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First things first. The Proof Is In The Fishing. Now with that said, I'm thinking about a Marcum. Just something about really seeing what's down there. Scuba class was a bad idea, ear infection and then another ear infection, so I never passed the class. I have been watching videos on YouTube and it's awesome. My buddy has a 1197 and it's a blast but sometimes it still leaves you thinking. Any input???
An underwater camera will require clear water and a good lighting system to be of any use. Plus you have to deal with the display device and all of that cable as well. Not sure how clear your water is but we have to be within a few feet here in Eufaula, Alabama to be able to see anything.
Sonar, on the other hand, will work in all water conditions and all of the components get mounted to the boat so there are no cable to have to worry about winding up and storing when you use it. [Humminbird used to make the Fisheye underwater cameras.]
Cameras are good for inspecting structure you have found. Other than that they are very limited. I would go with the sonar if I only had one.
I have gin clear water on both lakes in the winter so that's a plus. I have two boats that I fish out of so the camera can go with me. Plus both boats already have graphs on them. I spend more time fishing than I do looking even though I do alot of scouting. It would be hard for me to justify the money a nice SI/DI unit costs compared to a camera.
My 1197 can "effectively" identify brush and other structure out to 70-90ft each side of the boat in good water on most days...At least to the point to know if the structure deems "further investigation"...
I don't own an underwater camera.... Can a camera distinguish brush 90 ft away from the boat?
Also my 1197 can look left and right at the same time....
Rickie