Auqa-vu vs Marcum

Thinking about buying but dont know much about either. Which do you guys prefer?

MarCum!!! All you have to do is view the IDO video’s on the site. All that black and white underwater footage is captured using the MarCum. Great product

There alot of pros and cons between the two.I have owned both in the last two years,I saved money and purchiced the Aquaview after a week I was disgusted with that becuse my buddy has a Marcum I was able to compare the two.The Marcum has alot better optics and if you fish in dirty or stained waterthere is a big diffrence.The Marcums camera turnes inside the housing so there is no bending over to spin the cable just a press of the button and walla ,it also has a panaramic button with three speeds it will look 360 degrees around at your speed setting. A good Marcum VS 560 is expencive but how do you put a price tag on preformance.I don’t like to advertise this but last week by mistake yours truely pluged in the wrong charger into my camara and fryed it ,called Marcum told them what happened and the customer service said they would stand behind my mistake. “Thats all I got to say about that” sorry watched Forrest Gump last night.

Glassman

I was wondering the same thing, too. Thanks for the replys!! Gregory

MARCUM all the way

AquaVu’s customer service is atrocious. I went 3 weeks without a camera this winter for a simple cable connector repair.

At least it was only $55 for the cable connector

AquaVu hands down.

Aqua Views make a great product that breaks down all the time and costs you even more money to fix.

I think it comes down to 2 things, money available and quality of product.
If money is an issue, then you can pick up an Aqua Vu pretty cheap. But, with cheap comes lower quality.
If you want a quality product that will cost a little more for a base model, then MarCum is your answer. With the MarCum, you have several different models to choose from, but even the lower end units are quality made. Also, customer service is second to none. From what I have seen personally and from the IDO shows, the VS 560 is hard to beat.

Well I own a marcum lx-3 and love it and find it to be a very durable, dependable product. I also own the aqua vu ZT series camera and it SUCKS. Things are constantly cracking, falling appart..There is just too much super glue on that thing to make me happy The tail and fins of the fish camera actually broke off and I had to superglue all of that back together. I think its even stronger now than it was before. What a cheap, poorly designed piece of equipment. I will definitely be buying a marcum when this thing kicks the bucket..as if it hasn’t already
Good luck,
Cade

Quote:

---

---

Oh good then maybe I can get my TC upgrade for my LX3….

Quote:

---

Sorry I didn’t realize we are a Marcum sponsor now.

---

Gee, I’m sorry, did we strike a nerve? MarCum has done a lot for people on this site. They also have a quality product. As far as the TC upgrade, it was offered for quite awhile. If you did not get it in while the offer was going, how is that MarCum’s fault? I guess I fail to see the issue with supporting a product I and many other’s beleive in.
The guy asked a question and we gave our opinions. I have owned the Aqua Vu and used the MarCum. If you have an opinion based on personal use and beleifs, feel free to share them. But, I would refrain from attacking my quotes

Quote:

---

Aqua Views make a great product that breaks down all the time and costs you even more money to fix.

---

I must have one that is a fluke, 7 years and never have a problem with mine

I did give my success of having two perfectly working Aqua Views for 5 years along countless others who have perfectly working Aqua Veiws I’m sorry a few of you have had bad expirences with Aqua view Cameras but having multiple people BASH Aqua View as total junk doesn’t sit well with the thousand’s of happy customers they do have.

Just my opinion.

I currently own an Aqua Vu. First day out worked 2 hours they replaced it within 3 days. After warrenty was over moniter quit called they sent me one in 48 hours with paid postage to return the broken one. Will I buy another when its time? No I’ll buy a Marcum, it fits my needs better than my Aqua Vu

I wouldn’t hesitate to purchase either one.

The only negative quality issures I’ve ever heard of with Aquaview was the “quad cam” where the cameras leaked. They recalled them and made things right.

Also, all of my experience and expose to Aqua-view with customer service due to “my breaking and abuse”, I was treated like a king and not even charged for the part or shipping. Parts were sent regular USPS mail.

As with most new products, there are generally “quirks”, and that is where customer service excells.

I haven’t had the opportunity to use the Marcum products yet, but I have heard good reviews on them. Straight from many people that have used both and had postive things to say about quality of the optics.

I didn’t threaten you

Quote:

---

having multiple people BASH Aqua View as total junk doesn’t sit well with the thousand’s of happy customers they do have.

---

I also didn’t say they were total junk. I had an Aqua Vu and it worked. But if you compare features and the quality, there is a difference between the 2.

Quote:

---

---

I also didn’t say they were total junk.

---

Your right and I apologize to you Mike……

Take it for what it is worth….I have an Aqua View Scout. the LED’s have never worked. The little fish that the camera is in has broken and cracked to the point that it is now just the camera taped together by duct tape. Obviously design related issues, and not a reflection of the camera. I will be getting a Marcum next year. They seem more robust, and offer options I would like to use. It really depends on what it is you want from a camera. I have relied a LOT on using a camera this year, and it has realy enhanced my understanding of fish behavior!

I had my first experience with the Marcum products this weekend. I was able to fish side by side with my FL8 vs. the LX5(I know, not apples to apples) and I was also able to use the VS560 camera. I loved the camera and the features it offers. The pan function of the camera is awesome!!! You hit PAN, and the camera pans from side to side, 360 degrees. You can choose 1-3 different panning speeds. The clarity of the picture was awesome. Definitely worth the money if you want a high end fishing tool. I’m very impressed with the Marcum technology and where it’s going!!

Ron, I was thinking thinking the same. 3 years and not a problem. I have bounced it pretty good off the rocks in the pond while trolling, and it is still in one piece. The fins are fine, the LED’s work as designed. Maybe I got lucky. Never seen a Marcum in action, other than the Videos here. I am not against trying on though. I think with any product, you will find people that are happy and people that are not. In fairness, the question was asked and honest answers are what the author is after I am sure. Just so you know where I am coming from, I love my Dodge Ram, its the best !!!

big g

Quote:

---

Just so you know where I am coming from, I love my Dodge Ram, its the best !!!

big g

---

You see, now, big g… you just lost all credibility with that statement.

Chevy’s Rock!

I don’t judge electronics based on problems I had with a past unit. I prefer to look at the features they offer and how I use them. MarCum and Aqua Vu will both tell you they get cameras returned because of problems. There are a lot of things that can go wrong with an underwater camera. Anytime you are putting a housing underwater that can not leak, you may have issues. Add in all the features on a cameras now and you are bound to have problems, that is why the price is high on the high end models.

I deserved that !!!
big g

I picked up an aqua-vu scout two years ago now. I wasn’t sure how much i would use a camera, but it is definetly nice checking out the structure or watching the little panfish take your bait, so u don’t miss the bite. Plus it adds some entertainment in the house or boat. Because i was unsure of how much use it would get, i went cheap. I have never had any problems with it yet and it has worked for my needs.

I plan on this summer purchasing a VS560 though. I have seen them in action and I believe the features are superior.

Either way, u probably won’t be disappointed, but my vote goes to MarCum

I’ve got both an Aqua Vu Z-60 series from a few years back and got a MarCum 560 this year. I love both of them. The Vu served me well for many fishing outings and I have zero complaints. It still works just fine, but I wanted night viewing capabilities. The 560 (and 460) are the only models I’ve looked at that actually work at night. I get a solid 15 feet of night vision on Mille Lacs with the lights. I wouldn’t recommend using it all the time, but it’s kind of fun to have. I’m still not sure, but I would assume it spooks some fish.

That being said, I like both products so far. Had zero problems with the Vu, had a couple with the MarCum right off the bat. But in their defense, it was the best customer service I’ve ever had. They replaced the problem for free and gave me a completely new unit not a “fixed” version. That was cool.

Well I havent had time to check my post for a few days do to the weather here in Iowa, and my folks camped out at my place because of power issues. But I got more replies than I expected. Lots of great information guys, thanks alot.

It’s been 8 years since the last post so figured I’d revive this conversation. I am going to list what I think are the pros and cons of the Marcum 438c & Aqua-Vu 715c cameras.

Marcum 438c ($299 – $349)
**Pros:
– Superior image quality over the Aqua-Vu 715c especially in low light conditions. The Marcum has 2 LED lights where the Aqua-Vu has 6 or 8 but the Marcum camera shows a wider view and requires less light with a less grainy image. This will come in handy if you fish at dusk, dawn or fish the night bite.
If you are looking at both cameras in a store with lights on, you will not notice a significant difference until you turn the lights off, that is where the Marcum blows the Aqua-Vu away.
**Cons:
– To charge the unit, you are required to disconnect the wire leads from the battery and connect a charger adapter. Because of the housing design, the positive lead is very difficult to push onto the battery. I recommend purchasing an aftermarket charger from Interstate Battery that has alligator clips.
– The way you wrap the cable up is cumbersome and could have been a much better design. It is more time consuming than the Aqua-Vu.
– Detachable velcro sun shield. Again it looks like they designed this visor in a 30 minute meeting to say they have a sun visor. Just another piece to loose or take up space.

Aqua-Vu 715c ($249 – $349)
**Pros:
– More rugged and thought out design. Setting up and packing up of the unit is a quick and easy. No fumbling with an awkward spool like the Marcum.
– Easy charging access (nice bullet plugin built into the base)
– Sun visor is built right onto the screen, very convenient!
– Price! I found this unit on sale for $249, $50.00 less than the Marcum on sale.
**Cons:
– Camera quality is fair in lighted conditions but poor to very poor in low light conditions. Although the LED lights help in these conditions, there is a significantly degraded image in low light conditions.

Recommendation
– If this is your first underwater camera, you fish mostly during the day and the water is reasonably clear, the Aqua-Vu 715c should be your choice. It is easy to setup and take down, with a more user friendly design with “average” image quality.
– If you fish at dusk, dawn or night, I suggest the Marcum 438c. In low light conditions, the image is significantly better!

Additional Thoughts
– Marcum Design Team: Mount your camera in an upright housing with a handle at the top. Copy the design of the Aqua-Vu’s sun visor, charging adapter, cable storage and upright design.
– Aqua-Vu Design Team: Ditch your current LCD & Camera supplier and contact Sony or Samsung to redesign them to satisfy low light conditions and improve image quality.

In the end, your buying a camera that will work best in most conditions, that is why I went with the Marcum. Although the overall package and charging is a hassle compared to the Aqua-Vu, I want a camera that performs better in dirty water or low light conditions.