Fish TV?

[fishkaholic]

Does anyone know if its worth buying the fish tv or should pay more and get the AquaVu?

[bucketmouth64]

I was gong to ask the samething. Friend has a guide series tv and he said it is a Marcum product. I happen to be at sportsmans warehouse and saw the fish tv's and was wondering if they are worth the money.

[Kylersk]

I havnt used one, but from what I gather, you need to use 10 C cell batteries (that are not supplied). To me, I'd rather get a unit that comes with a 12 volt rechargable battery. That's the biggest down fall I can find with this camera.

[wish2getwalleye]

my buddy bought one (fish tv) at the prior lake bait shop it comes with an adaptor to 12v ( you can run it on your vex battery ) i thought i heard someone say they make it in lakeville?

[Where's Walter?]

I just bought one. You can buy the 12V rechargeable battery at Fleetfarm for $15 - $20. It's definately the way to go. Don't bother with the C cells. It works fine until it gets dark or until you get a foot of snow on foot of ice - which we now have. I would expect the more expensive cameras would be the same at low light. The IR light is worthless as far as I can tell - doen't change a thing when you turn it up. This is a cheap camera without the bells and whistles....which I now appreciate because I don't have them.

No tripod - had to make one, works ok but the cable twists when you reel it up so it is hard to keep it pointing where you want it. Constantly getting up to make slight adjustments so it points at my lure.

Changed the alligator clips on the battery wire because they wouldn't stay on the 12V battery - put on to slide on connectors like my Vex has.

No way to tell which way it is pointing - the more expensive cameras come with a compass and an electric motor to turn the camera - and a remote control!

All in all - you get what you pay for. It's a cheap camera that works ok. So far, when fishing in broad daylight - we've had a blast with it!

It's worth $100!

[wish2getwalleye]

funny you say that we used it during the day does any of them work at night? ( i never used any cameras before that day)

[Kylersk]

The 'led lights' are useless, at least on the camera I have. Dark or Dirty water (low for example) and the camera is useless.. But during the day that can be alot of fun to watch and learn from.

[Where's Walter?]

"watch and learn"

It's really just a tool. It's good for looking at structure, bottom composition, etc.

I went to a spot I had GPS'd in the summer as "structure" on my graph and dropped down the camera. Lo and behold a submerged tree limb with sunfish, bass, crappie, etc. hanging out in an area that would typically be void of fish!

However, when it came time catch those fish (at least the crappies), the Vexilar was the "best" tool!

If you have kids, the camera is a lot of fun.

[tj417]

I have an Aqua Vu Scout XL and as long as you want to use it mostly in daylight, I would not buy anything else.

Also...You HAVE to get this accessory no matter what camera you have. It works GREAT:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templa...s&noImage=0

[phishhead]

I have a marcum lx3 and a aquaview. If you don't have a flasher get that first. I do like my aquaview but the led lights are not worth the extra money. Every time I have tried to use them they draw in plankton or somehthing and they cloud up the picture so bad you can't see anything anyway. I used to hate wrestling with the camera trying to get it pointed at my bait and getting at the right depth so I just clipped the camera up so it points down. Now I just have to drop it in somewhere above my bait and can see everything without messing around with it forever. I drill a seperate hole right next to the one I am fishing out of to cut down on my line getting wrapped around my camera cord when fighting fish. One thing the camera is very good for though is keeping my wife interested enough to stay out fishing with me longer! Good Luck!

[gogophers]

I got a Fish TV for x-mas, spent last night at Fleet Farm getting a battery $20, and am still searching for a case to hold all of it. My dad got himself the Marcum 250 after rebate I think it was 139 with battery and case. I am debating returning the fish tv and the battery and just getting the 250 that comes with everything all in one case.

[Where's Walter?]

phishhead:

AWESOME idea! I may try this next time I'm out (hopefully in ~4hours). Do you drill the extra hole as close as possible to your fishing hole?