Wifi Cameras for ice fishing

Now that Aqua Vu is coming out with their Looking Glass and WiFi camera, and Vexilar has their SonarPhone and FishPhone on the way, how long will it be before Marcum jumps on this bandwagon? Seems like this is the way to go for a cheaper color camera.

To get into a Marcum Color camera you are looking at $450, these are selling for under $200 and have a 2 year warranty versus Marcum’s 1 year.

Don’t get me wrong I’m a Marcum guy when it comes to flashers but I think they are missing out on the lower $ market here.

The Aqua Vu product with the Looking Glass app looks very appealing.

http://www.aquavu.com/Products/Aqua-Vu-New-Underwater-Cameras/AV-WiFi

The few wifi cameras I’ve seen/used have a 2 second delay or so… just a heads up, make sure you sample it before you buy it… Nothing more shocking than getting a bite 2 seconds before you see the fish open its mouth!

Nutz I hope you keep this updated.

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The few wifi cameras I’ve seen/used have a 2 second delay or so… just a heads up, make sure you sample it before you buy it… Nothing more shocking than getting a bite 2 seconds before you see the fish open its mouth!

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That would not be good, hopefully those problems are taken care of, or maybe that’s why there is a delay on them coming to market?

That looks pretty cool. Did you find this Aqua-View product after your “experience” at Scheels?

I’ve personally (for me) been against using underwater cameras when ice fishing. For me personally it takes some of the fun out. However, with these lower prices and my plan on scouting out some unfamiliar water, a camera might be a good idea. I could use it to make sure I wasn’t fishing completely dead water by using it as a scouting tool. That is essential when trying low pressure lakes that may be prone to winter kill.

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That looks pretty cool. Did you find this Aqua-View product after your “experience” at Scheels?

I’ve personally (for me) been against using underwater cameras when ice fishing. For me personally it takes some of the fun out. However, with these lower prices and my plan on scouting out some unfamiliar water, a camera might be a good idea. I could use it to make sure I wasn’t fishing completely dead water by using it as a scouting tool. That is essential when trying low pressure lakes that may be prone to winter kill.

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Pug,

I just happened on the Aqua Vu product while doing a search for cameras. Thats exactly what my main use of the camera will be, also to find and look at cribs/structure. Well my GF would like one also so I can kill 2 birds with one stone, her Christmas present and a scouting tool!!

With the cost of 7″ tablets in the sub $100 and even down to $50 these are looking even better if they work well. It would be nice to use your smart phone if scouting and being mobile or setting the camera outside your flip over and viewing on a tablet mounted inside.

If the clarity is better than whats out there now I’d be interessted in checking it out. The delay I can handle but if you can’t see it don’t matter if there is delay. I’m not spending anymore money on cameras till it gets better in dirty water.

I could care less about the delay too, because like I said, I’d use it for scouting. I like fishing with the Showdown.

Its going to be an interesting 5-7 years in consumer fishing electronics thats for sure. Its good to see ‘smaller’ players like Vexilar and Aquavu really push the innovation envelope and do some things that the larger guys (who are sitting on cash cows – namely Lowrance and HB) wouldn’t.

I am also surprised that Marcum isn’t jumping too fast into this game – given their history over the past decade and their rise out of nowhere. There core value proposition is based on innovative feature sets that the other guys (Vex) didn’t offer in a flasher. Maybe the hardware margins are just too good?

I really want a camera for scouting too. The AV micro isn’t a good enough quality product, and a full sized marcum is too much to lug around.

I also think there is an untapped market for using these in boats too.

But it is really exciting to see wireless finally coming, and the use of commodity off the shelf displays. Guy could make a fortune designing ice fishing gloves that can operate an iPad, or custom ice fishing iPad protectors/covers.

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I am also surprised that Marcum isn’t jumping too fast into this game – given their history over the past decade and their rise out of nowhere. There core value proposition is based on innovative feature sets that the other guys (Vex) didn’t offer in a flasher.

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MarCum will be a player. We’re not even on ice yet.

So are either of these camera systems available if I go looking for them? Looks like they aren’t available yet?

Wonder if they are both stuck on the same ship coming from china?

I think I’ll wait for an American company to release one.

CW

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Its going to be an interesting 5-7 years in consumer fishing electronics thats for sure. Its good to see ‘smaller’ players like Vexilar and Aquavu really push the innovation envelope and do some things that the larger guys (who are sitting on cash cows – namely Lowrance and HB)
wouldn’t.

I am also surprised that Marcum isn’t jumping too fast into this game – given their history over the past decade and their rise out of nowhere. There core value proposition is based on innovative feature sets that the other guys (Vex) didn’t offer in a flasher. Maybe the hardware margins are just too good?

I really want a camera for scouting too. The AV micro isn’t a good enough quality product, and a full sized marcum is too much to lug around.

I also think there is an untapped market for using these in boats too.

But it is really exciting to see wireless finally coming, and the use of commodity off the shelf displays. Guy could make a fortune designing ice fishing gloves that can operate an iPad, or custom ice fishing iPad protectors/covers.

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The gloves and iPad cases are already out there, lifecase makes a completely water proof case.

http://www.lifeproof.com/en/?gclid=CPfx8M3c7roCFQJqMgodEzIAug

http://www.amazon.com/Aglove-Original-touchscreen-gloves-texting/dp/B004A9R9OM

http://www.rei.com/product/853942/rei-tech-compatible-all-season-gloves-mens

Vexilar has their app for the FishSonar out there with a demo mode. Looks cool, but more so for open water.

I’ve been thinking about the Aqua-Vu Looking Glass and I hope it is affordable, because I’ll definitely be getting one for scouting.

Update: MSRP – $349.99

For its purpose, that’ll put it out of my range. I wouldn’t intend on using it while actually fishing. FishPhone seems more reasonable.

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MarCum will be a player. We’re not even on ice yet.

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I hope they come out of the closet soon. I am huge on MarCum and would not be happy if I bought something different than they showed there hand. Some of us do like having our gear before the ice hits.

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Vexilar has their app for the FishSonar out there with a demo mode. Looks cool, but more so for open water.

I’ve been thinking about the Aqua-Vu Looking Glass and I hope it is affordable, because I’ll definitely be getting one for scouting.

Update: MSRP – $349.99
For its purpose, that’ll put it out of my range. I wouldn’t intend on using it while actually fishing. FishPhone seems more reasonable.

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Pug,

Where did you find the MSRP? $349 is too much if you have to add your own iPad/iPhone.

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Pug,

Where did you find the MSRP? $349 is too much if you have to add your own iPad/iPhone.

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To be clear, I was talking about Aqua-Vu’s product. The Looking Glass one.

One of the Sites that had the press release

Is the FishPhone use wireless hardware as well? This Aqua-Vu is goofy looking.

Pug,

That looks like nothing more than their Aqua vu micro minus the LCD and added a wifi transmitter.

Yes the Vexilar Fishphone is wifi and has a much more substantial looking camera and cable.

http://www.walleyetacklestore.com/130044.html?ref=lexity&_vs=google&_vm=productsearch&adtype=pla&gclid=CNSb0ZPx8boCFeZ7QgodXCAAew

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Pug,

That looks like nothing more than their Aqua vu micro minus the LCD and added a wifi transmitter.

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Pretty much. The only benefit I see is the Looking Glass app that clear the picture up, but for scouting, I don’t know how important that is. If I can make out blurs of life, that should be enough.

Aqua-Vu is also releasing a adapter for those who have cameras already and that one is MSRP $250 or so.

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Pug,

That looks like nothing more than their Aqua vu micro minus the LCD and added a wifi transmitter.

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Pretty much. The only benefit I see is the Looking Glass app that clear the picture up, but for scouting, I don’t know how important that is. If I can make out blurs of life, that should be enough.

Aqua-Vu is also releasing a adapter for those who have cameras already and that one is MSRP $250 or so.

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Well right now if the Fish Phone does not come out soon I’m going to look at the FS800 from Vexilar, a color LCD for under $300 is tough to beat with a 2 year warranty. I wish Marcum had a color camera in that price range.

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I am also surprised that Marcum isn’t jumping too fast into this game – given their history over the past decade and their rise out of nowhere. There core value proposition is based on innovative feature sets that the other guys (Vex) didn’t offer in a flasher.

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MarCum will be a player. We’re not even on ice yet.

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James,

Are we talking this calendar year? If so I will be waiting to see what is coming!!!

How did the subject line get changed on this thred?

Weird