Sealux Housing for FX7/V1

Sealux has just announced detailed specs for their FX7/V1 Housing. It makes some interesting claims, including smallest & lightest in class. The LDV viewfinder is also intriguing, considering I don't think either of the other 2 leading manufacturers offer an acceptable viewfinder solution.

PDF Specs:

http://sealux.de/e/pdf/E-HX7-Stand-26.06.2007.pdf

The base housing is $3350.

wow - looks pretty sexy. Nice specs, and that carrying handle is a good feature too

is that twin flip arms?

no flip arms no, hada guest here a while ago with the Z1 housing.

The arm looking thing on the front side of the housing is the pad for the electronic controls. The handles are on the wing, no electronics on them

Look like twin flip arms to me.

The attached PDF file has a good front on pic and a list flip closeup lens and flip filter.

Nice housing, but specs show negatively buoyant. Almost 2 lbs. with the flat port.

Still waiting for my Gates housing. Curious to find out how much "slightly negative" is. On my Gates 900, "slightly negative" was around 12 oz. which was fine.

Well I think it has.

Look at the pic you can just make out the writing.

haha.. you mean flip filters..

Will these housings accomodate the Amphibico 16:9 monitors...they do have their own but I prefere the look of the Amphib's...Although i couldn't see any assign buttons.

Dive safe

DeanB

It actually tells you about the Arms/ flip filters on the data sheet..

Has anyone used Sealux before...Any reviews ???? Whats the optics like etc...

Dive safe

DeanB

Well Dean, I think you should buy one since you are a BBC man now and tell us how good it is

Wags, me old mate,

If I was a BBC man I'd be using a HDW 750 or even the lowly Z1..

Dive safe

DeanB

The optics were custom built for this camera, so we'll have to wait until someone actually dives one.

I'm really excited about the viewfinder optic. Sealux builds the GS Viewfinder for Subal, and we all know what that did for their housings...

I'm not certain that is the correct interpretation of the buoyancy spec, Ron. I'm actually thinking they set this up to be slightly positive (granted 1.9# pos w/ the flat port is a lot, but the fisheye and wide angle lenses are a lot more manageable), and when the battery pack for the lights is added it is neutral. I'm trying to get clarification on this.

The housing does come with a flip UR Pro Red Filter & Flip +3 Diopter as standard equipment.

They use Subtronic S6 connectors for their monitors, not wet connects like Amphibico. I'm sure whatever connector Amphibico uses now could be retrofit.

Ryan, it's a nice looking housing and I'm sure Sealux will do well. With L&M skipping the FX7/V1 that leaves the door open for a company like Sealux.

I'm guessing the buoyancy specs to be accurate. Being the smallest housing dimensionally means less trapped air and explains why they list the flat port more negative than the wide and fisheye ports.

This is all speculation on my part. We will have to wait and see how all these housings perform.

I have a Gates on order, Roger has his Amphibico on it's way, we just need someone to get the Sealux and we can do a real nice comparison.

Being $4000 less than the Endeavour 'standard port' with the 16:9 it give scope to purchase the top monitor for a custom fit....

Go on someone buy it..You know you want to.

Dive safe

Dean(Sealux's CEO)B

I just received email confirmation from Sealux that the Wide Angle Lens is indeed full zoom through, with no vignetting.

Waiting for info about adding Assign Buttons & in water weight clarification.

haha.. you mean flip filters..

so wtf is a flip arm?

Its an arm, that you can flip...

DUMMY

Dive safe

DeanB

...snip...

Has anyone used Sealux before...Any reviews ???? Whats the optics like etc...

 

Dive safe

 

DeanB

all i can say is that a buddy of mine whose been the video pro in thailand for a number of years now, (PJ Widestrand from the scuba adventure and now the mermaids), has had a a sealux housing and it has been through hell and high water it is still working like a charm. they seem to be built like tanks.

in fact sealux has been offering the annual servicing to him as i think the housing has something like 2500 dives or something stupid like that. can't tell what camera is in there though, it's a sony is all i remember.

optics seem quite good as well given the quality of the images he creates.

I think PJ was using a TRV900. But I might be wrong.

I dived a Sealux housing for the VX1000 for over 7 years. I can testify to their solid build. Mind you I do take good care of my gear but they are tough housings nonetheless. I did see some that hjad been through tougher times than mine and they did seem indestructable. I was also thinking about the option for the Z1 but went Gates for the complete manual side of things.

I'm sure they (Sealux) have done a sterling job and can certainly vouch for their workmanship.

Cheers,

Mark.