Marcum Camera Suggestions

I’m contemplating purchasing a new camera this year and everything else I have is Marcum so I would like to stay in the family. Just need to decide which one best fits what I need. Do i want to go the cheap route and do a 680 or go expensive and do the 825 with color? The majority of my ice fishing will be done on two completely opposite lakes when it comes to water clarity. One crystal clear and the other I’m not sure I will be able to see anything at all. On the lake with low visibility I only pursue walleyes and it is my home lake. Is a camera worth it for walleye fishing? I know i will love it for perch and gills on lake #2, but realistically I have only spent 5 days on that body of water this ice season. I’m hesitant to spend 700 bucks on a camera that I won’t use 90% of the time if I can’t see anything too. Most of my fishing will be done within a shelter so I’m not concerned too much about viewing. But if the camera on the 825 is better suited for dark water then its worth it. Any suggestions would be great

Let’s see if I can touch on each of your points.

* But if the camera on the 825 is better suited for dark water then its worth it.

The Marcum 625sd and 825sd have the new Sony Super HAD II camera. This is easy to tell because these two units have the depth, temp and camera direction on the display screen. These are the color models.

The Marcum 620 (notice no “sd”) is the same Sony Super HAD camera as on last years 820. It’s the b&w model.

So going with the 6″ inch 625sd will give you the same dark water picture as the 825sd.

*Do i want to go the cheap route and do a 680 or go expensive and do the 825 with color?

I think you meant the less expensive B&W 620. This is going to be a personal choice, although for roughly $90. more you have a color and B&W camera, the camera direction, water temp and depth along with a battery condition gauge on screen.

* and the other I’m not sure I will be able to see anything at all.

I’m not going to touch that one because I don’t know either! Next time out, when you catch a fish notice how far below the hole you can see your caught fish. This will give you some idea.

*Most of my fishing will be done within a shelter

I’m always amazed at how well I can see the six inch screen from 5 to 7 feet way. If you can place the 620 or 625sd within that range, the size isn’t going to bother you. Of course the 825sd has a larger screen and just like a 60 inch flat screen tv give a better experience the 8″ screen trumps the 6″ screen.

Let me know if I missed anything.

Missed one. If you are going to fish walleyes while using a camera I would suggest the Reel Weeds Camera Cable.

For some reason that cable seems to make walleyes nervous.

I have a hard time seeing to the bottom of my hole. The lake may have one foot of visibility. Thank you for the help

If you only hve one foot visibility I would think that no camera would be worth very much. My opnion.
I also have the new Marcum 8″ just purchased and am looking to find great visibality this weekend. It is around me on a few lakes, but I’m just getting to them!

Are the monitors viewable when outside? Or do you pretty much need to be inside a shelter to see anything?

I would strongly recommend the 825, great unit, and it is now a brighter display so it is easier to see outside, great unit, I use mine just about everyday!

Tanner Wildes

Tanner,

Do you have the 825C or 825 SD?

Both the 625sd and the 825sd have the 300% brighter display than the 825c from last year.

Tanner has the 825sd.

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Missed one. If you are going to fish walleyes while using a camera I would suggest the Reel Weeds Camera Cable.

For some reason that cable seems to make walleyes nervous.

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Just got the 625sd and Love it so far! Sounds like I need to add on the Reel Weeds. Anyone know exactly how these hook on the cable? If I already have some Reel Weeds can I just attach them in the same fashion, to save an extra expense if not needed!
How many feet of weeds go on the cable?

Thanks

I think the camera weeds are 4 ft. long and are attached

with a twist clip through a hole fabricated onto the

weeds. 4 clips on mine.

Camera cable structure

So is it hard to view the 825C when outside?

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So is it hard to view the 825C when outside?

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Harder than the 825sd? Yes. Impossible no.

does the 825sd come with the remote control panning device? The marcum website when I click on the 825sd it tells me the product can’t be found. It doesn’t look like the panning device comes with the 625sd.

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does the 825sd come with the remote control panning device? The marcum website when I click on the 825sd it tells me the product can’t be found. It doesn’t look like the panning device comes with the 625sd.

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Yes they did come with a Panner.

The reason you aren’t seeing them on the Marcum site is because they are sold out.

The only way you’ll get your mitts on one of them before March/April is to find one in a store…and good luck with that.

Someone under projected.

This year the panning device was a mail in offer with the 625sd !!

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This year the panning device was a mail in offer with the 625sd !!

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Yes!
Patiently waiting for mine to arrive
Can’t wait to have that feature

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This year the panning device was a mail in offer with the 625sd !!

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So is there still the mail in offer going on?

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This year the panning device was a mail in offer with the 625sd !!

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So is there still the mail in offer going on?

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I think that promo went through the end of 2010.

Kyle I have the 820 if you want it for Storm maybe save yor money, if for Spirit I would spring for the 825SD, I know I’ll have one for next year.

briank..I am totally confused..I bought a 620vs yesterday.now after reading these posts on the various marcums.I called cabelas and ordered a 625 ..I see where both the 620vs and 625vs have the same SUPER HAD CCD camera..I called versa electronics and asked about vs or sd..was told all this year models are video systems.. vs..any help would be greatly appric.thanks

I’ll see if I can try and help make sense of this.

VS = Video System

SD = Switchable Display

All MarCum cameras are classified as a “Video System” meaning each model comes with monitor, case, battery, cable and video camera. Basically everything you need, the complete VIDEO SYSTEM, for underwater viewing.

Switchable Display is a designation reserved for the models that offer the following features: directional arrow, depth, temp, voltage.

At present there are only two models that have the “SD” designation. The 625SD and the 825SD.

The MarCum 380 and 620 are “VS” but they don’t have the Switchable Display capabilities. They are also black and white ONLY units.

The 625 and 825 units have the SD designation and are black and white OR color units. This ability is called “ColorKill” and allows a user to switch back and forth between the two image sensors upon demand.

The 625SD and 825SD units also have the ability to indicate the direction the camera head is facing below the water, the depth of the camera head below the surface of the water, water temps and battery voltage.

I hope this clears up the confusion.

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I see where both the 620vs and 625vs have the same SUPER HAD CCD camera

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A little more info, if I may.

The 380 and 620 cameras use the Sony HAD camera head.

The 625 and the 825 uses the Sony HAD II camera head.

The Sony HAD II is capable of producing a black and white OR color image based on user preference or the amount of available light.

Perfect explanation, thank you Mr. Holst.

Proper Names
VS-380 CRT Monitor B/W
VS-620 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) B/W
VS-625sd LCD Color & B/W with on screen display
VS-825sd LCD Color & B/W with on screen display

These two
VS-625sd LCD Color & B/W with on screen display
VS-825sd LCD Color & B/W with on screen display

Have the Sony Super HAD >>II<< which will give the display 300% brighter picture for daylight viewing.

Hope that helps a little more!

Not to hijack the thread, I’m looking at purchasing a camera myself. I’m looking at the lower end 380. How well does this camera work in your average lake in the metro as far as clarity?

Found a vs825sd for $700 new

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Found a vs825sd for $700 new

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If you want one buy it quick. MarCum is completely sold out and the retailers don’t have much if any inventory.

MarCum still have capacity to build more 625 SD cams for a while longer but they’re running low there too.

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Not to hijack the thread, I’m looking at purchasing a camera myself. I’m looking at the lower end 380. How well does this camera work in your average lake in the metro as far as clarity?

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Just back from work Travis, sorry for the delay.

The VS-380 is the CRT model.

I’m can’t predict how it’s going to work on your lake, I would be nuts to do that.

I can tell you that it has the same high quality camera as the VS-620 and really the only difference is the monitor. You’ll get a more “clean” picture from a LCD than from a CRT. It’s like comparing a Flat Screen TV to the old CRT TV’s. Both work.

Whether it’s overcast, deep water or night time all the Marcum cameras will give a “snow storm” free picture.

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Found a vs825sd for $700 new

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Posting at the same time James…sorry!

Grab it!

James+briank..thank you both for your help..I learn more in hour on this site than 1wk of research on other sites..after I first posted ,I went to marcumtech.com and read where both vs620+vs625sd the screen is 3 times brighter than previous models.I was aware of the color and arrow,bat.check, temp..when I talk to versa electronics,they said possibly the black and white might be better outside the tent than the color..I was completely confused on what sd meant..thanks again for help