MAV VIEWING TIPS
Begin underwater viewing by lowering the MAV camera to within 1 to 2 feet of the bot-
tom. The bottom provides a solid point of reference that helps you perceive sizes of
fish and objects below. The MAV camera is set up to view horizontally, so you can see
bottom and fish all around your position. Typically, anglers slowly move along, eyes
glued to the monitor’s ever-changing picture of the underwater terrain.
You can also view vertically —studying bottom and fish straight below. To view verti-
cally, or “downview,” simply insert the camera cable into the rear slot on the
Stabilizing Fin, which keeps the lens pointing straight toward bottom, as opposed to off
to the side. Downviewing works best from a stationary position, and isn’t as effective
while moving. NOTE: Be sure to release the cable from the fin before stowing camera.
In most waters, fish relate to bottom structure. So, while drifting or slow-trolling, you’ll
need to guide the camera over the ups and downs of bottom contours. You will quickly
learn how to “swim” the camera over bottom terrain with a touch of the Footpad.
Simply raise or lower the camera, pressing DOWN or UP, depending on depth and boat
speed. As you move along, you should see on your monitor screen a continuous picture
of the passing bottom and the fish-holding watery zone just above it.
When viewing over soft bottom, make sure the camera is actually above the bottom,
and not plowing through it. If the camera is digging into bottom, you’ll only see a
dark screen. Remember, if you can’t see bottom, raise or lower the camera to “look”
for it. If your camera becomes snagged, maneuver the boat so the direction of pull is
the reverse of what it was when the camera became snagged. A little jiggling or light
tugging will usually enable you to back the camera out of a snag. Avoid pulling the
camera through heavy weed cover or thick brush.
With your MAV, you will be fascinated and often surprised by the ever-changing view of
underwater scenery: rocks, weeds, other bottom features — and fish!
Nature Vision, Inc. © 2006, Pg 11
