What is SeaTouch 4 Max?
Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max is the first and only underwater smartphone housing to give you full access to your smartphone's touchscreen while being underwater.
This is possible thanks to the revolutionary deisgn of a touchscreen membrane which transfers your touch accurately onto the smartphones touchscreen.
This means that you can use your smartphone more or less how you would use it on land. You are not relying on any third party apps to work the phone inside the housing so you are free to use the full features of your phones native camera or to use any other third party apps of your choice.
How is it different?
Most other waterproof housings rely on using an app created by the manufacturer which connects via bluetooth to the buttons on the housing. This limits what you are able to do with the phone as there will be a fixed number of buttons with fixed function. The housing is usually limited to working with only the manufacturers app which usually has limitations on the camera functions available and the bluetooth connection will drain your battery faster than necessary.
Are there any risks?
One thing to bare in mind with any phone housing. There is always the risk of water ingress when submerging any camera. If you do get a leak then you could lose your phone along with all of the photos and information that is stored on it. Make sure to back up your phone before placing it in the housing in case of the worst. That being said many of the most recent phones have a reasonable degree of waterproofing so that even if the housing does fail at depth your phone will likely be fine. In fact many phones would fare better in a flooding event than most camera models.
| Pros | Cons |
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Unique Touchscreen Membrane gives you full access to your phones touchscreen |
Screen Protector must be removed before inserting the phone |
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Compatible with a very wide range of smartphones via adapter inserts |
Requires accessory "Expansion Clamp" to attach lenses and mounts |
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No bluetooth connection required for the housing saving battery life |
In the event of a leak your phone could be flooded - Make sure your phone is backed up! |
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Use any/all of your phones apps without restrictions on the native camera |
Can't be synced to a strobe flash, but you can use video lights |
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Access to features beyond your camera including compass, fish ID and notes |
Manual Focusing on phones is usually tricky and impractical. |
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Small opening minimises risk of water ingress |
No guarantee that future phone models will be compatible |
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No need to buy a camera just for underwater use |
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Small and lightweight, travel-friendly design. |
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| Wide range of lens, filter and lighting accessories. |
What do we think?
There is far less to worry about or learn when compared to using a digital camera. Quite simply, it is as easy to capture great videos underwater as it is to use your phone.
I think the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max is a great option for SCUBA and watersports enthusiasts wanting to capture the experience of being underwater to show off with friends, online or to create memories. More than that, you can create professional looking 4K footage without the expense, bulk or weight of a larger Mirrorless system.
If you would like to know more about the housing or have any other questions please do get in touch.
