GoPro case vacuum shut at DVinfo.net

Mike Dulay · February 13th, 2012, 02:59 AM

Hi guys,

A bit of a conundrum here. Not sure if this is the exact cause, I started at sea level 80 Fahrenheit then climbed to 13700+ feet where the temperature was about 33 Fahrenheit. Spent some hours in the cold. I get back to sea level and try to open the gopro (3D Hero Case actually) but the door won't pull out. It seems to be vacuumed shut. I tried submerging it in warm water then tapping around the case but it is still shut. Anyone have suggestions?

Update: Tried putting it in the fridge, then heating the case but leaving the door cold ... still a no go. This thing is stubborn.

Ian Newland · February 13th, 2012, 06:30 PM

Press the buttons in and out a few times, air should eventually pass the seals.

The case at normal altitude when closed has a gap between the door rim and the case, this is so the case seal will close tighter as water pressure increases, so it's a very good sealing system.

Mike Dulay · February 14th, 2012, 01:54 AM

Thanks for the suggestion Ian. Tried pressing the buttons in several times but haven't managed to pop it yet. Funny thing, I could get a finger nail in but I haven't anything non-metallic try and pry it yet. This sure is a good seal. Makes me wonder if sky divers ever have this problem.

I have a ticket open with GoPro. If all else fails I can drill a hole in the underwater door to free the cameras, providing I can somehow get a replacement.

Dean Sensui · February 14th, 2012, 01:57 AM

What about unscrewing the bezel on the lens, then popping the lens open?

Less surface area so there's less total force holding it shut.

BTW, this happened to me with an older Pelican case. And TSA takes away all your tools, so one can't have a screwdriver to turn the screw in the bottom of the case to relieve the pressure.

Luckily a friend had a dime that fit.

Pete Bauer · February 14th, 2012, 01:58 PM

Dean, that's a good idea. Given the altitude and temperature changes that caused the "lock up," the pressure differential has to be 5psi or less. A good pry on an unscrewed lens bezel ought to break the seal.

If all else fails, yeah, just put a drill to the case. A replacement lens kit is $20 and a whole new case is $40 at GoPro's web site and I think most Best Buys have GoPro stuff, too.

I've noticed once or twice myself that a case was a bit hard to open after flying (cabin pressure altitudes up to about 8-9K feet from a field at near sea level). Conversely, I was concerned that the suction mount might loose its grip when flying but it has stayed solidly stuck to the glass. No problem.

Mike Dulay · February 14th, 2012, 08:31 PM

Unfortunately, I didn't read this soon enough for the helicopter ride I wanted to shoot (why didn't I take it with me? Doh!). Which gave me a thought. Since I'm flying back tomorrow maybe the airplane's cabin pressure altitude would be close enough to equal where I can break it open.

@Dean
If that fails I'll try your idea when I get home. I notice you're based out of Honolulu. I'm currently visiting Kona. The GoPro 3D Hero Kit locked up when I took it up to Mauna Kea summit.

Tom Miller · February 14th, 2012, 08:41 PM

If you cant get it open any other way maybe take a small drill bit and carefully drill a hole.....Last resort but it would work

Mike Dulay · February 16th, 2012, 08:44 PM

Good news! The case opened after about 10 minutes of achieving cruise altitude from Honolulu. I tried it the first few minutes after going over the clouds and it didn't open. Kept trying and finally it popped open. Next time I have to remember to switch to the skeleton door when going up high altitude.

Bad news, not a peep from GoPro support. They used to be respond within 2 days, it's now been 4.

Dean Sensui · February 17th, 2012, 12:54 AM

Good to hear you got it opened.

Speaking of Mauna Kea, someone who worked up there told me about a woman who drove up to the summit. She was wearing an orange shirt, orange pants and her hair was orange, too.

Apparently she had an unopened bag of Cheetos in the car and it exploded on the way up.

Don't know if that's an urban legend but it sure was funny.

Ian Newland · February 20th, 2012, 05:42 PM

Well i guess that outcome is a testament to the awesome Gopro seals and weatherproofness.

Mike Dulay · February 20th, 2012, 07:32 PM

@Ian
Quite true about those seals, they were too well made in my case. :-) I got a reply from GoPro after the evening after I got it unlocked.

"Wow Mike,

That is crazy that the solution was going up in an airplane. We have not heard of this happening before, but happy to hear that you got it opened. If you are ever in need of a new backdoor for the 3d housing, we can do a special custom order for you over the phone. You can contact one of our support reps Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm Pacific time, at the below number:

Toll free (within the US, excluding Alaska)
1 (888) 600-4659

From all other locations
1 (650) 980-0252

Sorry for the inconvenience. Please let us know if you have any further questions."

February 13th, 2012, 02:59 AM	#1
Mike Dulay Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Somerville, NJ Posts: 304	GoPro case vacuum shut Hi guys, A bit of a conundrum here. Not sure if this is the exact cause, I started at sea level 80 Fahrenheit then climbed to 13700+ feet where the temperature was about 33 Fahrenheit. Spent some hours in the cold. I get back to sea level and try to open the gopro (3D Hero Case actually) but the door won't pull out. It seems to be vacuumed shut. I tried submerging it in warm water then tapping around the case but it is still shut. Anyone have suggestions? Update: Tried putting it in the fridge, then heating the case but leaving the door cold ... still a no go. This thing is stubborn. __________________ DIY, 35mm, HV20: http://www.primitivebuteffective.net Last edited by Mike Dulay; February 13th, 2012 at 03:31 AM.

February 13th, 2012, 06:30 PM	#2
Ian Newland Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 319	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut Press the buttons in and out a few times, air should eventually pass the seals. The case at normal altitude when closed has a gap between the door rim and the case, this is so the case seal will close tighter as water pressure increases, so it's a very good sealing system. Last edited by Ian Newland; February 14th, 2012 at 04:25 AM.

February 14th, 2012, 01:54 AM	#3
Mike Dulay Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Somerville, NJ Posts: 304	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut Thanks for the suggestion Ian. Tried pressing the buttons in several times but haven't managed to pop it yet. Funny thing, I could get a finger nail in but I haven't anything non-metallic try and pry it yet. This sure is a good seal. Makes me wonder if sky divers ever have this problem. I have a ticket open with GoPro. If all else fails I can drill a hole in the underwater door to free the cameras, providing I can somehow get a replacement. __________________ DIY, 35mm, HV20: http://www.primitivebuteffective.net

February 14th, 2012, 01:57 AM	#4
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut What about unscrewing the bezel on the lens, then popping the lens open? Less surface area so there's less total force holding it shut. BTW, this happened to me with an older Pelican case. And TSA takes away all your tools, so one can't have a screwdriver to turn the screw in the bottom of the case to relieve the pressure. Luckily a friend had a dime that fit. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

February 14th, 2012, 01:58 PM	#5
Pete Bauer Wrangler Join Date: May 2003 Location: Eagle River, AK Posts: 4,100	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut Dean, that's a good idea. Given the altitude and temperature changes that caused the "lock up," the pressure differential has to be 5psi or less. A good pry on an unscrewed lens bezel ought to break the seal. If all else fails, yeah, just put a drill to the case. A replacement lens kit is $20 and a whole new case is $40 at GoPro's web site and I think most Best Buys have GoPro stuff, too. I've noticed once or twice myself that a case was a bit hard to open after flying (cabin pressure altitudes up to about 8-9K feet from a field at near sea level). Conversely, I was concerned that the suction mount might loose its grip when flying but it has stayed solidly stuck to the glass. No problem. __________________ Pete Bauer The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!

February 14th, 2012, 08:31 PM	#6
Mike Dulay Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Somerville, NJ Posts: 304	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut Unfortunately, I didn't read this soon enough for the helicopter ride I wanted to shoot (why didn't I take it with me? Doh!). Which gave me a thought. Since I'm flying back tomorrow maybe the airplane's cabin pressure altitude would be close enough to equal where I can break it open. @Dean If that fails I'll try your idea when I get home. I notice you're based out of Honolulu. I'm currently visiting Kona. The GoPro 3D Hero Kit locked up when I took it up to Mauna Kea summit. __________________ DIY, 35mm, HV20: http://www.primitivebuteffective.net

February 14th, 2012, 08:41 PM	#7
Tom Miller Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: PA, USA Posts: 112	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut If you cant get it open any other way maybe take a small drill bit and carefully drill a hole.....Last resort but it would work

February 16th, 2012, 08:44 PM	#8
Mike Dulay Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Somerville, NJ Posts: 304	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut Good news! The case opened after about 10 minutes of achieving cruise altitude from Honolulu. I tried it the first few minutes after going over the clouds and it didn't open. Kept trying and finally it popped open. Next time I have to remember to switch to the skeleton door when going up high altitude. Bad news, not a peep from GoPro support. They used to be respond within 2 days, it's now been 4. __________________ DIY, 35mm, HV20: http://www.primitivebuteffective.net

February 17th, 2012, 12:54 AM	#9
Dean Sensui Inner Circle Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 2,054	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut Good to hear you got it opened. Speaking of Mauna Kea, someone who worked up there told me about a woman who drove up to the summit. She was wearing an orange shirt, orange pants and her hair was orange, too. Apparently she had an unopened bag of Cheetos in the car and it exploded on the way up. Don't know if that's an urban legend but it sure was funny. __________________ Dean Sensui Exec Producer, Hawaii Goes Fishing

February 20th, 2012, 05:42 PM	#10
Ian Newland Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 319	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut Well i guess that outcome is a testament to the awesome Gopro seals and weatherproofness.

February 20th, 2012, 07:32 PM	#11
Mike Dulay Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Somerville, NJ Posts: 304	Re: GoPro case vacuum shut @Ian Quite true about those seals, they were too well made in my case. :-) I got a reply from GoPro after the evening after I got it unlocked. "Wow Mike, That is crazy that the solution was going up in an airplane. We have not heard of this happening before, but happy to hear that you got it opened. If you are ever in need of a new backdoor for the 3d housing, we can do a special custom order for you over the phone. You can contact one of our support reps Monday - Friday, 8am - 6pm Pacific time, at the below number: Toll free (within the US, excluding Alaska) 1 (888) 600-4659 From all other locations 1 (650) 980-0252 Sorry for the inconvenience. Please let us know if you have any further questions." __________________ DIY, 35mm, HV20: http://www.primitivebuteffective.net