DSLR housing for beach dives in surge zones

May I ask for the board's opinion. Currently, will be using an Aquatica A-300 housing for beach dives here in California.

Passing through the surge zones with the camera can be quite a stir specially with all that sand blasting in all directions.

I previously had an Aquatica D-100 which I soaked in my laundry sink after each beach dives seemed to held up but you can see

quite a bit of sand on the sink bottom. I believe using good equipment in tough conditions provided it is cleansed and cared for after each use.

Plus following manufacturers care directions. What do you think?

thanks,

Ramon

I beach dive Monterey, California with my Aquatica A200 and previously with an Aquatica 90 housing (the breakwater has fine, smaller than table sugar, sand). So far no problems.

A few tricks:

-use a hand spray bottle (or chem rinse bottle, squirt gun) to _gently_ irrigate all the control entry points after the dive

-stay away from compressed air around control entry points (a hand operated photo blower is much less likely to blow water past the first o-ring or fine sand into the seal area of the first o-ring)

-if you don't need to open the housing between dives, leave it sealed.

-if you do need to open the housing or change ports, clean the o-ring and sealing surface. (fine sand will stick to the o-ring lube)

Take Care,

ChrisS

As a fast thought, have you tried to use a plastic bag just to get in-out of the surge zones?

there's quite a few of us here in the LA area that beach dive with their dSLR's. It sounds like you've done it before, so you know the drill, go for it, have fun, and post some photos. Like Chris said, just clean the o-rings adn sealing surfaces well.

I carry a large bucket of water in my trunk that I soak my housing in right after each dive. you can get the bucket with a lid at True value hardware stores.

Scott

Thanks for the much needed advice, and yes I have thought about the large plastic bag before the surge zones too awkward (washing machine effect). Yes, I have done this before with my A-100 with no problems, I guess just getting the chills before soaking my new toy in the surge zone. I bought a large hand blower 'rocket blower' yesterday for my mirror and sensor, guess i can use it for my housing too. I also ordered and read about the the 48 can polar bear cooler bag I can fill this with water and soak the housing after each dives.

Here is the link to view my previous dive at Malaga Cove -Palos Verde using the previous Aqautica D-100. http://www.flickr.com/photos/chidalgo/sets...57608191926549/

Maybe I can join you guys for a dive? We are doing a squid run dive (afternoon and evening) at redondo on june 10.

regards,

Ramon

hey Ramon, I'll PM you my email address so we can get together for a dive sometime.

june 10th, that's 6 months away, was that a typo?

hey Ramon, I'll PM you my email address so we can get together for a dive sometime.

 

june 10th, that's 6 months away, was that a typo?

sorry Jan. 10 it is.....