camera help. can not make my mind up on one to buy

[Cali009]

Can i get some advice on  getting a camera.

It is time to add one more electronic device to the ice arsenal. So do I go Marcum ( PanCam) or AquaVu (mirco)and what model of AquaVu

Does anyone have these and can give me some advantages of each. i can not make my mind up

[Fisherman 1]

I had an Aqua vu scout a couple years back, large and clumsy, took up a lot of space. Winding the cable was a pain.  If I ever get another it will be the Aqua vu Micro or a knock off  at a quarter of the price.

[3300]

think of how you will incorporate it in your fishing. will it be used in your hands looking for some thing or will it be out of yours hands and watching your bait and fish at the same time?
the aqua-vu is tiny and you have to hang on to it and it's harder to see because it's so tiny.

try to figure out the resolution of the screen and cameras while your shopping and the type of lighting it has. the higher the resolution the better the details it can draw.

i have the lx9, but haven't had time to try the camera yet. the fish keep biting w/o the camera. it was an upgrade from the lx7 last fall.

[metalbender]

Have the Aqua Vu micro 5 dvr version.  Used it from the boat last fall, and lately on the ice.  Screen is small, quite usable  though, compact size is a bonus. Easy to drill a hole, drop the camera and have a peek.  I have the Mo Pod remote for it, great addition.  Made up a dedicated camera stick to put it in the front part of the Evo2 to keep things out of harms way.  In a hard shelter the video out could be connected to a large tv  to watch the action.  The video out does not work for watching recorded files, bummer.  Automatic color and b/w depending on ambient light.  The infa-red lights give a severe snowstorm effect when turned on, haven't fished at night to really try the feature.  The dvr is awesome for later viewing with a couple buds and brews, watching the fish snub the bait.  Easy upload to a computer.  Looked at bigger camera units, couldn't get past the bulk and weight of them, of course opinions vary.  Glad I made the purchase, even at $800 CDN.  Good luck in your choice.

[Cali009]

Thanks everyone!!

my main plan is to use it to help search for structure and get on top of the fish then stick with my flasher. it might be used a few 5-10 feet away from my hole to watch what is going on and not get in the way of fish. kind of why i was thinking the Marcum PanCam.

but i see most of you like the micro camera. i saw in a few photos and videos some guys have it mounted the micro above their flashers. would not mind doing that with the micro. is the DVR really worth it. as you can see our CDN$ is not so great.

[metalbender]

The camera 10 ft away might be a stretch unless the water is extremely clear. Don't really have a way to judge distance down the hole. Had mine a couple of ft away in 37 fow and it was great.  The dvr feature is good for later viewing, real time goes by fast, if you blink or otherwise occupied, you miss stuff. There is an auto detect  feature in the menu, but it must need a certain size target to function. A small perch didn't trigger it, nor the jig movement. Maybe some one else has some info on that. After using the old Fish TV I have, the micro is sweet. Worth the extra bucks?,  doesn't matter, pee'd money away on other stuff without any return. Bought mine last Sept, had to get it direct as none to be found, being it's more of an ice fishing gadget. Keep doing research, hope you find the answer to your quest.

[huntsfurfish]

I have 7 cameras.
: Marcum LX9, 825, 820 and PanCam.  Have Vexilar FishPhone.  And have Aqua vu Scout and a Mini.

I like the scout but do not like the Mini(bought it for hole hopping) would rather pack a full size because the screen is so small and fish are tiny on screen.  That said many like it.

I do like/prefer my Marcums, LX9 and 825 are awesome(but Pricey).  Pancam and Fishphone you supply your own screen.

Depends on the what you want.

[Fisherman 1]

If you're looking for one with a 7" screen, you could always try this. http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Eyoyo-30M-7-Monitor-Infrared-Fish-Finder-Underwater-Recorder-DVR-Camera-Battery-/141859774826?hash=item210780616a:g:VN8AAOSwk1JWePpk

[Elrik]

I just got the micro ii and am pleased with it. I bought a mini gorilla tripod and have it set up in my ice pack just to the sid of my flasher. I also made a compass for the camera with a 5 gallon bucket lid and some ikea stick on cable management clips. No holes needed as i drop the camera down the pour spout built into the lid.

I haven't done it yet, but i have an idea of a setup to make it easier to turn the camera when hole hopping. Will involve a small dowel and some heavy test mono attached to the back of the fin. If i am happy with it, i will post details.

[Cali009]

So i ended p finding a Vexilar FS-800 Scout on Kijiji.$225. super stoked to start using it to find structure and learn what my jigs are doing.   

Might even order the double vision case over the summer.

Thanks for everyone's help.