Amphibico vs. Gates for PDX10

[teksimple]

In 1991, I purchased an Amphibico V101 housing. Very satisfied. After about one thousand dives, I finally flooded the camera on a deep dive off North Carolina, in 2000. For those 9 years, I never had any problem with the electronics, which some people say is Amphibico’s Achilles heel. Didn’t replace the camcorder as there was much better stuff available. Last year I bought a Gates PC330. On its third dive, I flooded the camera. Write off for that liveaboard trip. The Gates O-ring on that little housing is definitely not as forgiving as the one on my old Amphibico. It gets nudged out of place on the groove very easily and this is in fact exactly what happened. I expected it to be as care-free as my Amphibico and it wasn’t. The housing ended up being stolen in Cairo, anyway, so now that my insurance check came in, I would like to buy a PDX10 and housing.

I like the idea of the Gates, but if the O-ring is anything like that PC330 housing, I am wary.

Does anyone know enough on these housings to give me a run down on the difference? The only advantage of the Gates--that I see--is that it has a good manual focus wheel. Is the O-ring setup like the one on the PC330/350?

 

[H2O Photo Pros]

I am a dealer fot both Amphibico and Gates, as well as Light & Motion. I feel Gates housings are extremely forgiving. On your PC330 did you have the hand strap on and just tucked in? It is common for the hand strap to get in the way if it is not tucked into the housing. I tell everyone to BE AWARE of the strap.

The biggest difference in these housings is of course the Gates is mechanical and the Amphibico is electronic. for the PDx10, I really like the Light and MOtion Bluefin housing. I have been shooting with the TRV 950 for over a year and love it. The double o-ring seal is great insurance too. If something happens to the main, there is a back up. I also like the ease of use, and of course the external monitor is excellent. For both the Gates and Light & Motion I am very pleased with the port options.

If you can think of any specifics, send me an email mike@h2ophotopros.com and I will respond right asap.

Sincerely,

Mike

 

[bubblevision]

It sounds like you may have mis-assembled your Gates housing. I've made hundreds of dives with my Gates VX2000 housing and no leaks so far. Although it's just a single o-ring it seals perfectly and has a long life. However on my housing it is possible for the O-ring to fall out or partially fall out as the housing is being closed because the o-ring groove faces downwards during assembly. This has almost happened to me a few times and I'm extremely careful with it now. Gates may well have changed the design now however so the o-ring groove faces upwards during assembly. That would be much better.

Remember not to grease those orange Gates o-rings. They should be used dry.