Underwater cameras

[REEL_MAN]

I looking to buy an underwater camera. don't have any idea as to what to look for in a system .  Need your help, I know there are Aqua view, Atlantis and Marcum but what are the features, advantages and disadvantages of each.

REEL_MAN

[McCarter]

I have an Aqua Vu.  I like it.  I cant remember the model but its the one that tells the water temp.  They have a model that will show you what direction the camera is pointing as well.  i dont know if that is something you would be interested in.

They are nice to have, but i find that i dont get much use out of it.  As soon as i drop it down and find any structure, or fish i put it away and start fishing for the rest of the day.  But thats me.  I have been meaning to take it out on Kent lake and not bring any rods with me.  Just the camera and a notebook.

The Aqua Vu is the only one i have experience with.  I know the other companies make a good product as well.  I have heard good things about the Atlantis.  I know Gobie Wayne Kinobi really likes the Sea veiwer. 

I have had my Aqua Vu for probably about 4 years or better now.  Like i said, i dont use it a ton, but i have banged it around a little and never had a problem.  I did have to replace the battery a few years back, but that was my own fault.  I plugged it in and forgot about it for a few weeks, actually a few monthes.  Ok, it was all winter long.  I dried her out.  But replacement batteries are cheap, and you can get them at BPS or Cabelas now.  I think it was $20.00. 

The picture is good.  They use a very heavy cable to it stands up to dragging.  All the components seem to be good quality as i have never had any cracks or breaks.  The screen is waterproof as far as i can tell.  I had it out a few times when it was raining pretty good and never had a problem. 

They offer a lot of accesories for it as well.  I use a pole sometimes so i can turn the camera or stick it under stuff.  Comes in handy.  I bought an extendable pole at meijers for $25.  I think Aqua Vu offers one for $50.  You really need a pole if you want to be able to control the camera angle and position.  Otherwise, it is controled by the current or by which way the boat is drifting.  It is almost impossible to turn and hold the camera angle by twisting the cable. 

Thats all i gotta say about that!

PB himself

[smbassman]

I've got the Aqua view as well.  They only issue I have is the screen.  You have to have the tube over the screen and block off all light with your hands to see anything.  If you can imagine drifting along on St. Clair, Erie etc with your face jammed into the aqua view while your bobbing over 1-2'ers.  Make sure you bring the dramamine!!! 

It has been very helpful in open water type of environments, but natural, weedy  largemouth lakes hasn't helped much.

[cameraguy]

I just bought a Seaviewer color camera, but I haven't used it yet.  My boat has been in the shop.  I'm going to pick it up tomorrow.  From everything I've seen and heard it's a really nice camera with an extremely heavy duty cable and housing.

[djkimmel]

Seaviewer is a professional underwater camera company that has been in the business for most of my adult life I can remember (20 years plus). The other companies are okay, but they are small compact units designed as what is the idea of a small compact freshwater camera unit. They are getting smarter because early failure rates were pretty high - water in the camera, ruptured/shorted cables, etc.

My 'other' brand I bought before I found out Seaviewer was redesigning their high speed cameras for more freshwater fishing use, bringing their price more in line with the new kids on the block, lasted 2 1/2 years before just quitting. It acted like the camera was shorting or something, and then just quit working.

Meanwhile, Seaviewer has been proven and used for much longer by all the major arms of the Government and most major research agencies, companies, universities.

1,000 pound test kevlar cable - you can yank on it - it won't rupture or break. Lengths for any depth you would want to fish for any fish. Large, heavy camera over two times the size of the others, with a huge fin - makes a big difference in vibration and wobble. I was getting motion sickness just from the vibrations of my old camera lens - the cameras are just too light and the fins way too small.

My next one will definitely be a Seaviewer because I can't afford to be down and/or have to buy a new one again in a couple years because it 'wore' out.

The case is bigger. The cost is slightly higher, but it is built like a tank - a quality tank - the housing is very tough. They have various packages and accessories too meet many needs now. They have a separate GPS unit you can hook up and record with the waypoints on the screen - it cost a fair amount, but if you want an accurate locational record recorded, best way I have seen by far. They have great color units because their bread and butter has been color units in clear saltwater for many, many years.

Maybe you'll luck out with those other brands and get one that lasts for a while and meets your needs, but you can just skip all that and be sure by buying Seaviewer up front for the long haul. If you want to talk candidly with Wayne Carpenter and his heavy-use experience with various brands verses the Seaviewers he now sells because they are the only ones that have held up for him over the years. Call Wayne at 248-280-2507 or 877-485-2223 if you want some more input from a guy who uses underwater cameras heavily.

Check out http://www.seaviewer.com too. That way you can make a good comparison and decide in the end on which one seems to best meey your needs.

[MBell]

You can get a good cheap underwater camera from harbor freight for $99.  I bought mine at bps for $250 (I think it's an atlantis), a freind bought the $99 one and it is exactly the same just without the name brand.
-Matt

[djkimmel]

If your budget requires the cheaper ones, just be careful not to put too much pressure on the cable - getting it snagged on something or bouncing off hard objects too often while moving fast.

I've been told that some of the companies have improved their cables and that may be true - I haven't tried a real new one from the other companies in the past year. Previously, cables weren't holding up well followed closely by damaged lens.

I recommend the Seaviewer because the cable has the 1,000 pull Kevlar strength and the lens is oversized, heavy and built like a tank. If you are going to buy one of the brand fishing cameras, the Seaviewer is in the same price range as some and only a little more than others, but I believe will last much longer through heavier use.

It always depends on your budget, your expected use level and how long you hope to hang on to the same unit. I like to provide information I hope helps with those decisions and I appreciate everyone else here that does the same. Thanks!

[bcbasser]

I had the oppurtunity to see and use Wayne's camera and all I can say is AWESOME!!!! You will not be disappointed with the seaview!!

[Bass_Cat]

I have an Atlantis (about $200 at BPS) and my buddie has an Aqua View and we compared them side by side a few years ago. We both concluded that the Atlantis had a better pic and if I remember right it had a larger field of vision. I haven't used it much this year but I used to have a camcorder I could hook it up to and record.

Mark