INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing the VS 400 underwater viewing system from
MarCum Technologies.
Welcome to the world of underwater viewing.
MarCum Technologies has incorporated the latest technology in producing the most
compact and technologically advanced underwater viewing system available. Hunt for
underwater treasure or locate the "spot on the spot" for great fishing.
There are hundreds of uses for your new VS 400 underwater viewing system. Now
you’ll actually be able to see what’s below the surface of your favorite lake.
FEATURES
The VS 400 viewing system has various modes of illumination that provide enhanced
visibility for varying light conditions. The different lighting options can be selected
through the keypad located on the face of the monitor. Depending on the amount of
natural light available, you can choose between no illumination (ON), Infrared non-
visible illumination for stealth viewing (IR-VU), or multi-colored visible illumination (HI-
VU). Even in the most dimly lit conditions you can identify fish, structure, or objects
with ease.
The VS 400 is available with a choice of either 60 or 100 feet of Kevilar reinforced
underwater camera cable. Your VS 400 system comes with a detachable camera that
plugs and unplugs at the rear of the monitor. A handy cable reel for convenient cable
storage is provided with the system.
The 5.5 inch black and white CRT monitor has excellent resolution allowing viewing
with great clarity and detail. Controls for adjusting vertical hold, contrast, and
brightness are located at the rear of the monitor behind the rubber plug. Adjustments
can be made by removing the plug and rotating the knob either clockwise or counter
clockwise to obtain the desired picture. The rubber plug should remain in place in the
recessed area at all times to prevent moisture from entering the monitor housing.
The VS 400 has a video-out jack located at the rear of the housing under the rubber
plug in the same recessed area as the monitor adjustment controls. The video-out
jack can be utilized by purchasing a cable of desired length with male RCA jacks from
a local retailer of video or audio equipment. The cable can be plugged into either a
larger monitor or T.V. for a larger viewing image or can be used to record onto a VCR
or camcorder. To record onto a camcorder you must have a camcorder with a
video-in port.
The underwater camera comes with weights installed on the bottom of the camera
housing. These weights are required to provide the appropriate ballast for use in the
both open water and during ice fishing. Do not use the camera without these weights.
A high quality padded "Soft Pack" carrying case incorporates a built in collapsible
viewing shroud to enhance viewing in bright light conditions. The front of the Soft Pack
can be opened to allow for viewing when not exposed to harsh light (i.e. when viewing
in an enclosed ice house). The versatile "Soft Pack" system provides protection from
the elements as well as allows for the easy storage of all camera accessories. A draw
string pouch on the back of the "Soft Pack" holds the camera cable while two side
pouches accommodate the camera with attached steering Fin and Ice Arm with
ratcheted steering clip.
The battery included with the system is a 12 volt, 7amp hour sealed lead acid
electrolyte battery that will provide approximately 8.5 hours of viewing time when fully
charged. Viewing time will vary dependent on the condition of the battery as well as
the illumination mode used, i.e.: 9.0 hours for ON (no illumination), 8.0 hours for IR-VU
(non-visible infrared), and 8.5 hours for HI-VU (visible multi-color). A 500 mA DC wall
charger is supplied to recharge the battery to full capacity. Recharging the battery to
full capacity after every use is recommended.
For further battery charging information, please see the "Battery Charging" section of
this manual.
GETTING STARTED
Remove your VS 400 monitor from the Soft Pack by first opening the front of the case.
This is accomplished by pulling the flap at the top and sides of the Soft Pack until the
Velcro strips separate. Reach into the Soft Pack on top of the monitor and grab the
molded inset handle about halfway back. Pull the monitor forward tilting the top
towards you until it comes out of the Soft Pack case. Place the monitor on a flat
surface and open the battery compartment door located on the front lower section of
the monitor case.
This is done by gently applying downward pressure on the grooved finger inset at the
top of the battery door and pulling forward. Connect the battery leads to the battery
terminals i.e.: red lead to battery positive and black lead to battery negative. Replace
battery door and place monitor back into padded Soft Pack case. Close front of case
by re-attaching Velcro strips. Turn the Soft Pack to the backside and remove the cable
reel from the back pouch.
Reach into the lower left corner of the rear pouch and undo the Velcro door.
This allows access to the plug-in port for the camera. Plug the camera cable into the
upper plug-in port. Take notice that the plug-in is not round but has a flat side. This is
designed to assist in lining up the pins with the sockets in the plug and help eliminate
the bending of connector pins. Do not force the plug into the receptacle, you may have
it mis-aligned. There will be some resistance when plugging in the camera due to the
molded seal rings located on the plug, however, if lined up properly, this should go
together quite easily.
Please take note that the lower plug-in port marked ACC is not relevant to the VS 400.
This is a dead port and you should not attempt to plug the camera into this location.
Once that camera is plugged into the monitor, you can replace the camera cable into
the rear storage pouch and pull the drawstring for a snug fit. Place the camera with the
attached weights in the storage pouch on the left side as viewed from the front. Place
the Ice Arm into the vertical storage pouch on the right side as viewed from the front.
Attach the clip to the cable or store in the pouch on the left with the camera.You are
now ready to head to the lake. Once you reach your destination, remove the cable reel
from the rear storage pouch and remove the required length of cable. Open the front
of the Soft Pack so that the monitor and keypad are fully exposed. Turn the camera
power on by depressing the ON button on the keypad. The orange light to the right of
the ON button will light up and within seconds the monitor will come on. NOTE: there
is no camera illumination in this position.
Lower the camera into the water to the desired depth and secure the cable with the
Ice Arm to prevent depth changes. As with all CRT displays, bright light can washout
the display making viewing difficult. If this occurs, rotate the system so that the light
source is not directly on the monitor screen. In extreme bright light conditions it may be
necessary to use the viewing shroud to shield the monitor from the light source. To use
the viewing shroud, remove the protective cap from the face of the shroud located on
the front of the padded Soft Pack. Grab the face of the view shroud and pull towards
you until all three collapsible parts are fully extended. The shroud is not fully extended
until you hear the telltale click of each part as it locks into place. This clicking locks the
shroud into position so it won’t collapse on its own.
To collapse the shroud to its original position, push on the face of the shroud until all
three parts collapse inside each other and then the replace the protective cover.
The depth of field, the distance the camera can see underwater, depends on the
clarity of the water and available light at the depth the camera is used. In extremely
clear water the depth of field can be several feet and in cloudy or muddy water the
depth of view can be reduced to only a few inches due to particles suspended in
the water.
The underwater viewing system utilizes two different lighting options, IR-VU and
HI-VU. Infrared (IR-VU) can be selected by depressing the IR-VU button on the
keypad. Infrared works well in clear water or in low light conditions (dusk or dawn) or
when fish appear to be in a negative or neutral mood and react negatively to the bright
HI-VU lights. The HI-VU lights can be activated by depressing the key marked HI-VU
and can be used in extreme low light conditions or in water that isn’t conducive for an
Infrared light source.
ICE FISHING APPLICATION
A folding Ice Arm with a ratcheted steering clip is included with the VS 400 to enhance
your viewing through the ice. The Ice Arm and ratcheted steering clip holds the
cameras depth and direction of view when positioned over an ice hole. To prepare the
Ice Arm for use, hold the Ice Arm (logo pointing upward) in your left hand with the
slotted ratcheted area pointing away from you at the 12 o’clock position. Open the Ice
Arm by swinging the smaller arm located underneath counter clockwise to a 90-
degree angle. Place the camera cable at the back of the slotted ratcheted area in the
top arm and close the arm by rotating the smaller arm underneath counter clockwise
until the entire arm has been straightened. At this point the ice arm is ready to be
placed over the ice hole as shown on the outside of the original package.
You are now ready to set the depth for viewing by attaching the steering clip to the
cable above the ice arm. To attach the ratcheted steering clip, apply moderate
pressure to the wings and simultaneously slide the cable into the hole in the middle of
the clip. Release pressure on the wings and cable will be held firmly in place. The clip
must sit in the ratcheted area of the Ice Arm with the camera cable rising straight
above the clip for at least 4 inches. If the cable is angled too severely above the clip,
the clip won’t sit flat in the ratcheted area resulting in poor contact and difficulty
in steering.
To determine your viewing direction, position your camera towards your bait so that
you can see it in the middle of your viewing screen. Reposition your steering clip so
that the front of your clip is facing the same direction as your ice hole that the bait is
located in. By doing such, you’ve set your clip to indicate the direction the camera is
pointing. If viewing adjustments are required, lift the steering clip out of the ratcheted
area by lifting up on the cable, twist the cable in the required viewing direction and
lower the clip back into the ratcheted area.
A suggestion on how best to utilize your viewing system while ice fishing. Drill two
holes 3 to 4 feet apart. Lower your bait into one hole while placing the camera in the
other hole pointing in the direction of your fishing lure. Set the depth and angle of
viewing so that your lure appears in the middle of the viewing screen.
Good Fish’n!
