Posted on December 12th, 2007.
If you're in need of Ikelite underwater housing accessories while in Bangkok, I can definitely recommend the DiveMaster shop on Sukhumvit Soi 21. There are Ikelite dealers in Singapore and Hong Kong too if you need them.
Just a quick recommendation for DiveMaster on Sukhumvit Soi 21 in Bangkok (also known as Soi Asoke) as a great place to order Ikelite items direct from the USA. DiveMaster do not carry the Ikelite range of underwater camera housings in their shop, but can order any item you require direct from Ikelite in the USA and get it delivered within 7 days. I have used DiveMaster twice now to get Ikelite items and have received excellent service both times. Mr Kitja, the shop manager, speaks fluent English and is extremely helpful.
You can email Mr Kitja (at info@divemaster.net) with the serial number of the Ikelite item you require and he'll check it's in stock with Ikelite in the US. If it's in stock, simply visit the shop, pay a deposit - around 30 per cent of the price - and he'll then order it for you. Both times the item I've requested - the first a DS 125 strobe and the second a new camera dome port - arrived within 5 days, although it's best to leave up to 10 days. Mr Kitja takes care of all customs and import duties too.
Note that shipping and handling costs do not make this a cheap option - it's more if you're stuck and don't have any other option but to order from Bangkok. DiveMaster charge the Ikelite price listed on their website plus another 1500 Thai Baht (around $50) for shipping. For example, I ordered the 5503.50 camera dome port which is listed as $200 US on the Ikelite site. I paid a total of 8000 Baht, which is around $263 at current exchange rates. I did not ask how the extra $63 broke down in terms of shipping costs, import and customs taxes (if any) and DiveMaster's own handling fee - for the convenience of having it arrive without any hassle to the shop less than a week after I ordered it, it seemed a fair price to me. If Divemaster have more than one Ikelite order from different customers, they will try and bundle them together so the shipping costs are reduced. I have had two lightweight items shipped for free by piggybacking on another customer's bigger order.
To get to the DiveMaster shop, catch the SkyTrain to Asoke or the MRT to Sukhumvit. DiveMaster is a couple of minutes walk down Soi 21, past Soi Cowboy and a little further on. It's on the right hand side as you walk away from Sukhumvit Road. When you come to a cafe called BitterBrown, turn right off the main road. DiveMaster is next door to Bitter Brown, which itself is a very nice place for lunch and coffee.
If you are travelling around in the region, you might want to pay a visit to ScubaCam in Singapore - they have a lot of Ikelite stuff in stock. They are very knowledgable and friendly too - they were where I bought my Ikelite underwater housing from originally.
I have also visited OceanSky in Hong Kong, who are Hong Kong's official Ikelite dealer, but they have the same policy as DiveMaster and only order items from Ikelite on request. I'm not sure of their prices.
I also recently added Ebay auctions for Ikelite items to Divehappy to let you easily find Ikelite used gear on Ebay - I've broken them up by manufacturer and type.
Used Ikelite Nikon
Used Ikelite Canon
Used Ikelite Strobes
Used Ikelite Lights
All Used Ikelite Gear
There's also brand new Ikelite underwater housing gear available from Amazon.com - the Divehappy scuba gear shop is powered by Amazon and all products are shipped by them.
If only I could find Ebay sellers willing to ship to Thailand...
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