L&M Bluefin HC1 Housing

01RMB

Phi
Have you had the chance to try out the PC1000? I am keen to get a video camera and the PC1000 is one of the options I am looking at. What is your impression so far?

Where did you pick up the housing and what price did you end up paying?

Cheers
Rod

decoweenie

Not yet, but hopefully will be able to get it in the water this Thursday + Friday...

So far, I am TOTALLY in love with it since the housing is so small compared to even other small housings I had in the past (Gates Baja, Amphibico EVO). Rough dimension for a small box that will fit it inside is 10" x 10" Wide x 7" Tall.

The camera tray loading mechanism is similar to all LMI housing, very simple. Plug 3 wires from the tray to the camera, push the tray in and close the back cover. Done in less than 1 minute if go really slow.

As you know, you could video and take digital photo (3Mb resolution) at anytime during the dive.

The only drawback at the moment for me is I do not see a tripod mount on the bottom, so I can't mount it to the scooter as is. I will have to make an adapter later on...

I lost my patience at the end when I saw how beautiful the housing is and wanted to put it in the water ASAP, so I just bought the camera from the local distributor for close to retail price (US$1200) instead of waiting another week for mail-order. B&H would have been my choice since they have both NTSC and PAL versions available in-stock.

__________________
"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

- Rebreather World PM

01RMB

Thanks for the info. I am looking forward to hearing how you find the camera and housing underwater.

I haven't found too many places that offer the housing and I guess with such small demand and low volumes there is not too much discounting going on.

01RMB

From what I have read you need to have the batteries for the light system in order to add a tripod mount. The mount piece replaces a part used to hold the batteries in place.

decoweenie

I have the light system as well, but there was no adapter for the tripod mount. I have asked LMI but no reply yet since it was over their week-end.

I have seen some lower prices for the camera, but when considering the shipping/VAT to UAE, it will be probably be US$100 less or max US$200 (?) so I bit the bullet to save a week or two.

__________________
"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

- Rebreather World PM

01RMB

Here's the tripod adapter. It appears it is an extra item. US$50



http://www.backscatter.com/hostedsto.../802-0152.html

decoweenie

YES! Thanks...

I will order one right away, but will also be making something else to work without the battery pods as well.

__________________
"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

- Rebreather World PM

Crazyduck

Phi,
With L&M keep a close eye on the internal electronics and how the batteries are recharging. I would go so far as to record the voltage after each charge.

That’s all I am saying….


Andrew

decoweenie

Andrew,

L&M didn't have the 21/24w (?) HID system specifically for the Mako, only the 10w. So I went with the halogen option since I had to get the Travel Package.

However, I am not planning to use the L&M halogen lights at all since I have a couple of nice 24w HID video lights already.

But thanks for the warning...

__________________
"...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..."

- Rebreather World PM

Crazyduck

Hey mate,
Wish you all the best...

I know in the past you have been disappointed with a few cameras.

Good Luck.

Andrew