Marcum Mission Camera

[VenomInjected]

Marcum Mission Cameras....  I've found one "unboxing video" and nothing with real world experience yet.... any open water guys?

Which I think is just a "renamed Marcum VS825SD ?

I know now that the Marcum Quest is 1080i... but not in my budget.. I got rid of my Aqua Vu HD10i and it wasn't worth it for me.

I'm looking at the Marcum Mission....

Marcum Mission Specs:(This years Marcum entry level camera)
    7" widescreen display with hi-res color LCD
    Incredible 800 x 480 pixel resolution
    Video-out jack for attaching to external monitor or recording device
    Solar Intelligent Technology enhances your viewing experience
    in winter conditions
    Color Kill Technology lets you switch between Color or Black/White on demand, while maintaining a crisp screen resolution
    On-Screen Display Functions: Relative direction, temp, depth, battery status, brightness, contrast, sharpness and color kill
    Paired with 1/3" Sony Super HAD II CCD Camera image sensor
    75 feet of high-strength, flexible camera cable
    1-year manufactures warranty

    Accessories included:
    Sunshield
    12-volt, 9-amp battery for 11 hours of continuous use (depending on conditions/settings)
    3-stage battery charger
    Padded soft-pack shuttle case for protection and portability


Marcum VS825SD (Last year - Now Discontinued)
    Sony Super HAD II CCD, .01 lux camera with 75' of cable and stabilizer fin
    Solar Intelligent® biggest-going 8" flat panel LCD display gives a super-vivid picture even on brightest, sunniest days. Selectable between color and black & white. 3 times brighter than others, totally waterproof
    Darkwater LED lighting technology greatly reduces particle reflection for brighter, more clear view
    On-screen display of camera depth, water temperature, camera direction and battery status
    Can be converted to metric measurements
    Can be calibrated for freshwater or saltwater use
    12V, 9Ah rechargeable battery and 3-stage auto battery charger
    The Marcum Underwater Camera Panner fits over all holes, 8" to 10+". Run-time 5-8 hours continuous, powered by 2 C batteries (not included.) Panning toggle switch with 10' cord
    Soft padded carry / storage pack. Made in USA.

[Fishtrekker]

Think more along the lines of a upgraded VS485c with added depth, temp and direction. That's the easiest way to explain it.

[Gunflint]

I got rid of my Aqua Vu HD10i and it wasn't worth it for me.

Why?

Too big?

[kayl]

Why?

Too big?

Battery life is supposed to be only about 3.5 hours, I wonder if that was why.

[Fishtrekker]

Not to add insult to injury but straight from their website: Due to the brightness and size of the screen, battery life is 2.5 HRS.

[VenomInjected]

Yea even a dakota Li i could only get 4-4.5 Max....   Carrying extra garbage sucked.... In darker silty water my buddies Marcum VS485c had better clarity i thought sadly too vs the AV IR set up.   

[Gunflint]

Yea even a dakota Li i could only get 4-4.5 Max....   Carrying extra garbage sucked.... In darker silty water my buddies Marcum VS485c had better clarity i thought sadly too vs the AV IR set up.

I was considering one of these because the cable is longer for the deep water lake trout. Interesting feedback.

On my AquaVu Micro Revolution Pro I can get at least 8 hrs if I turn down screen brightness which is fine in a dark ice house.  DIdn't the 10i have the same capability? 

I never use the infrared lights to illumine the camera as there are too many plankton in the water to see well if I do that.

My main concern, except for battery life, was the size/weight of the unit -- and how cumbersome it is to deploy. I can get my Micro down a hole and wound up again very quickly using the cable reel on teh back. I think that manual winding would take a long time.

[VenomInjected]

I was considering one of these because the cable is longer for the deep water lake trout. Interesting feedback.

On my AquaVu Micro Revolution Pro I can get at least 8 hrs if I turn down screen brightness which is fine in a dark ice house.  DIdn't the 10i have the same capability? 

I never use the infrared lights to illumine the camera as there are too many plankton in the water to see well if I do that.

My main concern, except for battery life, was the size/weight of the unit -- and how cumbersome it is to deploy. I can get my Micro down a hole and wound up again very quickly using the cable reel on teh back. I think that manual winding would take a long time.

The AV HD10i wasn't bad to deploy... but a short recap of the AV HD10i

The HD10i Pros:
Picture quality in clear water was awesome... simply put.
10" Screen Awesome...
100 feet of cable.
Cable/camera management was thought out well.

The HD10i Cons:
2.5 hour battery life on SLA
4 hour battery life on Li-Ion (Dakota Li here)
10" screen was big
Plankton/Silt provided a poor picture (at least I could not get the settings correct)
No Point of direction (avail on the HD10i "Pro")
No depth (avail on the HD10i "Pro")
No temperature (avail on the HD10i "Pro")


So comparing "7" screen able to 7" screen oranges the HD7i Pro (7" screen) vs. the entry level marcum 7" screen Marcum Mission

HD7i = 3.5 hours of life on SLA
Marcum Mission = 9 hours
Both have direction temp depth
Both have 75' of cable
HD7i=1080p
Marcum = 800x480

Marcum Mission $499
AV HD7i Pro $799
HD 10i Pro = $1000?


After using the HD10i... would I buy a HD10i Pro, HD7i, or HD7i Pro......   No

Battery life really soured me.  Picture quality was awesome.. when the water was spotless... but the other 80% of the time my fishing buddys marcum as the better picture.

Now that marcum had direction/depth/temp standard... and you have to graduate to the "Pro" $erie$ to get that in AquaVu....

Its either a Mission or Recon+ for me... I just havent decided how "I want to use the camera"... as a scout tool or as an entertainment tool for kid/myself when fishing is slow.

[kayl]

I checked out the cameras at Cabela's today and the VS and Mission had the same picture quality.

[VenomInjected]

I checked out the cameras at Cabela's today and the VS and Mission had the same picture quality.

The VS 825SD and mission both use the sony had II camera.     The new quest is going HD to compete with the aqua vu hd7i and 10i series...   

[kayl]

The quest was much sharper.

[VenomInjected]

Still cant decide of Mission vs Recon+

[VenomInjected]

Went at looked in person at Cabelas at

End of Lifecycle Model Marcum 485C

Marcum Mission

Marcum Recon+


Thoughts:  For being in the same "class" (entry level full size camera)   The Marcum Mission Camera seemed to me at least ALOT... ALOT clearer than the VS485C.  Unsure if it was due to HAD I vs HAD II camera or if it was due to an updated LCD screen (same size).

I thought the Marcum Recon+ interface was better than the AV Mircro interface.... cable wind goes to the Aqua Vu tho still.

I'm pretty sure it will be a Marcum Mission after todays visit.

[VenomInjected]

Anyone with real world experience with the Marcum Mission yet?

[joemx1825]

Save $$ and look for a used VS825SD in your area, 8” screen and excellent battery life.

[RD79]

This thread seems to have quite alot of knowledge of the marcum cameras, do you happen to know if a camera from the 485 will plug into the body of an 825sd?  The cost they want for replacement up here in Canada for the 825sd is absolutely absurd.

Looking at the specs they are both the sony super HAD II camera.

[joemx1825]

I believe so, but a simple call to Marcum support would get the answer

[Fishtrekker]

The 485c camera will plug into the VS825sd, you just won't have the one screen display functions as the VS825sd has temp depth direction which are located in the camera and software of the head unit. If you are just going for picture and not the OSD functions, 485c is your winner

[VenomInjected]

We'll with the Marcum Mission on sale for $425 @ Fleet Farm.. I got one.


VERY VERY happy with it so far.  (2 trips)