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GDOME XL Instructions

Congratulations for purchasing your GDome XL Water Housing.

The GDome XL Water Housing is designed to work with a wide range of cameras and brands. Our housings have been tested up to 10 meters (33 feet). Please note that although our XL Water Housings can go deeper, we rate them to 5m / 15 feet.  Our products are NOT designed for diving below 5M/17 feet. 

Please read the following instructions and care tips before using your GDome XL Water Housing for the first time. You can also visit our website and YouTube channel for more tips and information.

 

Compatible Cameras

Please view our list of compatible cameras here

 

Warning  ⚠️

Make sure to not put any unprotected lens elements face down onto a hard or rough surface.

Do not use the incorrect sized bolts and do not use the thumb screw loosener to over tighten the rear moulded thumbscrews. Do not torque ANY bolts to more than 15 in-lb

It is the users responsibility to ensure the GDome XL is properly sealed and waterproof before use in or around water.

The XL seals will settle with use. To prevent any leaks we suggest giving the bolts a tighten between each use, even if you have not removed your camera. As a precaution, you can press on the rear door to make sure no air is escaping.

The XL is waterproof to 5m / 15 feet do not exceed this depth.

The XL suction lens protector has been designed for your dome, do not allow sand, salt or any other debris to get inside this as it will scratch your lens.

Please rinse your XL with fresh water immediately after every use.

The rear screen is made with an extremely flexible rubber material, this material has little to no memory meaning that it will stretch and come back to it's original position.

While it may seem extremely thin, it is extremely strong with remarkable stretch ability without tearing.

Please keep all sharp objects away from the flexible rear membrane, when the housing is not in use, remove the membrane and store it in a protective bag so that there is no chance of damage during transport. 

 

Initial Setup

Remove all parts from the package.

Spread out all the parts on a clean soft level surface, go through the rest of the contents in the box to familiarise yourself with what exactly is included.

The Dome Lens Extension will come with the dome lens and seal pre-installed. The 55mm Flat Lens Extension will come with the flat lens and seal pre-installed. 

 

Installing extensions onto the main body

Choose what extension you would like to start shooting with, ensure that the seal is correctly seated in the extension by massaging it in place. Be sure to add additional lubrication (supplied) to the seal before tightening it in place. Place the extension face down (element down) on a soft clean surface, place the main body housing on top of the extension and line up the holes. Take the included M5 x 8mm alan key bolts, insert and lightly tighten opposing bolts using the included alan key in the correlating holes. Once they are in place but not compressing the seal, tighten opposing screws until the seal is fully compressed all the way around the extension, every screw must be tightened, do not over tighten (Do not torque ANY bolts to more than 15 in-lb) and do not forget to tighten a single screw as it could prevent the housing from fully sealing.

Installing the removable baseplate onto the main body

Our baseplate is designed to be a tight fit in order to keep the camera in place in rough conditions. The baseplate slides into the two pillars within the housing body.

  • If you feel that this fit is too tight, spend 5 minutes removing and reinserting insert the plate (without your camera attached) in order to ease the fit. 
  • With use, it will become easier to remove the baseplate.
  • The included lubrication gel can also be used on the tongue and groove for frictionless installation and removal. 

Installing the side grip/s onto the main body

The GDome XL side grips use a tongue and groove system to locate onto the side of your GDome XL main housing. Mount the handles into the groove onto the side of the housing, using the M5 x 30mm alan key head bolts marked as “Handle Screws”, place the lock nuts into the corresponding holes and tighten the bolts in place using the provided alan key. Be sure that the bolts are well tightened and that there is no free play / movement between the handles and housing (again do not over tighten, do not torque ANY bolts to more than 15 in-lb). 

Installing the camera

The baseplate comes with multiple holes that allow you to position the camera either further forward or back in order to get the ideal distance away from the lens element. The camera is mounted onto the backplate with a 1/4 inch mounting screw.

We suggest starting towards the back of these hole positions and working your way forward as required. 

Please ensure that your camera lens is never touching the lens element as this will damage your camera lens or housing lens element. 

Once you have found the ideal setting for your camera and lens configuration it is time to install the stabiliser bar. The stabiliser bar is mounted onto the back of your camera in order to stop side to side movement of the camera when in the housing. 

You will notice that there are two wings with holes for nuts. Insert the nuts that come fitted on the long bolts with thumbscrews.

The stabiliser bar is pressed us against the camera and secured using the long bolt with thumbscrew onto the wings.

There are multiple mounting positions for the wings according to your positioning of the camera. 

Finger tighten the thumbscrews until your camera is secure and will not move side to side, do not over-tighten the stabiliser bar on your camera. 

Installing the (optional) 80mm extension port

You will need to mount the dome port lens extension to the main body, remove the preinstalled dome lens from the dome port lens extension. Ensure that the seal that faces up to the main housing is correctly seated in the extension by massaging it in place. Be sure to add additional lubrication (supplied) to the seal before tightening it in place. Place the extension face down (element down) on a soft clean surface, place the main body housing on top of the extension and line up the holes. Take the included M5 x 8mm alan key bolts, insert and lightly tighten opposing bolts using the included alan key in the correlating holes. Once they are in place but not compressing the seal, tighten opposing screws until the seal is fully compressed all the way around the extension, every screw must be tightened (again do not over tighten, do not torque ANY bolts to more than 15 in-lband do not forget to tighten a single screw as it could prevent the housing from fully sealing. Now you can place the 80mm extension port onto the housing. Ensure that the seal that faces up on the dome port extension is correctly seated in the extension by massaging it in place and using additional lubrication (supplied) to get the seal to sit in place correctly before tightening it in place. Place the 80mm extension with no ring groove onto the dome port extension and line up the holes. Take the included M5 x 8mm alan key bolts, insert and lightly tighten opposing bolts using the included alan key in the correlating holes. Once they are in place but not compressing the seal, tighten opposing screws until the seal is fully compressed all the way around the extension, every screw must be tightened, do not over tighten and do not forget to tighten a single screw as it could prevent the housing from fully sealing. Inspect the mounting to ensure that there is a good seal and compression all the way around the joint. 

Closing up the rear backdoor with soft / hard backdoor

Place the flexible membrane into the seal groove on the moulded backplate, make sure the thick side is facing down into this groove. Once in place the membrane should be free of any debris and any obstructions. Use some seal lubrication around the sealing area of the flexible membrane. 

You can now place the backplate (seal facing down) onto the main housing, make sure the holes are properly lined. Make use of the moulded thumb screws or M5 x 12mm. Place the 4 bolts / screws into the 4opposite corners of the housing and turn down one full rotation, you can now adjust the backplate to ensure that it is perfectly aligned. Once aligned you can add the additional screws/bolts and tighten them down, remember to do opposites to ensure a uniform seal. Do not use the screw loosener to over tighten the rear thumbscrews, this could cause you to strip the thread or damage the moulded thumbscrew. There should be no large gaps between the cover and backplate. AGAIN do not over tighten, do not torque ANY bolts to more than 15 in-lb, you just need to ensure that the seal is completely compressed all the way around the unit. Once all the screws are tightened and you can no longer see any gap between the back plate and the housing. Do a final inspection to ensure that all the screws on the backplate are finger tightened all the way around the housing. Visually inspect the backplate and make sure all screws are finger tight, you now know that you are all closed up. 

Now take the palm of your hand and push down onto the membrane. The unit should not suck any air in, it should hold its shape and once you remove your hand it should return to the exact same state as before you pressed down on it. 
 
If in the extremely unlikely situation that you see the convex shape change at all when you push it down, it means that your housing is NOT SEALED and will take in water. You need to check that all ports and their seals are correctly fitted and that all screws have been tightened correctly (again do not over tighten, do not torque ANY bolts to more than 15 in-lb). 
Do not try to remove or tighten the pistol trigger grip, it comes pre-tightened and chemically bonded from the factory. It can not be tightened or removed from the housing.
***Failure to follow these instruction can cause damage to your housing and will void your warranty. ***

Alright so the first test has been passed and you are ready to get your GDome XL Water Housing wet!

Getting ready to go shoot

When you first receive your housing or change ports and or lens elements we recommend that you do these steps without the camera and lens inside the GDome XL Water Housing. 

Water Testing

Water testing is a very important process before exposing your housing with valuable camera to water. Once you have followed “Initial Setup” instructions we recommend that you perform a water test without the camera and lens inside.

1. Use a swimming pool, bucket or pond or ocean to test.

You just need a body of water that you can fully submerge your equipment for a period of time.

2. Submerge your equipment under the water for 30 seconds while also pushing on the back screen and shaking the housing around. Then hold the GDome XL Housing up at an angle to see if any water got inside. 

 

Cleaning and Storage

• With your GDome XL Water Housing assembled wash it off with fresh water. *Do not get water inside the housing or extensions (you could get fogging issues).

• Dry off the GDome XL Water Housing with a clean towel and loosen the backdoor bolts / screws. 

 

DO

Clean the outside of your Housing with fresh water after each use.

Wipe away or blow away any debris that may have gathered on the threads or O-ring grooves.

Make sure not to get any of the electronics such as the universal triggers wet.

DO NOT

Do not leave your XL Housing gear in temperatures greater than 50 C (125 F)

Do not use alcohol-based products to clean any parts of your housing as this may damage the product.

Do not travel with your flexible membrane on your XL Housing exposed. Remove the membrane and safely store.

For best results please make sure you have carefully followed all initial setup instructions and water testing prior to taking your XL Water Housing underwater.

Do not over tighten and bolts, do not torque ANY bolts to more than 15 in-lb). 
Do not try to remove or tighten the pistol trigger grip, it comes pre-tightened and chemically bonded from the factory. It can not be tightened or removed from the housing.
***Failure to follow these instruction can cause damage to your housing and will void your warranty. ***

Safety information and warning

Do not exceed depths of 5m/16ft.

Do not leave your gear in temperatures greater than 50 C (125 F)

 

Maintenance and repair

With proper care your XL Housing will last for many years. If in time you do notice any problems that come up or if there is any damage to the equipment please contact GDome directly at sales@getgdome.com for repairs or servicing.

Limit of liability

In the event of a product warranty claim, GDome is only liable up to the value originally paid for the product.

Losses of associated equipment, income or any other financial costs are not covered under this warranty, under any circumstances.

Warranty

Warranty - The. GDome XL comes with a full 1 year product warranty.

As many GDome products are often used in extreme and volatile environments, we are unable to cover for loss or damage of equipment, personal injury or financial loss. To reduce the risk of these losses occurring, we strongly recommend you read the relevant product instructions carefully and test the product before use.

What does the warranty cover?

This warranty covers any defects in materials or workmanship, with exceptions stated below

What is not covered?

The warranty does not cover damage as the result of normal wear and tear. Determination of what constitutes normal wear and tear will be at the discretion of GDome service centers. The warranty guarantee only applies to the original purchaser of the product when purchased from GDome direct or through one of our authorized dealers. Therefore, we may ask for proof of purchase. This warranty does not cover for any loss of associated equipment such as cameras, lenses or other associated equipment not sold by GDome. Loss of income, reputation or other financial expenses, such as personal injury are also not covered by this warranty. Shipping costs for returned products are the responsibility of the customer.

How long does the coverage last?

This warranty runs for 1 year from the date your product is received.

What will GDome do?

GDome will repair any defect that proves defective in materials and workmanship. If repairing is not possible, GDome will replace the product, or, offer a store credit for the original purchase price, whichever is agreed to by the customer and GDome / Retailer store.

How to get service?

Email sales@getgdome and we will advise where to send your product. Alternatively, you may call:

RSA: + 27 21 001 8852 

Returns policy - GDome online customers only:

GDome offers a 14 day return policy for new items purchased directly through our online store or at our physical store. GDome will only provide exchanges or store credit for change of mind or incorrectly ordered products. GDome will not refund any shipping and credit card costs. Please see our full return policy here. The customer is responsible for shipping cost of the returned items. A restocking charge may be applied in some countries. 

Legal

Please practice extreme caution when using your water housing. Only use this product in conditions that are within yours capabilities. Serious injuries or drowning could occur if you or others are not competent for the prevailing conditions.