Nexus/Aquatica/Ikelite housing evaluation

As I determine which housing to place my D90 inside, a good idea shared by many threads is to see them and hold them. As far as I can determine, there is no Nexus D90 housing for sale that is physically in the US at this time.

Does anyone have a D80 or D90 Nexus housing that would let me fly to their location and see it, hold it and take pics with it?

We could meet in a public location, etc. I think it would be very popular to have my mask on, trying the buttons and taking pics with a housed camera at the local coffee shop.

It would be nice if it were someone in the Midwest USA.

Similarly, I am searching for an Aquatica and Ikelite housing in the midwest to see.

Time frame is essentially as soon as possible. I plan a N.C. visit in late Sept for sand tigers and would love to try it with the D90 and a Tokina 10-17.

If willing, please send me a PM.

Based on size and wt, the Nexus seems more interesting...ah but the price! YIKES! I need to figure out how to convince the wife that getting that one would be good for the grandkids. I always get the OK for spending for them...

Thanks for your consideration.

Nexus is a well engineered, compact & ergonomically friendly housing. It handles very well in the water - usually just slightly negative (at least for my setup). Since you have a Platinum Card it won't be a problem. But as you point out Nexus is hard to find in the US. They ship to Asia but not as often to US for some reason. They're loosing business here because of that. I really like the fiber optic ports on my D300 housing. Much preferred over sync cords.

Nexus is a well engineered, compact & ergonomically friendly housing. It handles very well in the water - usually just slightly negative (at least for my setup). Since you have a Platinum Card it won't be a problem. But as you point out Nexus is hard to find in the US. They ship to Asia but not as often to US for some reason. They're loosing business here because of that. I really like the fiber optic ports on my D300 housing. Much preferred over sync cords.

Certainly a trip to Monterey to the aquarium would be in order. Stop at Backscatter they have the aquatica and the Ikelite. They were listed as Nexus dealers (at least Fred was) but I think that has ended.

Bill

Comfort:

Nexus > Aquatica > Ikelite

Availability:

Ikelite > Aquatica >> Nexus

Cost;

Ikelite << Nexus =(ish) Aquatica

I suspect you should go for an Aquatica housing as it's available. The Nexus housing is, in my opinion, the most ergonomic, but you just can't get hold of one. Both Nexus and Aquatica knock spots off an Ikelite housing, but you do have to pay for that.

Tim

Thanks for all the feedback and PM's.

I am leaning toward Nexus for 2 reasons, fiber optic connection and weight/size.

If Aquatica allowed fiber optics, I might accept their higher weight for their lower (than nexus) price.

It seems a Nexus 160 dome ( essentially a 6") works with all the wide angle I am considering. The Aq. dealer STRONGLY advises toward the 8" Aq dome for the Tokina 10-17. The combination of larger dome and higher housing wt sends me toward Nexus.

I would try the 'special' 10-17 Nexus dome as its ~120 and a nice small size but the feedback here is not all positive. All 160 feedback seems quite positive.

Based on offers given, I am planning to visit Chicago soon to see a Nexus D80 setup.

Then off to win the lottery...