Differences between the Marcum Underwater Cameras?

The most asked question about the 3 Marcum cameras is “Which one should I buy?”

Thanks to the folks at Scheels of Eau Claire WI, we now have a video that will help the consumer to decide for themselves.

I’m not getting a sound track. Should I be??

The cameras do not come with an underwater mic.

Sorry Dan, I could stop myself.

I don’t think they have an audio track on the video. It was made for in store demo purposes. They were just kind enough to share it with us.

One thing became very clear to me while watching the monitors filming this.

The color camera (VS-825c) shows much more detail in shallow or deep water…by far the camera to buy if you’re in the market for the best.

Also at $299.00 suggested retail, the VS-380 is the schnitzel for a camera. Notice I didn’t say entry level? I’ve gained a new respect for this camera. As Marbleyes stated in the boat that day “I could sell the 380 all day!”

Smart

Based on these videos I would first buy an 825 and my
next choice would be the 380.

Of course I own the 820. Go figure…….

BK when this video was shot the sun was shining, I wonder how the 3 camera’s would compare under overcast conditions like we encountered yesterday. I noticed in this video the 820 didnt look that great but it seemed as if there was quite a bit of glare from the sun. I am thinking the 820 would probably look alot better on a cloudy or overcast day. CLEARLY if you are in the market for a camera and are serious about it the 825c is the way to go

Bumped up for Dean…er Mark I mean.

So the comments above regarding viewing on a cloudy verses a sunny day got me wondering about varying degrees of “darkness”. Putting water clarity aside for a moment, isn’t getting below the point at which sunlight can penetrate during the day essentially the same as fishing above that same point after dark?

I’m thinking about buying the VS 380, but wondering if I’ll be able to see anything crappie fishing after dark. For discussion sake, lets assume the water’s “reasonably” clear (not like gin, but higher visibility than river during winter months)…

Thanks,

Jim

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Bk this is obviously mounted on your boat some how!!!! Is there a mount that you can buy for that or is it something you made yourself????? That is some awesome footage

I have asked the same question before and the response I got was that No camera on the market today is capable of viewing underwater at night….

I think that just sealed the deal on what my next camera will be! The color has a substantial difference in ID’ing fish, at least in that video. For my needs, I’m looking for more of an open water camera and finding green weeds and white tips in the weeds is critical.

I was amazed to see the dozens of lures on those underwater stumps. That area doesn’t see too much pressure…

Thanks for posting that Brian.

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I have asked the same question before and the response I got was that No camera on the market today is capable of viewing underwater at night….

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I hope I didn’t tell you that!!!

I think this video will answer a couple questions here. This is the 825c camera. The 380 has the same underwater head although it’s not color.

Once the bottom of the boat is in the frame, the camera is lowered in to deep water with very little light, then the lights are turned on.

Marcum’s Darkwater Technology is awesome at night or in deeper water! I have some raw footage from yesterday of saugers in 50 feet of water on the sippi. If a fish was within 7ish feet it was easily seen. I’ll see if I can get a couple screen captures up yet tonight.

BTW- the method used to mount the camera on the boat is my fleshy hands. Because of the changing depths, I raise and lower the camera as needed as we move along.

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BTW- the method used to mount the camera on the boat is my fleshy hands. Because of the changing depths, I raise and lower the camera as needed as we move along.

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I don’t recall seeing it said, but the VS380 has a plastic tail fin that you can attach to the back side of the camera to make the camera point forward or the direction you are traveling. I assume that the 820 and 825 have the same. The fin also has a notch so you can pass the cable through and make the camera point downward.

That is correct Mr. Twist!

I’ve found in using the down imaging, depending on the bottom make up the fish tend to blend in with the bottom.
I do use it for searching.

Here you go Mr. Limpfish.

50 to 55 feet of water. Dark as a moonless night. When the sand starts showing up in the video clip, we’re moving out of the scour hole. I’m going to guess we’re in about 40 feet of water at the end of the video.

No Audio…because I was yelling at Jessy to slow down!

It was very hard to control the boat with the flow we had on Sunday. Thanks again Mr. Krook!

Thanks Brian

It’s almost genie like…blink, wish for something and there it is…Darkwater Technology in action. Brian, can you make it so I can magically transfer myself from work to Pool 4 right now

BTW, I thought this camera was supposed to get rid of the the snow storm effect…kind of hard to do with all of those marble eyes coming toward you Very cool video clip…thanks again!

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I am always amazed by the numbers of fish seen in these videos. Pool 4 is pretty incredible. I am sure there are areas where you could drift for a while and see nothing though.

The power of personal computer editing!

There is a lot of dead sea, but once a person knows what to look for it’s a wonder how they don’t get snagged by all the jigs running through them.

I chose the VS820 B&W on the advise of a friend (Luke)here in Iowa, very happy with it. Last week (Wed)we had a warmup with 1/4 inch of rain, then 1/2 inch of freezing rain, then on Sunday I went out to Big Creek Lake afternoon and took this video cloudy skies, 2 inches of frozen ice crust over a brush pile.

That’s a great video to show off the 820 in something other than the murky river Randy!

Keep on making and posting them!

PS I don’t want to know what’s in those barrels!

IA DNR in Iowa wants weights attached to all submerged implanted structure I am told, in the video there are some ropes to be seen. Will keep some video’s comming.

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No Audio…because I was yelling at Jessy to slow down!

It was very hard to control the boat with the flow we had on Sunday. Thanks again Mr. Krook!

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Your melcome Mr. BK Thank you for allowing me to navigate you through the turbulant waters of the Mississippi

Hey guys I have asked this before & never really gotten a answer. I have a 825C & I would like to know if anyone has figured out a good way to record off of them?
Dan

This is what I used and where I purchased my camcorder, the A-HD+1080P. Only needed to get a HD SD card. Comes with cables, software for editing(havent used yet),charger,etc.
It has a a/v input you can connect to the jack on the back of the marcum, also you can a/v out to watch your captures on your reg tv or HDtv.
here

Thanks Randy, I was looking for that!

How long does the battery stay charged? Do I need two?

I am not really sure how long the battery will last, a larger 1 is also good to have if a person needs to do a lot of recording, I just use mine when opportunity happens, have not had the battery go down yet. But the Manufacturer does have their accessories also, to aquire from them if needed, for this camcorder. I have not tried out how long the battery supplied will last,……… yet
Here is the AIPTEK site,
here

Fishhead 50111, Thanks for directions on where to find a suitable camera, just got the same one from New York City just yesterday. Happens to be the same place I order my salsa from but I degress. Just finished tank testing them together (the camcorder and the Marcum VS825c) and am ready to go. One minor detail I need to make sure health is in order before heading back out.

Thanks again, look forward to seeing some more brush piles when you get out.