# Aqua-Vu

> Aqua-Vu is a Minnesota company that builds underwater viewing cameras for anglers, researchers, and rescue teams. Invented in 1997 to let ice fishermen see beneath the hole instead of guessing, it turned a niche gadget into the category-defining brand. Today it is run out of Crosslake by owner Kolt Ringer under Outdoors Insight, Inc., selling handheld Micro cameras, boat-mounted HD systems, and rugged inspection rigs direct to consumers and through tackle retailers worldwide.

- **Founded:** 1997
- **Headquarters:** Crosslake, Minnesota, United States
- **Founders:** Jeff Zernov (Inventor / Founder (via Nature Vision, Inc.)), Al & Ron Lindner (Angling-industry backers / concept originators), Ted Capra (Early backer), Kolt Ringer (Owner, Outdoors Insight, Inc. (acquired 2020))
- **Team size:** ~8 employees (Crosslake, Minnesota)
- **Products:** Micro Series (Micro Revolution 5.0 HD, Micro II, Micro Plus), HD Series (HD7i / HD10i), Multi-Vu, Quad HD, XD Camera & XD Accessory System
- **Notable:** Invented the first Aqua-Vu underwater viewing system in 1997, creating the consumer underwater fishing camera category., Introduced HD underwater camera technology to the category around 2010., Positioned as the #1 underwater camera brand worldwide, sold across every continent.

## Products & services

- **Micro Series (Micro Revolution 5.0 HD, Micro II, Micro Plus)** — Compact, portable handheld underwater cameras with 3.5"-5" sunlight-viewable LCD screens, 1080p HD video, IR low-light lighting, and 50-125 ft of cable. Built for ice fishing, kayak, and run-and-gun scouting; some models output to sonar via HDMI/RCA.
- **HD Series (HD7i / HD10i)** — Larger sun-viewable HD systems (7" and 10" displays) with built-in DVR recording, ideal for boat-mounted open-water viewing and permanent ice shelters.
- **Multi-Vu** — Add-on underwater camera module that pipes live video into any RCA-enabled sonar unit or TV/LCD monitor, with a 12V control box and heavy-duty cable.
- **Quad HD** — Multi-directional underwater camera system offering a wider, near-360-degree waterscape view of structure, cover, and fish.
- **XD Camera & XD Accessory System** — A rugged, modular camera housing with a quick-attach accessory ecosystem (mounts, the MO-Pod motorized camera positioner, poles) engineered for versatile underwater viewing, inspection, and search-and-rescue use.
- **The Captain** — Launched at ICAST 2025: a 7" ultra-bright 4K display with dual 1080p IP67 wide-angle cameras, integrated GPS, microSD recording, and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto - aimed at boats and ATVs, not just fishing.

## Achievements

- Invented the first Aqua-Vu underwater viewing system in 1997, creating the consumer underwater fishing camera category.
- Introduced HD underwater camera technology to the category around 2010.
- Positioned as the #1 underwater camera brand worldwide, sold across every continent.
- Adopted beyond fishing by fisheries agencies, marine inspectors, and search-and-rescue teams.
- Sustained a 28+ year single-category product line without pivoting away from its founding question.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — Published new field content (e.g. 'Blobs and Bass') showing anglers using Micro cameras to interpret forward-facing sonar returns.
- **2026-01** — Refreshed brand identity and Shopify storefront (new 2026 logo), reinforcing the direct-to-consumer channel.
- **2025-07** — Launched 'The Captain' at ICAST 2025 - a dual-camera 4K system with GPS and Apple CarPlay / Android Auto, pushing the brand beyond fishing into general boat and ATV viewing.
- **2022-2023** — Released the Quad HD (four-lens, near-360-degree view) and expanded the Micro Revolution HD line with HDMI/RCA output for Garmin, Lowrance, and Humminbird sonar integration.

## Links

- Website: https://aquavu.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aqua-vu
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/aquavu
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AquavuOfficial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquavu/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnderwaterViewing/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/aqua-vu
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-08-19