By Marlon | Experienced Scuba Diver & Gear Tester
Original long-term test published at www.tauchliebe.de
Editor’s Note: This article is an independent field review originally written by Marlon, an experienced scuba diver and equipment tester. It has been republished on the DIVEVOLK official blog with permission, preserving the original experience, opinions, and conclusions.
When I packed for my Maldives dive trip, I never expected my smartphone to become my primary underwater filming tool. I brought the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max more out of curiosity than conviction. After more than 20 dives across Rasdhoo, Dhigurah, and Fuvahmulah, I realized that this housing completely changed how I approach underwater filming.
What started as an experiment quickly became my go-to setup. Being able to see exactly what I was recording—and control everything directly on my phone screen—transformed my entire shooting workflow underwater.
From Calm Reef Dives to Strong Currents
I tested the SeaTouch 4 Max during 21 dives, ranging from relaxed coral reef exploration to intense channel dives in strong current using reef hooks. My setup was always secured with a wrist lanyard and an additional clip attached to my backplate D-ring. Combined with a small tray and foam grip, the housing felt stable, balanced, and easy to control, even in challenging conditions.
What surprised me most was how natural underwater filming suddenly felt. Instead of blindly aiming a camera and hoping for usable footage, I could clearly see my framing in real time. That alone changed the entire experience.
True Touchscreen Control — Not a Gimmick
Yes, the touchscreen actually works underwater.
You need a slightly firmer press than on land, but once you adjust, the control becomes reliable and precise. I personally dived without gloves, while my buddy used thin gloves—both of us had no trouble operating the screen.
Using Assistive Touch on the iPhone made the whole process even smoother, reducing unnecessary swiping and allowing quick access to key functions. After just one or two dives, the operation felt completely intuitive.
For the first time, I felt like I was actually filming underwater—not just pointing a camera and hoping for the best.
Image Quality That Honestly Surprised Me
The greatest strength of the SeaTouch 4 Max is without question the image and video quality. Compared to what I’m used to from action cameras, smartphone footage looked noticeably:
- More natural in color
- Sharper in fine details
- Much better at tracking moving subjects
I filmed reef fish in Dhigurah and even several tiger sharks in Fuvahmulah. Watching a massive tiger shark glide past while clearly seeing my exact framing is something I’ve never experienced with an action camera.
With a traditional action cam, you often realize only afterward that the framing was off. Here, the large phone screen gave immediate feedback, making composition intentional rather than accidental.
Why I Loved Using the SeaTouch 4 Max
What truly made me enjoy the SeaTouch 4 Max is how different the entire filming experience feels compared to traditional action cameras.
Instead of rushing and guessing, underwater filming suddenly became calm, controlled, and thoughtful. It slowed me down in a good way—and that directly improved my results.
What I loved most:
- Full control over framing and focus: you actually see exactly what you’re recording.
- Calmer filming underwater: no rushed movements, no “hope it worked” moments.
- More cinematic results: smoother shots, stronger composition, more deliberate storytelling.
- Natural colors and excellent detail from the smartphone camera.
- Instant confidence: the large screen immediately shows whether the shot is sharp.
- Feels like a real filming tool, not a toy or backup solution.
For me, the SeaTouch 4 Max fundamentally changed how I film underwater. Instead of simply collecting clips, I began actively thinking about angles, distance, lighting, and timing. That shift alone made diving with a camera more enjoyable—and the results noticeably better.
Long-Term Hands-On Review
I’ve documented my complete long-term experience—including handling, setup, and detailed image quality comparisons—in a full review on my dive blog:
👉 Detailed Hands-On Review: DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max (German)
Final Thoughts
After diving with the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max in the Maldives, I wouldn’t want to return to blind filming.
The combination of full touchscreen control, smartphone camera quality, and solid housing design creates a filming experience that feels modern, precise, and genuinely enjoyable.
For underwater storytellers, travelers, and serious dive videographers alike, the SeaTouch 4 Max offers a new way to experience filming beneath the surface—one where you finally stay in full control of your story.
