Marcum VS825 COLOR LCD Underwater Camera

In-the-Field REVIEW! February 2, 2008 - My Big Mistake
My buddy Mike and I took a Marcum VS 825c next door out on Tofte Lake in search of rainbow trout and splake. We drilled our holes, scooped out the ice with a Slush Inhaler (awesome device), set up the Fishtrap X2 shelter and dropped in the Marcum VS 825C camera down to the bottom. I had turned the unit on several times yesterday to see what "color viewing" was going to be like and while it looked great in the store, I wasn't entirely convinced that the extra hundred bucks for color would be that big of a deal. What I found was that bringing this Marcum VS 825c out onto the ice was a big mistake - my big mistake!

It turns out that we were a little too close to shore and ended up in 6 feet of water on Tofte. No biggy 'cause the trout are cruising the shallows it seem anyways. As the camera went down the hole, I saw the Lowrance X67 Ice-ducer hanging down and the ice was beautiful. I got 3 feet down and looked at the screen and saw the bottom and the view. Whoever thought that sticks, mud and grass could ever look so great?!! The view was spectacular!!!!! Notice the use of exclamation marks - not just 3, but 5 big ones!

Next we dropped down our Chubby Darters and turned the Marcum Camera Compass (DO NOT leave home without one of these regardless of who makes your camera - excellent accessory !!!!! ) When our Chubby Darters came into view we both made noises of shock and awe! Holy Smokes, you should have seen the view!

The Sony Camera that Marcum uses is wide angle (in all directions) and with the BIG LCD screen above the ice, you can count the stripes on your Chubby Darter, see the knots in your mono, and view a number 10 snap swivel with clarity that I've never seen before!

After marveling at the view and swiming our Chubby Darters around in circles we decided to head out to deeper water. We flipped up the X2, picked up the electronics, put them on the seats, cranked up the rods and moved out to sligthly deeper water where my dad was fishing in his permanent shack. Of course, we have all the cool electronics in hand and my dad has a nice rainbow laying on the ice outside while he's armed with a heater, a Chubby Darter, and a bucket. We drill new holes and re-set up. The entire process takes about 8 minutes and we're drowning our Chubby Darters once again.

Back in the hole goes the camera and this time we also drop Mike's Marcum VS 560 down as well to compare. Got everything set up and here glides in a nice rainbow in full, blazing color into our Chubby Darter-laden trap viewed on the Marcum LCD screen. The shimmering, shining beautiful fish takes a look at our sitting-still Chubbies, then our slightly-moving Chubbies, then our jig-for-effect(!) Chubbies... and swims away uninterested. We move beyond "ooo-&-aaahhh" to making sounds like the opposing team just scored at the Super Bowl. If we had popcorn and chips, they would have been all over the ice. That's why we don't bring chips and salsa when we're fishing. We also don't waste time with the Super Bowl. I could never figure out what would compel a grown man to be fartin' around on the tailgate of his SUV "cooking" with other guys in a parking lot during a dumb football game when he could be out on the ice fishing. It makes no sense from a hunter-gatherer standpoint... or maybe it does based on how many rainbows we actually brought home. You can't eat pretty pictures. But DANG, it's fun!!!!!

Well, that's it; I'm ruined. I REALLY loved the color screen and the size of it. I'm sure the Marcum VS 820 will do a stellar job in black & white LCD with the same Sony CCD HAD camera, but the breathtaking color images have ruined me for life. I know I can do it, but I don't want to - I don't want to fish in B & W any more.

At 2 PM today, Mike and I are meeting out on our lake Jasper at a predetermined spot to look at other species in these different water conditions. Based on what I saw at Tofte and my experience over the years with cameras, I'm looking forward to really good views. We're going to set out the Reel Weeds and I might even bring a bag of chips. -JB-

One Step Further
Here's a daylight viewable COLOR camera for the guy who wants to see more detail in the water in the summer and on the ice in the winter. The new for 2007/08 Marcum VS 825c is the highest available technology yet from MarCum Technologies. This system features an all NEW innovative flat panel LCD color monitor. These new LCD monitors are sunlight readable eliminating the need for a sun shade or viewing shroud. The super high-resolution 600v x 800h LCD screen incorporates a sophisticated thermostatically controlled heater enhancing your viewing experience in winter conditions. The VS825 utilizes a Sony CCD Super HAD camera paired with our new Manta camera housing design. The super bright, high intensity LED lights and infrared lighting are located above the camera (not around the lens) reducing particulate reflection in low light viewing conditions.

VS 825 in layman's terms
This color camera is as easy to operate as the Marcum VS 820. It's essentially the same thing but with dazzling color added. It has a heater behind the screen to keep the liquid crystal moving nicely in cold weather and you just push buttons to turn it on. The unit plus the power for the LED lights, adjust contrast and adjust brightness/ intensity are all easy to get to and require the use of your finger. You can use the video output jack in the for recording the big one that swam by - but now you can do it in color to make lasting memories and dazzle your friends at the garden parties and weddings you'll be forced to attend for the next five years after you order this camera without clearing it with your Board of Director. Note: I did not use an "s" at the end of Director - I have one, too. Go ahead and order your Marcum VS 825 from us. It's a very compact unit as well. Just think of the fun you'll have!

Must-Have Accessories
The one thing you'll need is the Marcum Camera Compass to center the camera cable in the hole and allow you to determine the direction of the camera easily. Very useful item that can be used with ANY brand of camera. You also need Reel Weeds Camera Cable Structure. It seems a bit goofy until you see them in action. Fish that used to swim right up to the camera, inspect it and then ignore your lures and either swim away or hang out in just out of reach. Now they swim up to the weeds thinking that they have some cover instead of just seeing that suspicious and alien-looking camera.

Underwater Camera Layout
When I go out, I like to drill three holes. One for the camera that is placed so that it can see two holes without having to be moved. Here's a diagram:

Summary - While having any underwater camera is better than no underwater camera for ice fishing, this is the top-of-the-line unit. I don't have to say anymore.

This Marcum VS825c LCD has 60 feet of cable. Out of Stock for the Season

Aqua-Vu
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