TESTCENTRE
Apple of your eye ?
60
Oceanic + Dive Housing
COMPANY : OCEANIC PRICE : £ 549 WEB : WWW . OCEANICWORLDWIDE . COM
On the heels of Oceanic ’ s link-up with Apple , which transformed the tech giant ’ s Watch Ultra into a fully-functioning recreational dive computer , comes the Oceanic + Dive Housing . This compact and durable device brings similar functionality and more to the iPhone .
The 60 metre-rated Dive Housing is manufactured from an impact-resistant glass-fibre / techno-polymer material . Weighing just under a kilogram , the hinged clamshell has a white front section with a large flat port and smoked , translucent rear with a large iPhone-sized screen .
It ’ s just the right side of chunky , with a textured right-hand grip . Opening the housing via a locking twist clamp , there ’ s a spring-loaded bracket which slides to accommodate the different dimensions of various iPhone models .
Simply switch on the rechargeable housing , select the Oceanic + app on your iPhone , then via the wonders of Bluetooth the two devices are rapidly connected . Animated step-by-step instructions are provided pre and post-dive to eliminate any potential water ingress .
The automatic vacuum pump , plus integral moisture detector , is an innovative and effective way to safeguard your investment . After a two-minute countdown to confirm its security , the housing is ready for action .
Navigating through the menu is a simple operation controlled by four push-buttons . It ’ s possible to choose camera , video or smart mode ( where both can be operated simultaneously ). Aspect ratio , definition , file size and stabilisation are among the options available . Unfortunately there is no way to apply a manual or custom white balance .
Instead , the app features an automatic white balance filter , which claims to compensate for depth and blue or green water . In use I found this fairly ineffective , with both water types typically retaining their respective hues . Post-capture adjustments can made within the app itself or alternatively with a suitable computerbased editing program .
Camera and dive computer
The dive computer display is identical to that used on the Ultra watch . Overlaid on the screen , it can be viewed in its full glory or collapsed to the essentials while your focus stays on the bigger picture .
The subscription-based model utilised by the Oceanic + app unlocks the full capability of the app ’ s Bühlmann ZHL-16C algorithm , although in this case it isn ’ t a necessity . It will still continue function in gauge mode , while allowing unfettered access to the camera itself .