![[images/The BEST Insta360 X3 Underwater Settings and Accessories.webp]] # The BEST Insta360 X3 Underwater Settings & Accessories [Watch on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBGBCbVSXPE) · MountMedia · 2023-08-03 · 12:56. Written from the uploader's English captions (manual track), plus the chapters, frames and the description. Section headings follow the video's chapters. ## Outline - **0:00 – Insta360 X3 underwater footage.** Opening montage of underwater 360 clips. The **X3** can be a great underwater camera: you can **reframe** shots flexibly, and recently you can also make the selfie stick and camera **invisible** underwater. Handling is tricky and easy to get wrong, so the right accessories and settings matter; tips for better videos come at the end. - **0:23 – How to use the X3 underwater.** A 360 camera is effectively two cameras (two sensors and two lenses) whose footage is **stitched** into one shot. That normally works automatically, but not underwater. - **0:44 – Solving the underwater stitching problem.** The X3 is **waterproof to 10 m** without a case, but **light refraction** underwater breaks stitching in 360 mode. Without accessories you can only shoot **single-lens mode** underwater. For 360 underwater you need an Insta360 **Dive Case**, which corrects the stitching. - **1:26 – New Invisible Dive Case vs old Dive Case.** With the **old Dive Case**, the lower part of the case left the **pole visible** even in 360 mode, so you lost the invisible-stick advantage and used the X3 like a classic action cam. The **new Dive Case** fixes that. Most underwater shots here came from a trip to **Croatia** (the Mediterranean) with the old case; the new case was tested in a **pool** (he lives in the mountains), where the pole disappears and you can reframe in any direction. ![[images/The BEST Insta360 X3 Underwater Settings and Accessories-t0215.webp]] With the new case you must mount the X3 like a 360 camera: **straight** on a stick, not turned. He used a hinged pole or floating handgrip with the old case but recommends the standard **Invisible Selfie Stick (114 cm)** for the new one; it is his favorite pole because it collapses small. The drawback: the case-plus-stick combo **sinks**, so attach a **strap**. The new case is relatively **expensive**, but it is more like an **add-on lens** than a plastic box, since light must reach the lenses at the right angle for stitching and stick removal. Insta360 also sells an **X3 Invisible Dive Kit** (X3, Dive Case, selfie stick, handgrip) at a good bundle price. - **3:34 – How to use the X3 Dive Case.** First update the X3 **firmware** (required for the new case). Insert the X3 so the case's **buttons** line up with the camera's buttons (display facing front means the right side). Slide the cardboard-like **anti-fog inserts** into the slots beside the lenses, then close and lock all **four buckles**. Before closing, enable **Dive Case Mode**: swipe down from the top edge and tap the icon at the bottom center, or long-press the **Q button** (lower side button) once the camera is already in the case. Only in this mode does stitching work properly and the camera operate correctly underwater. ![[images/The BEST Insta360 X3 Underwater Settings and Accessories-t0428.webp]] - **4:51 – Operating the X3 in Dive Case Mode.** The touchscreen is disabled and only two buttons work: short-press **Q** to start/stop recording; short-press **power** to change recording mode; double-press **Q** to switch to single-lens and change the lens; long-press **Q** to exit Dive Case Mode; long-press **power** to turn the camera off/on. - **5:29 – Three tips for using the Dive Case.** (1) It changes how light hits the lens, so it is meant for **underwater** use, not above water (e.g. surfing). (2) Its plastic **scratches easily**: don't set it on rocks, and store it in its bag. (3) **Salt water** damages materials over time: rinse it thoroughly; Insta360 even recommends **soaking it closed for 60 minutes**. A mounting **ring** keeps the X3 straight on the pole, and the **thumb screw wrench** tightens the screw further. - **6:24 – Best X3 underwater settings.** Once in Dive Case Mode you **can't change settings**, so set them first. Use the **standard video mode** (or photo), in **360 mode** to keep reframing and the invisible stick; **single-lens 4K** looks hardly better than processed 360. Use **5.7K**, which is clearly better than 4K. Frame rate: **30 fps** for a natural look (24/25 fps is for a cinematic look, which isn't the goal here). **4K60** is possible but he skips it for the weaker image quality. For **deep, dark dives**, **24 fps** helps the camera gather more light. ![[images/The BEST Insta360 X3 Underwater Settings and Accessories-t0640.webp]] Swipe right-to-left for capture settings and stay in **auto exposure**, since light changes fast and you can't adjust settings underwater. **Color profile:** **Vivid** (a bit more saturation and contrast) if you won't grade; **Standard** if you will; **LOG** for more dynamic range and more editing work. He leaves it on Vivid. Keep **white balance** on auto, because the right value shifts with water color, sunlight and depth. **EV:** about **-0.5** helps protect bright areas, but only if you edit and lift the shadows later. **Isolated Exposure:** off. ![[images/The BEST Insta360 X3 Underwater Settings and Accessories-t0820.webp]] In the main **Settings** menu: **video bitrate High**, and **sharpness Low**, since consumer cameras over-sharpen edges without adding detail; add sharpness in post, or use **Medium** if you don't edit. Save everything as a **preset** (Q button, then plus) named **"Diving"**, but watch for an existing photo preset with the same name. - **10:41 – Editing X3 underwater footage.** He uses the **Insta360 Studio** desktop app (most features are also in the phone app). Both apps need updating to support the new Dive Case. Under **Stitching**, select **Invisible Dive Case (Underwater)** for correct stitching. Under **Image Processing**, enable **Aqua Vision 2** to cut the blue tint and bring out colors, with adjustable strength and hue. After reframing and editing, export as **ProRes** for minimal compression; this is **desktop only**. ![[images/The BEST Insta360 X3 Underwater Settings and Accessories-t1103.webp]] - **11:39 – Tips and tricks for better underwater recordings.** (1) **Light** is crucial: more is better, quality suffers deeper down, and mind the **sun position** so it doesn't shine into the lens. (2) Use **slow, steady movement** (e.g. forward) instead of fast, sudden moves; **fins** make a steady forward glide easier when snorkeling. (3) Underwater scenery gets repetitive (his Croatia variety was limited), so include a **subject** such as yourself or another person. He closes by pointing to his **360 beginner mistakes** video and promising more X3 videos. ## Things mentioned ### Cameras - **Insta360 X3**: The camera this tutorial is about. Waterproof to 10 m without a case; 360 stitching underwater needs a Dive Case. ### Accessories - **Insta360 X3 Invisible Dive Case (new)**: Keeps the invisible selfie stick underwater and allows reframing in any direction. Relatively expensive; works more like an add-on lens. - **Old Insta360 Dive Case**: Fixes stitching, but the pole stays visible. - **Insta360 Invisible Selfie Stick (114 cm)**: His recommended pole for the new case. The combo sinks, so add a strap. - **Insta360 X3 Invisible Dive Kit**: X3, Dive Case, selfie stick and handgrip as a bundle. - Hinged pole or **floating handgrip**: What he preferred with the old case. - **Anti-fog inserts**: Included with the Dive Case. - **Mounting ring** and **thumb screw wrench**: Keep the X3 straight and tight on the pole. - Wrist **strap** and **fins**: For not losing the camera, and for steadier forward motion. ### Settings and features - Firmware update required for the new Dive Case; app updates also required. - **Dive Case Mode**: Swipe-down menu icon or long-press Q. Touchscreen off; button map covered at 4:51. - 360 standard video mode, **5.7K30**. 24 fps for deep or low light; 4K60 is possible but not recommended. - Auto exposure, auto white balance, **Vivid** profile (Standard or LOG if grading), optional **EV -0.5**, Isolated Exposure off. - **Bitrate High**, **sharpness Low** (Medium if not editing), saved as a **"Diving" preset**. - **Insta360 Studio**: **Invisible Dive Case (Underwater)** stitching, **Aqua Vision 2**, **ProRes** export (desktop only). ### Related videos - Top 360 Camera Beginner Mistakes: https://youtu.be/WOUzLcTyaZE ### Purchase options - Insta360 X3 Invisible Dive Kit (11% OFF + FREE gift): https://store.insta360.com/product/x3?c=2492&insrc=INRNHMF - Invisible Dive Case: https://store.insta360.com/product/x3-invisible-dive-case?insrc=INRNHMF - Music (Audiio), promo code **SAVE70** for 70% off: https://audiio.com/pricing?oid=1&affid=606 - Support the channel: https://www.ko-fi.com/mountmedia - Description links are affiliate links. ## Bios - **Werner Plank** runs MountMedia, a YouTube channel of camera tests, comparisons and tutorials focused on 360 and action cameras from Insta360, DJI and GoPro, often filmed in the mountains (Instagram: @werner.plank; contact [email protected]). Here he walks through X3 underwater use, drawing on snorkeling footage from a trip to Croatia with the old Dive Case and pool tests of the new Invisible Dive Case.