need sympathy

[DandyDon]

Did he want a response from the manufacturer. I don't see that in his post, but if one wants such - one should post in the manufacturer's forum, not the owners forum.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

You must have read my previous post as I was editing it. (Reload the page and you'll see what I mean.)
I think the OP was looking for a response from other SeaLife owners...or at least ideas on what new camera he should get.

 

[greylion]

I love the SeaLife camera I have, and I've never flooded any camera before, but there's always a first I guess? I used to use an Ikelite housing with a Nikon camera and one thing I always liked about an Ikelite housing was you could see the o-ring sealing through the clear housing. Always reassuring, especially to a guy that has a track record like yours. No offense, but 1 is bad luck, 2 is real bad luck, 3 is something else.

 

[gypsyjim]

Having just had the experience of my DC500 "floating away", myself, I can verify that this was because of lack of attention on my part. A secured camera isn't going to just float away, while one slipped up your arm can Note to self to always snap to D ring, and never rely on the rubber since strap again.

Got mine back 2 days later, in one of those once in a million chances, and even after 2 1/2 days under salt water she still no leak and still she work just fine.
:balloons: :bounce2: :bounce4: :balloons:

As for leaking, I have yet to have a leak in either the DC500, or my original DC100. Cross my fingers! I am cautious whenever I open and reclose the UW case, to make sure there is nothing on the O ring, and I will periodically brush on a light touch of silicone O ring lube. I always run my finger around the O ring, prior to closing the case.

Most my problems have arisen when I am moving too fast and thinking about other things, which once resulted in my viewing a seahorse almost the moment I first entered the water, threw the back of the empty camera box, and realizing that in my rush to get out the door I never removed the DC500 from the laptop, and had grabbed just the empty UW case in my rush!!!:shocked2:

 

[DandyDon]

Did I mention that the above linked insurance is very cheap, very easy to acquire if SF operates there, and very easy to claim? See link for details.

3 claims in 7 months tho? He would be a former customer by now. Wow!

 

[snowdog]

I have read somewhere DAN offers equipment insurance, that might be worth a look.

 

[Jax]

Because I am senile and careless. Is the panasonic better than the Oly that has similiar characteristics?

Hate to switch from sealife since I'm so familiar with it.

I cannot speak to the panasonic, but I will tell you that my experience with Olymput warranty and customer service over two cameras has been AWFUL.

Both cameras developed a problem within days of the expiration of their one-year warranty. One was showing symptoms prior to the expiration, and I notified Olympus, but it wasn't enough to cover the camera under warranty.

One of the cameras came back with issues like "can't turn the flash off" and an intermittent problem with cycling back off after you turn it on.

Oly said I had to pay to ship it back and have it checked -- then if it was under warranty of the repair, they would refund the troubleshooting cost.

Their repair warranty was only 90 days, too.

 

[DandyDon]

I have read somewhere DAN offers equipment insurance, that might be worth a look.

A viable idea indeed. If I could not get State Farm PAP, I might go there next...

Dive Equipment Insurance services are being provided by Senn, Dunn, Marsh, and Roland, LLC. Deductible $100; Water Deductible $250 or 10% loss, whichever is greater. For $950 in cameras and $2,000 in sports gear: Total Insurance Premium: $104.00

I have that much plus $1,000 laptop covered, No deductibles at all for $92/year.

 

[Arubandi07]

Having just had the experience of my DC500 "floating away", myself, I can verify that this was because of lack of attention on my part. A secured camera isn't going to just float away, while one slipped up your arm can Note to self to always snap to D ring, and never rely on the rubber since strap again.

Got mine back 2 days later, in one of those once in a million chances, and even after 2 1/2 days under salt water she still no leak and still she work just fine.
:balloons: :bounce2: :bounce4: :balloons:

As for leaking, I have yet to have a leak in either the DC500, or my original DC100. Cross my fingers! I am cautious whenever I open and reclose the UW case, to make sure there is nothing on the O ring, and I will periodically brush on a light touch of silicone O ring lube. I always run my finger around the O ring, prior to closing the case.

Most my problems have arisen when I am moving too fast and thinking about other things, which once resulted in my viewing a seahorse almost the moment I first entered the water, threw the back of the empty camera box, and realizing that in my rush to get out the door I never removed the DC500 from the laptop, and had grabbed just the empty UW case in my rush!!!:shocked2:

Re O ring: kid's toothbrush(very soft) and magnifying glass, you'll be surprised what you find on a seemingly clean O-ring, doublecheck seating and underside, and when opening between dives for card/battery change, thoroughly dry cam and unidirectionally(3-4x, if necessary), blow out any remaining moisture inside the lid/casing line before unlocking the compartment. Since you're mentioning that severeral of your previous cam models never flooded, compare to Dc 1000 for design differences, that may create another possible problem factor that you're not addressing properly. And most importantly, take your time, I almost lost my WA once because of rushing to get in the water and forgetting to properly secure it. As for leaks, I'm using a Reefmaster Mini and never had any, probably because of being so worried about the mere possibility, that from day 1 I took all the precautions necessary to avoid this problem. Hope, this advice is helpful.

A.

 

[highlandfarmwv]

I do like SeaLife cameras, and I do not blame SeaLife at all for my mistakes. I was just wondering if perhaps I am not responsible enough for another SeaLife since it is not waterproof inside the housing like the Oly and Panasonic. I will probably just get another SeaLife and hope I don't kill it.