Epoque EHS-1000 HD Housing for Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000, VPC-HD1010 & VPC-HD2000

Comments about Epoque EHS-1000 HD Housing for Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000, VPC-HD1010 & VPC-HD2000:

A bit too easy to close without having all good seals so be really careful.

Comments about Epoque EHS-1000 HD Housing for Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000, VPC-HD1010 & VPC-HD2000:

I bought this housing for a Xacti HD2000. I've used it on about 20 dives now, and I've had nothing but good results with it. Diving in tropical settings--the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand--and in the chilly waters of California, I've got great videos and photos.

You should note, this model addresses the flooding issues you might have read about in older reviews on the web. Epoque added a sort of guide around the housing's port that seems to correct the misalignment that caused flooding issues in earlier housing models.

I beg to differ on a few points with other reviewers:

This housing is actually quite compact. For a housing rated as deep as this--45 meters!!!--it's very trim. This isn't really designed for kayaking. There are plenty of cheaper cameras that do that job quite nicely--ie. the Kodak Play Sport, which I also have for snorkeling and highly recommend.

Sorry to disagree, but regarding buttons, I love that this housing gives you access to all the features of the Xacti. The menu buttons are indispensable. The only thing the camera does that you cant do with the housing is put the pop-up flash back down. That's pretty good in a housing for this cost.

But the most crucial thing that having control of the camera's buttons gives is access to white balance. This is ESSENTIAL in an underwater camera. Just descending a few meters in the water you begin to lose red light, and it steeply declines the deeper you go. Very quickly, all your video will be colorless, but for shades of blue or green. The simple solution for video cameras is to set white balance as you go deeper. Using the menu buttons, white balance off a white card, or even white sand if you must, and you instantly cure the "blues". It's essential for getting a decent photo under water beyond a few feet.

Regarding the ease of opening, it's true the latches are a bit difficult to open. However, that's a good thing preventing accidental unlatching and keeping it water tight. But I've found if I hook my thumbnail on the rounded corner of the latch and pull gently, the pressure of the latch itself pops it open. Also, Epoque provides a plastic tool useful for removing the O ring seal, but which also can be used to pop open the latches. Actually, that's the only use I have for it, since removing the seal is easy when you find the right corner to remove it.

For better photos, buy the wide angle lens attachment. It will improve your photos a lot. It's not the fault of the housing, but the only gripe I have about the Xacti camera is the image stabilization isn't very effective, and the field of view at the widest isn't very wide. The wide attachment for the housing helps with both.

In summary, for the price point of this and a Xacti camera, which is even less than when I bought mine a year ago, this is a very capable underwater setup for SCUBA diving. I cant say enough good things about it.

Comments about Epoque EHS-1000 HD Housing for Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000, VPC-HD1010 & VPC-HD2000:

I use just for diving...I'm not a professional user,but I can use very easy...easy to handle(it's not bulky anyway)...good quality with extra wide lens...small price,good quality

Difficult to open!!!

Comments about Epoque EHS-1000 HD Housing for Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000, VPC-HD1010 & VPC-HD2000:

having it for 2 years diving every wekend.
Only butons I do use POWER and video On/Off

If YOU (Manufacture) has/have and option to reduce un-nesecery buttons I will buy another housing with operationg butons POWER On/Off and VIDEO On/Off

Comments about Epoque EHS-1000 HD Housing for Sanyo Xacti VPC-HD1000, VPC-HD1010 & VPC-HD2000:

It appears to be made in Japan, very excellent build quality, but VERY bulky. I bought it since my wife and I often travel to places like Hawaii and St Maarten where we're in the water a lot - either swimming, kayacking, boating, etc. So she suggested we get the case so we can use it in and around the water. The case is rated down to an astonishing 150' depth! I think for the price, for scuba divers and snorkelers it's fantastic. However, after pulling it out of the box I realized it simply will not do for the leisurely type of water activities we do... the thing is HUUUGE!! I mean, I guess it has to be but I had no idea it would be so large and clumsy to hold. It has a strap for your hand, which you need to use or you can't hold it, and the way your hand is positioned either leaves your fingers near the lens or in an award position. It also seems that you can only really operate it with two hands.

So anyhow, this isn't really a review or anything, just a bit of a heads up. I only checked it out for a few minutes, literally, before deciding I am going to return it but only because it's really meant more for serious underwater diving than what we want it for. If you're a diver than this is the case for you!! It seems extremely rugged and well designed for underwater use. If you are looking for a waterproof housing for simple beach/pool play I really wouldn't recommend it or at least see it in person first.