camera question

[greelhappy]

Been looking at those under water cameras that are at G.M. for $100.00. Two buds have them, and I saw the units working. They both said that they are very happy with them. Both cameras were Xmas gifts, so they were finding their way thru. The water at the Lexington Harbor is very milkey, so the screen is not very clear, so it is really hard to tell how the clarity is under normal conditions. If anyone has such a unit I would like to know (1) approx distance around ice hole camera will function clearly? (2) If hung vertically, up high in the water column, will you get a cone type view of the bottom, or will the camera send a straight to the bottom picture back? Any additional info on these cameras will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Water clairity will determine the distance you can see whether horizontal or vertical.

[thunderman]

distance is directlly related to water clairity. in very clear water say a inland spring feed lake, my cheapie will reach 30yrds+ before water stain will blur it out. also yes it does shoot a cone type image no matter which direction you point. buy it you'll like it. just make sure you watch your rods more than that screen.
color screens are ok, but less you have extremely clear water and very bright sunlight. the color under the ice is rather bland. save your money.

[greelhappy]

Thanks for the reply guys. Just another thought. Wouldn't this camera do the same job if water clarity was reasonably clear, as a flasher? And lastly, anybody have any thoughts about how this camera would function when the boat season arrives? Just pickin your minds guys,thanks again.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

A slow drift in a boat is OK. Any faster and objects go flying by.

[outdoor junkie]

I got one of those fish tv from GM from the wifey for X-mas. Haven't taken it ice fishing(since I haven't been yet). But I did take it out and fool around with it on our pond. The pond is pretty clear and about 27 feet deep. It seemed to work pretty well for me when I used it horizontally I could see the fish in and around a brushpile I sunk about 25 feet away. When I hooked it up to run vertically I hung it down about 5 feet and could see the bullheads near the bottom. So for 100 bucks I can't complain. That being said I don't have much experience with a camera or have not taken it to any murky or moving water. So who knows maybe my little pond experience means nothing.:)

[MIfishinGuy]

about the water clarity affecting distance and the cone :yeahthat:

the camera is a lot of fun in open water too, trolling around with that thing down, its like your swimming around down there, its very very cool.

i agree with what thunderman said though too, it does get a little distracting playing with the camera, i have taken it out on the boat and at the end of the day i realized i had the camera cable in my hand more than the rod! :lol:

the 99 dollar units have a good price point, but they use 10 C batteries, dont have a carring case or sunscreen. i realize they have a connection for a different power supply but if you dont have something that will work by the time you buy a battery, charger, case etc you can find a unit that comes with all of that for around the same price. i would do a little research. i have heard good things about the cabelas brand ones, i have an atlantis and its pretty good, and then there is obviously aqua-view.

[greelhappy]

thanks again guys,all replies sound very good. Purchase of camera will be made very soon. Who will pay for the camera? The state of Michigan will.New Year resolution,no more lottery or scratch offs (rip offs is what I call them). Took awhile, but finally reallized how much money I was throwing in the waste basket.

[CASTMASTER 5000]

thanks again guys,all replies sound very good. Purchase of camera will be made very soon. Who will pay for the camera? The state of Michigan will.New Year resolution,no more lottery or scratch offs (rip offs is what I call them). Took awhile, but finally reallized how much money I was throwing in the waste basket.


Instead of buying a lottery ticket every week, buy a fishing lure.;) Or 3!:D Then it is money well spent.

[MUSHY1]

thanks again guys,all replies sound very good. Purchase of camera will be made very soon. Who will pay for the camera? The state of Michigan will.New Year resolution,no more lottery or scratch offs (rip offs is what I call them). Took awhile, but finally reallized how much money I was throwing in the waste basket.

Someones gotta win, My Dad won $12,500 last year alone......;) and i didnt get a DIME of it.....Selfish Bastard......He said i would get mine in due-time....

Mushy

[woody95]

If you use the camera on the ice, I would recommend getting an Ice Pod too. It is the tripod deal that you can get at GM for $12. This will help you turn your camera and keep it steady. If not, that cord is kinda a pain to deal with if you want to look around.

[greelhappy]

My wife say's I have WAY to much time on my hands. I'm already thinking of a way to rotate that camera with junk I have in the garage. So far I'm visualizing a small bucket and lid. Believe me, I lose a lot of sleep over this stuff.:lol:

[esoxer]

Been folowing this thread & the camera thing looks like it may be a good way to kill two birds with one stone. Can you position it to watch a fish come to your lure like a flasher? Now if we can only get the ice back.......

[topkick]

When you guys refer to G.M.are you talikng about Generous Motors?

[greelhappy]

Yes Esoxer, point the camera at whatever bait your using, and when a fish comes in he's on television also. And no Topkick, it stands for Gander Mountain, but I'm sure a few fishing and hunting items have been made at Generous Motors:evil::evil::evil:.

[Jigawhat]

If you use the camera on the ice, I would recommend getting an Ice Pod too. It is the tripod deal that you can get at GM for $12. This will help you turn your camera and keep it steady. If not, that cord is kinda a pain to deal with if you want to look around.
i looked up Ice Pod and saw it was around $120, not $12. :yikes:
Any other info on that??

[woody95]

Sorry, forum won't let me post a URL to direct you to it.

Just google "ice pod aqua vu". At the top it will say product search. one is motorized and one is positioning. Go to positioning, it is at cabella's for $14. The motorized one is the expensive one.

[Ara]

Marcum makes a great product that is easy to use, plus it sits level with the ice and it covers the hole entirely and no parts to fall through the hole.
http://www.marcumtech.com/products/product_detail.php?ProdSKU=10960&ProdCat1=4
http://www.marcumtech.com/images/productshots/10960_m.jpg

[averageguy]

I went to gander mountain and cabelas looking at ice fishing equipment a few days after x-mas. Cabelas was a mad house! GM was deserted,had 6 of the shanty I wanted,cabelas was sold out,told me I'd never find one,tried to sell me smaller one tan I wanted. GM will also spend time talking to you,price match cabelas,and you won't get run down by tourists just looking! I know cabelas may have more selection, but I get sensory overload and can't choose anyway! :lol:

[BOWHUNR]

Greelhappy, I overthink this stuff too, I made a Fish TV Bucket/compass. I took the theory of a camera compass and applied to a bucket. The Bucket has a hole to slip the camera thru, the cord hooks to the inside of the bucket so I can set the desired height. The monitor itself props on top of the bucket lid or better yet I set the TV in the bucket on an angle for better viewing. My bucket is a little smaller than a 5 gallon bucket,this lets the camera remained propped up without falling to the bottom of the bucket. Now I can turn the bucket in the direction I want to point the camera. The bucket serves as storage too.
BOWHUNR
:fish::fish2::coolgleam

[greelhappy]

Used my camera twice, things did not go smoothly the first time. Second time out much better. My main problem right now is finding my lure. Took quite awhile today. What gets me is I found it pretty quick and then, for whatever reason, lost it.:confused: I made a 360, and couldn't find it, then all of a sudden there it was. This is something that I really must work on. One last note, the water clarity 6' down is about 2'. That was the approximate distance from the camera to the lure, anything after that was very cloudy.

[Ninja]

Fella's.....please call me...I have more stock right now than the big-boys, and will give discounts to MS members.