Maplin underwater camera - thoughts please?

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Matt341

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Hi All,

I am interested in the black and white underwater camera the Maplins have on their website at the moment.

It looks a good bit of kit so im wondering if anyone has experience, good or bad?

We were out of the water in October for a few weeks so I dont want to pay for another lift out & re launch just to check the anodes.

Link - http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=223577

I assume there is a way that it can be attached to a boat hook so that I am able to use it from the dinghy or pontoon.

Thanks
Ian
 
I've used one and it does what it says on the tin. The camera has a weighted bulb so I just made a 'cradle' with wire ties so that it could gimbal and it worked fine to inspect prop anodes. I haven't tried the IR mode under water.
 
I had one for 18 months and then the camera began to leak. Only a little condensation to be seen on the inside of the lens, but sufficient to consign it to the tip. Maplin's gear isn't what you'd call "top quality" by any stretch.
 
I've got one; as said before, it does what it says on the tin! Handy for examining the prop if you're not sure there's something wrapped round it. I wouldn't expect it to last forever, but it is cheap and cheerful.
 
I have one also and used it quite a bit and it has saved a pontoon neibghbour from a lift out as the damage to his rudder was minor as we could see on the camera.

I cable tie it to the boat hook without using the weight which makes it easier to handle, also use a cheapo LED torch which really gives the camera better light in mirky conditions.

How long will it last .... good question

It has video out on the B/W monitor so will feed a laptop or PC with a video card which captures video or a camcorder with a composite video line input.

franky
 
There is a product review on this here.

I have just ordered mine from Maplin. I reckon £10 to check someone's underside! Should be in profit by lunchtime.:p
 
Useful bit of kit as long as the water is clear enough, which it often is not. The main problem with mine is that the screen is not viewable in sunlight at all, and even in broad daylight, the definition is poor. It really does need to be used in the shade when the pics are entirely viewable.
 
Thanks for all the replies everyone!!

The advice is excellent.

Im going to order one from Maplins website tonight.

The prop and anode are located quite close to the stern so hopefully it will be able to pick these up on the monitor.

Thanks again
Ian
 
I have the colour version of the same camera. Bought it off eBay, was shipped from China. Plugged straight into the e80 and works like a charm.

At night the infra red led illumination works well but range in even clear med water is only about a metre.

Used ours to watch fish. inspect prop and rudder. Watched feathering prop reversing pitch.
 
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