Why even make it????

So I am new to running a camera this year. I bought the VS485C and used it this weekend catching bluegill similar to what James and Joel did on the show. I really like the camera. It is so educational to see how fish react to lures. I certainly learned how my jig resembles a helicopter spinning out of control! LOL I also learned that bluegill can actually have the lure in their mouth and the rod tip will not even move one bit.

With that being said, I read all the negative reviews on the Marcum Camera Panner. I take online reviews with a grain of salt most of the time. I went ahead and ordered it. I used it this past weekend and what a POS! Why would Marcum keep selling this thing? It rotates back and fourth but as soon as there is the slightest resistance, it stops. I can barely put my finger on the gears and they stop turning immediately. Maybe I was working it wrong but there is NO WAY to get more than 45 degree movement in any direction before the wire hits something and it stops. My 7 is great, my wifes 6 is great, the 485C is great but that panner is awful.

Is there a panner out there that will function properly? What is everyone else using? I expect more from Marcum to say the least.

This is a solid combo

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If you don’t mind turning the camera manually, they make what is called a camera compass
Just a round,flat disc with a slot and tie down thing to weave the cable through
Cheap option for like $11.00

I’ve never had an issue with mine. Seems to rotate just fine, even 360 degrees a few times

The only negative reviews I have seen about Marcum panner was the one that is built into the PanCam.

The actual camera panner works very well, are you sure that it is threaded properly in the panner?

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U mounting the cable properly? sounds like it binding somewhere. I rotate 360 deg.+ all the time no problems.Maybe battery’s. Just checked my panner, three years, lots of use and I can not stop the gears without a fair bit of pressure and I have had these battery’s in all season. Watch the thumb controller I had the occasional problem at first but a shot of electrical cleaner spray on the rocker switch now and then and being carefull not to get it wet no problems since.Fish safe

Mine works fine

A follow up to my findings on the Marcum Camera Panner. I checked the battery Voltage in the “C” batteries and they were fine. So the problem was when I put my finger on the main gear coming from the motor, it would stop rotating real easy. This made the panner pretty much useless. So I started to mess with the screw that holds the gear in place. Really wierd, but I backed the screw out a couple turns and then put my finger on the gear and could not stop it. I have no idea?? The gear now turns very strong and you can’t stop it with you fingers anymore.

Up and running. Just thought I would post this in case someone else experiences this.