Are you an avid lover of ice fishing? Regardless of your love for this hobby, the never-ending hours that you spend on the boat, eagerly waiting for a catch, are undoubtedly annoying considering how cold and bored you must be.
Therefore, instead of just pointlessly sitting and freezing yourself, you can purchase an ice fishing camera to track all the action that’s happening underwater. It’s an amazing device that is simple to use, provides an excellent graphic and is equipped with a long-lasting battery.
If you’re planning to purchase one for your next fishing expedition, then the following tips will help you select the best one on the market.
Consider the display
The initial aspect to consider is certainly the display, as it’s one of the most significant features of your ice fishing camera. The wider it is, the better the view, as you wouldn’t want to miss anything that’s happening underwater. Naturally, larger displays tend to cost more than the models with smaller dimensions, but they’re essential for more successful fishing.
Moreover, apart from considering its size, it’s paramount to purchase a camera with a display that is simple to operate. You can choose between the models with touchscreens or the ones with a keyboard. Also, some models come equipped with a sun visor to prevent the blaze from obstructing your view of the display.
Regardless of which one you’d choose, make sure you know how to use the controls, as otherwise, you’d waste valuable time trying to figure out the commands. Bear in mind that you can’t afford to waste precious minutes when ice fishing, as things happen unexpectedly and you have to react fast.
Choose good camera quality
Camera quality is another important aspect when selecting the right model, as it has a direct influence on the vividness of the video. Therefore, in order to catch every minor detail on your camcorder, you need a variant with a high-quality camera, which normally costs more than the low-quality ones. Take a look at some reviews of the best ice fishing cameras on the market, in order to choose a top-notch model.
Furthermore, when it comes to the design, it’s crucial for the device to mimic the appearance of all the fish under the surface, as otherwise, you’re likely to have it broken in the blink of an eye. It should adapt to the underwater environment in order to last longer. Also, make sure you drop the camera into the water attentively, by avoiding unnecessary movements, as fish are easily scared.
In addition, another aspect to consider is the field of view that refers to the range of space you can see on the display. The minimum field of view is eighty degrees, whereas the maximum is one hundred and thirty-five degrees. Your choice will depend on the amount of space you wish to have on your screen.
Although you’ll come across appealing low-cost offers, make sure you aren’t tempted to purchase any of them since high-quality camcorders never come cheap. If inspecting all the underwater details is important to you, then you should consider investing in a costlier model, but if the graphic picture isn’t your priority, you can choose some of the lower-cost variants.
Consider the battery’s longevity
Perhaps the most crucial aspect when opting for an ice fishing camcorder is the longevity of its battery. Since you’ll be gone ice fishing in the wild, without any source of electricity in the surrounding, it’s vital for the battery to last as long as possible.
In fact, make sure you look for a variant whose battery lasts the whole day or a minimum period of ten hours. In this way, you won’t have to worry about it running out in the middle of your fishing procedure. There’s nothing more annoying than hearing the beep signalizing that the battery will soon run out when you planned on staying for a few more hours in the wild.
Therefore, don’t forget to take a detailed look at the product’s specifications in order to make a comparison between different variants and choose the one with the longest battery lifespan.
Don’t forget the cable and lighting feature
The length of the camera cable is very important in terms of reaching deeper waters. The most common cable length is fifteen meters that are considered optimal for ice fishing. However, in case you intend to fish in deeper waters, then consider purchasing a variant with an even longer cable.
In terms of lighting, the model you will purchase should optimally have both infrared and LED lighting for greater visibility. The former one is particularly useful for night fishing while the latter one for catching fish in deep waters. Visit this page to learn more about the amazing functions of the infrared camera technology.
Calculate your budget
Naturally, prior to purchasing this type of camcorder, it is important to consider the amount of money you are willing to spend on it. The initial aspect that is supposed to affect the ultimate price is the frequency of usage. In case you intend to use it once or twice annually, there’s no point in overspending on such an item.
On the other hand, if you intend to use it frequently, then consider the features that you genuinely need and want. Bear in mind that every additional feature increases the cost of the products. In case you have a limited budget, select a variant with the basic features you require, but if you can afford a costlier model, then make sure you select all the high-quality properties.
Finally, the really cheap cameras are a clear sign of low quality. If you opt for an inexpensive variant, don’t be surprised if it refuses to function in the cold, as low-quality models can’t withstand cold conditions, which are essential for ice fishing.
Wrap up
Purchasing this specialized camera can really make your hobby more interesting.
Choose one and have fun!