Ice Fishing Electronics: Sonar vs Cameras

[spiltmilt]

Each approach has its strengths and weaknesses. If you had to choose one which do you prefer?

[filetandrelease]

 I have both I prefer the sonar

[Walks on Water]

Before watching the video and having used both technologies for well over a decade, they each have their places where they shine and where they don't. In a sport with so many variables, this is an unanswerable question, imo. I have both, I bring both, I use both.

If you want to define some parameters like water depth, clarity, species sought, etc, an answer can more easily be given.

[3300]

Marcum lx9

[32footsteps]

A sonar unit is a tool, a camera is a toy.

I have both and use both but my LX7 is far more useful than my camera is.

[RyanW]

If every lake were clear enough for a camera, I’d probably take a camera. I’ve never used one but I understand how they work in low-light murky water.....not like the ads.... Considering that in real world conditions every lake isn’t clear enough for a camera, my sonar is most definitely my unit of choice.

If and when I do get a camera it will be so I can (hopefully) map out the lake better and not necessarily for monitoring fish behavior.

[Old Goat]

I think there are 3 primary ways.  Lay on ice look through hole pick fish you want to catch. Eliminates both units and cost is 0.00

[river_scum]

sonar by far