Underwater camera mounting options

[WiperMac]

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I recently purchased an Aqua-Vu micro and was wondering how some you more experienced camera folks mounted them up. Last week I was up at the Berry in a nasty wind storm. Long story short the tent walls buckled from the wind and knocked my new toy that was mounted on a tripod off a five gallon bucket and down the hole. Luckily I was able to quickly recover the waterlogged screen, shut the power down and dry the unit without permanent damage. But the simple fact remains, I got lucky and don’t want to repeat my mistake. [/font]
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[font "Calibri"]My first thought was to put the camera on a Ram Mount. They work great in my boat for fish finders so maybe…... But wanted to get all the options I could before I make another mistake and waste money like I did on my tripod. My thought was to screw the base right to the lid of my five gallon transport bucket for a stable platform. What do you think? Any and all suggestions would be awesome. [/font]
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[url "http://rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049048049045050051055085/Default.aspx"][font "Calibri"]http://rammount.com/CatalogResults/PartDetails/tabid/63/partid/082065077045066045049048049045050051055085/Default.aspx[/font][/url][font "Calibri"] [/font]
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[utahgolf]

I've just always put my camera on a bucket. if the wind starts to blow, screw in some stakes and tie down the sides of your tent so they won't collapse.
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[WiperMac]

[font "Calibri"]I had the tent pinned down and the sides were tied off to the snowmobiles but it still collapsed. By the time we left we both had a 2 1/2’ snow drift at the front of our snowmobiles and the tow behind sleds were almost completely drifted over. It was nasty that day. You know the old saying, “Hope for the best yet prepare for the worst.”[/font]
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[utahgolf]

I've tied down all four at fish lake in "hurricane" winds and she doesn't budge. I'd use some of the fatter eskimo style screw in stakes and some good nylon cord and really tie that thing down in there, screw the stakes in a few feet away from the tent. Now if you just do tie down only, than a bad win can blow the corners in, so I stake down all the corners as well as 4 tie downs if it's blowing or the weather calls for it.It takes an extra few minutes but it's worth it if its a nasty hurricane outside but all is well inside.
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[WiperMac]

[font "Calibri"]Ok, back to the original question. Anybody else have ideas on mounting optics. [/font]
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[albinotrout]

I would say PVC
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[NICH]

http://www.aquavu.com/Products/AV-Micro-...mera-Mount

That one has a C clamp on the end.

YOu could also go to a camera or electronics store and find something since it's a pretty universal thread.
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[utahgolf]

I didn't mean to dismiss your tent issue and original question.....I'd also look at suction cup style mounts, lots of ones for cameras and video electronics that are pretty nice, gopro has heavy duty enough ones if something was to fall or blow over they'd stay on there, and it takes out any hardware issues and what not with screwing in or a piece breaking off in the truck or sled on the way out.... and they'd serve a multi purpose function for other electronics through out the year. car GPS etc...
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[catfish77]

I want to know how the Micro camera is working for you. I have thought about getting one.
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[Jordanporritt]

I use a gorilla pod with flexible legs for mine and then I wrap the legs around the handle on the top of my flasher so my camera is then securely mounted right above my flasher display.
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[Jordanporritt]

Here is a picture of the setup. It is actually a really good, really cheap way to mount it and it is pretty secure. I think the gorilla pod cost around $10 or less at wal mart.


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[RockyRaab]

If I remember correctly, the back of the Mini has a "tripod universal" mounting hole. You'd have to remove the wire-holding spool to get to it, but a least you'd have a stable mount for the screen.
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[catfish77]

Is the camera as good as larger ones?
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[WiperMac]

[font "Calibri"]I had one of the older black and white Aqua-Vu’s and compared to that old dinosaur this thing is a complete dream. Haven’t had it very long or been able to take it out but three of four times, but love it so far. High clarity color screen in a small light weight package. Just don’t put it down the hole like me…. [/font]
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[WiperMac]

[font "Calibri"]Ok that’s the kind of ideas I was looking for. [/font]
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[Jordanporritt]

You actually don't need to remove the spool, there is a screw hole in the center of the spool for a tripod mount.
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[RockyRaab]

Thanks. Memory failure here. But I do recall that the Mini is water resistant to 10 feet or so. So WM's momentary dip shouldn't have hurt it.
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[hookngrinin]

I have the Aqua Vu micro and I just use a regular camera tripod. It works great. It could tip if my shelter buckles with the wind but the tripod is open wide enough it won't go down the hole.
I do like the idea of having the camera next to my sonar. I think I will get a gorilla mount and give it a try.
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[WiperMac]

Not sure about that 10 feet thing. I do know that the camera was in the water no more than 2 seconds, less than 6" down and the screen looks like a half full fish aquarium.I got the white screen of death as soon as I pulled it out of the hole. luckily 5 days of sitting in a bag of uncooked rice pulled all the moisture out and it seems to be working just fine now.I'm thinking I can incorporate that original RAM mount posted in my first post but mounted directly to the battery box instead of a five gallon bucket lid. that'll keep everything in line like JP.
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[jmillsp]

I am tinkering with the same question. I think I like the Gorilla idea. I have a Vex with the Ultra Pack and have been thinking some about something made by Trek-Tech with a magnetic mount. You could place the fold out tripod into the rod holder. You would have the ability to just stick it onto the tripod with the magnet. If you wanted to do some hole hoping, just take it off and put it in your pocket.

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