1. The housing has no controls, how do I zoom, record, stop etc?  

 

This housing was designed with simplicity in mind. Our original designs had controls, but we soon found that we never used them. Controls also add cost, reliability, and maintenance issues.  Virtually all modern video camcorders come with a remote control. We simply turn the camera on, then prior to our dive, we hit the record button on the remote. When we return to the boat, we hit the stop button on the remote. Later we edit the video on a home computer using video editing software.  All of the videos on our site were edited using Adobe Premeire Elements.  The basic editing software that comes with Microsoft and Apple operating systems are also adequate for most peoples needs.   We have spent many years developing this housing for the diver on a budget.  Through a lot of trial and error we feel we have come up with the best design considering reliability and afforability. 

 

Important note:  Turn off the auto focus on your camcorder prior to your dive.  Modern camcorders tend to focus on the lens, bubbles, scratches, etc.  Zoom all the way in.  Unless you are in 200 foot visibility, most of your best video will tend to be within a few feet of you.  The focal point on most camcorders is less than a few inches, so anything beyond that will be in focus.  We also recommend experimenting with a wide angle lens.  half the videos on our site were shot with a wide angle lens.  And lastly, by recording the whole dive, you won't "miss" the ultimate shot.  The video on the home page has several shots that would have been missed had we been starting and stopping the camera.