underwater cameras

[kbfan]

Im in the market for a camera and was hoping to get some advice from some of you on which one is better than another and why? Anyone have a favorite? $300-$600 range. Please hurry with your responses before the boss changes her mind! Ha
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[a_bow_nut]

Picked up one of the for $250 after watching for awhile.

[url "http://www.ebay.com/itm/30M-100ft-Underwater-Video-Camera-System-Fishing-Exploring-Inspection-/350590006041?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a0caf319"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/30M-100ft-Underwater-Video-Camera-System-Fishing-Exploring-Inspection-/350590006041?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item51a0caf319[/url]

Haven't played with it underwater yet but it worked great when I hooked it all up. Just waiting for some better ice to try it on that's close to home.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

I got the lowest end Cabelas Aqua View - under $100 - I'd say look at the DVR model K2 crew got.

Things I love about the camera:
You can see what's actually going on down there, not just blips, bleeps, but you can know for certain - that's a trout, that's a perch, thats a grill/crappie. See how they respond. Things that don't show up with even the finest spring bobber. They came - they sniffed - they moved on.

Can see how YOUR jigging action translates into motion See the cadence of your movements, and what happpens when. Plus - how the fish actually respond.

Does a quick jigging fire them up or scare them off? Maybe a little slower to undulate that worm. . . . times I've got a hookset because I saw them suck it up with NO motion on the spring bobber,. They can suck/spit before you even know they're there.
Fun to watch them flare at a jig - gills out, at the ready!

Mine is worthless in sunshine, or bright light. Great in the tent. I got a camera compass to dial in with. Would love to have it up off the ice to work with. But way handy for lining up - jig with camera.

[a_bow_nut]

[quote CoyoteSpinner]Mine is worthless in sunshine, or bright light. Great in the tent. I got a camera compass to dial in with. Would love to have it up off the ice to work with. But way handy for lining up - jig with camera.[/quote]

I had the same problem with my old Aqua-Vu. That is why I moved over to a LCD screen. The sun is still a pain but it doesn't completely wash the screen out.
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[kbfan]

Ha ya i always wonder if jiggin is scaring them off or attracting em . But then some times ill jerk it once set it back down and WHAMO! That's one of the reasons i want one. Knowing the structure would be sweet to.
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[hookngrinin]

I researched them for the last few weeks and finally decided to try out the New Aqua-vu Micro with DVR. I can't wait to try it out on Starvation and other clear waters.
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[kbfan]

Is the dvr the reason you went that route or are there others with that feature?
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[k2muskie]

You'll like the camera and its very compact size...about the size of a cell phone...We are very pleased with ours its using it and we're getting better...I'll post up a couple pics of how we setup ours...it will be a notional pictures of setup but you'll get the idea. Haven't taken pictures of it in action on the ice yet...
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[wshiwsfshn]

I have the Cabelas version, I will sell you for An even hundy. The only reason it has been out of the package was to make sure it worked. It has a video out port also. Cabelas' is on sale for $109.

Jason
801-647-8477
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[hookngrinin]

The main reason I went with the AV micro was the size and portability. I do like the idea of having the DVR built in. I will mainly use with my fish finder and I didn't want more bulky equipement to pack around. Others have video out capabilities but I didn't find any with built in DVR. There are also external mini DVRs that can be used with other camera set-ups. I thought of going that direction but that would just be more equipement. I'll give the Aqua-vu micro a try and report how it performs for me.

Thanks k2muskie, I'd like to see what your setup is.
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[dtayboyz]

Wait for the feel of bite, I was pulling the bait out of their mouth every time watching. It's more fun than a Wii. I have a 100 dollar aqua view and it works great. but sun is a problem. I guess you get what you pay for.
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[jiggaWHAT]

If you are interested I can get you an aqua-vu 740c for about $370 after tax/ship. They retail for $449. PM me for details. New with warranty, not refurbs. Part of a sponsorship deal.

jigga
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[jiggaWHAT]

If there are more people that want them I can probably get the shipping costs down a little bit.

Here is a link to the model.

[url "http://www.aquavu.com/AV-740c.html?search=New+for+2012+viewing"]http://www.aquavu.com/AV-740c.html?search=New+for+2012+viewing[/url]
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[k2muskie]

Here ya go the notional setup...

Board was a scrap I had lying around...dimensions are for an 8" hole...16" long 8.50" wide and the cable cut is 1/8" and 4.25" half of the width. If I had the proper wood tools I'd make the board circular to cover the hole.

Get yourself a mini tripod they are very cheap...

Weight on camera holder is 1/2 oz...Make sure to pinch the plastic where weight goes else once on bottom you may loose the weight...we lost one this past weekend...duh...but thats how you learn.

I use a clothes pin to turn the cable and orient camera to eliminate spinning...trust me the cable is TINY a larger clamp could potentially damage the cable as its like 1/32".

Finally drop down a white rope I use a buoy marker in the hole you have the rod...in other hole with camera turn camera with clothes pin or whatever you use to find rope. Pull up rope and drop down your offerings...

Good luck and I like the DVR capability very easy to use press the button and your recording...press button again and its off. I also like that the whole camera is small as a cell phone we can't deal with anymore weight in our sleds.

[inline Setup-1.jpg]


[inline Setup-2.jpg]


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[inline Setup-4.jpg]

Hope this helps you out...again whatever works for you...this is working for us right now...again if I had the necessary tools I'd make circular and large enough to have the tripod on it...enjoy your new ice fishing tool...it is fun...good luck...[][]
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[kbfan]

I do like the compact size. How big is that screen
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[k2muskie]

Bout the size a titch larger than an iPhone screen. We are older with glasses and can see screen fine. I'm thinking bout getting a larger tripod but the mini tripod I have now works. We use it in the tent haven't used it outside in sunlight but has the cover that acts as a shade.

I researched cameras and found this one the best based on reviews of the older one no DVR and that was one recommendation users said to Aqua-Vu...give it recording capability and Aqua-Vu did. I also contacted Aqua-Vu via email with questions...very quick replies with info on camera and menu options.
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[hookngrinin]

Thanks so much.[cool] That helps out a lot. Helps me move up the learning curve and gives me many great ideas for getting set up. I will definitely be getting a mini tripod.

Thanks again.
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[kbfan]

Okay thanks. It looked bigger than that in the picture.
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[RonPaulFan]

MarCum LX-9
High resolution. Excellent brightness in late evening water without even turning on the light. Screen not washed out by direct sunlight. I really like seeing the depth of the camera on the screen along with the direction it is pointing and the water temperature. In my test in Sandy Pond, I examined plant life at the bottom, turned on the digital video recorder, watched a bluegill watching my lure action, bounced it on it's nose, determined it would prefer another lure (always wondered when to change lures) and watched the sonar right on the same screen as a heads up display to know what all those color shapes mean in relation to seeing actual structure and fish without having to have experience translating abstract art into fish and structure. The sonar zoom feature let's me see on the sonar exactly the part of the water column the camera is viewing.
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[CoyoteSpinner]

I've heard of LCDs having issues in extreme cold. Haven't run into any with my finder, I gather the heat generated from being powered on can help, and mine is bagged and stored before arrival at ice-destination.

I like the idea of small, light weight. How is the screen in daylight? I've had a hard time with laptop screens outside.
Wonder if I might send the feed from my aquaview to another screen. But more crap to carry. . . good thing I've got pack-mules, sometimes!

I got one of these to "dial" in. Have run into issues with fish wrapping around the cable. Keeps things interesting. This compass runs about $15, but for camera control - has been well worth it. Probably easy enough to jimmy-rig something, but also keeps the hole covered so nothing falls in.

[inline marcum-compass.jpg]As for fitting a round peg - you can probably find discs of plywood at the hardware store - table tops and such.
Gimme the dimensions you're after, I'd be glad to cut you one.
Did you treat that wood? Bit of waterproofing or paint might be well worth it on a snowy/wet day.

I need to jerry-rig a "handle" for dialing without bending and stooping to do it.