The first several generations of video housings used stainless latches and o-rings. This design is very good and sound but during testing, we found that even a small piece of sand could comprimise the o-ring seal. We also lost a couple of video cameras to water damage during dives where the latches snagged our dive gear and inadvertently unlatched causing a near instant flooding of the housings. The flat seal is much more expensive, but the reliability was worth it. We have never had a failure since we incorporated the flat seals and thumbscrews. They do take about 30 seconds to secure, but the extra safety margin is well worth the extra few seconds.

 

Note:  Our R&D coordinator has 20 years of plumbing experience.  Flat seals are use in the most extreme conditions.  High pressure steam systems, pipe flanges, and pressure vessels all utilize flat seals.