviously.
x2 I also had this problem and called them yesturday and are sending me a new camera. Great customer service if you ask me. Cant wait to use it.
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It seems like all the New Super Duper Gadgets are flying out the door and flying right back in again !! Camera's, Augers, fishfinders, rods, reels and jigs too !! They are really putting out some Over Priced, High quality Crap nowadays ain't they ! I guess Manufacturers "Field Testing" and Customers real world use are still Miles apart !! :%$#!:
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I don't have one of these YET but have some friends that do and have only heard GOOD things. The only down fall I can see is that it can fit down the hole :) I've heard good clear picture quality and battery life seems good, granted we haven't really seen any cold wheather...
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I got my new camera today and that is some fast shipping. I got it overnight talk about customer service. It works perfect now.
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I got my camera today. So they obviously are overnight shipping these. I plan to take it out today/tonight and see if it performs like it should. Customer service and shipping on this issue were awesome. Although the "free gift" for my troubles was a pair of can koozies. I wasn't expecting anything, but then they had to go and say "free gift for my troubles" getting my hopes up for a carrying case, or something of SOME value. They may as well not even mention the "free gift" by phone, just ship em and have the customer be "thrilled" with the koozies at that point. Don't build it up in the customer's minds.
I wasn't expecting anything, but a $300 piece of equipment malfunctioning day 1, there should be something in the form of retribution for the customer.
All in all, no harm now that the camera is back in hand. Had I been on a trip and had this issue, i would have been really upset. Thanks for the fast shipping!
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A koozie, a pop can cover, you gotta be jokin. I'd pinch a coil in that and send it back postage due.
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I got my camera today. So they obviously are overnight shipping these. I plan to take it out today/tonight and see if it performs like it should. Customer service and shipping on this issue were awesome. Although the "free gift" for my troubles was a pair of can koozies. I wasn't expecting anything, but then they had to go and say "free gift for my troubles" getting my hopes up for a carrying case, or something of SOME value. They may as well not even mention the "free gift" by phone, just ship em and have the customer be "thrilled" with the koozies at that point. Don't build it up in the customer's minds.
I wasn't expecting anything, but a $300 piece of equipment malfunctioning day 1, there should be something in the form of retribution for the customer.
All in all, no harm now that the camera is back in hand. Had I been on a trip and had this issue, i would have been really upset. Thanks for the fast shipping!
Go to cableas website and there is a print off for a free case for the micro.
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Ice-Fishing/Underwater-Cameras%7C/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/104664780/Aqua-Vu-AV-Micro-Underwater-Camera/1279468.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-ice-fishing-underwater-cameras%2F_%2FN-1100509%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104664780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104735880&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104735880%3Bcat104664780 (http://www.cabelas.com/product/Fishing/Ice-Fishing/Underwater-Cameras%7C/pc/104793480/c/104735880/sc/104664780/Aqua-Vu-AV-Micro-Underwater-Camera/1279468.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Ffishing-ice-fishing-underwater-cameras%2F_%2FN-1100509%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_104664780%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253BMMcat104793480%253Bcat104735880&WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480%3Bcat104735880%3Bcat104664780)
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I have been eyeing the Aqua-Vu Micro since I first heard about it. Almost ordered one before Christmas, but they were out (BassPro). I now have $100 gift certificate to use towards it. It is troubling to hear that so many of you have already experienced problems right off the bat ... but that always seems to be the case with new products, at least until the "bugs" are worked out. I admit, they (Aqua Vu) should have worked all the bugs out before shipping, some problems do arise when a new product goes to "mass production". At least Aqua Vu has a remedy for it and are willing to "make it right".
I plan on ordering mine today, so hopefully I won't experience any problems. If I do have difficulty, at least now I know what to look out for.
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There should be a way to hook up an adaptor to my 12v battery on my Vex. Has anyone tried to hook up the Aqua Vu Micro to a flasher battery? How many volts and amps is the wall charger that comes with it? What I had in mind is a 12v automotive power outlet (cigarette lighter style) on my flasher so I could plug in my phone car-charger to my phone if it needs charging, and another "car-charger" for the Aqua Vu. Has anyone done or tried this?
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I have one of the aqua vu micro and it has a lithium battery and I am no expert but can you charge a lithium battery off of a lead acid battery with just a standard charger. If anyone could help out with this I would also like to use a lead acid battery to charger mine on long days on ice. IMO this unit is more designed for searching for structure and bottom then sitting and watching your jig with it.
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I have one of the aqua vu micro and it has a lithium battery and I am no expert but can you charge a lithium battery off of a lead acid battery with just a standard charger. If anyone could help out with this I would also like to use a lead acid battery to charger mine on long days on ice. IMO this unit is more designed for searching for structure and bottom then sitting and watching your jig with it.
I agree ... I was planning on using it for running and gunning and just checking an area after I blast a bunch of holes. The battery should be sufficient for my needs. On the other hand, if it needed charging while on the ice, I thought it would be great to just charge it off my flasher battery (if possible).
... also, I just ordered it now from BPS. Unfortunately, BPS seems to take FOREVER to ship. I bet it takes 3 weeks for it to reach my door in upstate NY ... We shall see!
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I had the same issue with the screen getting fuzzy and turning blue, got ahold of aqua vu yesterday and they got the replacement sent out yesterday for me. Hopefully it will be here today or tomarrow since I have a weekend trip planned to head north. Make sure you mention the rebate for the free case and they will throw it in the package for you.
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I guess Manufacturers "Field Testing" and Customers real world use are still Miles apart !! :%$#!:
Are companies still field testing items before deploying them? Didn't think profits allowed for this any longer. Isn't there a saying about not to buy the first or the last model of something? :) It amazes me what some manufactures will put out there and then you go to use them and they are just garbage.
How is the cabling to wind back up on the spool? Does it have any kind of memory to it or does it A@#hole? I have the quad view and of course it has a larger cable but I don't like how your suppose to coil it back up.
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The cable winds up nicely on the spool and it has a little memory which does not affect the camera on bit. I use mine for a search and destroy mission and it worked flawlessly. I put it in my pocket drilled 20 or 25 holes in a row and worked my way back to the rest of my gear checking every hole for structure or weed.
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I take back what I said about Bass Pro Shops. The Aqua Vu Micro just arrived at my doorstep ... I ordered it Wednesday afternoon online with regular ground shipping. Wow, that's much faster than my previous BPS orders. Now I just need to charge it up and wait several years for ice!!! No, but really ... when I get a chance to try it out I'll report back with a review. Hopefully I didn't get one with a bad diode :-\
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I got one for Christmas too but no ice to try it out. After reading about the camera troubles I set it on the fridge and put the camera in the freezer for a few hours and it seemed to work OK . Hopefully it does as well in the water.
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Took 2 days and I got my replacement, as well as the free case and coozies
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Here is my Aqua Vu Micro / FL-20 setup...
Attached a small camera tripod to the back of the Micro
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/310598_2002590079181_1676466884_1446135_1621141942_n.jpg)
Plastic reel for the camera head is attached with Velcro
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/307896_2002590199184_1676466884_1446136_1184910499_n.jpg)
(https://s-hphotos-sea1.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/375585_2002590519192_1676466884_1446137_932029524_n.jpg)
Removable and portable...
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/390939_2002590799199_1676466884_1446138_1440390983_n.jpg)
Wondering if you could share the brand/model of your tri-pod for you Aqua Vu? Also how did you mount your spool to the Vex?
Looks great hoping to get mine set up like yours!
Thanks!
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would like to know about the pod you used also please thanks
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Looks like he has a fancy version of velcro for the spool.
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Tried the Micro out on a recent trip to northern MN, with temps well into the -20* range. Kept it in an outside pocket each day, and the battery held up fine. Great for running and gunning. The cable has a little memory which isn't pulled taught by the light weight of the camera, I might add a bell sinker next time. Also, the thin cable is difficult to turn precisely (like aiming at a jig), but for a quick check down the hold it's awesome. I would say if you want something to line up with your jig and watching while you're fishing, a full-size unit would probably be better. Same if you wanted to use it in open water. For hole hopping, it's AWESOME!
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Tried the Micro out on a recent trip to northern MN, with temps well into the -20* range. Kept it in an outside pocket each day, and the battery held up fine. Great for running and gunning. The cable has a little memory which isn't pulled taught by the light weight of the camera, I might add a bell sinker next time. Also, the thin cable is difficult to turn precisely (like aiming at a jig), but for a quick check down the hold it's awesome. I would say if you want something to line up with your jig and watching while you're fishing, a full-size unit would probably be better. Same if you wanted to use it in open water. For hole hopping, it's AWESOME!
How did the screen do in the sun? Sounds like a great search tool!
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How did the screen do in the sun? Sounds like a great search tool!
There was a decent amount of glare in the sun. Thanks, forgot to add that. Held close to my face with a hood and ball cap it wasn't too bad. Might be nice to concoct some sort of shield.
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Yep! It came with a connector that plugged right in. Now can recharge/ power cell and micro for days!
What model did you get?
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I dropped the ball and didn't order the free camera case for my Micro AV - the offer expired January 31st. Does anyone know of another offer on this case?
Paul
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My wife hates the ice shanty, I just discovered this site last month and spent lots of money on new toys thanks to post like these. I would send an email to customer service about your case and see if they will still honor your request. I got the case and it is a nice addition fits my tripod and the camera in there nicely, I still am worried about dropping it down the hole though.
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The offer is back and expires in April. Cabelas has the rebate link on the website.
Jon
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What model did you get?
Trent 11,000 mah
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Thanks Zen