Which camera to buy

[Flatiron]

I have been wanting a underwater camera for along time. I just can't decide which one I already have a vexilar FL-18. I live in NW P.A. rarely fish in over 30fow love to chase panfish and like to fish late day and into the nighttime would a Scout 2 serve me well?  Thanks

[PolarEscape]

I have a much cheaper version underwater camera and it works great for the depths you described. It is the camera from Harborfrieght.com I paid less than $100.00 and I have only one complaint the battery that comes with it is like a 4.5 amp hour so it runs out after a few hours so I bout a vexilar battery 8 amp hour and it last at least 8 hours and then I bring the other one as a back up. But the camera is a great tool when fish are finiky, also its nice when you can see the exact specie of fish that is down there, not to mention stuctures and weeds, I would like to have a more expensive marcom 560 that thing is the cadalac of cameras but if you are just looking for a basic model to get the job done at a great price check out HarborFrieght.com. Good Luck let me know what you decide.

[icefishermanmark]

Cabelas markets an underwater camera with it's name on it but it's really the Marcum 350.  I have this unit and it's incredible.  My uncle and I were using it on Saturday and we could actually see his line tag with the camera.  They're alot of fun, and really useful.  I just wish I would have waited a few months to buy mine because now that camera comes with a line spool.  I would go for the Cabelas version.  It's only $180.

[Slammerman]

 just bought the Aqua Cam at Menard's in Lansing, Michigan for under $100 and so far am very happy with it for what I wanted it for. It looks to be made by the same company as the camera available from Harborfreight.com but mine is black instead of yellow and has the cable spool underneath the monitor and comes in a nylon carrying bag. The Aqua Cam is from Green Timber Outdoors.

Aqua Cam - http://www.greentimberoutdoors.com/underwatercam.html



Harborfreight's camera - http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91309



When AquaVu's hit the market, they were NOT the only underwater camera available, just the most popular as they still are today. Nature Vision must have one heck of an advertising department with a very extensive budget.

[TrekJeff]

Have you had it on the ice yet?  I'm considering getting one.  Does the cable have depth incriments or anything like that or do you have to guesstamate it?

[Chucker]

When AquaVu's hit the market, they were NOT the only underwater camera available, just the most popular as they still are today. Nature Vision must have one heck of an advertising department with a very extensive budget.

They're hooked up with the In-Fisherman staff.  'nuff said.

[artycat]

I've got one that is about the same as the harbor freight ones, a guy buys them bulk from china then sells them. This one has the infared leds, I was wondering what you all think about the infared vs. the white leds, is there much difference? It seems to me that the infared picks up too much of the small particles and crap in the water and it's hard to see very far. Let me know how your experience is with either of them!!

[leedeerslayer]

I'M ALSO THINKING ABOUT GETTING AQUAVIEW CAMERA . AND THE RESULT'S FROM MY RESEARCH IS THIS, THE SCOUT 2  IS THE BEST ALL AROUND BUY BECAUSE  THE PRICE IS LOWER THAN THE OTHERS AND IT WILL WORK FAIRLY WELL AT 30' IN THE DARK..... AND IF YOU ARE LIKE ME ,I LOVE CATCHIN CRAPPIE'S AT NIGHT WHEN THE BITE IS USUALLY ON.. THE OTHER AQUAVIEW'S HAVE THE INFRARED LIGHT'S AND THEY DON'T WORK IN LOW LIGHT CONDITION'S ... SO WHY SPEND HARD EARNED MONEY ON SOMETHING YOU CAN ONLY USE HALF OF THE TIME...THE LED LIGHT'S DON'T SEEM TO BOTHER THE FISH ONCE THEY ARE USED TO IT, $229.00 IS'NT ALL THAT EXPENSIVE ...GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE I COULD HELP...


                                                                             LEE
                                                                 THE DEERSLAYER

[Slammerman]

I used it this evening and it worked fine until it got VERY dark and then my distance was quite limited. I bought it mainly to find structure and make sure I wasn't fishing in a bad spot more than watching the fish. The cable isn't marked for depth but I guess you could mark it with tape or some paint. I carry a StrikeMaster PolarVision depth finder.

[artycat]

Slammer...does yours have the IR lights or white lights?

[Slammerman]

Slammer...does yours have the IR lights or white lights?

Mine has the IR lights. Used it quite a bit looking around under the ice today. Unfortunately I didn't see too many fish, but I found out where the weed beds I was looking for are.

[bigbucky1]

Slammer I have the same camera, got from bro for christmas.  Used it over the weekend on Millie lacs and I can say that between his scout and my aqua cam he told me mine has a better picture and the two of us caught more fish than the rest of the group that went up there.  I bought the extra vex battery too but I got about 8 hours out of that 4.5 amp hour battery so I don't know how long the 9 amp hour battery will last.