DIY underwater camera?

[jopes]

With seeing this thread where the OP took the camera from a DOA aquavu and put it on a cheap screen I was wondering if anyone has come up with a camera source with cable on it to make thier own underwater camera?

http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=281366.0

[ice dawg]

Years ago Lunkercam sold a kit for building an underwater camera. I built one and it worked well. I think they are out of business now.

[pipeboy98]

You mean something like this??

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/HD-SONY-CCD-600-TVL-7-TFT-Color-LCD-Underwater-Camera-With-15M-Cable-Fishing-Camera/935176127.html

[CamoHunter]

I think most guys that are doing it at this time are using this camera: ($85)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/UNDERWATER-video-color-camera-with-white-light-LEDs-for-security-CCTV-use-24L/390761679370?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222006%26algo%3DSIC.FITP%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140107083349%26meid%3D4576173105132768821%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D20140107083349%26rk%3D0%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D370973777268

and using this monitor: ($30)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007SLDF7O/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=JFZUK61A9QS9&coliid=I1SIUJCXL4UMEG

and whatever case and 12volt battery you want.

[ice dawg]

Yhey sell a color camera on ebay that can be hooked to a TV or monitor and a battery. Looks like it could work well for you.

[jopes]

You mean something like this??

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/HD-SONY-CCD-600-TVL-7-TFT-Color-LCD-Underwater-Camera-With-15M-Cable-Fishing-Camera/935176127.html

That only gives 45 ft or so of cable.  I'd like to see down 100ft or so in the summer just to look around on days it is slow.

[CamoHunter]

That only gives 45 ft or so of cable.  I'd like to see down 100ft or so in the summer just to look around on days it is slow.

Then use this one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ice-Fishing-100ft-color-camera-with-white-light-LED-62E-/390760730721?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5afb279061

Doubt you'll get much sun penetration down that far though.

[aulrich]

And here I thought I was being clever, doh!.I have the monitor and a 50m camera on it's way. I was going to ask if anyone has hacked the pin-outs on the Aqua-vu multi-vu box

http://www.aquavu.com/Products/Aqua-Vu-New-Underwater-Cameras/Aqua-Vu-Multi-Vu-Box

It has adapter cables for the major cameras, but this one is different. but I figured I could add my own ends to one of the adapter cables so I could use the controller box.  At least to handle main power and the dimmer to the LEDs.

[Purple Floyd]

I just bought an underwater camera myself and afterwards (naturally) I started to look for ways to improve it.

The one huge benefit to the camera that I bought (Cfish R1) is that it has a panning camera enclosed in a waterproof housing that allows you to rotate the camera 360 degrees with a hand held remote. You can either have it continuously rotate clockwise or counterclockwise plus you can manually pan it in either direction and you can pause it if you want to look at something specific.

What I found was we can drop the camera down to the top of the weeds or a little off the bottom and just let it rotate continuously so we have a 360 degree view of whatever is coming in from every direction. Then, once you find fish coming in, you grab the remote and dial in the direction the fish are at and jig it in without having to move the camera. On Saturday evening we had a nice walleye come in, probably about a 24"er. It came in from the bottom and the camera picked it up before the flasher knew it was there. My son went to pick up the remote but grabbed the camera cord by mistake and the movement of the camera scared the fish and it took off like a rocket.

So the panners are more expensive but I believe the benefits are worth every penny.

There are several out there, this is an example of what I am talking about.

http://www.navroute.com/nanaezpaunca.html

Another thing I saw was some of them have IR lights rather than the white LED's and that may be beneficial at night or to not scare the fish. I have been running with no lights because I have seen them scare the panfish away.

[pipeboy98]

I had the 360 deg panning one I bought on eBay.  It worked well until the acrylic cracked.  I went back to the manufacture (in china) and to my surprise was able to buy parts.  I installed it and used it that weekend and found I had a leak.  Took it all apart...cleaned it up and this time tightened the piss out of it.  Still leaked.  Took it it apart again...cleaned it up...used silicone gasket maker on the top joint...waited 4 days till I got it wet and it still leaked.  Last week my new marcum 825sd came in the mail and I haven't messed with it again. 

The moral of the story is...everyone likes to save money...but buying something twice in 3 years isn't saving money.  I use the camera on a 20 inch led in the hard sided shack every time I go out.  It's gotten o the point that I won't fish without one...it's just not as much fun!

[FishStoriesJR]

Hey all, the OP's link to the hacked camera was my post. I do not think it would be very difficult to go beyond what I have done and build from scratch. I have been toying with the idea of building a second cam for mine so I could run color sometimes although I don't think color is all that great.

Aulrich - I posted Aqua-vu's pin out on the other thread. The multi-vu box should be the same as the monitor (female) side so hopefully that will help you with your adapter.

[aulrich]

As luck would have it, I still had a DOA Marcum camera so  I took the camera apart to see where all of the wires went and then cut the socket off to make my own adapter.

[FishStoriesJR]

Cool, is the marcum the same pin out as the aqua vu?

[aulrich]

No, 5 pins instead of 4.

red& black to the led's

Yellow, orange and ground(not shielded) to the camera. I don't actually own a multi-meter yet, so that is the next step.

[GNBrews]

No, 5 pins instead of 4.

red& black to the led's

Yellow, orange and ground(not shielded) to the camera. I don't actually own a multi-meter yet, so that is the next step.

aulrich - I hate to dig up such an old post, but did you ever figure out the pinout for the Marcum camera?  I've got an old Marcum VS380 camera that I'd like to do a similar hack on. Thanks for any help!