Anyone have any experience or opinions on the Aqua-Vu Scout XL-Underwater Camera? I can get a really good deal on one but I would like to hear what people think about it first. I would mostly use it ice fishing and on lakes during open water.
Thanks 
I have a scout II,not sure how they compare.But mine works ok in a closed hut or in low light conditions.Outside in sun forget it.The low price may be due to company going out of business,Anyone know if anyone else will do any repair?With the end of aqua veiw is also most all cheaper cameras like fish tv ,etc,it’s my understanding they made most of them.If you can afford I would look at marCum ealier post shows they maybe lowering prices on some models!Pic’s I have seen posted here are far better and you would have a good company behind it!!I only use mine for ”looking around” not for fishing.When I start fishing, camera comes out and I just use flasher.Like to leave a little to the imagination!!Used ones on this site now and then.
I owned a Scout for a short stint last year and sold it. Not a bad unit, but just meant to address a different need and price point.
The major limitation IMO was the camera head quality. It simply didn’t have the ability to see in the same depth, lighting conditions, and water clarity as did some of the Marcum varieties I also had a chance to test last year. That may sound like a sales-pitch, but rest assured it isn’t. Marcum/Aqua View were owned by the same company up to a month or two ago and I had a chance to side-by-side compare.
The VS380 is in a similar price range and has nearly the same picture quality as the higher-end VS820/825. Especially if you’re going to be using it in an open-water application where the sun is typically overhead and bright (i.e., not in a fish-house), I would recommend the 380, 820, or 825.
Joel
Check out the link above. This was taken in 26 feet of water on the ‘sippi with the VS-825c.
The Sony head on the 380, 820 and 825c makes all the difference in the world!
It’s the difference in leaving your camera at home or making sure it’s in your vehicle before you leave for fishing.
Marcum is so far ahead of the completion, with it’s Sony camera head and DarkWater technology it’s unbelievable! These cameras don’t need a sales pitch, just watch them in action.
I’m sorry, what was the question? 
It depends on how much you plan to use it and what you plan to use it for. I have the AV Scout and it does all I need it to do. I use the camera mainly for locating structure. The other 95% of the time I’m fishing it sits in the sled. For MY needs, the more expensive units were not justified.
I had a scout and like others have already stated the Marcums are better quality cameras, I now own a 820 and gave the scout away. With a Marcum it’s like watching HD.
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I now own a 820 and gave the scout away. With a Marcum it’s like watching HD.
Hence my point, for my type of fishing I don’t need HD to view a brush pile or weedline when my Scout will do the same thing at a fraction of the cost. If you plan on hunkering over a camera all day, by all means, go with the most expensive unit you can afford. Otherwise, if your primary use will be for locating structure, save your money and take the deal on the AV. 
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If you plan on hunkering over a camera all day,
Very good point!
These cameras are so clear and at depths other cameras just don’t work at, they do take fishing time away from a person.
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