Underwater Cam frustrations

FisherPotch · #1 03-20-2008, 10:20 AM

Well I'm getting fed up with every unit I've used or owned. Don't know if I'm alone on this, maybe just my luck. I have an Aquaview scout purchased in dec 2005, it worked well for the majority of the first hard water season. It was finiky for about a year (had to wiggle contrast dial to get a picture and it became more of a pain then it was worth) and didn't survive the second season. A family friend went through the same thing with an identical aquaview. Fed up with aquaview so in Dec 2007 I purchase a Marcum vs 380, Ive used it alot since then but its crapped out on me in the last two weeks somehow. I don't know what happend but It worked two weeks ago, then yesterday i tried it out and it won't even turn on. Tried both of my batteries out and still nothing.

I'm getting awful peeved with these companies. It's the year 2008 and contrary to how there products have performed WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY! We can make TV's as thick as my hand. We send rovers to Mars. And these companies are so damn cheep that they cant make a unit last worth a damn. I know that the prices are reasonable and the unit i bought is one of the cheaper models out there. But why would I even think of purchasing one of the top models when in my experience the all royaly suck!!! I might have expected this from a fish tv or a vs250 or low level scout, thats why i bought the vs380.

I know how marketing works and how they are trying to make as much money as possible but this is retarded. They should have models available that are like little remote control submarines!!! They have the technology!! But instead they have to pinch every damn penny and drive me up the wall and my bank acount into a hole. Blah, it has taken every bit of will power i have not to bootF^(K the camera into outerspace. I didn't even get 3 months use and now i have to bring it in on warranty, I think i'd perfer my money back because these are obviously garbage units.

My rant for the day.

Has anyone else had any recent issues with underwater cams? Particullaraly marcum units?

BUD · #2 03-20-2008, 11:32 AM

why ya even want one? , why look at fish , l ,ve got along quite well without one for 60 years , ya could,nt even give me one of thease toys , stick it out in the alley ta watch for bad guys at nite , thats all there good for , if that, my opinion.
Ya got enough crap to look after in a boat never mind playing with that ****e.
It all started with a tv show where the guy was watchin fish chase his lure , but they dont show you the part when the fish wraps around the tv cord , haaaaaa.

#3 03-20-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

stick it out in the alley ta watch for bad guys at nite , thats all there good for , if that, my opinion.

Bud made a funny

FisherPotch · #4 03-20-2008, 05:16 PM

I know there are many people on the forum with marcums lol!!

I'm wondering how everyone else's cams are holding up. Any one out there own a marcum and had it last for a couple years? I'm gona go to T.F.H to get a refund or store credit. That is enless there are people that have had much better luck than I with there units. Its possible mine was just a lemon. Except i bought it on boxing day, which gives me very little confidence in the quality or durability of the product.

I realy don't know what to do here and I'm going fishing tomorrow. I find underwater cameras to be an effective tool for KNOWING that there are fish present. And i say KNOWING because i can see the fish with my eyes not just a blip or color'd bar on a screen or radar. But if i'm going to go blow more money on fishing electronics some reasurance would be nice.

Any one?

Bud you can spare me your comments because our opinions on this one are obviously different. And I'd hate for you to be the first that i hit the ignor button for. If you frequently tried finding fish on lakes you have never fished before you might understand the purpose in electronics. I have mucho respect for those that do it old school but I prefer to be the one catching all the fish. Tight lines.

burbotman14 · #5 03-20-2008, 05:46 PM

we have had our underwater camera for 3-4 years and we have not had any complications except one, the fuse blew but that was it.
It might just be bad luck

skykomish sunrise · #6 03-20-2008, 06:44 PM

stop using the unit to shoot porn... and go buy a fish tv

willy · #7 03-20-2008, 09:49 PM

We have aqua vu scout xl no problems with it in 3 yrs Actually thought a tough product because it gets rough treatment.

happy perch fisher · #8 03-20-2008, 09:50 PM

lol man did u check the cord at the back of marcum sometime they come out u have to make sure the pushed in all the way. I have had 3 aquavu's different models and only had 1 problem with them. I dropped the tail part and it broke off. I just went and picked up a new fish skin and it was fixed.
I have had marcum 380 for the past few years and its a awsome camera no problems with it.I also brought the marcum VS 825c but have'nt tried it out yet. I did'nt think the fishing hole will take it back because its been more then 30 days. Your probably have to get warranty done throw marcum. From what i've heard they have a awsome warranty system. I can't see how your having so much trouble with them. I would stick with a marcum they seem way better.

SNAPFisher · #9 03-21-2008, 06:31 AM

Sorry to hear about your camera grief.

I agree with HPF. Stick with Marcum. They do really seem to back their stuff. I haven't had to worry. I have the 560 and not one problem. This is its virgin year but I used it a lot and in all conditions - working great! The new AquaViews are absolute garbage imo.

bobalong · #10 03-21-2008, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by happy perch fisher

lol man did u check the cord at the back of marcum sometime they come out u have to make sure the pushed in all the way. I have had 3 aquavu's different models and only had 1 problem with them. I dropped the tail part and it broke off. I just went and picked up a new fish skin and it was fixed.
I have had marcum 380 for the past few years and its a awsome camera no problems with it.I also brought the marcum VS 825c but have'nt tried it out yet. I did'nt think the fishing hole will take it back because its been more then 30 days. Your probably have to get warranty done throw marcum. From what i've heard they have a awsome warranty system. I can't see how your having so much trouble with them. I would stick with a marcum they seem way better.

The Marcum 380 was only introduced at the ICAST show last summer, you must mean the 350, if you have had it for a few years.

FisherPotch · #11 03-24-2008, 10:27 AM

Hey thanks for the feedback guys! I ended up focusing on the weekend at hand and went fishing friday and sunday the old fashiond way.

It says 1 year warranty on one of the peices of paper i have stapled to the receipt. I'm not sure weather I'd have to send it in to marcum or if i can just bring it back to T.H.F. I'm hopeing that they will just give me a new one because to have to send it somewhere and wait for its return after only owning it for 3 months (Bought Boxing day) would leave a very bad taste in my mouth. Any one know for sure how the warranty thing will go down?

Hey SNAP hows the panning function on the 560 function? I had one in my hands on boxing day then opted for the 380 for price reasons.

Of course i tried the cord in back. I also tried another cord that was from the aquaview (both cords functiond last i checked). Two fully charged batteries and nothing. Talked to marcum guy on the hotline and after telling himwhat i tried he said to take it back to T.H.F.

Hey Skykomish sunrise

I never started using it for porn!! Your sister wouldn't let me!!

happy perch fisher · #12 03-24-2008, 11:15 AM

fishing hole is only 30 days man there probably not going to take it back.

FisherPotch · #13 03-28-2008, 12:04 AM

I know this one was dead long ago but figure i'd reincarnate it just to post that i had to get a full refund as they don't have any Marcum vs380 cameras in stock and don't expect any soon.

Oh ya just wanted to say......actualy i HAVE to say. HPF you were WRONG!!!!

Likely cave and buy the vs560 with water depth, temp, direction and panning funtion.

SNAPFisher · #14 03-28-2008, 06:10 AM

Cave, cave, cave!!!

560 is awesome! It also has a cable clip underneath the cam so you can change it to look down from above. Good for finicky whitefish viewing. Autopan at 3 speeds with remote control. And, the best feature for a gent like yourself, the underwater lights work amazingly well. You can fish in pitch black and see it all. Good for burbot fun after the sun goes down.

Cave, cave, cave!!!

clouserminnow · #15 03-28-2008, 04:27 PM

My Aquaview XL is going strong and I have a recorder that has been lot's of fun too. On my second skin or cover now, I bought a perch and the pike are more interested than when I had a bluegill cover. I have had bull trout eat my camera aswell. I will admit that the battery does not last as long now but I have a 12 volt cable that I can hook to a the posts of a car battery and I never loose power. I have an Lectric auger so I pack around a deep cycle in my sled. Fishing throught the ice is now more fun than ever.

I recently bought a downrigger attachment and I can't wait to try it out on chinook on the QCI. Anybody used them on a down rigger?

Look at some of the underwater action from this winter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=012jycMpJOM