We have a Nikon CoolPix2 with a new Ikelite u/w Housing. Question- We have seen different opinions on the O-ring lubricant for 'this' housing model, so do we use the lubricant on the O-ring lightly, or not at all ??

Any other pointers on this Camera & Housing would be appreciated. Thanks.

We will be in Bonaire for a week starting next week :-)

When I had an Ike housing it came with a small tube of lubricant for the O Ring, but don't use too much.

Well I'm the wrong person to ask that question. I never use any nor do I ever remove my o-ring nor do I ever have a leak (well almost never, one leak in 200 dives). My understanding is that you only use a tiny bit to barely coat the o-ring. Remember it is to lubricate the o-ring not to seal it.

One drop about the size of a match head is plenty to lubricate an Ikelite O ring. It should just leave a sheen on the O ring with none left over. The lubricant can become a magnate for sand, hair, etc. Always check the seal in a good light through the clear housing before hitting the water. It's worded for me through two Ike housings and 300 dives.

the "grease" that comes with your orings both cleans and conditions the orings - do use only a little bit at a time...i clean all my orings (housing, port, strobe) every few dives or so...

i also have spare orings

Thanks folks - good info.

Every time I open my housing I clean all O rings that are disturbed. I now have an 8Gb memory card so I only open the housing at the end of the day.

Any time you come back from a dive there is a very good chance of salt crystals forming on the outer edge of your housings O ring. Even a good fresh water soak leaves a chance of this. If for no other reason, try to get in the habit of cleaning the O ring any time you open the housing. It will become second nature after a short while. Camera floods are usually preventable with attention to the littlest details.

Ikelite recommends using their own lube. I don't know if lube is lube but Ikelite lube is very inexpesive so I use it. Lube it as described above. Too much lube will actually create a depot for gunk. So as said above, a small amount to condition and lightly lubricate it. Ofcourse you should always carry spares when you travel.

I always buy two new o rings each year and toss the old ones. They are under $5 each, and are the only thing that keeps the water out. I also pick up a couple of microfiber lens cleaning cloths just for housing maintenance. Lint from a towel is enough to cause a leak. While this may sound like overkill, it is better safe than sorry.