Gates AX700 User manual

AX700 Underwater Housing
Setup, Use, and Care Guide

Introducing the AX700 Page 2
Copyright 2018, Gates Underwater Products, Inc.
Last document revision: April , 2018
This manual and current revision is available in 8.5 x 11 size and full color at
http://www.gateshousings.com/documentation.html
Gates Underwater Products, Inc.
13685 Stowe Drive
Poway, California 92064 USA
Phone:[phone] toll-free in the U.S.
858.391.0052 outside the U.S.
Fax: [phone]
Web: GatesHousings.com

Introducing the AX700 Page 3
Table of Contents
Setup, Use, and Care Guide.............................................1
1: Introducing the AX700......................................................4
Features...........................................................................4
Warranty Disclaimer .........................................................4
Unpacking the AX700.......................................................5
2: Cautions...........................................................................6
3: The AX700 Setup.............................................................7
Handle Installation............................................................7
AX700 Housing Preparation .............................................8
Camera Preparation .........................................................9
Installing the Camera into the Housing...........................12
Closing the Housing........................................................15
Water Alarm (Optional)...................................................18
Hydrophone (Optional) ...................................................19
Carry Handle (Optional)..................................................20
Light Mounts (Optional) ..................................................20
Final Checks...................................................................22
4: AX700 Operation............................................................23
Right Side and Front Controls.........................................24
Left Side / Rear Controls ................................................26
Changing Filters .............................................................28
Changing Ports...............................................................29
Cleaning Ports and Filters ..............................................30
Diopters..........................................................................31
Buoyancy and Trim.........................................................32
Tips for Shooting Video with the AX700..........................33
Housing Care and Maintenance .....................................33
O-Ring Care and Maintenance.......................................33
5: Customer Support ..........................................................34

Introducing the AX700 Page 4
1: Introducing the AX700
Congratulations on owning a new Gates product: the AX700 housing. You’ve selected a
product that will provide years of value and reliable service. We designed the AX700
specifically for the Sony AX700, PXW-Z90, and NX80 digital video cameras.
Please read through this entire guide to learn about the housing so you can get the most
out of this imaging tool. In this section, we’ll introduce you to the features of the AX700
so you can get started.
Features
The AX700 has several key features:
Small and Travel-friendly. At just a few pounds, the AX700 packs easily into your
luggage or dive gear.
‘Bulletproof’ construction. Gates legendary reliability is inherent in the AX700:
machined aluminum shell, stainless hardware and reliable mechanical controls.
Precision optics. The AX700 allows the use of a variety of ports including Wide
and Macro.
Professional Imaging. The AX700 system includes many features for broadcast
TV and other professional uses.
Warranty Disclaimer
The AX700 is a tool that, like any tool, requires knowledge and understanding to be
effective.
Your responsibility is to learn the proper setup, use and care of the AX700. Because we
can only provide you with the information necessary to do so, Gates does not warrant
the contents of your housing (e.g. your camera and lenses) under any circumstance.
For the same reasons, Gates does not warrant optical performance or image quality.
We warrant the AX700 as an image acquisition tool for a period of 2 years. The optional
Seal Check unit is warranted for 1 year. Optics are warranted for a period of 1 year or
100 hours water contact, whichever comes first.
If you have any questions about the setup, use and care of the AX700, contact Gates
directly. Details are in section 5.

Introducing the AX700 Page 5
Unpacking the AX700
After you remove the AX700 from its shipping container, carefully inspect it for missing
parts or damage that may have occurred during shipment. If you discover any
discrepancies, contact Gates or your dealer immediately for assistance.
Standard Parts
The AX700 comes with the following standard items:
The AX700 Housing
Various assembly tools and spare parts for the AX700 including hex tools,
mounting screws, o-rings and lubricant.
Port(s) of choice (Dome, Flat or Wide Angle)
Removable Handles (which may already be affixed to the housing)
1 x 4 ounce weight
Optional Parts
Your housing may also come with optional items:
Water Alarm
Light System (user install)
Seal Check
Hydrophone
Carry Handle
Tripod / Tripod Adapter
62mm Diopters
Buddyphone / Comm. Input
SDI Video Out

Cautions Page 6
2: Cautions
TRANSPORT. NEVER ship or transport your AX700 camera inside the housing.
The housing was not designed for this purpose and severe damage may result.
USER RESPONSIBILITY. This Setup, Use and Care guide contains important
detailed procedures for setup and use of the AX700. It is the user’s responsibility to
read, understand and employ these procedures. Failure to do so can result in poor
or non-operation of the AX700 and may void your warranty.
Contact Gates if you have questions about this manual or using the AX700.

The AX700 Setup Page 7
3: The AX700 Setup
Handle Installation
If the handles are not already installed on the AX700 Housing, perform this step first.
Secure the handle arms to the housing using the 10-32 x 0.5”L socket cap screws.
Tighten with the supplied 5/32 hex tool.
Secure the grips to the handle arms using the 1/4-20 x 1” L socket cap screws.
Tighten firmly with the supplied 3/16 hex tool.
NOTE the handle grips are adjustable. They can be closer or further away from
the housing as shown in the image below. Remove the 1/4-20 x 1”L socket cap
screw and reposition as desired.
The grips can be
adjusted to your
preference.

The AX700 Setup Page 8
AX700 Housing Preparation
Open the AX700 shell. Three stainless steel safety latches secure the housing
halves. They have a positive locking feature. To open them you must first depress
the center bar release while lifting the rear lever.
Separate the rear half of housing from the front.
Retract and Rotate controls. Pull out the Focus and Custom Wheel control about
one inch or until they stop.
Release the latches.
Separate the front and
rear housing shells.

The AX700 Setup Page 9
Camera Preparation
Your Sony camera will need some preparation before installing into the housing.
Remove any lens caps, filters, external lenses, or lens hoods you may have
added to the front of the camera.
Remove the Hand Strap from the camera.
CAUTION: Failure to perform this step may result in the hand strap becoming caught
in the housing seal and accidental flooding.
Remove any other accessories. All other accessories, such as the microphone
holder for Z90, must be removed.

The AX700 Setup Page 10
When using Z90 Camera Secure “SDI OUT” cap onto the SDI out connector.
CAUTION: Failure to make sure this cap is attached may prevent the controls on the
rear of the housing from functioning or prevent the housing from sealing.
(NOTE: when using Optional SDI Surface Feed, the cap must be completely cut off.)
Switch the camera to ‘MANUAL’ if you plan to use the ND filters.
oThis switch is just above the ND filter slider on the back of the camera.
Otherwise, set the camera to ‘AUTO’, and the camera will automatically add
ND Filters as needed.
Turn ND Filter control on camera to the CLEAR / OFF position.
oThis will aid in aligning the ND Filter control on the housing.
oNOTE: Switch to CLEAR even if you do not want to use manual ND filter
control. The rear half of the housing may not mate properly if this step is
skipped.
Install Fully Charged Battery and SD Cards.
Z90 SDI OUT cap must
be securely attached or
completely cut off.

The AX700 Setup Page 11
Install Dovetail Mount onto camera with ¼-20 screw.
Viewfinder must be
fully locked into the
forward position.
Insert fully
charged
battery.
Insert
SD
Card(s).
Switch ND
FILTER to
“CLEAR”.
Switch to
“MANUAL” if
ND filter
control is
needed.
Install dovetail mount
plate onto camera with
¼-20 slot head screw

The AX700 Setup Page 12
Installing the Camera into the Housing
Pull out Focus, Custom, and LCD pivot controls. The Focus and Custom control
need only be retracted ~ 1in / 2.5cm. The LCD Pivot should be gently retracted until
it stops.
Carefully slide camera onto dovetail until it stops.
Secure the camera by rotating the cam lock clockwise.
Open the LCD fully as shown in the image on page 14.
Rotate and Guide the LCD Pivot onto your camera’s LCD display as shown on
page 14.
Press in the Focus and Custom controls.
Check controls. Before closing the housing, it is a good idea to check all of the
controls on the front shell for proper operation. (See section 4 for controls mentioned
here.)
Retract the Focus,
Custom and LCD
Pivot Controls.

The AX700 Setup Page 13
Slide camera onto dovetail
until it stops.
Rotate Cam Lock
clockwise to secure.

The AX700 Setup Page 14
Slide the Focus
and Custom
control knobs
back in.
Unfold the LCD panel.
Rotate LCD Pivot
Control to align with
the LCD panel then
push in.

The AX700 Setup Page 15
Closing the Housing
Carefully inspect o-ring on back half and the sealing surface on front half. Make
sure they are clean and in good condition.
Turn ND Filter control all the way down to the OFF position. This will help align the
housing control to the camera when the back half of the housing is installed.
Place back half onto the front housing half. You will clearly see when the
housing halves align and seat together properly.
Locate and close the two side latches at the same time. Then close the third latch
on the top of the housing.
CAUTION: The safety latches must be closed and locked prior to use to avoid
opening underwater. It is your responsibility to make sure the latches are secure,
locked, and in good condition. DO NOT enter the water with a faulty latch. Gates
will replace a damaged or faulty latch free of charge.
Rotate ND Filter control to
the down / off position before
installing back half of
housing.
Inspect the o-ring on the rear
shell and the sealing surface on
the front shell. They should be
clean and free of nicks, marks or
scratches.

The AX700 Setup Page 16
Install the back half of the housing.
Close both side latches at the same time.
Close the top latch after closing the
side latches.

The AX700 Setup Page 17
Carefully inspect the parting line between front and rear housing. If this line is
not even all the way around, remove the back and determine the reason. (O-ring
out of place, hand strap interference, etc.) Failure To Do This May Result In A Wet
Camera!
Power up the camera. Check all controls for the proper operation before entering
water. If ND Filter Control is not seated properly on the camera it can be pulled out,
aligned over the camera control and pressed back in. (See section 4)
Install a port. Visually align the bayonet mount on the port with the housing. Mate
the port to the housing, and press. It should seat fully with no gaps around the
base. Rotate the port 90° either direction to fully engage the port. For specific
details, see the section Changing Ports on page 25.
Inspect the parting line.

The AX700 Setup Page 18
Water Alarm (Optional)
If you have the optional water alarm installed there are three alarm conditions to know:
Condition
LED
Siren
New Battery
(Insertion)
Bright Intense
blink while siren
plays
Ascending tones played 4 times
Water
Intrusion
Bright Intense
Blink
Warble sound. Alarm will sound for
duration of detection.
Low Battery
Low Intensity
fast blink
Descending tones played 8 times
pausing approx. 20 seconds between
plays after alarm test or water
detection.
The alarm can be tested anytime by shorting the detection contacts that lead to the
water alarm transducer. The water detection condition will activate for 6 seconds. If the
battery is drained the low battery condition will sound.
The water alarm requires a single 6V battery like Radio Shack model 23-469 or A544.
Your battery should be removed when stored (e.g. between dive trips). Check the
battery prior to every dive to ensure proper operation. Change when indicated.
CAUTION: You must wait a minimum of 30 seconds between battery insertions to
allow the unit to fully discharge.
Water Alarm battery.
Water
Alarm LED
will indicate
here.
Water Alarm siren.

The AX700 Setup Page 19
Seal Check (Optional)
Seal Check Manual. Follow the procedures in the Seal Check manual for verifying
integrity of the housing and monitor.
NOTE. Pulling a vacuum on the AX700 will take only a few seconds. Be careful to
avoid excessive vacuum greater than 100 mbar.
Hydrophone (Optional)
Camera connection. If you have the hydrophone installed, plug the connector into
the camera after before inserting the camera into the housing.
Just prior to inserting the
camera into the housing,
connect the hydrophone to
the camera's microphone.
connector.
Seal Check
fitting location.

The AX700 Setup Page 20
Carry Handle (Optional)
Position the Carry Handle on the top dovetail, then secure by finger tightening the
thumbscrew.
Light Mounts (Optional)
The top of the handle grips each have a 1/4-20 threaded insert for mounting lights, such
as the Gates GT14. The Ultralight Control Systems (ULCS) AD-1420 ball mounts
thread directly into this location.
Slide the Carry Handle
onto the Dovetail and
secure by tightening the
thumbscrew.
There is a ¼-20 threaded Insert on top of
each Handle Grip.
UCLS AD-1420 for mounting lights.