Turn your SMARTPHONE INTO AN UW CAMERA MONITOR 😱 | Divevolk SeaLink

[@madtripperstv]

ohhh awesome! Why did I not think of this. My next film trip is in October so will try this as a set up

[@MatthiasLebo]

Great, let me know how you like it once you've tried it. 😊

[@CircleHScuba]

Great video, thank you!

[@MatthiasLebo]

You're welcome buddy. 😊

[@jasonhsieh3684]

Hello Mr Matthias. Thanks for the review. Exactly what I was looking for.. Can you comment on the clarity or sharpness of the image and color of the feed seen through the housing underwater as compare what the camera is actually capturing or when viewed post.

[@MatthiasLebo]

Well, the color accuracy will largely depend on your phone and how it is set up (brightness of the screen, color temperature of the screen, etc.). What I can tell you is that because you have the touch screen gel in front of your smartphone screen underwater the brightness suffers a little and the viewing angle is a little limited as well. It’s nothing dramatic and it still works very well as an external monitor, but it’s something you should keep in mind.

[@ivanchu23]

Hello Matthias, really amazing video. Do you mind sharing the camera app you would recommend for underwater use? Thanks!

[@MatthiasLebo]

Thank you buddy. I use the app called "Field Monitor" which works with a variety of different camera brands.

[@nes.torfernandez]

This is so great! I recently went to Mexico and couldn’t take my nauticam ninja v monitor rig because I was carry just my backpack a the carry-on. Thanks for sharing and congrats accomplishing your subscribers 🙌🏻

[@MatthiasLebo]

Thank you buddy for your comment. This might solve the carry on problem you had when going to Mexico. 😉

[@rebeccadarling5894]

Congratulations on 7K!

[@MatthiasLebo]

Thank you so much Rebecca! 🙏🏻😊

[@gettingsalty]

Hi Matthias, great video! This looks like it is a great budget option for an external monitor!! I was wondering about the SeaTouch 4 Max Smartphone Housing - does it work with dry gloves?😅😅

[@MatthiasLebo]

It absolutely is a great option and it does also work with dry gloves. I've personally tried it in the Lake Zurich. It is not as responsive as when used with your bare fingers, but absolutely useable.

[@BAMFSQUAD]

That’s awesome. The divevolk case is the best for phones

[@MatthiasLebo]

My words exactly! 😍

[@zeusfaber]

Hi Matthias, Nice to know there is some like that. Is there a delay in displaying the image due to the WiFi connection? Thank you in advance. :)

[@MatthiasLebo]

That really depends on the app and camera that you’re using. The Transmitter doesn’t add any delay, but if the app itself isn’t very responsive - like it’s the case with certain camera apps - you will have the same issues here as well. But that’s a problem of the app, not the transmitter.

[@RomanKasan]

I hope this is going to be a better recommendation than the Weefine monitor. When I saw your review I ordered it last month and my unit turned out to be a piece of crap - smeared dirty display underneath the protective glass, non-functional HDMI cable (new version fixed this) and the unit started to act bonkers like hitting any key was produced random results, like hitting Menu button cycled Volume, Peaking, Center mark etc. Also when changing from M photo mode to Video mode on my A1 caused unit to freeze many times.... But I like what I see on Divevolk and also hate bulky external monitors so I will give you one more try :-)

[@MatthiasLebo]

Im sorry to hear that Roman. Where did you buy your unit? Have you tried talking to the dealer and asking for a replacement? It sounds like you got a faulty unit. That definitely should be like that. I can offer you to pass your case on to my contact at WeeFine. Let me know please if that would be of any help to you. Thanks and sorry again for the inconvenience.

[@RomanKasan]

@@MatthiasLebo Thank you for offering help, I really appreciate it. I bought it from respected European Nauticam dealer together with €12000 worth of Nauticam gear (imagine EMWL-1 etc :-) for my Sony A1 and I didn't want to get bulky Atomos unit as a monitor. Dealer said he communicated this to Weefine yesterday but certainly more pressure the better even for Weefine QC... I can't imagine how could have had this unit make it into the dealers network. I admire your big camera setup and A1 does overheat in 30C sea temperature after few minutes of 4K60 HEVC recording :-( My GH5S never did this

[@jonassteiner414]

Amazing idea really just one important question - how bad is the lag? Would love to see some tests on that to decide whether this is worth it or not for underwater video...

[@MatthiasLebo]

The lag really depends on the app you're using to monitor your image from the camera. The transmitter is just enhancing the WiFi signal making it possible to reach from the camera to the monitor while being underwater. It doesn't have any lag itself, so it really depends on the camera and app. On the GH5S connected to the Field Monitor app there wasn't any lag at all. On the Red Komodo app there was a tiny lag, but that's the same when using the app on the surface to monitor the Komodo.

[@alecmagnan4036]

Hi Matthias, I'm glad you made this video as I was curious about this system. I'm just concerned about a couple of things though. #1: How à wifi link will affect camera and phone battery, ill have to check that before buying. #2: I guess its a pain to turn of your camera underwater if you have to connect to your smart phone each time. #3: After how well do you see your picture throuh the squishy plastic cover ? #4: Could you put the sealink probe on the other side of the smartphonehousing as it seems to cover some amount of your screen ? #5: Do you feel it harder to use in greater depths ? The seatouch 3 is rated for -80m do you thinks you can still use the touchscreen beyond 40-50 meters ? Thanks you a lot !

[@MatthiasLebo]

Hey Alec Thanks for your message. All good and valid questions. Let's have a look... #1: I can only speak for the iPhone 13 Pro, The GH5S and the Red KOMODO and with all these devices I have not noticed any excessive battery using on top of what they would normally use. Maybe a little bit more, but nothing dramatic at all. #2: Honestly it's just an extra step before being ready to shoot. If you know that it's really not a problem. Alternatively you can always just keep the camera on throughout the dive. That's what I did with the Komodo and the GH5S. #3: There are situations where it get a little difficult to see a clear image, especially when shooting in shallow water with lots of sun reflecting on that surface. But that's pretty much the same with most monitors unless they are really exceptionally bright. I think it is absolutely usable, especially below the 5-8 meter mark. #4: I'm not entirely sure as I don't have it with me at the moment and can't check. I don't think so though. But I have never had the impression of a blocked screen. #5: No, it is the same regardless what depth you are at. At least all the way down to 35 meters (that's how deep I took it). But from the experience with it at various depths I can't imagine it would be any different between 40- 50 meters. Hope this helps...

[@turgutvelettin6727]

That’s an awesome idea love it thanks buddy 🤙🤙🤙

[@MatthiasLebo]

You're very welcome mate. 😉

[@softgrapes]

very nice, do you perceive any lag or latency in the video feed?

[@MatthiasLebo]

No not on my GH5S in combination with the Field Monitor App. If you don't have any lag between a camera and the app you're using on land, you won't have any lag underwater. The device is only just enhancing the signal, not doing anything about the connectivity. So it really depends on how well the camera communicates with the app.

[@Joeri2K3]

Hi Matthias, that's very interesting information! This could move me into buying and using this solution while not having to invest in an Atmos Ninja with housing (and the bulkiness)! Great review !

[@MatthiasLebo]

My thoughts exactly. It works fine, is cheaper, lighter and much less bulky than the standard monitoring options. A great product and idea in my opinion.

[@cruelolol]

This thing is touch and go. Sometimes, it works, and sometimes it doesn't. Also, the fact that it only uses one screw to secure to the bottom of the housing is very problematic. I've tried using the 5ghz option on my camera to boost power down the antenna, but it didn't make much of a difference. If this could have been an antenna that connects via an M14 port, I think it would perform a lot better.

[@DiversLens]

Thanks for the video. Could you control your camera with housing buttons while using your phone as a monitor? Also, when you switch OFF your camera and then switch it ON under water will it still be connected to the phone or you should keep everything ON all the time?

[@MatthiasLebo]

No. Like on land when using your phone as a monitor, you can’t use the camera. And yes, once you turn the camera off you will have to reconnect the WiFi, but that isn’t a problem. If your batteries last for an entire dive, then there is nothing wrong with keeping the camera running. 👍🏻

[@DiversLens]

@@MatthiasLebo Thank you for your reply, Matthias. Considering your reply, I see that using Divevolk Sealink is not a practical option.

[@damienlauvergnat7325]

I’m surprise no tethering with sony ? The sealink it’s only wifi fonction ?

[@MatthiasLebo]

Yes, it’s a simple WiFi enhancer making the signal stronger so it can work underwater too.

[@jcscubavideo]

Hi, I am very interested in the wireless video product along with the iPhone housing. I have a relatively new Sony A7Siii and would love to hear from anyone who has paired both. I have an Easydive Wi3 housing and a pair of Weefine (Kraken) 15,000Lm video lamps.

[@MatthiasLebo]

I have not used the Sealink with a Sony camera before. Don’t know how well and reliable Sonys WiFi camera app is working. If it works well you should be able to get a nice external monitor this way. Sorry I can’t give you any first hand feedback with this exact combination.

[@DrDFRoss]

nikon Z compatible?

[@MatthiasLebo]

Sure, you can use it with any camera that has the option to be operated through a mobile app through WiFi. As long as the Nikon Z has that feature, you'll be fine using the Divevolk WiFi Transmitter with your camera.

[@juhanivaihkonenunderwater]

That's is very good idea, but how is the mobile phone battery lasting?

[@MatthiasLebo]

Good question Juhani. I can only speak for the iPhone 13 Pro that I was using while testing it and I didn't see any excessive drainage of the battery at all. It was easily lasting for two dives.

[@AquaticRod]

I think that, for full disclosure, we really need to know whether this is an sponsored video or not... please tell us how Divevolk was involved in this assessment?

[@MatthiasLebo]

Sure buddy, sorry for not mentioning this in the video. I simply forgot. The video is not sponsored. DiveVolk simply reached out to me and asked me if I wanted to test their SeaLink WiFi Transmission system. When I agreed, they send me the device. I didn’t buy the device, but I didn’t get paid for making this review either. DiveVolk did not have anything to say about what I include and say in this review and they didn’t see it before it went public. All the opinions expressed are my own ones. Sorry again for the confusion. That wasn’t intended.

[@JPHolbrook]

Does it work with your gopro?

[@MatthiasLebo]

It does actually. Only problem is that as soon as you press record on the GoPro the app is not giving you a live preview anymore. His only works while not recording. For whatever reason... 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@JPHolbrook]

@@MatthiasLebo Would be great for focusing with a macro adapter.

[@MatthiasLebo]

Absolutely. And for focusing before starting to record you can absolutely use it. When you hit record though the image in the app disappears.

[@ianprater3305]

So glad to see you taking this route, I’ve been using this setup with my iPhone 13 pro max, I don’t even bother with the ridiculously overpriced,heavy, bulky, lower quality equipment anymore. Btw Nauticam when are you gonna make a HQ affordable iPhone housing? Haiya!

[@MatthiasLebo]

Thanks buddy, I'm really happy I discovered this. It is absolutely incredibly. 😍

[@AndreasAbstreiter]

I think never. Nauticam already offered an iPhone housing back in 2014/2015 or so. The app you needed to use was crap and never got an update to use 4K on the iPhone 6s. Silently the housing vanished...

[@Histogramas]

Do you know who gave that idea to Divevolk??? I did.

[@MatthiasLebo]

That's great! Well done and thanks 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@Histogramas]

@@MatthiasLebo yeap... check my videos from 2020 :) Then, while chatting I ended up showing them the video of my antenna and asking them to develop a similar tool but with some kind of powerless amplifier. I just think the cable is too stigf and short. They could use ant 50 Ohm coaxiall cable and a longer and flexible one. :/

[@MatthiasLebo]

I agree, it should be longer and more flexible. 👍🏻

[@Histogramas]

@@MatthiasLebo this is where it all started kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZmnp6Fml7SDqas I have created EN subtitles. The formula, in the comments, gives you the lenght of the cable for that frequency that can be multiplied n times, depending on the energy loss of the cable. But we can see there the setup with the divevolk housing already being used as a monitor.

[@bazoooooooooooooooka]

Aha...sure....y have... 🤦‍♂️