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FAQs

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Getting Started

Can you describe the custom housing process?

The design and manufacture of a custom housing consists of multiple steps detailed below.
Click here to learn more about the custom design process. Feel free to contact us with any further questions.

What information do you need from me to create a quote?

Our order form will walk you through the information necessary, but here are examples of what it includes: camera make/model/sizing, quantity needed, application, design preferences, and date needed.
If you would like to get started on an order, click here to reach the order form.

What do you need to build a housing?

We prefer to receive the instrument or camera, lenses and/or special accessories/hardware before we begin designing the housing. For these cases, it may be necessary to have the camera for the duration of the build as it is easiest to check the fit when we have the equipment it’s being used with on site.

How long does it take to complete a custom housing?

There are multiple factors involved including parts availability, number of in-progress orders, and the size of the order. Typically we can finish a custom housing project in 1-3 months. We can also occasionally take on rush orders for a fee.

What are your testing procedures?

We submerge all housings we create in shallow depths. If a housing is going to leak, it will do so even in just a few inches of water. For housings that fit into our small pressure chamber, we are able to do some pressure testing on-site. However, for the customer who needs and is willing to pay for certification to design depth, we can contract that task to a certified testing lab with a hyperbaric chamber. After receiving your housing, we recommend that you first dive the empty housing to your desired depth before using it with your expensive camera. We also highly recommend that you use the housing locally before taking it on an expensive trip, as you would do with any new equipment.

What is included in a housing system?

The systems we’ve designed can come with everything you need to deploy – from the camera to the cables and other accessories. You do not have to purchase the full system to purchase the housing and many of the extras are available separately. Browse our stock products to learn more.

How deep can a housing go underwater?

We have the capability to design housings for any world ocean depth. We have designed housings that go to a full range of depths, from splash or weatherproof housings that are designed for above water use to housings that can be submerged 2000 meters. Give us the parameters in your application and we will do our best to meet them.

What is the best way to store and transport my housing?

Housings must be kept out of direct sunlight and protected from shock and abuse. Any kind of padded, rigid, opaque container will do that. We prefer to use transport cases made by Pelican. These cases have foam inserts that can be custom-cut to fit the housing and other associated equipment. They have many reinforcements that allow the case to stand up to the abuses of travel, secure latches to keep it from opening unexpectedly and one or more locking points for security. Some models have wheels and handles. We generally will include an appropriately sized case and custom foam cutting in the quotation as an option. If you opt to ship without a pelican case we pack the housing(s) securely in double layered cardboard and with plenty of padding to reduce vibration and movement during shipping. If you receive a housing that was damaged during transport it is essential to document any damage and file a claim right away with the shipping agent.

I broke my housing, can you fix it?

The answer is yes and no. If we originally manufactured the housing we can and will repair your housing. If someone else originally manufactured the housing we will not be able to perform any repairs on your housing.

Do you stock a housing for my camera?

We currently offer several underwater camera housings for certain Industrial Vision Cameras and GoPro cameras.

If your camera does not fit in the housing models we produce, we recommend first researching to see if someone makes a stock housing that meets your needs. The stock manufacturers do a good job making housings to fit certain cameras. The R&D and tooling costs needed to manufacture those products have been spread over many units making them less expensive than custom, but they target only a few very popular cameras. A custom manufactured housing from The Sexton Corporation will always be more expensive than a mass-produced stock housing. However, if you have special needs with which stock housings are not compatible or there is not a stock housing available for your camera model, we would be more than willing to quote the project for you.

Click here to reach the order form.

Will you replace my camera if the housing floods?

No. A properly designed housing will not flood unless it has been damaged or the seals have not been properly maintained. We test all our housings prior to shipment so that we know there are no defects in design or workmanship. After that, it is the responsibility of the user to avoid damaging the housing and pay meticulous attention to maintaining the O-rings and their sealing surfaces. Included with every housing is a user’s manual that describes the care and maintenance of the housing is great detail.

We recommend that you purchase flood insurance for your equipment and housing. There are several companies that offer this protection or it can sometimes be included on a homeowner’s or commercial policy. Speak to your insurance agent for more information about these forms of coverage.

What is the recommended maintenance for my housing?

Here are some general tips and guidelines:
For the recommended maintenance procedures on your specific housing we recommend referring to your owner’s manual.

Perform Regular Visual Inspections

  • Look over your housing and make sure that there are no apparent signs of damage.
  • Double-check the visual seal of the main O-ring(s).
  • If you are getting into the water, dunk the camera under several times and give it another visual check for any water accumulation
  • Every so often during deployment, give your housing a visual check to make sure it isn’t accumulating any water

Inspect and Maintain Your Port/Dome

  • If there is just some dried up salt or dust on your port, you can simply rinse it off in the water.
  • If your port is scratched or oily from sunscreen or wax, it may be time to clean it using a polish specifically made for the material your port is composed of.
  • For recommendations feel free to contact us.

Maintain Your O-RINGS

  • For your housing to work effectively and keep water out, the O-rings must be cleaned and properly lubricated prior to EVERY use.
  • If your O-rings don’t seem well lubricated, apply a small amount of the silicone lubricant provided in your spares kit to the necessary area.
  • You will find it necessary to remove the O-rings to clean them and the O-ring groove well.
  • After removing any sand, dust, or other contaminants you will need to re-lubricate the O-ring for it to function properly.

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Payment & Shipping

What types of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, and Discover on non-international orders. We also accept checks, wire transfers (for a fee), Paypal, and payments made using the Intuit Payment Network.

How will my equipment ship?

Most of the equipment leaving our facility is shipped using UPS, FedEx, or USPS. We also work with freight and courier services based on the size and weight of the shipment and whether the equipment is shipping domestically or internationally.

Can you deliver my equipment if I am local?

For local customers in the Willamette Valley and along the Oregon Coast, we can deliver the equipment ourselves. This service is provided at additional cost and will be quoted based on time and mileage.

Can I come pick up my equipment?

Yes – some of our customers opt to hand-carry their new housings instead of having the equipment shipped by a carrier service.

Can you ship internationally?

Yes! We have extensive experience shipping internationally. We can ship your housing using UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, or a Courier Service of your choosing.