SeaLife SportDiver Underwater Smartphone Housing for iPhone/Android

2024-07-18T08:28:29

I hadn't considered owning an underwater phone housing, but chanced upon the Sportdiver in a raffle. I'm thrilled to have it, since my 2011 SeaLife Reefmaster Mini camera is no longer supported. I had to acclimate to the size and simple setup of the Sportdiver, but love its secure design, photo quality, and settings. My concerns were eased over some sink tests, outdoor experience, and assuring e-mails with SeaLife representative Sven Harms. Should this item interest you, inform yourself first. SeaLife has a phone compatibility chart on its website. Though my Moto-G Play phone was listed too large to fit, it does! Its true dimensions are marginally smaller than those the manufacturers provided for SeaLife. Don't leave that to luck. Their Ultra model can fit some larger phones, but has a different window orientation. Even a few phones that fit may not have supported operating systems. - In the Box: As pictured, you'll get the trappings to power the device and keep it dry for your first few uses. I'm particularly pleased with the wrist strap and removable red filter, but feel the kit could have come with a small brush for first-time owners. It can be difficult to clear fine sand grains from the buttons or twist lock without one. If you intend to make regular use of this housing, you'll eventually need more moisture munchers, batteries, and occasionally O-Rings. One muncher lasted four of my dives. - Size and Handling: The Sportdiver is larger than some simpler submersible point-and-shoot cameras and won't fit into a small belt pouch as they do. That allows such a large range of phones to properly wear it, but also makes stabilizing it a two-handed matter for me. Even so, the wrist strap and cleverly contoured front surface make it easy to grasp. It isn't heavy, but buoyancy may vary by phone model. Keep the Sportdiver tethered or clipped to you at all times-carelessness may cost you two devices. - App and Setup: Likewise, the app and software are easy to grasp. The manual and on-screen prompts are clear, but you should practice setup and test it in a sink or pool before using it in the wild. Try to reach your dive site a few minutes earlier to ready the housing without haste. I've had no leak issues, but the Sportdiver's alarm is definitely voluble. Don't be alarmed to hear it when you dry and open the unit after use. There's a little delay in button response and menu navigation when you use this Bluetooth device, but don't hammer the buttons impatiently. You won't have the option to capture video with too little memory available. I try to have 700MB-1GB open when my phone dives in this housing. - Settings: The Sportdiver's price rivals that of some good introductory underwater cameras (esp. if used,) but you indirectly upgrade it any time you get a suitable phone with stronger cameras. This captures much clearer and wider pictures than my old Reefmaster Mini, with more thorough settings like ISO, White Balance, Manual Focus, and Shutter Speed. I especially enjoy the three-shot-burst mode, which eases timing with moving subjects. If you're wont to learning and exploring these settings, you only stand to improve! Just know that a few shooting modes and features are only available to certain operating systems or phone camera builds. I don't think it can use your phone's flash, but such an accessory exists. As always, your own skills and site conditions are factors. Get a handle on your position and buoyancy, and you'll have time to calmly observe these settings and their effects. The best learning chances may come while snorkeling in clear water or diving with an air supply. *Tip: The manual doesn't mention it, but if you pull the shutter while in Settings mode, you return directly to Photo mode. - Issues: Over my four present uses, the Sportdiver's seal has been faultless! But sand became lodged beneath the buttons on my first use, disabling some of them for the dive. This may only be an issue for shore divers or those near muddy bottoms. I remedied it with an air duster and a small brush, and it thankfully hasn't recurred. Take care never to lose the valve cap--if you did, the device couldn't seal. I'm happy with the design, but perhaps the cap could use a small tether. The red filter sometimes drifts and blocks my shots while detached. You may want to pocket it when you don't need it. - Construction: I trust the solid plastic construction of the device. Although its large window has a screen protector, I'd never want to drop it--I've seen no mention of drop resistance. Also, take care not to subject it to harsh, direct sunlight for long. I'm eager to improve my use of this phone dive suit throughout the season. I respect its potential not only in recreation and study, but as a means of showing freelance clients property conditions. Thanks for the superb prize, SeaLife and <a href="http://Scuba.com," target="_blank">Scuba.com,</a> and thanks for your polite and professional patience, Sven!

Tykwon G.

2024-03-26T07:42:34

Wow!! What an incredible case!! Worked beautifully with my iPhone Pro Max 15. Outstanding beautiful photos!! Highly recommended!! Videos were equally as beautiful and sharp as the photos!! Being able to upload to the Internet within minutes of opening the case was absolutely ideal!

RANDALL G.

2023-09-19T18:50:53

I had nothing but problems with this housing. It either started screaming/beeping because of a leak, or the app wouldn't work. When it did work it was great for the novice photo guy. However I was on a 7 day liveaboard, 4 to 5 dives a day, and this thing worked maybe 4 total dives all week. Oh yea, there 2 other people onboard this boat with this same exact housing, we all had the same problems. I don't dive enough during the year for a camera to maybe work 5% of the time. It's just not worth it.

Steven V.

2023-07-25T13:09:30

I wanted to love it, but between the weight and the glitches with my iPhone, I had to return. The concept is great but it didn't translate into real life.

GERI J.

2023-01-23T14:57:11

Overall a great system. I've taken some great photos and videos with it in Cozumel, Indo, and elsewhere. I like it as when you're done with the dive the photos are on your phone, no messing around hoping that the GoPro "hooks up" with your phone. Also, I had major issues with those videos playing etc. It's super easy to set up this housing with your phone. I did have it "pop" on me at 120 feet, it didn't leak but the pressure seal did alert me to an issue so I won't be going very deep with it again. Another two issues is that my IPhone 13 Pro doesn't have a stabilization setting so sometimes the videos get a little shaky. Also, the phone doesn't "focus" sometimes as quickly as you'd like. Of course those are phone issues and not housing issues. I'd buy it again.

JOHN H.

2022-12-23T07:16:48

This camera setup is awesome! Simple setup - just 10 minutes of prep and you are ready for the water. Simple to use - point and shoot with numerous features available. Case has some adaptability to model of phone you have so can switch out between dives if wanted.

Colin E.

2022-11-13T08:03:56

It worked amazing. Great pictures, plenty of battery. Very easy to use just follow directions and buy extra moisture absorbers. People with giant camera rigs were stunned by what we captured with this in Indonesia.

Mike O.

2022-04-14T09:10:59

Used it during a trip to Aruba. It took great pictures and amazing video. Two things I love, the first is that the camera case is so simple to use I was able to give it to a fellow diver to take pictures of my family while diving. The second is that there are captured on my iPhone 12 ready to share.

ROBERT K.

2022-02-22T04:48:26

Just came back from Little Caymans. Housing worked wonderfully! Bought for my wife. She is not a tech person by any means, but she found it simple to use and took great pics and videos. Her pics were better than my Go Pro! Super easy to use right out of the box. Will buy one for myself. Highest recommendation!

JOHN R.

2022-01-06T08:59:09

Great. Works amazing for dropping your phone into. Well made. I suggest getting the double light rig to go with it. It gets dark down there real quick. Its not National Geographic level, but for some vacation and leisure shots they turn out decent. All underwater photos need color correction (mostly) to some extent after you get them into the computer. Also quality will vary depending on conditions in the water so there's that too. All my photos were shot on a Pixel 5

Sean H.

2021-12-09T03:07:20

This is a great case! Download the app turn on case, let it pair close case, pressurize till gauge says good wait 5 minutes for leak down. If says your good then all systems go. I will say I have a 12 mini start with 100% and end with 25% after 4 hours because the phone doesn?t time off

Monroe M.

2021-11-28T19:00:00

Just took a trip to Antigua, 5 dives with the SeaLife housing and got incredible pictures and video.super easy to set up and the picture quality is outstanding. The red lens filter made a huge difference. I highly recommend this product

MarkN

2021-07-20T10:48:53

I bought one just before our vacation and we absolutely loved it!!! Easy to use and simple instructions made this the perfect last minute vacation buddy. It also gave me a reason to hop in the pool with my family and allow us to act crazy while catching it all on video.

MICHAEL E.

2021-07-12T06:30:13

Awesome case! Went shark diving recently and it worked amazing!

ADORAMA I.

2021-07-02T11:02:11

Very simple to use. What a treat to instantly see photos since I used my phone. The case is heavy, so the safety wrist strap is much needed. I was able to use at night and during the day. Wish I had purchased years ago!

URSULA B.

2021-02-06T15:05:46

Too long to set up leaves little or not battery life

DANIEL F.

2020-11-26T17:31:34

Built like a tank. Very simple to use. Perfect function to 130'. Takes a little getting used to for the setup but no issues at all.

ANA B.