Underwater viewing systems

Status
Not open for further replies.
A

Allan Frey

.
Jun 4, 2004
255
Hunter 376 Annapolis MD
Has anyone used one of the electronic underwater viewing systems that have recently come on the market, e.g. Aquabotix's AquaLens?

These consist of a waterproof camera, that can be attached to a boat hook, that sends a picture via a cable to a TV screen on the boat. It can be used to inspect the prop, transducers, etc.

Allan
 
Mikem

Mikem

.
Dec 20, 2009
823
Hunter 466 Bremerton
My son put a go pro camera on the end of a tripod to film the operation of our new flexofold prop. The camera and prop both worked as advertised.

Mike
 
A

Allan Frey

.
Jun 4, 2004
255
Hunter 376 Annapolis MD
I need a camera that can be submerged 6 ft underwater and connected by cable to a display screen on board for real time viewing. I understand that the Go Pro, Mike, is not for underwater use and is not designed to be part of such a system.

Allan
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

.
May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
You can use a go pro as a live viewing system. The Gopro hero3 has built in wifi that can connect to your iPad, iPhone, or android and can provide a live view. I am not sure how well the wifi will work underwater though. Maybe if only submerged a foot or two.

I use a flexible snake camera for this but the image is not all that great. Much better to use the go pro and then review afterwards.
 
gpd955

gpd955

.
Feb 22, 2006
1,164
Catalina 310 Cape May, NJ
Don't have the wifi on my GoPro 2 but I can attest to the fact that it works well underwater, as it was designed to do. Sent mine down in our crab trap for a few hoes in time lapse mode.

All sailors should have a GoPro!!! Best Fathers Day gift I ever got! Used it sailing, checking out the bottom, used it at work and on my helmet while playing hockey!

Check out the cool vids on YouTube, including a great perspective on sharks:

http://youtu.be/-K7eVpbGgQI
 
DannyS

DannyS

.
May 27, 2004
933
Beneteau 393 Bayfield, Wi
I just got a Gopro for X-mas and can't wait to use it on the boat. I have the wi-fi backpack that allows me to use an ipad, iphone or ipod as a remote control. It also allows you to see what you are filming but you have to have wi-fi. It won't work offshore. The camera will, the wi-fi won't
 
onecoolair

onecoolair

.
Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
DannyS said:
I just got a Gopro for X-mas and can't wait to use it on the boat. I have the wi-fi backpack that allows me to use an ipad, iphone or ipod as a remote control. It also allows you to see what you are filming but you have to have wi-fi. It won't work offshore. The camera will, the wi-fi won't
Click to expand
The wifi will work if you have a mifi ... The mifi can work off a 12 volt adapter plug and still create a wifi bubble around the boat even if you are to far off shore the get an Internet connection. But will still allow for net working with I- pad / I-pod or laptop.
 
A

alexco38

.
Sep 25, 2008
1,096
CS 30 Toronto
It won't work offshore?

Does the camera connect to the iPad/iPhone/Android directly as personal hot spot?

Alternately you can get a cheap router. It doesn't have to be near shore as you don't need to be connected to the Internet. Unless the app was designed to contact to some server.

Just curious.

I had a Android tablet with remote desktop app connected to a Laptop running Seaclear/OpenCPN via a router. No land based Internet needed.


DannyS said:
I just got a Gopro for X-mas and can't wait to use it on the boat. I have the wi-fi backpack that allows me to use an ipad, iphone or ipod as a remote control. It also allows you to see what you are filming but you have to have wi-fi. It won't work offshore. The camera will, the wi-fi won't
Click to expand
 
Mikem

Mikem

.
Dec 20, 2009
823
Hunter 466 Bremerton
Allan, well, for not being rated for underwater use it sure took a nice video of my prop which is at least 3-4' underwater. Mike
 
A

Allan Frey

.
Jun 4, 2004
255
Hunter 376 Annapolis MD
Mikem said:
Allan, well, for not being rated for underwater use it sure took a nice video of my prop which is at least 3-4' underwater. Mike
Click to expand
That is what the store person told me when I asked about using it in a CCTV system. I guess he meant that it did not have a waterproof cable connection that would allow it to be used in such a system.

Thanks
Allan
 
Mikem

Mikem

.
Dec 20, 2009
823
Hunter 466 Bremerton
Allan, a marine repair buddy of mine has a black and white UW camera with a cable and monitor that he bought at Harbor Freight for $150. He says it works just as well as a $1500 unit he used before that. He didn't remember the name of either.
 
A

Allan Frey

.
Jun 4, 2004
255
Hunter 376 Annapolis MD
Mikem said:
Allan, a marine repair buddy of mine has a black and white UW camera with a cable and monitor that he bought at Harbor Freight for $150. He says it works just as well as a $1500 unit he used before that. He didn't remember the name of either.
Click to expand
Thanks, Mike. I checked Harbour freight and unfortunately it is not currently on their web site.

Allan
 
A

Allan Frey

.
Jun 4, 2004
255
Hunter 376 Annapolis MD
Tim R. said:
You can use a go pro as a live viewing system. The Gopro hero3 has built in wifi that can connect to your iPad, iPhone, or android and can provide a live view. I am not sure how well the wifi will work underwater though. Maybe if only submerged a foot or two.

I use a flexible snake camera for this but the image is not all that great. Much better to use the go pro and then review afterwards.
Click to expand
I contacted Gopro tech support and they said:
"Thank you for contacting Gopro. The wifi signal will not carry underwater"
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom