Pro Explore

Purpose-Built 8K Acquisition Tool for Traveling Underwater Professionals

Compact. Travel-ready. Feature Rich. Meet the Gates Pro Explore Housing.

Sleek and streamlined like Pro Action, Gates Pro Explore Housing shares other distinctive qualities with its sibling: Stackable Port Rings, choice of 6, 8 and 10″ AR coated glass dome ports, classic trim weight system, and Seal Check Lite. Both systems also share a unique lens gear drive system for any DSLR lens and compact PL glass (like Zeiss CP.3)

But the Pro Explore goes further. Tailored to the RED DSMC2 platform (Epic-W, Weapon, Scarlet-W, Raven and all sensors like Helium / Monstro) this compact rig includes a low profile, top mounted tilt / swivel External Monitor for the RED TOUCH 4.7″ LCD. Pro Explore provides complete camera control and 14 assignable buttons. Fast battery / media changes are made via a separate removable rear shell. Adding to all that is diverse V-Lock battery support for REDBRICK, Blueshape, SWIT and many others.

Pro Explore travels easy, and is a Gates through and through. Reliable. Durable. ‘Bulletproof’. Backed by Gates legendary factory direct service and 2 year renewable warranty. Only Gates offers this level of commitment to your success.

Compatible cameras:
RED DSMC2

PRO EXPLORE KEY FEATURES

RT47 Low Profile External Monitor

Designed specifically for the RED TOUCH 4.7″ LCD (not included), the top mounted RT47 External Monitor is included with Pro Explore.  It will tilt / swivel in any direction for optimal viewing.  The RPT7, RTB7, RT7 and ST5 External Monitors are options, too.

Fast Battery / Media Change

An innovative rear shell design allows media and battery change in seconds.  Verify integrity with Seal Check and you’re shooting again in minutes.

Complete Camera Control

14 assignable controls means direct, fast access to your favorite functions underwater.  Deeper menu functions are easy, too through the REDMOTE controller which is perfectly positioned at the housing rear.

Extensive Lens Support

Gates innovative and highly flexible Lens Gear Drive system means Pro Explore can accept any DSLR lens and compact cinema PL glass (like Zeiss CP.3)

Clean, Uncomplicated Design

with mechanical controls of lens and camera assignable buttons.

Simplicity = Reliability

Expedition Ready

Cinema to TV, Natural History to enthusiast, Pro Explore delivers comprehensive features for the traveling underwater professional.

Seal Check Lite

The Gates Seal Check Lite is included with Pro Action and assures housing integrity before entering the water. A mere 11oz / 320g it packs easy and travels lightly.

Learn more….

Accessorize and Customize

A range of accessories is available to suit the diverse needs of cinema, Natural History, broadcast TV, research, and military applications.  

2 Year Warranty
Legendary Factory-Direct Support

Gates is synonymous with reliability and support, and only Gates offers a 2-year, renewable warranty on all housings.

Learn more….

SPECIFICATIONS

Controls
  • Master Power On/Off
  • Run / Stop
  • 2x Direct Coupled Lens Gear Drives
  • 14 Assignables
    • 2x DSMC2 Brain
    • 4x Sidekick Module (A-B-C-D)
    • 4x REDMOTE
    • 4x RT47 External Monitor
  • REDMOTE — all controls
Dimensions:

Click here for Dimensional Drawings

Construction
  • Machined Aluminum, Type III Hard Anodized finish
  • Stainless steel hardware
Depth Rating
  • 200 feet / 60 meters
Warranty
Weight in Air
  • Variable depending on configuration
  • ~35 lbs / 16kg withSP60 Dome Port, 2x SPR60’s, RT47 External Monitor, DSMC2 Camera, SWIT 8192 Battery, RED TOUCH 4.7 LCD, Canon lens.
Weight in Water
  • Fully Adjustable Buoyancy / Trim
Camera Equipment Required
  • Compatible Cameras:
    • RED DSMC2 (Weapon, Epic-W,Scarlet-W, Raven with any sensor e.g. Helium, Monstro)
  • Required Camera Accessories:
    • RED Jetpack SDI Module (SKU 720-0048)    *OR*
      RED Jetpack Expander Module (SKU 720-0039) if not using SDI surface feed or SDI External Monitor e.g. Starlite ST5
    • RED Sidekick Module (SKU 720-0032)
    • REDMOTE (SKU 770-0006)
  • Media
    • RED MINI-MAG
  • Camera prep / setup only (optional)
    • foolcontrol (via WiFi)
  • Battery Options
    • REDBRICK (SKU 740-0002)
    • Blueshape BV065, BV090, BV150 BV180, BV100HD, BV100HD SPLASH
    • SWIT 8172 or 8192
    • PAG 9303. 9304, 9308, 9309
    • Other batteries possible.  Contact Gates for guidance
  • LCD Options
  • Lenses
    • DSLR
    • Compact PL Mount under 102mm diameter or 128T Gear
      (0.8 MOD or 32 Pitch)

EXTERNAL MONITOR OPTIONS

A Gates External Monitor housing is included with Pro Explore.  Select one of the following.  

Pro Explore External Monitor Options System Chart

RT47 Underwater Monitor Housing

Framing, focus and exposure control are mastered with the RT47  Underwater Monitor system.   Designed specifically for the RED TOUCH 4.7″ LCD  (not included)…

LEARN MORE

RPT7 External Monitor (RED PRO TOUCH 7)

Designed specifically for the RED PRO TOUCH 7.0″  LCD (not included), the GATES RPT7 External Monitor makes framing, focus and exposure easy…

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RTB7 Underwater Monitor Housing

With an amazingly bright 2200 nit display, the RED PRO TOUCH ULTRA-BRITE 7.0″  LCD (not included) in the GATES RTB7 Underwater Monitor makes framing, focus and exposure easy in the brightest daylight conditions.  …  

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RT7 External Monitor

Framing, focus and exposure control are mastered with the RT7  External Monitor.   Designed specifically for the RED TOUCH 7″ LCD  (not included) …

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Starlite External Monitor Housing

The Gates Starlite ST5  is specifically designed for the Transvideo Starlite SDI monitor / recorder (not included), a compact, smartphone-size 5.0” / 125mm color LCD.

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PORT OPTIONS

The best camera in the world can’t make up for poor optics. Poor optical design and materials introduce ‘image killers’ – distortions, aberrations, degraded resolution, or vignetting.  Gates family of Precision Ports are sharp and clear: the finest optics for the finest underwater images.  No image killers. Professional to amateur, super wide to macro, Gates Precision Ports suit a wide range of needs, conditions and experience. Of course all ports are backed by our legendary customer support and the same standard of excellence expected of all Gates products.

Pro Explore Port Options System Chart 

60-Series Ports Compatible with Pro Action Housing

SP60-6 Dome Port

The SP60-6  is a 6in / 152 mm spherical dome port that preserves field of view (FOV) underwater, and is ideally suited for wide to fisheye imaging.  Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass or optical grade Acrylic (Perspex) versions, the latter field serviceable / replaceable.

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FP80

FP60 Flat Port

A simple, versatile port option for macro work or lenses that don’t perform well with a dome port.  

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80-Series Ports Compatible with Pro Action Housing

SP80 Standard (Dome) Port

The SP80 preserves field of view (FOV) underwater, and is ideally suited for wide to fisheye imaging.  Medium to macro, too, when paired with a macro zoom lens.  Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass or optical grade Acrylic (Perspex) versions, the latter field serviceable / replaceable.

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FP80

FP80 Flat Port

Due to its larger front element, the FP80 supports a variety of medium to macro lenses – including external zooms. A simple, versatile port option.  Both Acrylic (Perspex) and Glass versions available. 

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SP80-10 Dome Port

The SP80-10 is a 10in / 254mm spherical dome port that, like it’s smaller SP80-8 sibling preserves field of view (FOV) underwater for wide to fisheye imaging.  The SP80-10 however, exhibits superior compatibility with rectilinear lenses, mitigating the soft corners classically found with dome ports in general.  This particularly beneficial with certain cinema PL mount glass like Arri Master Primes and Ultra Primes.

The SP80-10 is available in Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass only.

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SPECIALIZED PORT / ADAPTERS


MLA80 Macro Probe Lens Adapter

In collaboration with Venus Optics, the Gates MLA80 Probe Lens Adapter allows full submersion of the Laowa 24mm Macro Probe lens for truly unique macro imaging perspective.   A long, tubular barrel with tiny lens tip can extend into the smallest of spaces, yet provide a remarkable 84° FOV, 2:1 magnification, and infinity focus.  Further, the Laowa 24mm Macro covers full frame *and* larger sensors like RED Monstro from a standard Canon or Nikon mount.  

Learn more about the MLA80 Macro Probe Lens Adapter 

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CUSTOM PORTS

Corrective Optics and Specialty Ports

Gates Precision Ports extend to custom designs for specific applications like underwater UV imaging or Corrective Optics (CO) that adapt a specific lens for underwater imaging, and eliminating distortions / aberrations.  Contact Gates to discuss your particular application.

INCLUDED ACCESSORIES

Seal Check Lite

The Gates Seal Check Lite is an essential part of the Gates kit, and assures housing integrity before entering the water.  A mere 16oz / 450g it packs easy and travels lightly.

Learn more….

RT47 Underwater Monitor Housing

Framing, focus and exposure control are mastered with the RT47  Underwater Monitor system.   Designed specifically for the RED TOUCH 4.7″ LCD  (not included)…

LEARN MORE

Carry Handle

Easy grip, transport and handling.  

Spare Kits

O-rings, tools, hardware

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

Stackable Port Rings and Port Extenders

Support for hundreds of PL, DSLR and Mirrorless lenses. 

Learn more……  

Body Cap

Need added protection for travel or harsh setup environments? This body cap bayonets into place just like SPR’s and Ports.

NIKONOS RS ADAPTER KIT

Designed by Nikon specifically for underwater use, the Nikonos RS suite of lenses – 13mm fisheye, 28mm, 50mm macro and 20-35mm zoom — remain underwater glass par excellence.  They have a convenient bayonet mount / release system, and are fully integrated to Gates housings with both focus and iris functions mapped directly to the housing controls – a genuinely innovative design.   And of course the Nikonos RS Adapter Kit comes with Gates 2 year warranty and legendary service.

The SP110-12 is available in Anti-Reflective (AR) coated glass only.

LEARN MORE

Underwater Titan Tube (UT2)

Surface and / or Underwater Command / Control of Astera Titan Tubes, the “the ultimate LED tube for filmmakers, TV studios and any creative person.” 
Learn more….  

Cheeseplate Adapter

For mounting Pro Action Housing to anything — pole, tripod, crane, etc.  

HD-SDI / UHD-SDI Surface Feed

Topside DP monitoring? High speed digital SDI video feed is available.  50 to over 300 feed, the link includes gold contact connectors and certified coaxial cable.

Customization

Special modifications are routine. You really can have it ‘just the way you like’.

Pro Explore Housing Supported Equipment

CAMERA

RED DSMC2

Battery Options

  • REDBRICK
  • Blueshape BV090, BV100HD, BV150, BV180, BV100HD SPLASH
  • SWIT 8172 and 8192
  • PAGlink 9303, 9304, 9308, 9309

LCD Displays

RED TOUCH 4.7″ LCD (SKU 760-0019)
RED PRO TOUCH 7.0″ LCD (SKU 730-0025) with optional RPT7 External Monitor
DSMC2 TOUCH 7.0″ ULTRA BRITE LCD (SKU 730-0026) with optional RTB7 External Monitor
RED TOUCH 7″ LCD (SKU 730-0007) optional when using RT7 External Monitor
Transvideo Starlite HD5 optional when using ST5 Starlite External Monitor

Lenses

DSLR

Compact PL Mount under 102mm diameter or 128T Gear
(0.8 MOD or 32 Pitch)

CAMERA MODULES

RED Jetpack SDI Module (SKU 720-0048)  *OR*
RED Jetpack Expander Module (SKU 720-0039) if not using SDI surface feed or SDI External Monitor e.g. ST5 Starlite

RED Sidekick Module (SKU 720-0032)

REDMOTE (SKU 770-0006)