Divevolk vs Oceanic+

[jclin10]

Hi all

I'm looking for a dive housing for my iPhone. Is anyone familiar enough with the Divevolk and Oceanic+ housings to give pros and cons of each?

Thanks!

 

[PHXAZCRAIG]

No idea myself, but I've been interested in cell phone housing for years now.

Note that Kraken also sells phone housings, including what seems the identical model from Divevolk, but for $50 more.

In the past, these housings cost around $300-400. They seem to be similar in that buttons use bluetooth connections to the phone rather than physical, so in that sense housings can be somewhat universal.

Regardless of the housing, at some point you're likely to need a strobe. No idea how to incorporate that into a smartphone housing.

 

[Kaskoo]

Hi

I am searching the same review to choose one housing. I try to understand if the oceanic+ worth the price and if picture quality is better through their glass.
BTW did you choose one ?

 

[Barmaglot_07]

Note that Kraken also sells phone housings, including what seems the identical model from Divevolk, but for $50 more.

Kraken resells Weefine housings; they are completely different from Divevolk in that they use a Bluetooth connection to the phone inside and an app to interface with, whereas Divevolk SeaTouch series use a flexible membrane to allow you to operate the phone's touchscreen from outside the housing. The Weefine housings also close as a clamshell, whereas Divevolk has a small lid on its short edge, reducing the sealing area. On the other hand, Weefine housings have a vacuum system for the seals, while Divevolk doesn't.

No smartphone currently on the market is capable of syncing with a xenon flash, aside from a few models which, I believe, use HSS mode to overcome the lack of a mechanical shutter. There used to be some, way back, for example Nokia 808 PureView and some older HTC phones, back in the Windows Mobile age, but those are long gone. If you want to shoot a phone underwater, you need to use either natural light and color correction, or LED lights in constant or strobe mode. The latter doesn't give you anywhere near the power of a proper xenon strobe, but it also doesn't scare away the fish the way constant lights do.

 

[PHXAZCRAIG]

Note that Kraken also sells phone housings, including what seems the identical model from Divevolk, but for $50 more.

Kraken resells Weefine housings; they are completely different from Divevolk in that they use a Bluetooth connection to the phone inside and an app to interface with, whereas Divevolk SeaTouch series use a flexible membrane to allow you to operate the phone's touchscreen from outside the housing. The Weefine housings also close as a clamshell, whereas Divevolk has a small lid on its short edge, reducing the sealing area. On the other hand, Weefine housings have a vacuum system for the seals, while Divevolk doesn't.

Ahem: https://www.diversdirect.com/p/kraken-seatouch-4-max-housing/DD161246?sku=DD161246&gad_source=1

You are no doubt referring to this one: https://krakensports.ca/product/universal-smartphone-housing-krh08-v2/

No smartphone currently on the market is capable of syncing with a xenon flash, aside from a few models which, I believe, use HSS mode to overcome the lack of a mechanical shutter. There used to be some, way back, for example Nokia 808 PureView and some older HTC phones, back in the Windows Mobile age, but those are long gone. If you want to shoot a phone underwater, you need to use either natural light and color correction, or LED lights in constant or strobe mode. The latter doesn't give you anywhere near the power of a proper xenon strobe, but it also doesn't scare away the fish the way constant lights do.

 

[PHXAZCRAIG]

Since you posted this, I have seen a Divevolk for sale at a dive shop in Flagstaff, AZ. It also had a strobe arm and a strobe of some sort attached.

I saw images from an iPhone used in the housing, and they were quite good. Better then the typical point-n-shoot results from an old Canon.

I have two concerns after see it. Or maybe just one concern in two areas. I'm concerned about the flexible backing and the possibility of poking, ripping or otherwise tearing it. The other concern is the risk to the phone as opposed to a 'cheap camera'.

On the other hand, the advantages could be quite significant here. The classic problem of connectivity and moving your pics around isn't just solved, it's fundamentally built in. I'm assuming it is, or will soon be, possible to do reasonably-sophisticated post-processing on a smartphone assuming you can view on a larger screen, even if it has to be cast to a 2k smart tv.

I wonder if there isn't some sort of clip-on back cover available to protect the phone when not actually in use diving?

All in all, this looks like an extremely interesting product, assuming the controls work reliably at depth and of course no leaks.

 

[Barmaglot_07]

Ahem: https://www.diversdirect.com/p/kraken-seatouch-4-max-housing/DD161246?sku=DD161246&gad_source=1

Ah, I see - but that one isn't even rebranded; just resold at the same price

DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 MAX PLUS Underwater Housing compatible to iPhone and Android, Dive Housing, Waterproof Phone Case

Dive confidently with this advanced housing for iPhone & Android. Built for shock resistance, touchscreen control, and up to 60m leakproof security.

www.divevolkdiving.com

DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus

This listing is for the Seatouch 4 Max PLUS version which does fit the iPhone 16 models too. *WE INCLUDE ADAPTER PLATES FOR iPhone 14/14 PRO/14 PLUS/14 PRO MAX/15/15 Pro Max/16/ Pro Max, and iPhone 12/ 12 Pro/ 13/13 pro/12 pro max/13 pro max. If…

krakensports.ca