why won't the record switch on my waterproof case work?

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Hey Corski,

The waterproof case uses a magnet to move the magnetic record switch inside the camera. The record slider on the camera will not physically move - but the camera should go into record mode when the slider on the waterproof case is slid forward. Is this happening?

-Keith

OK - next step. Once in a while the record slider in the housing gets installed backwards. If you take the camera our of the WP case and look at the underside of the record slider of the WP case, you should see a silver magnet embedded in the underside of the slider. That magnet should be near the front end of the slider (front facing the lens port). Check it out and let me know what you find.

-Keith

We are still grappling with this issue. It looks to be a variance issue in the magnet strengths between the record slide on the waterproof case, and the magnetic switch in the camera. Most work fine. Some don't. Support can certainly try you with a new slider piece for your case. Another "trick" that has worked for many is to trim the from 2mm off the waterproof case's slider so it can travel further forward when pushed into record mode.

-Keith

After fumbling with this thing for hours, trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong, I turned to the FAQ only to learn that this has been an issue for at least 6 months (according to the date of this original posting) and not only has the problem not been solved, but they continue to ship these things, that don't work, without explanation.

Disapointed is an understatement.

Having the same issue. I just got my Contour a few days ago with a few accessories and I've never had this many problems with a new electronics product. Anyway, it appears that when you have the lid open and are holding down the camera the record switch seems to be a bit more consistent but still not consistent enough. You shouldn't have to have the case open anyway to turn operate the dang thing. Also, when the case is close, pressing the power button moves the camera slightly forward, which is probably why Contour is suggesting shaving the front of the switch a bit and why the guy had better success stuffing his case with paper. Both options are unacceptable. I bought the Contour primarily for use with the waterproof case for a rafting trip I have coming up in a few weeks. If the equipment cannot perform its basic function then I want a refund.

Just got my case which does not work correctly or as intended but I can get it to work in the following way:
1) switch camera itself RECORD before sliding into waterproof case
2) close case
3) now by toggling the waterproof case record on/off - it works (backwards as in record=stop-record, stop-record=record).

I found this because the case worked once in a blue moon so knew it was a magnet. Looks like it's not strong enough.

The only significant downside to this is there's no beep for record and stop-recording.

I had the same problem with my housing, too bad I tried the "remove 2mm" tip before thinking the problem through. I found that if I squeezed the housing as if trying to get the magnet closer to the camera in the housing, it would turn on. So, I removed the switch slider and pried out the magnet with a small screwdriver. Then a took some scotch tape and folded it up about six or seven layers thick to make a shim. Trimmed the shim to fit the magnet recess, and dropped in the shim. Put the magnet in on top of the shim and now the magnet is a little proud of the switch slider surface. Reinstalled the slider/switch assembly on the housing and it works fine now. I read an earlier post about magnets "going bad" which doesn't really happen unless you heat the magnet with a torch or something way too extreme for the housing to survive. Permanent magnets are for most intents indeed permanent. The magnet in the switch is quite strong, mine just needed a little closer fit. Try this if yours doesn't work, it's free and easy to try, and I'll bet it fixes the problem more often than not. If you can hold the magnet in your fingers with the camera in the housing and switch it on and off, then it probably just needs shimmed a little closer to the housing wall. My two cents worth...

Wish I'd seen this topic a month ago. I'm halfway through a South Pacific trip and using my cam and housing for the first time. I missed out on a lot of good footage in Hawaii and Samoa thanks to these crappy magnets. At least now I may be able to come up with a temp fix for Tonga and Fiji. Will definitely contact Support when I get home for the 'newer' magnets.

I've had the same issues as mentioned above. I've sent a message into support and am waiting on a response. If I purchased/picked mine-up mine through pointofviewcamers.com in Vancouver would I need to get a replacement part through them or Contour?

A little bummed that the majority of my footage from the weekend didn't actually get recorded and won't be able to get anymore until next year, but such is life I guess...

Thanks,
Don

Just received the magnet in the mail today. Noticeably larger and stronger then the old magnet. But again the same problem persists. Yes the magnet was installed with the magnet towards the lends port and I even tried removing and flipping the magnet inside the actual slider to see if it would help. I was about to start shaving off material, but then I attempted to activate the slider while holding the magnet right against the actual record slider while not in the waterproof case. Again this produced no results with the slider not moving to the record position.

Is it possible that the record slider magnet component can be to blame?

I want to take the camera apart to investigate the internal components but don't want to cause more harm then good. Suggestions on this?

Also is there any reply to my other recently discovered issue involving the XL handlebar/pole mount not fitting the slider on the waterproof case.

I have a surf trip starting this Friday, so time is of the essence.

Don M.

So the problem has been rectified. The camera will record with the new magnet. I was unaware that the actual slider on the housing did not move the slider on the camera. My mistake which support did correct with the new magnet.

Though the handlebar/pole mount still will not fit the waterproof housing. It was apparently not designed to be compatible with it, which is somewhat unfortunate since I had a few mounting plans involving a ski pole and the housing while in the surf. In the future you guys definitely need too list which products are/aren't compatible on the packaging.

Anyhow, great support response and it should be working as of now. Still somewhat frustrated with the amount of time and lost footage it took to get here.

Don M