 Worked great for me! |
| Review Date: April 19, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Lynn Forbus, |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1SZJMF6S1JOQT Took my Flip and waterproof case snorkeling in the Bahamas and it worked perfectly. No leaks, controls were easy to operate. Screen was a little difficult to see, but this was due to reflection from sun and water. I would highly recommend. |
Fantastic Value and Ease of Use
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| Review Date: April 16, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Jason L. Weisberger, San Francisco, CA United States |
I bought this to use on a recent trip to Maui, HI. All I can say is WONDERFUL. The image quality and sound are far higher than I expected on a $140 camera with a $40 housing. I have pretty extensive UW photography experience and own a number of housings for my SLRs, so I was pretty confident I could see a good seal all the way around the o-ring and hopped right in. In the ocean and the pool this camera was a winner. The lens is great in low light and thus perfect for UW work.
I'm planning to rig a mount for my BC, just turn it on and hit record before I dive, we'll see how well it does below 30' -- but thus far its been fine. Generally its the buttons on these things that just cease to work below a rated depth, but the o-ring holds a seal pretty well. Certainly do not use it outside the manufacturers specifications if you expect them to be responsible.
I am very, very pleased. Perfect for baby in the pool or snorkling/diving in open water situations. |
Cheap thrill.
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| Review Date: April 20, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Swede-o-phile, Seattle, WA USA |
I bought this to go with my Flip Ultra video; I wanted a disposable camcorder for some scuba diving antics, and this fit the bill - at $200 for the case + camera, it's throw-away if anything goes wrong...and so far, it's been flawless.
The manufacturer rates the case to 30 feet; I've had it down to 140' without a problem, although at those depths, I've been a little busy with switching gas mixes to play with the camera buttons. The case does stay waterproof, though, in any case. The way the gasket's designed around the buttons, it may not hold much deeper (bummer) and I'm not sure if the buttons will work that deep...I'll try it out next weekend and see. I kind of wish they'd done a little better job and used o-ring sealed spring-loaded buttons. On the other hand, $50 for this thing? How can you go wrong?
The weakness of the case is that there's not a mount for a tripod, bracket, etc - you'll need to epoxy a couple of stainless nuts to the case to actually mount this on a bracket with a video light or two. You can easily find the appropriate thread (1/4"-20) at Lowe's, though, and, if you do it right, you can glue it to a simple tray. I'm using mine with a couple of UK Light Cannons (10W HID lights with a video diffuser in each.) It's the ultimate low-budget underwater video rig, suitable for YouTube... Sure, it's not the 3CCD 1080p rigs with which to shoot "real" underwater footage, but at 1% of the cost, it's a lot more than 1% of the fun. It's also a lot more compact, and a lot easier to travel with... it's not like Light Cannons are "real" dive lights, either, but it all seems to work.
Like any underwater housing - if you're sloppy putting it together, it'll leak - clean your o-rings thoroughly; any dust or hairs on them will be your demise. Also, be sure to lube the o-rings until they're shiny (but not so you see the grease at all on the surface...) You can get the lube online or at any decent camera store. That's important - if you're not careful to maintain the housing, you deserve any leaks you get.
All in all - it's a great product, totally disposable ($200 for everything? Who cares if it floods? Just buy another...) and it's a blast... |
Excellent value for a great underwater case
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| Review Date: April 11, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Chop Suey, Seattle, WA United States |
I bought this case last January to take with my Flip Video camera to Kauai and use while snorkeling and to capture my marriage proposal to my now fiance. The case is super easy to use the camera just pops in you turn the wheel and you know the camera is sealed and locked in place.
All the controls worked perfectly while I was snorkeling and the footage of was much better than I expected. I had used the disposable underwater still cameras before and found that the colors came back muted when the film was developed. Not so using the Flip Video underwater case. My videos were very clear and you can see my fiance's ring sparkling underwater as well as dozens of colorful fish and coral.
The best part of this product however is the price. I had investigated getting an underwater case for my digital still camera and they started at over $100 and a lot were only good for 20 feet. Thanks flip for allowing me to capture my special day. |
Wow, it worked!
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| Review Date: June 17, 2008 |
| Reviewer: H. Lamb, Berkeley, CA |
| I was leary of using my great new flip video underwater, but the case worked just fine. You do have to make sure you slip the camera in left to right so the on/off switch is contacting nicely. Easy to rinse off and dry. Great product. |
Great complement to the Flip
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| Review Date: April 17, 2009 |
| Reviewer: VB_Fan, Irvine, CA |
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R18P0J5Q9QW1UQ Bought this for my Hawaii trip. I had my reservations with all the reviews that this thing leaks. I just went and saved everything I had in the camera onto the PC in case it leaked. Fortunately for me, it worked great. It's a must have if you going to someplace that has water (pool, rain, beach, etc...)
I've attached a clip during my trip at Turtle Bay in Oahu, HI so you can see how it looks. This was taken when it was slightly overcast so I'm sure it would be much better if it was sunny.
The controls are pretty easy to use. Just remember to put on the wrist holder rope on the case and not the camera. I had forgotten to place the rope around my wrist once at the beach and luckily the whole thing floats so I was able to find it pretty quickly.
By the way, this doesn't work for the HD version (mino) because the dimensions are different. This is a perfect fit for the Flip Video only. |
Awesome Underwater FUN!!!
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| Review Date: October 12, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Charity Stephens, |
We have used the underwater case with our flip again and again at our local YMCA pool and we were amazed by the crisp clarity of the outdoor and indoor pools.
It is SO easy to use, our kids can do it. Snap the flip inside close it and turn a dial for voila' underwater fun.
It's easier to see what your filming with goggles on.
Would make a fantastic gift for just about anyone who enjoys capturing life.
The rubber lining continues to hold, we always test a double check with a tissue just in case before using but have never had a leak! |
Works perfect
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| Review Date: January 24, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Lynn J. Kimball, NE |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3U73TMP64J4CH I tested it with tissue underwater before going on vacation. Sometimes the buttons don't work just right. Have to fiddle with them some. But the outcome is well worth it. The underwater pictures turned out perfect!! |
Flip Underwater Camera Case - Excellent Product
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| Review Date: January 29, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Renee K. Dupuis, Hartford, CT |
Flip Video Underwater Case for Flip Ultra Camcorders
I purchased this product on a whim just before leaving for a trip to Antigua. I tested the product (in the kitchen sink) before leaving and it seemed to work perfectly!
In the islands, I used it several times - while snorkeling and swimming with rays - and it worked flawlessly. It was simple to use and I was amazed at the quality of the video that it produced.
Upon returning home, I used the included software to edit my videos and then to string them together for one longer montage of our trip.
I thought the price was excellent and I was super happy with the way both the case and camera function. Don't hesitate to purchase this case...! |
Scuba
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| Review Date: January 20, 2009 |
| Reviewer: abhi shelat, USA |
In Dec 2008, I went to the Great Barrier Reef on a live-a-board and shot several hours of footage using this housing. I was concerned about the negative reviews and leaks, but was willing to take a risk with a $34 housing and cheap flip camera. Here are the facts:
(1) On the first dive, I carefully lubricated the seal using standard silicone grease, carefully removed all lint and hair from the seal, put a folded up sheet of tissue paper into the housing, and sealed it (i.e., no camera in it the first time). I took the housing to a depth ~20m (66ft) for the first dive, had a very nice 50minute dive, and when I surfaced, dunked the housing in plain water. After removing gear, etc., I opened the case and made sure there was no water in it. It was fine.
(2) I started using the housing with the camera on the remaining dives, and it worked fine. The housing has been taken to a depth of 33m ~ 100ft with no leak problems. The real issue is that at depth, the buttons are all pressed in. However, as I mention below, I used the housing with the Mino HD, which is a smaller camera, so the buttons did not work anyway.
(3) I used the mino HD camera instead of the original flip that this housing was made for. The Mino HD is a smaller camera, so it bobs around in the housing. I used small shims (folded paper, and pieces of a plastic bottle cap) to hold it in the right place. The buttons also did not hit the right places, but that is actually a feature at depth.
(4) I would turn the camera on, place it into the housing, seal the housing, and then gear up and do the dive. When fully recording, I could capture about 55min underwater before the device ran out of space. I would place my palm over the lens (to make a black image) when I did not want to record in order to make it easier to edit later, and to presumably save recording space (if the mino HD uses a variable bit rate ??).
I would have liked to test the camera with a red filter in front of the port hole. The video looks great, but it has the characteristic green/blue tint that all unfiltered UW images have. I did not have a strobe.
Also, the macro capabilities of the camera are weak. You must have the image 14"+ away from the lens to get a clear image.
Nonetheless, the setup worked very well for me. I did not want to spend several hundred dollars on a housing that I would use only a few times a year. I recommend the rig to anyone who is confident that they can be careful during the setup. You should also be patient and test the housing without a camera the first time to make sure there are no manufacturing defects in the seal.
Good luck. |
Great camera accessory!!
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| Review Date: July 8, 2008 |
| Reviewer: K. O'Brien, Louisville, KY |
| Purchased the underwater case for the Flip Ultra in anticipation of a kayaking trip. It worked great. Clear pictures, easy to use, and the microphone still managed to pick up decent sound. |
Flip Underwater Case
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| Review Date: August 26, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Marie Zimmerman, |
| Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2XV1B8KFVPRHU I love this case for my Flip. I bought the case mainly to protect the Flip when my grand kids used it and I really didn't want it to go under water but they talked me into it and I'm glad they did. I still worry that it will take in water but so far it hasn't. I highly recommend it and Amazon has the best price. |
Flip Video Underwater Case
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| Review Date: May 22, 2009 |
| Reviewer: T. Rossey, San Antonio, TX |
| I bought the Flip Ultra and the Underwater case for 1st generation Flip Ultra in February for our vacation to Hawaii in May 2009. I read all the reviews and though some were negative I decided to take a chance. I couldn't be happier! The camera takes great movies and the underwater case worked flawlessly for the week we were in Hawaii on Oahu at the North Shore. The camera slipped in and out of the case easily and all of the controls were easy to activate in and out of the water. I just made sure the seals were clean and washed the case after each dive. I had no leaks on over 6 snorkeling trips (2-10ft), including one trip where we snorkeled with sharks. I experienced none of the problems described by other users. I would highly recommend the camera and case for snorkeling trips. |
Flip Video Underwater Case works for the Mino too, with caveats
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| Review Date: September 23, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Kenneth T. Gilbert, La Mirada, CA United States |
| I have the mino and couldn't find a case for it but read somewhere that someone successfully used this case with the mino so I tried it. The negatives: you can't work any of the controls while the mino is in the case, and there's too much room so the mino jiggles around bumping the case which wreaks havoc on your audio. But you can just hit record and put it in, lock it up, and it works. It doesn't obscure the lens and it keeps it dry. I put some foam in the case to keep it from jiggling around and that solved the audio problem as well. It would be great if they would make a case specifically for the mino but until then, this seems to work. |
What a deal!
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| Review Date: September 23, 2008 |
| Reviewer: Malcolm Neal, Georgia USA |
| The flip underwater camera case is fantastic. Just used it off the coast of Phi Phi island in Thailand. Amazing addition to my flip camera. |
This is going to be fun...
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| Review Date: January 8, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Phillip Scott, Georgia |
| Good quality product. Very simple and works perfectly. Take your videos underwater without fear of damage to the equipment. All controls are operable. Not quite as cool as the Flip itself, but almost so. |
Worked perfectly
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| Review Date: March 25, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Hound Dana, Chandler AZ |
| I got this and a flip for a sailing trip. It worked perfectly the first and every time I used it. Check the lens cover for water droplets after swimming to prevent them from ruining some videos. Can't believe how simple and easy this to use. Got great video while snorkeling as well. Super easy and very affordable! |
Probably one of the best buys ever
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| Review Date: April 6, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Mike Meyers, Seattle, WA USA |
Nothing bad to say about this product. I can't understand the low ratings from others. Most of the people complained about leakage, but that was not the case for me. After reading other reviews I did some testing before I actually used the product, but the tests were successful and so was the real use. It is worth mentioning that I noticed small leaks on the second and third day. Not enough to ruin the camera, but enough to scare me. After some light investigation I realized the o-ring had some sand on it. Once removed the small leaks disappeared.
I bought this prior to heading to Maui for Spring Break with my family. It really brought home the memories for us all. I have videos from a surfboard. I have videos of my kids snorkeling with turtles. Lots of pool fun recorded. Oh....the sound. On one snorkeling trip we could hear whales and sure enough on the video, you can hear the whales.
Too cool. |
So Pleasantly Surprised!
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| Review Date: July 16, 2009 |
| Reviewer: Meredith Baither, SE Michigan |
When I discovered that I could purchase an underwater housing unit for my Flip Video camera, I was thrilled. Yet, after reading such varying reviews of the product, I made my purchase with a bit of anxiety. Now I don't regret my decision one bit!
I teach four hours of snorkeling class every day at the camp where I work, and after filming our adventures constantly over the past three weeks, I haven't had one issue with the housing. At first, I borrowed another's approach using a dry tissue inside to check the seal before putting in my camera - it was all good. Before each use, I check the seal thoroughly...keeping the O-Ring clear is the ticket, I think. I can use the on/off switch and all buttons with no problems whatsoever, and the image quality is great, even in our murky lake.
When viewing the sample video, please keep in mind that we're snorkeling in a murky lake in SE Michigan. I think the quality is excellent for the kind of conditions we're swimming in! Additional videos are posted on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StonyLakeSnorkeling
I just couldn't be more thrilled with the product. As long as you're careful with it and do a good check before each and every use, I think it's a wonderful (and fun) way to expand use of one's Flip Video camera! |
Great case for an even better price
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| Review Date: July 19, 2008 |
| Reviewer: ariskat, South Pasadena, CA US |
| I haven't tried it under water, I'll make sure to do the tissue test first, but I checked above water... It seems the flip staff has been reading the comments because the on/off button works perfectly now. All the buttons are reachable, and it has a nice handy wrist strap so you don't drop it under water. Great buy. |
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Compare Prices on Flip Video Underwater Case
US $26.00
(4.00 out of 5)
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