igills new iphone case

[epointer]

Looks like it has a depth and temp sensor built in, along with a dock that plugs into the iPhone. http://www.igills.com/hardware/

 

[accel_scuba]

I'd consider it as a backup. However, all signs point to a new port connection on the iPhone 5. I'd be hard pressed to buy such an expensive accessory for it to be obsolete with the next iPhone model.

 

[nimoh]

A bit of tiny magic?

See depth - and water temperature - indications on picture below taken with iPhone

View attachment 131391​

Alberto (aka eDiver)

although the temp and depth are nice features, a wide angle lens conversion, and color filters would be nice.

 

[Thalassamania]

Obsolescence is a problem, you're likely going to have to replace the case (or get it upgraded) every two years with your phone, or just put your old phone in airplane mode and let it become part of your dive gear.

 

[Crush]

When I first saw this product advertized on SB I clicked on the add immediately (this should make NetDoc happy). I read the description and initially thought that I might want to buy this product. The "save $1000 on dive equipment" sales pitch was a putoff, but as someone that loves their iPhone I was warm and fuzzy all over thinking that now I can share my dives with my phone! However, here is the main reason that I won't buy the case - it won't let me replace my P&S underwater camera, so there will be no decrease in the amount of kit (or clutter) that I carry into the water with me (I am not going to ditch my wrist-mounted computer or wrist-mounted compass). I don't doubt that the photo quality is similar (8 MP with iPhone 4s, 12 MP with my P&S) or that video quality is comparable (HD in both cases), but I stuck a huge, fast SD card into my camera to allow over an hour of HD video. Not only will my iPhone battery not last as long as my camera battery (especially when taking photos at depth with a flash) but I won't be able to shoot as much video (I have a 16 GB iPhone). Now, (this may not be possible - not sure) if the manufacturers could build in a spare, swapable battery to boost the iPhone's battery life (e.g., using standard Ni-MH camera battery) and additional memory via, say, an SD card (perhaps for transfer of photos and video after the dive so it doesn't have to happen in real time) then they would have removed any barrier to my buying the product.

 

[nimoh]

As Thalassamania said, there is a problem with obsolescence. There are already rumors that the new iPhone will have a different dataport.

 

[Crush]

As Thalassamania said, there is a problem with obsolescence. There are already rumors that the new iPhone will have a different dataport.

I read his post, but to my mind that is not a problem. I upgrade my phones regularly and wouldn't care that much if I had to take my "old 4S" on diving trips but used the newest iPhone otherwise. However, I recognize that this might be an issue to some. To me, the main inconveniences are battery life and memory.

 

[Firebird2XC]

I like all the commentary made about the tech specs of the product by people who actually read nothing about them. Funny. Come on kids, let's make educated decisions about gear.

I'm using an in-console computer, and it's great. That said, the features such as GPS tagging, auto-logging, and photo sharing would make this a super fun gadget to have. Rely exclusively on it as a computer? Not until it's been shaken down extensively in the field. It's essentially a hybrid prototype. I'm way too new to diving to be testing experimental equipment....

... granted, one assumes that legal liability and product testing would have ensured that the item works as advertised, right?
As for crashes- it says to put the phone in airplane mode and shut down all other background aps. I run my phone in similar modes and it has never crashed under those circumstances.

As for cost and upgrade issues- if the phone is replaced.. wouldn't that mean there would be tons of cheap handsets out there to be used as a part of the device or as a spare? When I upgrade my phone next year, I'll likely just keep my iPhone 4 as a backup.. and possibly as part of this setup.. as a supplement.

Just my .02.

 

[nimoh]

I like all the commentary made about the tech specs of the product by people who actually read nothing about them. Funny. Come on kids, let's make educated decisions about gear.

I'm using an in-console computer, and it's great. That said, the features such as GPS tagging, auto-logging, and photo sharing would make this a super fun gadget to have. Rely exclusively on it as a computer? Not until it's been shaken down extensively in the field. It's essentially a hybrid prototype. I'm way too new to diving to be testing experimental equipment....

... granted, one assumes that legal liability and product testing would have ensured that the item works as advertised, right?
As for crashes- it says to put the phone in airplane mode and shut down all other background aps. I run my phone in similar modes and it has never crashed under those circumstances.

As for cost and upgrade issues- if the phone is replaced.. wouldn't that mean there would be tons of cheap handsets out there to be used as a part of the device or as a spare? When I upgrade my phone next year, I'll likely just keep my iPhone 4 as a backup.. and possibly as part of this setup.. as a supplement.

Just my .02.

not sure to whom you are referring, but I don't see any inaccurate comments in this thread

 

[Hostage]

This seems like a cool and trendy idea. The touch screen wouldn't work, but the buttons that are added by using the docking port add additional functionality. It does add the ability to allow you to call in case of an emergency, which I would think is it's greatest feature. Owning an iphone 4 for over 2 years, I do worry about it crashing, so I would only use it if I had redudancy. It don't see how you could hard reset the phone in case of a hard crash, which I have seen. I have seen Apple's native application crash on the iphone. Also the case adds additional sensors to allow the phone to function as a dive computer. This product seems to fall short of providing the ability to read you tank level, which would be a lot more helpful. The price is the real killer $330, for a plastic case. You can get a nice diver computer for that. Their price comparrision is a little false, because many digital under water cameras come with a picture and video mode. In addition you can get a nice one for $250. Though the lights are what a good under water camera needs and the iphone light isn't going to cut it.

If the price was lower and it included a transducer for your tank, then I might get it for a redudant "cool" system.