strik Posted January 9, 2015 Report Posted January 9, 2015 Looking for any help. What to get what not to get A friend is looking to purchase a under water ice fishing camera. I do not know much about them I was wondering if anyone has any info on what are the better units to get or the ones to stay away from.. He is looking to stay under 300. Looking for the best all round camera Figure you guys would be the ones to ask Thanks a lot for all your help
Christopheraaron Posted January 9, 2015 Report Posted January 9, 2015 Something with black and white if he truly wants an "all around" unit.
adempsey Posted January 9, 2015 Report Posted January 9, 2015 I think they have limited application. If the water has poor visibility, you are obviously limited on what you can see. Marcum probably has the best reputation. I think the Aqua Vu Micro is pretty neat, but no clue how good it is. I really thought about getting one and decided it's not worth it for where I fish. If you fish primarily clear water, it might be more useful.\ I suggest scouring Youtube for some real videos and not those promoted by the manufacturers.
ctranter Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 I had an aqua vu 760cz which I really liked. It's tons of fun to play with... But as others have mentioned it has limitations. In addition to visibility, keep in mind that it may spook fish (especially the LED lights) depending on the species.. I've never noticed a perch or pike take notice of it, but I think it spooks walleyes and maybe other species too. Maybe it's just my superstition though. I'm curious what other people think about whether or not it spooks some species of fish. Either way I sold my Aqua vu camera this year when I unwrapped a marcum lx9 (flasher + camera) this year :)
Nipfisher Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 IMO Marcum is a million times better than Aqua-Vu. I have the Aqua-Vu Scout and I have used the Aqua-Vu Quad. I didn't like either. Then I saw someone using the Marcum and even though it had a smaller screen it was a lot clearer and a better picture.
Sharkbait22 Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 Check out the Pancam by Marcum. I've only used a Scout (10 yrs ago) and it work great on Simcoe for perch in 12 fow. I'd like to see some side by side comparisons while in use. Great for learning how fish react but not using it all the time. Kids and teens love them.
ch312 Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 I had an aqua vu 760cz which I really liked. It's tons of fun to play with... But as others have mentioned it has limitations. In addition to visibility, keep in mind that it may spook fish (especially the LED lights) depending on the species.. I've never noticed a perch or pike take notice of it, but I think it spooks walleyes and maybe other species too. Maybe it's just my superstition though. I'm curious what other people think about whether or not it spooks some species of fish. Either way I sold my Aqua vu camera this year when I unwrapped a marcum lx9 (flasher + camera) this year :) I used an old Aqua Vu ZT for a few seasons and the majority of the time the perch looking camera would attract fish of all species. I believe it was attacked more than 5 times by hungry pike and had the tooth marks to prove it. A couple of times the camera was pulled right to the hole and if I were fishing through a larger hole my camera would have been at the bottom of a lake. Perch would also be attracted numerous times with a little jigging of the perch camera. On Simcoe it was easy to see bottom and fish in 25 fow with the camera pointed down (downview) and resting only a few feet below the ice. In murky water I would simply drop the camera down to the same level of the lure (sideview) and easily see the bait and fish. The IR lights on the camera were completely useless as the light reflected off every little organism and debris in the water making it nearly impossible to see anything. They're a pain in 20+ fow when used with the camera viewing to the side as any fish swimming in circles below the hole will wrap around the cable. However, they're a game changer when the fish are being finicky and biting very light and are the best tool available for learning how fish react to different baits and actions. You wouldn't believe how many 12"+ perch can hit a bait without the angler even knowing it, even when using a spring bobber and extremely light lines. They can suck it in and spit it back out without a spring bobber signalling a hit. On many occasions the camera turned slow and fish less days into exciting and limit filled days... I sold it and bought a flasher, but plan on buying another underwater camera this season. It was frustrating sometimes, but using the camera is definitely worth the odd headache.
Terry Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 this is what my underwater camera saw in 87ft of water on simcoe
adempsey Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 Nice videos Terry. Does your B&W camera have a light on it? Your underwater videos with the color camera are good too.
Terry Posted January 10, 2015 Report Posted January 10, 2015 the camera is colour but when you start to lose light you lose the colour most times my cameras do have lights but I never use them in most lakes you have zooplankton and the light reflexes off it and you can't see a think
Algoma Guy Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 Are you still able to buy b&w underwater cameras?
wormdunker Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 That's awesome Terry! Thanx. I smell another TOY coming to my house! I have some Bass Pro gift cards from Christmas.
Court R Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) Terry, What Brand and model camera? Edited January 13, 2015 by Court R
ch312 Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 My old Aqua Vu ZT was similar to Terry's. On Simcoe it was easy to see everything with all 100ft of the cable out. Frustrating watching all those Whities swim by...
Terry Posted January 13, 2015 Report Posted January 13, 2015 http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Underwater-Fishing-Video-Camera-165ft-With-0-360-CCD-Waterproof-Fishing-Camera-/251648720485?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a976ebe65 Underwater-Fishing-Video-Camera-165ft-With-0-360-CCD-Waterproof-Fishing-Camera
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