Underwater/under-ice camera LUCKY FF3308-8 or are there no fish here?

How not to make a mistake when buying underwater camera for fishing. Recommendations, ratings, prices and reviews of various models. Comparison of two popular models: domestic camera Ide 52, and Calypso (Calypso). How to choose a top camera, paying inexpensively, but acquiring a competent tool, purchase through Aliexpress. Using the camera using a smartphone or phone. Life hack on how to make an underwater video camera with your own hands!

Winter fishing has many fans who, regardless of weather conditions, rush for new sensations and, of course, a good catch. But not every fisherman, no matter how experienced he may be, can hope for an excellent bite if he chooses a place for winter fishing blindly. To find out if there are fish under a layer of ice, an underwater video camera .

This modern device will allow:

• determine the presence of fish in a particular place and its quantity;
• observe how the fish behaves;
• note the reaction of the fish to the abandoned bait.

The camera, when located in a winter hole, produces a high-quality and clear image on an external monitor. In this way, you can capture interesting moments, get useful information and increase your fishing experience.

The video clearly shows what these cameras are like:

Technology penetrates every area of ​​human life and winter fishing is no exception. An underwater video camera has already become a necessary device, without which winter fishing loses all meaning. This device consists of the following elements:

• monitor;
• sealed underwater camera with backlight function;
• long waterproof cable.
• Charger.

How to use an underwater camera when fishing

If you have an underwater video camera in your hands, then you are already guaranteed a good catch. Even those fish that prefer to be in the depths will soon fall on your fishing rod. Before using the camera for the first time, it would be good to study the instructions and operating manual, become familiar with the functions and capabilities of the device.

Although underwater cameras come in a wide variety of types and have a different set of functional features, they are still similar in terms of control. To begin studying the reservoir, in addition to the video camera itself, you will also need a cable for lowering and further raising the tracking device to the top.

The fisherman’s action algorithm should be approximately as follows:

1. Pick up the cable (most often it is a wire, the thickness of which resembles a thick fishing line) where it is attached to the camera body. It is convenient if the manufacturer has provided for ease of grip and equipped a special handle.
2. Start lowering the camera into the water with slow movements. Continue this until the underwater video camera is 5 cm below the hook level.
3. Now you can adjust the preferred direction for observation and fix the camera in this position (here you can’t do without studying the instructions).
4. Don't expect a clear picture right away - let the water calm down and settle around the camera. You'll have to wait a few minutes.
5. Carefully study the underwater world and pay attention to the closest fish: shape, size and its reaction to your manipulations with the bait.

Description of the winter underwater camera

Before buying a camera, you need to understand what it is and how it is used.

Device

An underwater device for winter photography consists of the following basic elements:

• Camera.
• Cable.
• Monitor.
• Power supply for charging the battery.

The most modern devices can be controlled remotely using a remote control that allows you to rotate the device horizontally 360 degrees and at different rotation speeds. The camera body is made of waterproof material, into which additional diode bulbs can be installed, which are designed to illuminate dark areas of the bottom or for night fishing.

The devices that are currently being produced are equipped with LCD monitors; their sizes depend on the model and reach a diagonal of 7 inches. Of course, they also use monitors with a CRT tube, but they are more massive and have a black and white picture, but at the same time the cost of the device is significantly reduced.

Some monitor models have several outputs for connecting an additional recording device, or connecting a second camera. When buying this device, you need to pay attention to the length of the cable, taking into account the depth at which the battery with which the device is equipped will be located. It allows you to work continuously for 6-8 hours.

The most important thing to pay attention to when choosing this is what is available:

• shipping container;
• the camera body is in the shape of a fish (it does not scare away fish, but in some cases attracts them);
• backlight (there are two types - LED and infrared);
• removable visor (to protect the monitor from sunlight and improve the image);
• Availability of memory (built-in or SD card).

Possibilities

This device shows a picture of the fishing spot, where you can see the bottom topography, the behavior and movement of the fish and its reaction to the bait. It is also easy to determine what kind of fish lives in a given area of ​​the reservoir.

Ide 52 is a Russian camera with very decent characteristics and quality

It performs well both in summer and winter, in harsh conditions. Detailed image of fish, stable operation, easy to learn and use.

Parameters and characteristics:

• Monitor 7 inches.
• Sony Effio CCD 2mpx camera.
• Video cable – 15 meters.
• Waterproof class IP 67. Sealed, water does not penetrate.
• Operating temperature from -20 to +40 degrees.
• Screen resolution 1024x768.
• Battery 4500 mAh, 12 V.

See for yourself. Video with an overview and examples of shooting on the Ide 52 Active 7 .

buy it on the official website . Price 5980 rubles.

Calypso UVS-03 (Calypso), demi-season camera

If

If you look at the video with the images that Calypso UVS-03 gives, you just get goosebumps. The fish, the bottom and the entire underwater world are so clearly visible. From the ice or boat you don't get the same feeling about the underwater world. The operating temperature range allows for use in winter fishing, up to a temperature of -20⁰С.

Characteristics:

1. Weight 489 g;
2. Breaking load on cable 20 kg;
3. Camera resolution 720x480;
4. Monitor resolution 960x480;
5. LED camera illumination;
6. Cable length 20 m;
7. Orange color;
8. Monitor Color LCD 4.3″ (11cm);
9. Digital zoom 4X Digital zoom;
10. MicroSD memory card support;
11. Memory card capacity up to 32 GB;
12. Operating temperatures from -20⁰С to +50⁰С.

The battery capacity of Calypso is 4000 mAh, which allows the device to operate for up to 8 hours.

Price 6650 rubles. buy it on the official website .

Price 6650 rub. Where can I buy? Official site.

Winter video footage from under-ice cameras

The following video is very indicative, demonstrating that there is a fish under water, but does not want to take it.

As Vodoglaz shows:

GoPro Here 3

A few tips that can help a careful study of the underwater landscape help you determine a place for successful fishing:

• large fish like to hide in snags and uneven surfaces;
• when immersing the camera for the first time, it is advisable to reach 10-15 cm above the bottom;
• Stop in time when diving, because hitting the bottom of a reservoir and colliding with obstacles can cause the camera to break and damage its body.

The need for a camera for ice fishing

Using an underwater camera for ice fishing is of great benefit to the fisherman, as it helps him see what is happening in the hole underwater in real time. The fisherman sees whether there is fish in a given area or not, if the fish is present, then its behavior is visible and from this he selects a fishing method.

Seeing that there are no fish in a given place, he does not waste time sitting near the hole, waiting for a bite. It is very convenient to use for determining the depth and studying the bottom of a reservoir, which is very important when choosing bait. But most importantly, you can film and leave a record of your trophy catch in your memory.

How and where to buy an underwater video camera

When choosing an underwater video camera, pay attention to the presence of infrared illumination, since it makes it possible to use the camera even in the complete absence of external lighting. This is not the only parameter that influences the final decision regarding the purchase of a video camera for winter fishing.

1. The photosensitive matrix is ​​a characteristic of the camera that determines the ability to capture details and display a high-quality image on the screen.
2. The camera angle is responsible for the device’s ability to operate in shallow water conditions (120 degrees is considered the optimal parameter).
3. The presence of fog protection comes in handy in cases where the water in the reservoir is cloudy.
4. Contrast and screen resolution are of great importance if the camera is planned to be used not only for winter fishing (bottom exploration, search for sunken objects).
5. The DVR function allows you to record your underwater observations, which you can view at home in front of your computer or TV. This is necessary for a more detailed study of your chosen fishing spot and honing your skills not only as a fisherman, but also as an observer.
6. The zoom function and the ability to work in night mode increase the ability to explore the underwater world, regardless of the level of turbidity of the water.

Regardless of where you live, you can use the Internet store and the camera can be delivered to you for relatively little money, whether you are from Voronezh or Vladivostok.

Underwater/under-ice camera LUCKY FF3308-8 or are there no fish here?

Underwater camera LUCKY FF3308-8 for observations during winter fishing or fishing from a boat. A good kit, low price, poor functionality and dubious use of the device.

The review will be about a popular camera for underwater observations - LUCKY FF3308-8. The device is quite popular, which is remarkable - FOR WHY it is popular. Before ordering, I watched its reviews on YouTube (little intelligible), looked at its offers in offline/national online stores (price about 120-150 bucks) and its only obvious advantage over a branded echo sounder/brand similar one is the price of FF3308-8. But in terms of functionality, there are continuous questions on questions and nothing is clear. Reviews on Ali seem to be positive, but some talk about broken accessories, some are happy about everything and don’t understand what it actually looks like...

Taking into account cashback and a permanent discount of up to 119.99 on Aliexpress, you can buy LUCKY FF3308-8 for almost a hundred US dollars – https://ru.aliexpress.com/item/LUCKY-Portable-Underwater-Fishing-Inspection-Camera-System-CMD -sensor-3-5-inch-TFT-RGB-Waterproof-Monitor/32671329506.html

And after 3 weeks a large parcel arrived. The motto “Fishing makes life better” inspired a little optimism at the start, but this is just the beginning. Next will be artificial testing at home/at home in a basin/on a river and under ice. And there optimism will be replaced several times by pessimism and vice versa.

We unpack the shipping box and get to the packaging itself. See the beautiful advertising picture in the front? Where is the fish swimming (image under my knife) and this fish on the screen? So this picture has nothing to do with FF3308-8.

About clarity and lack of clarity. The specifications of the lot on Ali indicate a screen of 320*240, not 628*586.

Let's finally open the camera itself. There is a bit of optimism and positives here, the set is almost gorgeous. It would also be nice to have a carrying handle like in tool boxes and this box can be used for the entire further life of the FF3308-8 as its individual packaging.

The kit comes with a whole lot of useful little things - network charging and auto-charging, for some reason the instructions are only in Russian. The latter surprised me at first, and then I compared a lot of offers from different online stores of the FF3308-8 camera and realized that this model could well be tailored for “Runet”.

Among the important and necessary things, the kit includes a 20-meter coil of cable with a connector at one end and a camera at the other end. By default, it is coiled and secured with an elastic band - only the connector sticks out and the camera is at the other end of the cable.

There was this plastic ring next to the camera and not everyone understood its purpose. Moreover, in one place it has something like a crack and some call it a defect in the FF3308-8 camera kit. I was also wrong when I called it a tether mount during the video review. In fact, everything is different, more positive! This is a kind of camera protection + the ability to run the cable to the side and observe horizontally underwater.

For some reason, there are no words about this in the instructions, but in the description of the lot there is an eloquent picture about everything.

The camera can switch to infrared very quickly in low light conditions. But the viewing angle...

120 degrees are stated and the camera looks a bit like an embryonic wide-angle, yes. Well, oh well, then there will be photo examples/video examples and everything will be clearer.

Screen with built-in battery. For some reason, there is an indication of the device’s memory, perhaps this means the settings memory. Because there is no own memory or recording on any memory card. There is only a demonstration of the camera image in real time. It is turned on by a button on the back with a click and without a camera we will only see a one-color screen and the inscription - no signal. There are two connectors at the top – for charging and for the camera.

At the very bottom of the box there is a 6-pointed flexible hook for clamping the screen and installing it in the desired place and position. The control buttons are most likely from some older, similar model - you won’t be able to zoom in or out. The button labeled “view” changes the screen orientation by 90 degrees, which is convenient. Brightness/contrast/color settings are available in the menu. These settings are not superfluous, the display is not IPS and in the open air it glares and fades.

The built-in battery pleased me - more than 8 hours of autonomy at above-zero temperatures. But to fully charge, I had to leave it overnight and it won’t be possible to charge it in the field with a telephone cable. It seems to me that a standard micro-usb would be more appropriate here than a specialized connector, especially since 5V is still needed.

Let's move on to the most interesting part.

Testing the LUCKY FF3308-8 underwater camera

The first testing attempts were carried out at home. I took this crusader and sent him to the bottom.

The depth is 10 centimeters and we see the inversion of the picture at an acute angle.

And if you look straight, you can see our drowned hero. The lighting conditions are rather poor, so we can also see with the help of backlight, as in night mode.

More extensive testing of the FF3308-8 was carried out on the river. The weather was not entirely suitable for this and only one fisherman greeted our camera with interest. He still didn’t have a bite, it was boring, and then we came with an unusual apparatus.

Our footage disappointed him - there were no fish. We went around several holes, the depth was from half a meter to a meter. The water is not stagnant - it’s a river, and not very clean - the city is nearby. In the water column, visibility reached literally 15-20 centimeters; near the bottom it was a little more fun. Below I will post a video review and there will be a whole piece of video on the ice, with images from cameras and from the screen. An indirect disadvantage was the rapid freezing of the cable at sub-zero temperatures + strong winds.

But after muddy running water, he was tested in a reservoir with depths of 10-20 meters, and here everything was much more thorough. The camera displays a quite detailed picture, even the infrared illumination finishes it below - the eyes of the fish are sparkling =) However, the display is still lousy, glares, especially in the sun and on ice.

The impression from the image was very twofold. It would seem that there is no point in believing Chinese advertising pictures? But the subconscious still formed expectations similar to the picture below - you plunged into the depths and you see half of the reservoir at once. Turn to the other side and you see the second half of the reservoir. In fact, everything is different.

In fact, there is a glare screen LUCKY FF3308-8, a narrow viewing angle and therefore the result in muddy river water was not particularly impressive. For optimal results you need clean, calm water and appropriate expectations. Or night fishing from a boat, when the backlight will snatch part of Poseidon’s possessions from the darkness, and the screen will not infuriate you with a meager display of data. And as for adequate expectations, it’s time to once again recall the price of FF3308-8 at a hundred dollars. If your expectations are many times higher than the modest picture from the camera, then it is still better to base your choice of equipment on the price tag as well. Don't expect a miracle from Chinese industry.

There are simply a lot of options for using an underwater camera: - from purely fishing ones - look for a “bed”, watch the biting process; - to the fishing grounds - look for a sunken motor/boat, just look for trophies waiting for a new owner at the bottom; – to a completely unfishing type of plumbing/automotive endoscope; – or a banal land camera with infrared illumination (only then the camera will turn out to be unreasonably expensive).

But if you are satisfied with the result, and this modest amount in the niche of fishing accessories is a critical maximum of possible expenses, then the camera is worth it. Knowing the fishing spots, you can look under the water and be aware of the current situation. And not sit for several hours before realizing “there are no fish here” (c).

However, no more than a hundred money, you shouldn’t buy absolutely the same model FF3308-8 within the country and at a price of 120-150 bucks, now you’re closer to looking for more advanced devices or even echo sounders.

After all, you can buy an underwater camera LUCKY FF3308-8 on Aliexpress and I can advise you to buy expensive things on Ali with some discount by using EPN cashback - a cashback specialized specifically for Aliexpress and get back about 7-15% of the money spent there. That is, for a total of 100 bucks spent on Ali on different products and different orders, the total cashback will return about 7-15 dollars. And the final price for all of them will no longer be 100, but 85-90 bucks. Here is the invitation link with all the details - https://cashback.epn.bz/?i=41c2a

And don’t forget about winter fishing safety!

05.02.2017 @ 20:31

Small goods from China and more, my reviews

aliexpress, aliexpress

Comparison of prices and parameters of different models

Although the video camera for winter fishing is just beginning to conquer the hearts of fishermen and win worldwide love, many manufacturers have already managed to translate into reality their vision of what the device should be. A large choice regarding the manufacturer and model always gives rise to a storm of doubts in the consumer. To prevent this from happening, it is worth carefully studying the available offers.

1. Let's start with the pioneer - the company under whose logo the world's first underwater video camera was released - Aqua-Vu (AquaSpy) . This manufacturer has many achievements, its own technologies, bold functional solutions - everything that any fisherman wants to get from an underwater camera. Micro Plus AV has entered the market , which will not leave the slightest chance for the fish to get away from you. This model is an expensive device - the cost is within 19 thousand rubles. There are simpler models that are also capable of producing high-quality images.
2. The Vodoglaz underwater camera takes second place in the ranking and has ardent fans who appreciate its advantages: compactness, high performance and accessibility. The operation of cameras under the Vodoglaz brand is in most cases designed for a depth of 15 meters. Although this figure is not the highest, it is quite sufficient for ordinary winter fishing.
3. An underwater camera from China JJ-connect trademark , which is already loved by Russian echo sounder users. As for cameras, you can choose from four models. The cost starts at 6 thousand rubles and ends at 15 thousand rubles. In addition to the affordable price, JJ-connect cameras attract consumers with their compactness, the introduction of a large number of additional functions and bold solutions.
4. LQ series of ice fishing equipment , you will notice a clear similarity with Aqua-Vu products. The manufacturer decided to focus on compactness, the ability to work in water with a high level of turbidity and the production of good operating results in harsh temperature conditions.

Budget (cheap) models

When choosing any equipment, not just underwater cameras, based on high cost is, to say the least, stupid, especially when finances are limited and purchasing expensive equipment is not part of your plans.

Among the inexpensive equipment for winter fishing, there are very worthwhile specimens that deserve attention from specialists and ordinary fishing enthusiasts. Camera Color ONE fishing camera can become your friend - it is lightweight, compact in size, and has a large color screen with a resolution of 320 by 240. The cost does not exceed 6 thousand rubles. Competition among budget cameras for the JJ-connect company is a company from Hong Kong Chinavasion , which owns the LQ brand. LQ-3501 has proven itself well , which can be purchased for 7.5 thousand rubles.

Reviews from underwater camera buyers

When there are doubts about choosing something, be it a phone, tablet, bicycle or underwater video camera, Internet users begin to study the reviews that were left by the owners of the equipment model we are interested in. What do they write about the most common models of underwater video cameras?

For example, the Vodoglaz-2 8IR underwater video camera for fishing raises some complaints about its insufficient depth of operation, but in general the reviews are positive. Another budget option, the LQ-3501, is getting surprisingly positive reviews , including a lot of praise for its viewing range. Aqua Vu Micro camera successfully collects reviews . Almost every user notes the small size of the device and the ability to carry the camera in their pocket.

Piranha Camera is an underwater fishing camera from the budget range. Based on the reviews, we can judge that the camera is a solid mid-ranger. She pays for her 8000. Unfortunately, people have had cases when it was flooded and it stopped working, but usually in this case the sellers are always willing to meet and replace the product under warranty.

Fishing with an underwater video camera will not compare to the way you fished before. Say “no” to prolonged and fruitless sitting over the hole. With an ice fishing camera, your catch will increase.

Some craftsmen get sophisticated and make fishing cameras with their own hands. A homemade camera is often based on a rear view camera for cars. Watch the video tutorial below for instructions and a description of the assembly process.

Review of underwater cameras for fishing

14.03.2018

Thanks to the development of technology, underwater video cameras have become a legitimate alternative to echo sounders as a way to select a good fishing spot, evaluate the catch, and inspect the bottom. In addition, everything is much clearer on video - you can look at the breed of fish and choose a fishing method, or even bait - and record the moment of a successful bite to show off to your friends.

A miniature camera in a sealed case with illumination is lowered to the bottom of the reservoir. In real time, you observe the behavior of the fish and the situation around you. It is especially convenient to fish with a camera in winter - thanks to the backlight, you will be able to see what is happening under the ice, the picture will be complete and without interference, as happens with an echo sounder. Looking at a fish is always more interesting than looking at a float.

When choosing an underwater video camera for fishing, you should look at the following parameters:

• cable length and load capacity
• Camera sensitivity and display parameters
• backlight type (IR/LED)
• presence of built-in memory/card slot

Contrary to the obvious, the cable is the heart of the camcorder.

It is a data transmission channel, and at the same time - an element of camera mounting. Therefore, especially if you plan to use the camera in winter, pay attention to the material, workmanship, operating temperature (as well as the entire camera as a whole, of course) and the amount of load it can withstand - the latter is important if the camera gets caught or picks up algae.

Matrix sensitivity,

Diagonal and display resolution are obvious parameters. The better the picture, the more convenient it is for you to navigate the place, and the brighter the videos will be if you decide to save recordings. The image is better visible on a large screen, but a small monitor is easier to place at hand. Often the device has two shooting modes: color and monochrome - choose a model with automatic transition to black and white in low light conditions, then you will be able to distinguish objects, even if something blocked the light.

The camera viewing angle can be included in this category: with a large angle you will have more information, with a smaller angle you will have a better picture. For all of these parameters, it is impossible to give clear recommendations - make a choice based on your own preferences, fishing conditions and priorities.

Backlight

- another important parameter of an underwater camera. Modern models use infrared or LED lighting. IR lighting is undoubtedly better because it does not scare away the fish. However, the LED will work better if there is a lot of suspension in the water, IR in this case, any passing boat or a flick of the tail will leave the blind for a few seconds until the silt settles.

Ability to save footage

It’s not important for all owners, but if you want to show off what you saw later, look for the presence of a slot for an SD card, and also, ideally, built-in memory. Not all models have this function - the most budget ones can only broadcast the image, but not save it.

In addition, depth and temperature sensors can be added to advanced cameras, which will give you more information about fishing conditions. Diving depths are usually specified in meters, and in salt water the maximum diving depth will be slightly less.

We have selected for you several basic models from different categories so that you can evaluate the capabilities of underwater cameras using specific examples.

A popular model of a simple camera, or rather a video rod, is
Luck y
. The functionality of this model is limited, for example, it cannot record video; but this is a full-fledged tool for checking what is happening underwater, which is called the “minimum working version”. Small 3.5-inch screen, bright picture, SHARP Color CMD camera with a viewing angle of 120 degrees, IR illumination, good visibility in muddy water, operation at temperatures down to -20 degrees.

Calypso FDV-1110

— a new model with two types of backlighting, a reinforced cable and the ability to record video to a card. At a low price, the functionality and quality of work is comparable to the American Aqua Vu. Also, the successful package - with a case and a visor - allows you to use the camera for all types of fishing right out of the box. Temperature range - up to -30.

Contrary to opinion, Chinese manufacturers have excellent full-fledged models of underwater cameras, with full functionality and a set of accessories. In our case, this is an interesting version of the camera immediately in the AVT MINI DR NEW

. A good display and camera are complemented by a decent-capacity battery. All equipment is mounted in a hard case, and adjustable optics and image parameters allow you to adapt to any type of fishing and work well in fresh and salt water.

Aqua-Vu is an American manufacturer that was the first to create and commercialize underwater cameras.

.
Since this equipment is still assembled in the USA, it is distinguished by the quality of workmanship and materials, software stability and up-to-date functionality, which naturally has to be compensated for by price. However, Aqua-Vu cameras have a sealed housing and a durable cable, which is also complemented (depending on the model) by built-in memory and a card slot for video recording, an advanced camera matrix with multiple zoom, and high-quality backlight with automatic control. We offer you the Aqua-Vu Micro Plus DVR
and
Aqua-Vu Micro 2
.

MarCum LX-9

- a camera from another American manufacturer. It is perfect for all types of fishing and has a rich set of equipment. In addition, Marcam can receive data from the echo sounder and output it in parallel with the video. The camcorder with adjustable zoom delivers high-quality video, including thanks to the noise suppression system. The temperature range is down to -25 degrees, and the large battery allows you to use the camera all day.

When you lower the camera into the water, or into a hole, keep in mind that the quality of the video is affected by the turbidity of the water, current, depth, nature of the bottom and relief. At depth, visibility from the camera is usually two meters, maximum three. When ice fishing with a camera, it’s a good idea to take a windshield wiper with you to clear the screen of ice without damaging it.

Overall, an underwater camera is both a handy tool and a source of new experiences for you and your family. Don't deny yourself the pleasure of making your fishing more spectacular.