hey JRS, sorry for the late reply I have been studying for my geophyics test all weekend:x . Water clarity plays a big role in how far you can see with the camera. I have had the best visibilty at gull so far, mcgregor, travers and twin all seemed pretty murky. I usually set the camera up beside my chair and have the holes 2-4 feet away depending upon clarity, or space available in the shack. I have had the camera out probably 10 times this year and I have seen countless fish, and seen lots of hits on camera too. It can be really helpful for soft biters, or watching your jigging technique.
I managed to get out to travers for a bit yesterday and fished in shallower water (6-7b feet) and you could see really well there but not too well past 10ft.

Oh yeah in terms of the IR lights they only work for 2-3 feet and you iusually just sees bubbles, but if it's really dark it's better then nothing. I have seen a few burbot come right up at night it looks pretty cool.