Which aquaview camera is best ?

[lakevet]

Hey guys,

Looking at aqua view cameras. I fish mostly natural lakes in northern minnesota, esp around Grand Rapids. Open water, ice fish, a few bass tournaments. Alot of lakes with 10-14 ft secchi readings. Looks like alot of fun. What can you tell me about screen size , color vs black/white, cable storage systems, best to use in boat, best on ice, daytime vs night, durability (have 3 boys 3 to 8 yrs of age who are serious fishheads already), use when trolling or drifting (how fast), knowing how deep the camera is? Do you mount the camera on your boat/portable fishouse and if so how do you do it? Should I get more than one camera depending on what type of fishing ( and to cut down on the kids fighting over one)? Alot of questions, but I am interested in getting educated by you experts. Thanks! Lakevet & sons

[minneman]

Ive got the ZT, it suits my needs. I use it for open water more so than threw the ice. ice time i use it to locate weed edges, rocks etc. not much fish watching.

open water, if id have done anything different id have gotten the longer cable (100') the 50' that i have is often too short to keep close enough to the bottom when in 25-35' when drifting in a stiffer wind.

a sun sheild is a must when using outside.

using them after dark is a waste of time.

good luck

[Deitz Dittrich]

LakeVet- The best Aqua-Vu is the one that suits what you want it to do. Each has a little something different to offer.

The black box ones(ZT, SV, DT) are very nice because they are the most water resistant. The ZT will tell you water temp, the SV will tell you water temp, and direction. The DT will tell you water temp, direction and depth of camera.

The Scout series are very nice as well, They have a larger screen. The Scout XL an even larger screen and probably the best cable storage system of the cheeper units.(I own a scout XL and love it) Then there is the Scout SRT which is a scout XL with the SRT lights(better night viewing)

Then you have the Spool series. One color one black and white. These are the top of the line for Aqua Vu in my opinion. The screen sets them apart. You can view these in bright daylight without a problem. And have the best cable set up of them all...

Its all in what is important for you!

As said, I have the Scout XL, and it suits me great.

[Gus]

Dietz,

Does the ScoutXL have on screen camera direction indicator? What level of camera do you have to go to for this option?

Thanks

[Smallmouth]

For direction, you have to get the sv-100 or dt-100, they run from $450 - $550 respectively.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Gus, Smallmouth is correct on this one.. To get direction at the camera you need to buy either the DT or the SV.. the SV is the cheeper of the two. However, the screen is smaller than that of the Scout. Yet, its more water resistant than the scout which is nice.

[Matt Johnson]

The Scout XL is one of the best Aqua-Vu cameras for your money in my opinion. The 7-inch screen is very nice. I've used several of the Aqua-Vu models in the past (ZT, DT, Scout...) and my personal favorite would have to be the new Scout XL.

However, I suppose it all depends on what you want out of your underwater camera. Some of the on-screen displays are nice to have, I'm not going to argue that, but for the main purpose of the camera (to see whats down there) then I like the Scout XL when price plays a role and when I'm looking at the various Aqua-Vu models.

A lot of choices out there for underwater cameras nowadays...

[andy j]

Matt is right the Scout XL ($270)is a good camara for the money. But in my opinion the Marcum VS350 is a better deal. It is $70 cheaper ($200), they both have same features, bigger 7" screen with is really nice. It is hard to beat the VS350 for that price. AquaVu's original scout sells for $200 but only has the 5" screen and has a smaller battery that doesn't last as long. Just my 2 cents.

[Matt Johnson]

The OVS350 is indeed a nice camera, and will perform exceptionally well for a $200 camera. I'm not throwing the OVS350 out the window, just relaying my thoughts about Aqua-Vu.

For me, the MarCum OVS560 covers all the bases, but it's not in a lot of people's price range, so the need for other options is very important. The Aqua-Vu Scout XL and the MarCum OVS350 are your two other best options for a person on a budget. I've used both, and both do a great job of what an underwater camera is intended to do...

[lakevet]

Thanks for all the input! Do the scout xl or marcum ovs350 give depth/temp? What problems/ breakages has anyone had? how do you have your camera rigged in your boat? Attached or loose? Also what exactly is meant by water resistant with these units?

Thanks,

Lakevet & sons

[bigb56303]

well i am new to the aqua view experienc, but i just bought the scout model and i really like it, its not a 7 inch monitor, but its a 5inch, and it seems to get the job done, the hole idea is to see what kinda structure your fishing and to see if the fish are down there, granted everyone had ther on uses and need as far a what thery are using it for, but for me this serves its purpose, i paid 199 for it and its worht it it brings in a hole new aspect of the under water world, personnaly i would invest in a vex or similar first which i did, but a camera really makes things interesting, if your new to the camera and if you were thinkin about multiple ones, you may want to start simple to make sure you rally want one before you dump alot of money in to them, they dont gauruntee fish but they will show ya if there there just my 2 cent

[Deitz Dittrich]

lakevet-No, Neither the Xl or the 350 have depth or temp. I have never had a problem with my XL.. I dont own a 350 so I dont know about them.

I leave it loose and hold it in my lap in my boat.

Water resistant- these are t.v. monitors!!! the case they sit in do their best to keep water out. Some light rain a splash from a wave, ect is o.k.,., but do not use it in heavy rain or drop it in the water...that would be bad!

[andy j]

BigB, I agree a flaser should be the first item purchased. I have both a flaser and camara. But I wouldn't fish without my flaser, but If I forgot my camara I could get by.

[Whoaru99]

If you just want to experiment a bit, there is an underwater camera setup in Harbor Freight Tools for $99.99. It looks remarkably like the Atlantis SportCam II sans the stand. This one comes with in a tote bag similar to Cabela's underwater camera.

Also, it's a 5" b/w monitor and includes battery, charger, 60-ft cable, etc.

I figure for $99.99, I'll give it a whirl and just ordered one.