Best Practices for Using the ProShotCase: O-Ring Maintenance, Ergonomic Handling, and Secure iPhone Installation

Whether you're snorkeling in the shallows or diving deep to explore shipwrecks, using the right underwater case is essential for capturing quality footage with your iPhone. The ProShotCase lineup offers two options: the ProShot Dive Case and the ProShot Touch 2.0. Each is designed for different depths and environments, but both require careful setup and maintenance to perform at their best. In this guide, we’ll walk you through best practices for using both cases and cover everything from phone installation and O-ring care to app usage and post-dive cleaning.

Which ProShot Case Do You Have?

ProShot Dive Case is built for deep water exploration and waterproof down to 130 feet (40 meters). It’s ideal for scuba divers and serious underwater photographers.

ProShot Touch 2.0 is a universal iPhone case designed for snorkeling, paddling, freediving, and shallow diving, and is waterproof down to 50 feet (15 meters). It features full touchscreen functionality above water and volume-button camera control underwater via the ProShotCase app.

How to Insert Your Phone in the ProShot Case

Securing Your iPhone in the ProShot Dive or Touch 2.0 Case

It’s no secret that iPhones are not waterproof. We all know someone who has dropped their phone in water, only to have it ruined beyond repair. That is why it’s critical to ensure that your iPhone is properly and securely locked into the ProShotCase before you head underwater. If you don’t do this process correctly, you could end up with potential leaks. Attention to detail is key. But if you follow these steps to secure your device, you can rest assured it will be protected during your underwater adventures. 

This process applies to both the ProShot Dive and ProShot Touch 2.0 cases.

Step 1: Sliding Insert Instructions

The ProShotCase features a spring-loaded clamp in the sliding insert where your iPhone will attach. First, remove the sliding insert from the outer case, and then place your iPhone into the clamp. Ensure the iPhone’s volume buttons are properly aligned with the volume buttons on the sliding insert for full functionality when submerged.

Which Phones Need to Use the Small Foam Pieces? If you have any phone smaller than a Pro Max, Max, or Plus, then we recommend placing the small square foam piece in the bottom section of the sliding insert. This will keep your phone in place and aligned with the volume buttons.

For users with the smallest iPhone models, such as 13 Mini, 12 Mini, SE 2022, SE 2020, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 6s and 6, you will also need to utilize both of the small foam adjustment pieces to ensure a snug fit. Along with the square foam piece on the bottom of the sliding insert, you will need to place the long skinny foam piece along the inside of the clamp (to the right of your iPhone), so your phone fits tightly with no movement.

Optional: Anti-Glare Filter for Touch 2.0

Recommended for smaller iPhones when filming near the water’s surface in bright conditions. Place the anti-glare filter in the sliding insert camera window before inserting your phone.

Step 2: Prepping the ProShotCase App

It is essential to open the ProShotCase App before inserting the phone into the case. You will be using your iPhone’s volume buttons to control the camera functions, as touch interaction is not possible once the phone is sealed inside the case.

For Touch 2.0 users:

• Turn on "Underwater Mode" in the app settings.

• If using a smaller phone and want to stay within the app, activate Guided Access.

• Turn on AssistiveTouch if your phone lacks physical access to the power button or swipe-up functionality (especially for Plus or Max models).

Find full details on how to activate Guided Access or AssistiveTouch, find our guide here.

Step 3: Securing the End Cap AFTER Cleaning your O-Ring Gasket

Before securing the end cap, ensure the O-ring is perfectly positioned and free from debris or sand. Even small particles can disrupt the watertight seal. Always check the O-ring and use the provided O-ring Cleaning Tool and silicone grease to remove any dirt or particles that could compromise the seal. 

For both the Touch 2.0 and Dive cases:

1. Add a dab of ProShot Silicone Grease to the tip of the O-ring cleaning tool.

2. Clean the O-ring groove and trace the ring to apply an even layer of grease.

3. Once clean, slide the insert back into the outer case body.

4. Secure the end cap to the bottom using the two blue side clips. For the Touch 2.0, match the mason jar-style locking process.

5. Ensure both volume buttons respond when pressed.

   
   

Inside the ProShot Dive Travel Case - All Parts and Their Purpose

O-Ring and Gasket Maintenance: Preventing Leaks

The O-ring is the most important part of your ProShotCase’s sealing mechanism. Proper care and regular inspection of the O-ring gasket will help you avoid leaks and ensure long-lasting use of your underwater phone case. 

The black O-ring is a crucial component of your ProShotCase, acting as a flexible seal that keeps water out and ensures your phone stays safe. Think of it as the barrier that maintains a watertight environment inside the case, but it only works effectively if the O-ring is kept clean, properly seated, and free from any damage.

When it's in good condition, the O-ring forms a protective shield between the inside of the case and the water outside, preventing moisture from getting in and harming your phone. It’s designed not only to block water but also to handle the pressure of underwater environments and deep depths, including the challenges of saltwater, thanks to materials that resist corrosion.

To keep your phone protected, it's essential to regularly inspect and maintain the O-ring. Making sure it’s in top shape will ensure your case stays waterproof and continues to safeguard your phone from potential water damage.

How to Clean your Case's O-Ring with the O-Ring Cleaning Tool & ProShot Silicone Grease

Best Practices for O-ring Care:

• Inspection Before Every Dive: Before each use, always inspect the O-ring for damage, such as cuts, dirt, or debris. If you notice any wear, replace the O-ring immediately to maintain the integrity of the seal.

• Cleaning the O-ring and End Cap: Use the ProShot O-ring Cleaning Tool and ProShot Silicone Grease to carefully remove and clean both the O-ring and the groove in the end cap. Be sure to remove all traces of sand, salt, and dirt that could impair the seal.

• Lubrication: While it’s not necessary to lubricate the O-ring every time, if you notice any stiffness or resistance when securing the end cap, a small amount of silicone grease can be applied to the O-ring to make it last longer. Add a dab of ProShot Silicone Grease to the end of an O-ring cleaning tool and trace your entire O-ring, adding grease to the entire groove it sits in.

For Touch 2.0 users, this same process applies. Be especially diligent after sandy beach days or saltwater paddles, as residue buildup on the shallower seals can also lead to leaks.

Ergonomic Handling for Steady Shots

The ProShot Dive 2.0 case has received a significant upgrade, making it even more reliable for underwater photography. With the addition of ergonomic grips and silicone bumpers, it’s been specifically designed to improve handling in challenging underwater conditions. When shooting beneath the surface, you're faced with inconsistent tides and moving water while shooting unpredictable marine life and divers in motion, all while trying to avoid underwater structures like coral reefs or shipwrecks. These facts can make maintaining a steady shot more difficult. These new features will help you maintain control and focus, allowing you to capture the perfect shot even in the most dynamic environments.

There are several things you can do to enhance your shooting abilities underwater. Firstly, we recommend using a floating hand grip that has adjustable buoyancy control. Our hand grip can be filled with water, which can neutralize buoyancy and keep the camera case stable during dives. Tip: Make sure the floating hand grip attachment screw is nice and tight to the case!

Another thing to keep in mind is that while the silicone bumpers and ergonomic grips provide great handling, holding the case with both hands can provide some extra stability, especially when capturing moving subjects like marine life. Lastly, for deeper dives where lighting conditions are poor, attaching a dive light can greatly improve the clarity of your images, helping you get better shots in dim or deeper water. 

For Touch 2.0 users, ergonomic handling remains just as important. The case’s compact form, paired with the floating hand grip, makes it ideal for surface snorkeling, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Fill the grip with water to neutralize float-up, especially in choppier water. And remember, activating AssistiveTouch before entering the water allows you to lock the phone or take quick actions above water without pressing physical buttons. This is especially useful when wearing gloves or moving quickly between filming and other activities.

Post-Dive Care and Ongoing Maintenance

A proper post-dive care routine is required to make your ProShotCase last. After every dive, make sure that you rinse the case thoroughly with fresh water to remove salt and debris. Saltwater residue can corrode metal parts and other components over time. Watch the video below to see the most important places to clean with fresh water. Once rinsed, allow your case to air dry completely before storing it. For lens maintenance, you can occasionally apply a small amount of toothpaste to the exterior lens and gently rinse it off to keep the lens clear and free from scratches. 

When storing the case, always place it in its travel case with the camera lens facing up to prevent scratches and damage. This will also protect the O-ring and other seals from accidental pressure that could lead to them becoming warped or deformed. 

Touch 2.0 users should take the same approach. After sandy or muddy environments, take a few extra seconds to clean around the touchscreen window and check for buildup along the case seam. Ensure your anti-glare filter is removed and dried thoroughly before storing. Apply silicone grease to the end cap groove if the seal feels dry, especially after long sun exposure.

After Care for your ProShotCase - Most Important Parts to Clean with Fresh Water

Implement These ProShotCase Best Practices 

By following these best practices for securing your iPhone, maintaining your O-ring and gasket, rinsing with fresh water after every use, and handling the case properly, you’ll enjoy leak-free, steady, and clear underwater photography with both the ProShot Dive Case and the ProShot Touch 2.0. Remember that a clean O-ring is the key to a protected iPhone, Touch 2.0 users should always enable Underwater Mode and consider using AssistiveTouch and Guided Access, and proper aftercare will keep your gear in top shape for years to come.