Which housings are better (less prone to leak)

[schudini]

Ikelite or Olympus housings? What about build quality and ease of maintenance?

Any info is appreciated.

 

[Warren_L]

Having owned both Olympus and Ikelite housings, I don't think you can say definitively which is more prone to leak, as that has more to do with the operator than anything else. The Olympus housings use double o-rings, so that might be a consideration, but you still have to use the same care to ensure a clean seal on either housing.

 

[lifeisfullofgooddives]

I agree with Warren....It has more to do with the operator than the housing.

Having said that, I made the choice to buy ikelite because I liked the design and thought it was simple enough that it would be harder for me to screw up..

Although I would also like to say that ikelite does have an excellent reputation for customer service. But you should do research on both, there is plenty of info here on the boards, and then make your choice based on budget & your opinion.


either way good luck!

 

[Shasta_man]

The only right answer is the one you never open.

Both of them work but take care to avoid flooding. Carefully greasing the O-ring, if called for, looking for hair and dirt, pinches, closing carefully, test in the tank, then use and hope.

 

[gary-ramey]

depth is also a consideration. The Olympus is rated to around 140'. The ikelite to 200'.

 

[schudini]

Better design is what I am looking for. Since the ikelite is rated deeper, it is probably been pressure tested further than the olympus.

I'm thinking that the ikelite probably has more accessories (for future upgrades) and probably easier to find replacement parts.

 

[gary-ramey]

The ikelite is a thicker housing, more sturdy. It has a 67mm threaded port for accessories. Inon makes accessories for both housings so I don't think that's an issue. I've heard the Ikelite takes some getting used to the controls whereas the olympus has a button on the housing for every button on the camera. The Olympus is basically disposable...if you break a piece on the housing you might not even be able to find another housing as they've been discontinued.

 

[RonFrank]

Ikelite or Olympus housings? What about build quality and ease of maintenance?

Any info is appreciated.

Not sure what camera you are using at but EVERY housing can leak. Most common reason, user error.

Ike's customer service is world class. If you plan on keeping this for years, I'd suggest Ike because down the road if the housing needs seals you can get them replaced from IKE at a reasonable cost. However initial cost, and the fact that most people change out digital cameras like they do disposable diapers may make the Ike housing less of a long term value.

 

[Allison Finch]

I have had both and much prefer the Ike housing. The Oly housing uses four o-rings to seal back and port. That is three more than Ike's and the possibility of mislaid o-rings and/or leak inducing filth is substantially higher in the Oly. The Ike housing has a good view of the seal on the one o-ring so trouble is greatly reduced. there is a button on the Ike for every button on the camera, just as in the Oly. My only gripe is that the shutter release on the Ike is not spring operated, so you have to operate it both on and off. No big deal.
I sold my Oly housing soon after purchase as I didn't like the durability.

 

[Gdog]

have used a 67mm filter on my oly housing...screwed right in....and plenty of housings available, especially on ebay...and olympus has an ebay store......i like my oly housing, although i feel a light and motion tetra housing in my future....hehe