Atlantis AUW-502 Underwater Sportscam Camera System

I've owned this product for a couple of years, and bought it elseware, but it's the same product. I have only used it three or four times, at depths from just a few feet to around 20+. The camera and infrared lighting provided a very clear picture, and was more than adequate for the price.

As far as problems, there are several. First, there are no provisions for managing the cable, and avoiding making a birds nest out of it can be a problem. Second, the overall unit is rather bulky to manage on a small boat. Third, the ballast weight is easily lost, as the positioning clamp is not a positive locking device. I lost my first weight, the very first time I used it, and then wrapped the replacement with tape, to limit it's ability to fall out. Finally, after only using the camera three or four times, it suddenly failed. Upon opening it up, I found water had leaked inside the housing. This was obviously not the first leak, as a screw inside had rusted, indicating a previous leak. After drying it out, the camera was again in working order, but I will probably use some potting epoxy to encapsulate the inner components to prevent further water intrusion.

Overall, if you know what to expect, and minimize the issues, the price of this unit is acceptable. Would I buy it again, knowing what I know now? No.

The images on this unit are fantastic. Works both above water and below. We were amazed at the view of the schools of bluegills, then the rocks, then the rock ledge.....Got so busy watching the screen, I didn't watch where we drifted! But anyway, it's good for objects within very close range. We used it in an Arkansas lake with about 17 ft visibility and could really only see objects within a few feet of the camera. Based on our experience, if you try and use it in a muddy lake, you won't see anything unless you are on top of it.

Major Drawbacks: The video screen unit is bulky. The whole outfit fits into a nice carrying case, but again, bulk, bulk, bulk, between the screen and the battery. They don't give you the option of using a 12v cig lighter plug-in and you have to use the battery provided for power. Also, the directions strongly caution against getting the video screen unit wet. Hello?...I'm in a boat surrounded by water and may also get rained on and you tell me not to get it wet? They should have made the video unit waterproof. The camera unit is OK, but you really have no control of it once you put it in the water. It dangles on the end of its cord, rotating at will with no human control except for the depth you lower it to. The cable has the depth marked off in 5 ft intervals, which is helpful. The camera has a circle of lights mounted on it, but I never could get them to go on. You certainly aren't going to get Robert Ballard quality images out of this setup!

We ended up taking it back (to Bass Pro) as we were very unsatisfied with the quality/usefulness for the amount of money it cost. It was too much trouble and too much clutter in an already crowded boat. Also, I prefer to sneak a peak at my depth finder every now and then and get my fishing pole in the water rather than screwing around with a camera unit, looking at the underwater terrain and seeking what kinds of fish are below me.

Spend your money on a depth finder. It's far more utilitarian for the fisherman.