SportDiver Underwater Smartphone Housing for iPhone & Android

FAQ

Important:  If you are experiencing any problems with the SportDiver underwater housing or app, please refer to the online troubleshooting advice for solutions.  https://www.sealife-cameras.com/sportdiver-troubleshooting-technical-updates/

Q:  How reliable is the waterproof seal and keeping my phone from getting water damaged?

A:   The SportDiver features two leak detection systems, like professional UW camera housings designed for $100,000+ cameras. First, there is a pre-dive vacuum pressure check that ensures the waterproof seal is good before you enter the water – An audible and visual alert will alert you of any sealing issues.  Second, there is an internal wet sensor that alerts you the moment one drop is detected inside the housing.  SeaLife has over 25 years’ experience designing and manufacturing underwater cameras and housings.

Q:  When will SportDiver ANDROID version be available?

A:  The SportDiver Android app is now available in Google Play store.  The Android version is compatible with the SportDiver underwater housing (item # SL400) that is currently used for the iPhone.  SeaLife will update the product packaging and instruction manual under new item # SL400-U.  The updated manual is available for download on the SeaLife website – https://www.sealife-cameras.com/manuals/

Q:  Will large size smartphones fit in the housing?

A:   The SportDiver internal dimensions will fit smartphones with maximum dimension of 6.49” x 3.15” x 0.38” (164.8mm x 80.0mm x 9.6mm).  Please refer to the SportDiver compatibility chart on the SeaLife website – https://www.sealife-cameras.com/sportdiver-compatibility/

Q:  Does the SportDiver app include the same camera settings as the phone’s native camera app?

A:   The SportDiver app includes a Settings Menu, which includes many of the phone’s native camera settings.  Not all the phone’s native camera settings are supported.  For more details, please refer to the camera specifications or download the free SportDiver app to your phone and see what settings your particular phone model supports.

Q:  Can I lock and unlock the phone when it is inside the SportDiver housing to save battery power?

A:  It is not possible to lock or unlock the phone when it is inside the housing.  The phone must be unlocked and SportDiver app running when it is inside the housing. The app has a power save feature which dims the screen by 80% and turns off the camera.  Push any button to “wake-up” the phone. It is recommended to turn off any apps running in the background to further save battery power. These power saving features should allow the battery to last for 2+ dives, so there is no need to open the housing between dives.

Q:  Can I take a picture while recording video?

A:  Not currently but software programmers are continuously working on app enhancements features and hope to add PIV (Picture-in-Video) feature with future app update.

Q:  Will the SportDiver Bluetooth interfere with my dive computer or other Bluetooth devices?

A:  There should be no interference issues with the SportDiver and any other Bluetooth devices.  The SportDiver has been tested and certified by testing lab for FCC and Bluetooth compliance, which specifically tests for interference among other radio frequency compliance regulations.  In addition, the SportDiver uses frequency-hopping Bluetooth Low Energy wireless technology which does not transmit through water (i.e. to your dive computer)

Q:  Is there a way to use the SportDiver without the vacuum pressure leak alarm or is it mandatory?

A:  Yes, you can disable the pre-dive vacuum pressure leak alarm in the bottom of the Settings Menu.  The water sensor leak alarm cannot be disabled.

Q:   What is the difference between the JPG and the RAW image file?  

A:  The JPEG is the processed and compressed image using the phone’s image processing technology.  The RAW file is the unprocessed, uncompressed file coming from the phone’s image sensor.  RAW files tend to be about 5 times larger than JPEG files.  RAW files will allow more photo editing ability compared to RAW.

Q:  Is a lens adapter available? Can I use an external wide-angle or macro “wet” lens with the housing?

A:   Not currently for the following reasons:

1. Most smartphones have multiple lenses including telephoto and wide angle, which produces better results than shooting through an additional wet lens.
2. A wet lens needs to be perfectly centered over the phone lens or there will be distortion. That is difficult to do accurately.  Also, the lens would need to be manually centered every time the phone is installed because the phone will be in slightly different position.
3. Using a wet lens for one phone lens will block-out the other phone lenses.

Q:  Can you use the phone’s flash or connect an external strobe?

A:    No.  The phone’s LED Flash is next to the lens and will cause internal glare.  Therefore, the phone’s flash has been permanently disabled.  Another issue is that the phone uses a pre-flash to control exposure.  That requires a special strobe to mimic the pre-flash and then deploy a primary flash, which strobes typically won’t do.  A photo-video light is the best lighting accessory and easy to use.

Q:  What is maximum operating altitude for the SportDiver housing?

A:   The SportDiver housing vacuum pressure check (leak analysis) works up to altitude of 6000 ft / 1829m (11.8 psia). At higher altitude, the SportDiver LED status indicator will show red/green/yellow error code.

Q:  Can I use all the available phone lenses?

A:   It depends on the phone make and model.  All iPhone lenses are available for use in the Lens Settings menu.  Android phones may only use Wide and Ultrawide lenses.  The Telephoto lens is not available.  Some Android phones, like Samsung Galaxy S21, the ultrawide lens will vignette.