GDOME ACTION CAMERA PORT INSTRUCTIONS

 We have put together these dome port instructions to help you use your GDome Dome Port correctly. We have also added some essential over-under photography tips that you must follow if you want your half-half photos to stand out. 

HOW TO SET UP YOUR GDOME PORT for ADVANCED V5 DOMES

Unscrew the thumb screws to lift the backplate and remove it from the dome.

Remove your GoPro lens (twist and pull), put the camera in at a 45-degree angle, and push down and twist straight. Make sure the camera is sitting correctly. Always make sure there is no dirt, sand, hair or other debris along the rubber gasket that could compromise the integrity of the seals.

Place the backplate on the dome and finger tighten in place.

All of the GoPro camera buttons are accessible and work as if you didn't have a housing attached.

HOW TO SET UP YOUR GDOME PORT for SUPERDIVE DOMES

Unscrew the thumbscrews to lift the backplate and open the latch of the SuperDive housing and open the backdoor.

Put your GoPro camera into the SuperDive housing and close it. The housing seems similar to regular GoPro housing but it is not completely the same. It is designed specially to fit into the GDome, so your regular housing can not be used or water will get into the dome.

Always make sure there is no dirt, sand, hair or other debris along the rubber gasket that could compromise the integrity of the waterproof dome.

Close the backplate over the housing and tighten the thumbscrews until it is finger tight.

Use the   button on the dome to turn your GoPro ON/OFF or change modes.

Remaining two buttons on your GoPro camera work as on your regular housing.

DEPTH RATING
SuperDive Dome Housings are capable of withstanding depths of up to 40 meters.

Advanced V5 GDome Housings, they are rated to the max depth rating of your camera 10m in most cases. 

CLEANING
After using seawater, always rinse the dome with fresh water.

Use the provided allen key to remove all 10 of the screws holding the dome in place if you ever need to clean it from the inside. Before removing the dome, make sure the GDome port is tidy. Always use a cleaning solution that won't damage PC components. Once your dome has been cleaned, reattach it to the backplate and check that the rubber gasket is free of any dirt, sand, hair, or other debris that can jeopardize the watertight dome's integrity. Additionally, confirm that the gasket is installed; it must be in the small notch in the backplate. Don't overtighten the screws; only tighten them enough to feel resistance.

RETAINING AND PROTECTING
When it comes to handling scratches, GDome's high-grade PC material is superior to glass since water will cover the scratch and make it invisible in photographs. Glass, on the other hand, is more scratch-resistant and better at withstanding water droplets, but scratches are difficult to conceal in photographs. In any event, we advise you to safeguard your dome against damage, scuffs, and dust. Purchase our SNAP ON DOME PROTECTION COVER and cover the dome while not in use.

Avoid exposing your GDome to heat and sunshine for extended periods of time.

TACTICS AND TIPS
It is incredibly easy to use the dome port with a GoPro camera since the GoPro's wide-angle lens and virtually unlimited depth of field are a perfect match for the dome port. So, utilizing the dome is essentially point and shoot. However, there are a few strategies and suggestions to improve your images and get the most of your GDome port.

SELECT A SUNNY DAY.
Sunlight and plenty of light will significantly enhance your images if you are taking half-half photos, where half of the image is above water and half is under it. Lots of light from the sky can help you take better pictures because the underwater portion of the picture will always be darker because light is quickly lost under the water. Even underwater flash is sometimes used by professional photographers to brighten the image's bottom half.

REMEMBER TO AVOID REFLECTION AND AVOID POINTING THE DOME AT THE SUN
All domes can become mirrors with the correct background and the sun (or any other light source). There are several guidelines you should abide by to prevent this even if the dome on GDome port is intended to minimize reflection.

So how can one prevent reflection?

The mirror effect typically occurs when the dome is pointed toward the sun, and it is accentuated if the underwater portion of the image is dark. Do a few test photos to get the perfect angle while attempting to keep the sun to your back. Another common tip for effective photography is to keep the sun behind you since it enhances the colors in the image.

Direct sunlight photography is possible. However, you will need to experiment to get the ideal angle. Additionally, try submerging your GDome higher (or deeper) in the water. Try different things to achieve the ideal shot!

RESISTING THE VOG
Dome structures and standard GoPro housings may fog up internally, destroying your photos. When there is moisture inside the housing and/or there are significant temperature differences (warm air/cold water), fogging will occur. It is preferable to install the dome somewhere dry if you are in the tropics or another area where you anticipate there may be fogging (inside the car, in your hotel room). Turn on the air conditioning if it's available because it removes moisture from the air.

However, there are situations and locations when reaching a dry spot is impossible. In this situation, GoPro Anti-Fog camera lens inserts can be used to drain the dome and housing of moisture. You can do this without removing the dome by inserting a tape measure through the hole for the GoPro housing and inserting the Anti-Fog insert into the dome. If you are not using something extremely huge, the insert won't be seen in the picture. Alternatives to these inserts include tissue paper, silica gel bags salvaged from shoe boxes, and strips of chamois leather.

SELECT CLEAR WATER.
Clear water will be lighter, and your colors will be better and more authentic. The typical locations with incredibly clean, transparent water include mountain lakes and rivers, tropical seas, swimming pools, etc. The brightness and quantity of light in the water are both influenced by the bottom. Bright pebbles, pool tiles, and sand are preferable than dark volcanic rocks, sludge, and algae.

FOR DOME PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEO, THE BEST GOPRO CAMERA MODE
Sports requiring fast movement, such as surfing We advise using the burst mode when there is only a brief window of time between taking a half-decent photo and completely losing your dome or the subject you are photographing out of the frame. If the action is moving quickly, try taking 30 pictures in 2 or 1 second, however it will be more difficult to time your camera release in this situation. 30 pictures in 3 seconds works nicely.

We also like to utilize the timelapse option, taking either one shot every 0.5 seconds or one photo per second, for slower motion, water play, snorkeling, etc. The wonderful thing about timelapse mode is that once you turn it on, you don't have to click the shutter button again. Your hands are free, so you can swim, and your camera is always taking pictures, so you won't miss anything. However, you can erase a lot of the pictures later.

Always set the resolution to its maximum, which is 12MP/Wide.

Similar guidelines apply to video; even if doing so lowers the resolution, set your camera to at least 50 FPS (frames per second) for high-speed activity. The resolution can be increased while the frame rates are decreased when the action is slower. Choose something like 1080p/120 FPS or 1080 SuperView/240 FPS for fast-moving action, and something like 2.7K/60 FPS for slower-moving activities (of course, if you need higher resolution; if not, stick with 1080/60). 720p/240FPS is the recommended frame rate for slow-motion video if you want to achieve even greater speed.

Your images will be upside down if you submerge the dome in water while standing on dry land, such as from a pier or some comparable location, as the grip will be pointing upward. Set the camera position on your GoPro camera to down or, even better, auto so you won't have to worry about it.

WAYS TO REMOVE WATER DROPS
The portion of the dome that is not in the water acts as a sizable lens and can collect some water droplets that will appear in the photograph. The problem is not as severe as with the conventional GoPro housing where one droplet can destroy the entire photo because of the vast surface area of the dome. However, we still favor no drops:). There are many strategies to stay away from them:

Keep the top half of the dome dry, if at all possible, is the first and most obvious rule. Anywhere there is calm water and/or a dry cloth nearby, including a pool, this works. However, this won't work if you are actually in the water, such as when shooting surfing.

There won't be any water drops; instead, there will be a film of water covering the dome if you totally submerge it before taking the image.

The hydrophobic properties of specific solutions (RainX, Aquapel, etc.) cause water to form beads and flow off the treated surfaces. The majority, however, should not be used with PC domes because they risk damaging the plastic. So be sure to use one that respects plastic.

Licking the dome is another well-liked and environmentally friendly method of removing the water drips. It works even better if you wait for the spit to dry for a few seconds to a minute. And we have tested it, so it truly does work.

Rub potato over the dome as an additional homemade remedy. The starch and water combine to produce a film that stops the formation of droplets.

Using wax offers a more durable solution. For this, consumers can use auto wax or specialized waxes.

SUBSTANTIAL QUESTIONS

Can I use it as housing underwater at 20 meters or less?
The GDome SuperDive can withstand depths of up to 40 meters.

When used in the ocean, the dome eventually begins to fog up inside, destroying pictures and recordings. Any advice on how to prevent this issue?
Dome structures and standard GoPro housings may fog up internally, destroying your photos. When there is moisture inside the housing and/or there are significant temperature differences (warm air/cold water), fogging will occur. It is preferable to install the dome somewhere dry if you are in the tropics or another area where you anticipate there may be fogging (inside the car, in your hotel room). Turn on the air conditioning if it's available because it removes moisture from the air.

Use GoPro Anti-Fog inserts instead if that isn't possible; these will remove the moisture from the dome and housing. You can do this without removing the dome by inserting a tape measure through the hole for the GoPro housing and inserting the Anti-Fog insert into the dome. If you are not using something extremely large, the insert won't be visible in the picture. Alternatives to these inserts include tissue paper, silica gel bags salvaged from shoe boxes, and strips of chamois leather.

How do I switch the Hero 11 Black on or off after attaching it to the dome port? Can I activate and deactivate my GoPro when it is mounted to the dome?
Once the camera is fastened to the dome, all of the GoPro Hero 11 black buttons are operable, allowing you to operate the camera exactly as you would without the dome. The Hero 11 Black touch screen in the SuperDive cannot be operated because the camera is housed in a dive housing, which is the sole change. However, the LCD is still visible, making it simpler to take images and record videos. With one of our Advanced or SuperDive choices, you may use all the GoPro buttons.

Can you use a different selfie stick—possibly a longer one—with the dome?
You can mount GDome to any grip, pole, or selfie stick that utilizes the standard GoPro mount system (almost all sticks on the market use this mount). However, you should be aware that the selfie stick would need to be flexible, like the GoPro 3-Way Camera Mount, in order for you to take pictures of yourself using your dome. Due to the dome's size, it is impossible to turn it toward you if you use a straight pole that cannot bend over the dome's backplate as the support. To enable you mount poles directly to the face of the GDome and take amazing selfies, we created the action adapter.

Can the GDome be used with a red filter? also a colored lens?
The majority of GoPro Hero filters are made to attach to the lens of the camera housing. Attaching anything to the housing or lens will break the waterproof seal that is intended between the dome and the housing (or lens), making it likely impossible to fit the camera into the dome. Domes are constructed with this waterproof seal in mind. Only a sticker-style filter that could be adhered to the lens or housing would not interfere with the dome.

Can a selfie stick be placed to a dome?
It can be mounted on any stick, pole, or grip that has a GoPro mount, thus the answer is yes.

Is the dome compatible with GoPro sessions?
For the GoPro session, we do have a dome housing.



Is it possible to use this dome with the original GoPro Hero 11 housing?
You must use the SuperDive camera housing that is included with the dome, NOT the original GoPro housing, as we are unable to side seal on it due to the original housing's little screws on the face.

Can I use this underwater when submerged?
Yes, the GDome can endure submersion up to 40 meters (SuperDive).

Can I operate my Hero 11 Black's touch screen while it's within the dome housing?
The touchscreen of the SuperDive is visible to aid in taking pictures and videos, but you are unable to use it because the camera must be placed within the diving housing.

You can fully operate the GoPro with a touch thanks to the Advanced V5.

Is it compatible with a GoPro chest mount?
Although it would likely be hefty and unwieldy, it might be possible.

Can the YI 4K camera be used with this dome?
We advise choosing one of our GDome Mobile universal solutions.

Can you fit a Nikon Coolpix Aw130 in this?
We advise choosing one of our GDome Mobile universal solutions.

Can this dome be used with rain X?
No, PC domes and Rain X are incompatible.

The GDome floats, right?
All GDome Dome Ports do indeed float.

This GDome floats, right? If not, could you please attach the floaty back door?
There is no need to use the floaty back door because the GDome port floats.

Are the top, side, and power buttons accessible through this GDome port?
You have access to ALL GoPro camera buttons via the GDome port.

Since there is no trigger, how can you snap pictures with this dome port?
Simply press a button to start taking pictures because all of the GoPro buttons are accessible.

The function of a GoPro dome.
The quality of underwater photographs is enhanced by GDome's ability to push water away from the camera. Additionally, the large dome lens makes it feasible to capture scenes in images and movies where one half is underwater and the other is above the water.

In light of the fact that I won't be able to apply a red filter, how good are the images I take when scuba diving?
If you can locate a red filter that can be applied on the lens as a sticker, you should do so to avoid affecting the lens' edges and interfering with the housing/dome seal.

If I wish to shoot some photos without the dome, is it simple to remove it (while keeping it in the housing)?
Yes, you can use your GoPro without the dome by simply removing the two screws, opening the backdoor, and removing the housing that houses the camera. Just be careful to properly dry the housing before reinserting it into the dome since if you don't, the dome can soon fog up (depending on the weather and temperatures of course).

Can I use other cameras with the dome? Like TomTom Bandit, Yi Technology 4K+ Action Camera, Olfi One.5, GoPro Hero5 Session, Sony FDR-X3000R, SJCAM SJ7 Star, Sony RX0, Olympus TG TRACKER, Garmin VIRB ULTRA 30, Veho MUVI K2 PRO, Nikon KeyMission 360, and other cameras? Are they going to fit in the GDome?
We advise choosing one of our GDome Mobile universal solutions.

Is the SJ4000 compatible with the dome?
We advise choosing one of our GDome Mobile universal solutions.

To stop water from leaking inside the dome, is the housing directly linked to the dome?
The back door of the dome pulls the housing into the rubber seal between the housing and the dome.

Describe the GoPro dome.
A GoPro dome is a specialized add-on for your GoPro camera that enhances underwater images and videos and enables the taking of over-under (half-under, 50-50) images.

What are the spare rubber seals for in the Dome Port package?
They are merely extras; your dome will be delivered complete.

What stores sell GoPro dome?
It's available for purchase at www.getgdome.com.

Does this function in shore break?

Yes, but take extra care to avoid scuffing the dome on the sand.

Will a Hero 2 be able to use this?
We advise choosing one of our GDome Mobile universal solutions.


Let us know if you have any additional inquiries at sales@getgdome.com.