Divevolk Seatouch 4 Max | Tips & Tricks | TropicLens

[@kurtakinte4841]

I made the two adapters with the longer screw and washers and it works perfect... thanks for the great tip.

[@TropicLens]

Excellent! Glad it was helpful. :-)

[@KlandersNitrox]

Thanks so much for an awesome video. Made our own cover bag for our housing based on your ideas. Really really appreciate it

[@TropicLens]

I am so glad the video was helpful Keith. Did you change/improve anything! We love learning new tips. :-)

[@KlandersNitrox]

@@TropicLens Not yet. Headed to Roatan on Saturday and will see how it goes. I did use Pool Noodles around my Light Handles for neutral buoyancy. Would love to build that bouyancy bag you created. Also punched a hole through the top of the cover bag created because am carrying a Insta360 X3 on a small extension pole on top of the Divevolk.

[@starhawke380]

Good information, thanks! Ive decided on this housing, its nice to see others adopting it and making new accessory options. I just hope the housing is robust enough to last a while. I just lost my second GoPro style camera due to flooding. I would prefer not to lose a smart phone the same way. Of course I am buying a used phone to use just for this function so I wont lose my actual phone to an accident while on vacation.

[@TropicLens]

I used my first Divevolk for 109 dives. The only reason I got a new one was because I picked up the iPhone 15 Pro Max when it came out and I couldn't get a 15 specific tray to Bonaire for a while, so I used my iPhone 14 Pro Max tray. The new phone was only slightly thicker, but definitely a tighter fit and rubbed on the inside of the membrane. After about two weeks of diving, the inside of the membrane broke (not the outside), so no flooding. I immediately picked up a new Divevolk, used the proper iPhone 14 in the 14 tray until I got a new one for the 15 and haven't had any problems since. My replacement Divevolk now has 127 dives all with the 15.

[@starhawke380]

Good news then, thanks! Is it really as important as they tell us to remove the screen protector to make it fit correctly? I hate doing that as it is impossible to remove a film screen protector and then put it back on with no bubbles. @@TropicLens

[@TropicLens]

​@@starhawke380 According to their FAQ, the thickness of the screen protector may only be one issue. They also cite a potential reduced sensitivity of the membrane. "Already there is a thickness of the membrane itself, with the thickness of the screen protector, the sensitivity of the touchscreen could be lost." Your mileage may vary, though. :-)

[@starhawke380]

I guess it shouldnt be a major problem for me, as I intend to buy a specific used phone to use for the housing. I normally use an anti glare screen film, but glare shouldnt be a issue underwater. Thanks! @@TropicLens

[@anthonyplaya]

Nice tip for button camera 🤙🏽👍🏽

[@TropicLens]

Glad it helped Anthony!

[@karenling3997]

Thank you very much for sharing. I have also watched on how to set up iPhone before diving. Great help…. ❤ Are you able to share on how you clean and maintain the housing? Thank you

[@TropicLens]

I sure can Karen. We recently made a video about cleaning the inside. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnywinWFfbyMeas Hope this helps!

[@SpencerPhotography]

as usual - you guys rock! Thanks for all the tips and tricks!

[@TropicLens]

Thanks guys!

[@johnd513]

Thanks for your great and informative videos! Just ordered the second filter holder.

[@TropicLens]

It's a game changer to have the ability to switch from red to macro in seconds. Hope you like it!

[@andrewbrockis3085]

Really useful thanks. Just took delivery of the housing

[@TropicLens]

Thanks Andrew. How do you like it so far...or is it waiting for your next trip? :-) We also just released another video about iPhone settings for the Divevolk housing...in case you're using an iPhone. Hope this helps.

[@HeatherMcClure-i6e]

Great video! Thank you!

[@TropicLens]

Thanks Heather. Hope you are enjoying the Divevolk housing as much as I am!

[@jonnieinbangkok]

Quite an innovative use of an DSMB 👍

[@TropicLens]

Indeed! I actually got the idea from the first commenter on this video Eliminator6949, so giving him full credit.

[@juankeyter4742]

Thanks for sharing, for sure I am making one of those bags, more interesting…. Your buoyancy bag …. Where did you buy it, or share how you made it….

[@TropicLens]

Glad you liked the video Juan. I originally got the idea from the first commenter on this video @eliminator6949, so the credit for the idea is all his. Basically, I drew up a similar model, which is essentially a DSMB inside a bag and had a local dive shop build a version. Still working out the kinks. :-)

[@laurambruno]

Question about the bouyancy bag…Do you find that the amount of air needs to be adjusted at various depths to keep it neutral or near neutral?

[@gutty1]

Interesting video, thank you 🙏, could you please share the dimensions of the bug you had made for the housing?

[@TropicLens]

Roughly, the bag is 8 x 16 inches (20 - 40 cm). I get a lot of questions about it and am planning to do a video on it this month with more details. :-)

[@stephYTStephandBurim]

Fantastic tips, thanks for sharing. Do you have any thoughts on adding the wide angle wet lens and focussing? For some reason my iPhone 15 Pro Max won’t focus unless I have it in macro mode… but I want to shoot on the main camera raw to get best image quality. Any thoughts?

[@TropicLens]

Sorry for the late reply Stephanie. We took some time off. :-) If I read your comment correctly, it sounds like ultra wide (13mm) lens won't focus unless on macro, is that correct? I just shot a large bait ball yesterday with the 13mms on that phone. (Clip is at the end of the Divevolk iPhone Settings video released today.) I believe the 13mm lens has a smaller sensor, so it doesn't get as much detail. Your idea of adding a wet lens to get a wider (than 24mm) angle, but using the larger 24mm lens is an intriguing idea. May be a future video!

[@kurtakinte4841]

A very informative video and explanation. But i have a suggestion about your selfmade divevolk-cover. You made two drainholes in the bottom...I will try to make it myself but a closed one. So when i take the camera out the cover (under the surface) i can use it as a floating bag you have for neutral buoyancy? When i stop scubadiving i can use it again as a cover? 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@TropicLens]

That sounds like an interesting project Kurt. Please let us know how it turns out. :-)

[@nicolaslimare1452]

hey. I'm super interested in the protection bag that you're showing. is it possible to gat one made ? second question: what is the reference of this little parachute you're using ?

[@TropicLens]

Sorry for the delay Nicolas. We took some time off and are just now getting back into the swing of things. That bag is like a lightning rod for comments every time its on the screen. :-) Next month's gear related video will be all about the custom camera float including specs and where we had ours made. With respect to the second question, I don't recall mentioning a "parachute". Can you provide more context? Thanks.

[@abuu7894]

great video may I know where to buy that micro filter please

[@TropicLens]

Hi Abu. Divevolk doesn't appear to have the Macro +8 Close-Up lens on their website any more; but Blue Water Photo and Divers Supply appear to show them on their web site. Hope this helps.

[@drvenkateshmahadevan]

Hi. Thanks for the video. Should we be worried that there regarding the possibility of damage to the gel membrane of Divevolk housing?

[@TropicLens]

Good question Venkatesh. As it turns out, I killed my first Divevolk a couple of weeks back; so I had to get a second one. The issue was my fault as I used the slightly thicker 15 Pro Max in a 14 Pro Max tray which did fit, but rubbed the internal side of the membrane too much. After about 15 time loading the camera, the membrane broke (on the inside) and gel got all over everything. I noticed it on the dive and continued for another 20 minutes, since it didn't appear to be leaking from the outside. The phone cleaned up without any issues...except the gel got into the speaker holes and now the sound is significantly quieter/muffled. I will try to get the phone cleaned professionally when we head back to the US next month. That said, I have an official 15 Pro Max tray on the way and already purchased another Divevolk, so my confidence in the product itself is unfazed. I will likely do another video with some software tips at some point. If you have more specific questions, I can go on and on. Just let me know. Hope this helps.

[@eliminator6949]

Looking good - You know what.

[@TropicLens]

Thanks Eli! :-)

[@cyborgpirate5882]

Love the dual lens fix. What size bolt and hardware did you use?

[@TropicLens]

Then the sharing video worked! :-) We're happy you found it useful. The key is the thumbscrew. We ordered an M8-1.25 Thread Size, Stainless Steel, 30 mm from Grainger. (www.grainger.com/product/6JE21?RIID=68616148795). We don't have a link to the washers, because we actually got those first and from a local hardware store just to see how it would work with the original screw provided by Divevolk. Using those, we figured out a good length for the needed thumbscrew. Stick to washers that fit an M8 screw and you should be good. Two other items to note. First, we sandwiched each split lock washer in between the standard washers so they wouldn't spoon and to maximize the "springyness" for lack of a better term. Each split lock provides some pressure to keep the filters where you rotate them, but not so much that they are difficult to move...if that makes sense. Second, when we put the split lock washers on the screw, we make sure the "splits" are at 180° from each other. Notice in the video the first split is placed toward the base of the filter and the second is placed toward the top. If the splits are both placed in the same spot, the filters get heavily skewed and are likely to hit each other...again, if that makes sense. Hope this explanation helps!

[@cyborgpirate5882]

@@TropicLens perfect! Thank you!

[@hashemassadullahi2351]

Helpful stuff!

[@TropicLens]

We're glad you found it useful Hashem. :-)

[@octanekoh9462]

hi there, i was wonder where you purchase the mini smb for the camera? able to share the link?

[@TropicLens]

No problem. It was a custom job done by Dive Right In Scuba in the US. Our last video will tell you all about it. :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHPMhHtmeJmDmKM

[@SconHeadVideos]

HELP!! I just received my Divevolk seatouch 4 max for my iphone 13 pro max. I have turned on assistive touch and I still cannot use my phone when in the housing. The phone has a little bit of play, is this normal? Also, I don’t want to press too hard on the screen membrane because I am worried i’ll damage it. Do I have to press hard in order for the screen to feel the touch even when assistive touch is enabled? Thanks

[@TropicLens]

Sorry for the delay Connor. We had multiple friends on the island and are winding down for a 3-month getaway off the island. Anyway, to your questions. If your phone has a little play in the housing, the tray might not be sized correctly. Mine fits snuggly. As far as pressing too hard, I do sometimes have to press a bit harder a second time if the first doesn't work; but that's perhaps only a few times on a dive...where I've been successful on the first attempt hundreds of times. While, I have not had any concerns from a "press" perspective, the iPhone 14/15 Pro Max versions run right up to the edge of the membrane and I cannot get it to swipe from the bottom...at all. :-( I would be cautious swiping along the edges. Divevolk says its sturdy and it may very well be. I just, intuitively, feel like I'm playing with fire pressing very hard along the edge and pushing the membrane away from that edge. That's really where Assistive Touch is a real help, getting Home, switching apps, adjusting contrast, etc. I plan to do a video on AT early next year (after we return from Indonesia) with my custom settings which may help. That won't help you now; but, if you can take the product into where you purchased it, you may be able to try a different unit. Using a different unit should be to eliminate three potential issues: incorrect tray size for your phone, incorrect positioning of the tray inside the unit and possible issue with membrane gel. Hope this helps. If you have more specific issues, let me know. I can talk about this stuff all day. :-)

[@limyengkhoon5568]

Where can i find the protection bag for the whole housing

[@TropicLens]

I had a dive shop in the Chicago Suburbs (Dive Rite In Scuba) make a couple for me. I really like having the protection for the camera and lenses from home all the way into the water. They help keep sand away from everything on the walk in/out for shore dives and offer some protection when the housing is in a rinse tank with other gear.

[@ArmandoManipon]

interesting floater. did you make it yourself ? if not, where did you buy it?

[@TropicLens]

Indeed, it is different! I didn't (couldn't, really) make it myself; but I did work with a dive shop in the US to have it made. There were actually quite a few comments about it, so I ended up making a video about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHPMhHtmeJmDmKM That has all of the information includes specifications if you want to make one yourself as well as a couple of resources to have one made. Hope this helps and let us know how you like it if you end up making/getting one.

[@manius_dive]

Hello, I recently bought DIVEVOLK Baumwollwatte für Seatouch 3 Gehäuse, and when I put it on the drysuit glove, the touchscreen doesn't respond at all. I don't know why this is happening. I have Divevoolk max 4. Have you tested this already?

[@TropicLens]

Sorry for the delayed response. We were traveling and took a little time off. :-) With respect to your question, we have not tested the housing with drysuit gloves. Not sure if anyone makes conductive drysuit gloves; but you may need something like this to make them work with the Divevolk...similar to getting conductive gloves on land when working with the phone in cold weather.

[@TropicLens]

Hey, I was just on the Divevolk site and noticed they have something called a “finger cot” which is designed for use with dry suit gloves. Sounds like that might be a solution.

[@AGadaboutTraveler]

Issue: I have the Divevolk 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro. I have no issues with camera operations at 40 feet and up. However, after 40 feet the record button for videos does not stay. I can hold the record button down and it will take the video but it just wont lock. I can do all other functions. Thought

[@TropicLens]

Sorry for the delayed response. We were traveling and took some time off. We haven't experienced that particular issue; but just played around a bit. It appears that if you hold the Record button for more than a second (or so), the button changes from an on/off toggle to record-while-pressing mode. Perhaps the membrane is sticking a bit making it think your finger is still on it? Try faster button presses and let us know how that works.

[@justwandermaya]

I don't think Divevolk has any guarantees as long as you tighten their 2 screws correctly... Do you use AppleCare incase Divevolk fails?

[@TropicLens]

Sorry for the delayed response. We went back to the US to visit family, eat some much missed favorite foods and make a short trip to Alaska. :-) With respect to your question, AppleCare may or may not cover an issue if the Divevolk fails. The AppleCare+ description includes "Accidental Damage means physical damage from handling due to unexpected and unintentional events." So, it may just be how they interpret the damage and whether an incident while diving falls into unexpected/unintentional territory or if users should expect a potential while diving. I have only had one issue (despite 350 dives with Divevolk housings). That was caused by my own use of an incorrect phone tray. Basically, I got the iPhone 15 Pro Max; but the appropriate tray was not yet available. So, I used the iPhone 14 Pro Max tray...which was a little tight. After about 20 dives, the rubbing wore down the inside of the membrane while ultimately broke. The housing itself didn't flood with sea water; but the liquid between the membrane layers (which is similar in feel to dishwashing liquid) leaked all over the phone. While most of it cleaned off nicely, a small portion made it's way into the speakers...which were never the same. I did not seek AppleCare coverage because I was using an incorrect configuration. Sorry for the long response. Hope this helps.

[@kerrenleach1943]

What is the clear lens you have on the second swing arm? I’ve got the red, magenta, and +15mm lens but can’t find anything in between

[@TropicLens]

That macro lens is Divevolk's +8 Close-Up lens. I don't believe they sell that anymore which is unfortunate, because it is an awesome lens. I dive with it every time. You might still be able to find one at a third party retailed; but they are getting snatched up. Good luck!

[@kerrenleach1943]

Thanks!

[@mrtantaii]

Hi, where did you get that small size dsmb to hold up the kit?

[@TropicLens]

You know, every time that float makes it on screen, we get questions about it. :-) Next month's gear video will be all about it. But, since you asked, we had it custom made/shortened.

[@mrtantaii]

thanks! looking forward for it@@TropicLens

[@Chogogo717]

Have you tried the foam floats or composite float arms?

[@TropicLens]

I've gone through all the phases, Caleb. :-) I used Stix with Ultralight arms when I went through a brief DSLR phase and really didn't like the ball joints. Not only were the arms fixed lengths which (to me) seemed to require a lot of finagling when in certain situations, but the floats took up more space in my luggage than I liked. Leslie loves them, however; so go figure. My personal preference is the Loc-Lines because (I feel) they can go just where I want them. As for floats, I tried circular Beneath The Surface that fit the Loc-Lines; but the Kraken lights are very heavy, so the rig required quite a few. Again, that meant more luggage occupancy; but the biggest limitation was all those rings around the arms made bending them quite difficult. A few years ago, I met Eliminator6949 (first commenter on this video) and he had a float similar to what you see in the video; but much better. So I borrowed the idea from him. It also has the benefit of easily swapping between different rigs/set-ups because its just air...no additional pieces required for heavier equipment.

[@Chogogo717]

@@TropicLens they do take up a crazy amount of luggage space. You aren’t wrong.

[@gonogo11]

Urgent!! Phone stuck - how do I get it out?

[@TropicLens]

I am so sorry to hear that Steven. When I first got my iPhone 15 Pro Max, I was impatient and only had the 14 Pro Max tray which was a very tight fit. After using it for a while, loading and unloading the tight phone/tray wore down the inside of the membrane and it leaked all over. Not only was it still tight, but the membrane gel was sticky and I couldn’t get it out. Ultimately what worked was an Allen wrench. Not sure what phone/tray you have, but both my 14/15 trays have a notch in the end which you should see when you open the door. One side of that notch is open space and where I was able to hook something behind it to pull the tray out. Paperclips are too soft/weak, but Allen wrenches are strong as they need to handle high torque. I tried using a small Allen wrench to hook the tray and gave it a few tugs. Do so at your own risk…this is just what I did that worked for me. Good luck! Let me know if that works or you find something else that did.

[@gonogo11]

@@TropicLens You are a gem! Thanks. It is a matter of finding an Allen wrench. But that is a great plan.

[@TropicLens]

Hi Steven. Quick update. I reached out to my contact at Divevolk who was very responsive and he sent me a video showing the exact same solution. By the way, if you have your original package stuff from when you purchased it, apparently there is an Allen wrench in there already. I don't, so I used a different one. Anyway, I also checked the Divevolk Product Support page and there is a video specifically showing how to get the tray/phone out of the SeaTouch 3. Per my contact, they will be updating all the videos on that page, since the 4 has been out for a while now. Check out www.divevolkdiving.com/pages/operational-videos and scroll down to "How to take your phone out from SeaTouch 3 when it's stuck." Let me know if you got it out!

[@gonogo11]

@@TropicLens They sent me the video as well. Thanks!

[@נועםאבישר-ו9ש]

can you send a link for the dsmb

[@TropicLens]

I actually created a video specifically on the float. (kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHPMhHtmeJmDmKM) But, if you just want to skip to the sources, there are two options: Dive Right In Scuba at [e-mail] and Tomi Nieminen at [e-mail]. Hope this helps.

[@hanskern]

I don't really understand why you still delete light by the use red filters, instead of postprocessing the colors in the computer.

[@TropicLens]

There are trade-offs to be sure Hans. An argument could be made that getting a corrected image to the sensor when filming gives the computer a leg up on color correction in post. Another argument might be that red filters can be useful for divers that either don't like to spend so much time post-processing, don't know how to do it or find it too complex. For divers that have the time, knowledge and skill in post-processing, perhaps more light is preferable. On this is certain,though. Both camps can produce stunning images. :-)

[@arunr5529]

Was hoping I could use this with an iPhone 15 pro for capturing stills of diving with whales in Tonga

[@TropicLens]

I would be great for that! Let us know how it goes. (Tonga sounds like a great place to visit. :-)

[@KathyPhipps]

Quick question about the protective cover. What fabric is it made from? Sail canvas or neoprene? Thank you.

[@TropicLens]

It is definitely not neoprene, Kathy. I asked Dive Right In Scuba what they used and they said it was "bilaminate". That said, when we go back to Chicago in July, I will be asking them to make me a new one using the same material they used for the custom float which is much softer and a tiny bit thicker. They refer to that one as "trilaminate" from Bare. Hope this helps.

[@KathyPhipps]

@@TropicLens Thank you! I'm going to dig out my sewing machine and make something similar.