$600.00...burning a hole in my pocket!!

[GBF]

$600.00 burning a hole in my pocket……….Anyone using the Hummingbird 565 for a fish finder? If not, what would you recommend? I have a $350.00 budget!!

Also, are there any good deals on a digital camera? Budget is $250.00
What camera are you using or what would you recommend?

GBF

[Holy Mackerel]

Also, are there any good deals on a digital camera? Budget is $250.00
What camera are you using or what would you recommend?

GBF

I was using this one

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/s500/s500_front_blk.jpg

until my buddy, threw my camera in its case into my truck... He didnt know it was a camera, only about a 2-3 foot drop.

Now the display screen is white with no video picture. I contacted Canon, they want $140 to fix, and that may not include any parts. It still takes pics, but you never know if it is in focus, due to the screen going out.

It is an awesome camera, some of the best sunrise/sunset shots around. :P Not to mention, photo beeyotch pictures. Upon further research, this seems to be a problem for this model camera, the Display screen turning white upon being banged, or rattled. I guess there is soldering that comes loose. I am not bad mouthing Canon, or this product, as I would consider another, however, I have learned to be more careful with it.

As mentioned before I am little leary of optical lens' due to moving parts in a water in Salt env. However, IMHO, for the digital zoom camera's you really need to be on top of your subject to get a good close up. Well, hope this helps, must be nice to have some extra dinero!

Chris :mrgreen:

PS: I will sell you this one for the clearance price of $249.99 :P 8)

[Mr_PeaCH]

No specific recommendations on the camera but you could get a decent, cheap digital for a lot less than $250. Something to think about when spending money on gear that is going to get splashed or worse sooner or later and which isn't inherently water resistant. Just sayin'

[dmr]

I've been eyeing the Pentax Optio Waterproof camera. Its only a matter of time before I carelessly kill my wife's Canon Powershot.

http://www.pentaximaging.com/products/product_details/digital_camera--OptioWPi/reqID--6941188/subsection--optio

[scwafish]

I have a Optio WR43 and it is fantastic. I have the 5.0 version at work. The 5.0 is smaller, and even more water resistant, but it uses a funny little battery pack, which I dont like.

The 43 takes fantastic pics and has been BOMBPROOF. I left it in my PFD pocket for an entire day of swiftwater rescue class...unphased! It also uses regular AAs which is more versatile. It snarfs AAs however, so I bought so 2500mah AA rechargables (last a LONG time) for 90% of the time, and use regular AAs for back up on long road trips etc.

This is from a 43 on "medium" settings. Look at the detail on this fishes head, the water, Jrs gloves etc. Couldn't ask for more.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/albums/album03/2005_11_13_020.jpg

[bluesquids]

While back on a dive forum a guy had these unreal underwater reef & fish pix. People were using them as screen savers they were so good. I can't find the site again. But he had a fairly run of the mill (+/- $300) camera and a hard shell housing from this site.
http://www.waterproofcameras.com/
The housing was only $100 bucks, but was similar as some as the ones on there for $300.
That's the next set up i'm looking into, just more research to do first.
It was pretty compact too.

[bluesquids]

Okay sorry, that wasn't quite the right link up there.
But, I was thinking along the lines of something found here. For example,
The canon Powershot and olympus stlyus lines both have housings just over $100.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=breadCrumb&A=search&Q=&ci=5237
Though, something with an external flash would give you the award winning deep underwater shots, but the goal for me here and now is price, compact-ness, multiuse & worry free waterproofness. Like I said, I'm still looking around though.
I know sooner or later i'm gonna wreck my wifes camera....and then, well, I'll just be a deadman.

[drmboy]

for the fishfinder.....i just got a humminbird 383c and i havent used it yet but it seems to be extremly nice

color/gps/compact/backlit screen/dual frequency

[slotmachine]

I've bought the powershot A85 and underwater houseing to match two years ago. The good and bad .. Lost manny great photos of moveing subjects because of the lag time between focus and shoot. Vers took a lot of pictures did:t have to pay for developing. Here is a picture of a baby fish . [img Sorry don't know how to post pictures.[/img]

[Brad Wells]

Check out stevesdigicams.com. Reviews all cameras and tells you where to get them. I look for a large screen veiwable in sunlight, and short shutterlag. I've got the olympus stylus 500 with a waterproof case that I use for diving as well.

[Corey]

Damn, Lenard. I wish I had your problem. The only thing burning a hole in my pocket is a broken fishfinder. I won't have as much of a budget as you, but I think my next one's gonna be a Garmin. The people I know who use them seem to have fewer problems.

get bent,

corey

[blackcloud9]

I just ordered the Humminbird Fishfinder 565 for my new yak. (Bass Pro Shops 199.00) I've had the portable Humminbird Pirahnna 4 for 3 - 4 years on the yak, and, for use in local lakes on rental boats. Still going strong.

Also, got the cheapest Canon digital on the way

[Grego]

Those are some nice pics of crappies you got....those, stripers, and sacramento perch are my favorite freshwater to eat. Check your PM...I got a recommendation to avoid the freak fooks

[amsurferoceanbeach]

I have the 565 and am happy with it.
If you order it, make sure to tell them
you want the through hull non directional
puck. They offer it with this,but comes
standard with the transum mounted ducer.
This you can epoxy inside.
How I found out is I decided I did'nt need
25' of cable so I cut it to fit. Read the installation
manual first.

[bluesquids]

Hey, if anybody is still interested. The camera and housing I've seen recommended a couple times now, is the Canon S80. runs $550 or so for both. Rated to 130feet.
Check out the ultra sweet pix on this thread.


http://www.spearboard.com/showthread.php?t=25990

Features...http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=397402&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Housing..http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=397837&is=REG&addedTroughValue=397402_REG&addedTroughType=accessory_detail