fdog

Forum username: fdog
Real name: James Flenner
Posts: 376
Active years: 2004–2010
Primary forums: Video Gear and Technique, General Chat, Shooting Technique
Specialization: Underwater scooter videography, DPV equipment, marine conservation advocacy

Community Role

fdog (James Flenner) was a distinctive Wetpixel community member whose contributions bridged underwater videography and diver propulsion vehicle (DPV) technology. Active from 2004 to 2010, he brought a unique perspective to the forum as an experienced technical diver and scooter enthusiast who used his DPV as a video platform. His detailed equipment reviews and thoughtful commentary on marine conservation made him a respected voice in the community.

Notable Contributions

• X-View scooter video review: fdog authored one of Wetpixel’s most comprehensive equipment reviews — a detailed evaluation of the Dive-Xtras X-View camera head for the X-Scooter DPV. The review covered every aspect of the system including assembly, diving performance, video quality (70-degree field of view in air, 52 degrees underwater), power consumption impact (75 seconds of trigger time lost per hour of camera operation), and practical usage tips. He noted the scooter cost approximately $3,700 for the standard Sierra model with the X-View nose adding about $1,700 (^[1]).

• “The Endless Scooter” film: He produced and shared his first underwater video production, a 20-minute film about scooter diving. Despite being his first video project, it received positive community reception and suggestions to enter competitions (^[2]).

• Conservation advocacy: fdog’s most passionate thread documented a diver in Yap who damaged coral reefs during mandarin fish dives by using finger coral as a “beanbag” support for his video housing. He included photographic evidence and sparked an extensive community discussion about diver responsibility, reef damage prevention, and the appropriate response to witnessing destructive behavior underwater. The thread drew responses from experienced divers including Mike Veitch, who confirmed the seriousness of the issue at mandarin fish dive sites (^[3]).

• O-ring maintenance: He contributed to practical gear maintenance discussions, including sharing knowledge about silicone O-ring lubrication practices (^[4]).

Activity Profile

• Peak activity: 2007–2010
• Started 19 forum threads
• 1 article mention
• Equipment: Dive-Xtras X-Scooter with X-View camera head, Canon Elura 100 camcorder, Amphibico-class video housing references
• Diving style: Technical diving, scooter diving, shore diving
• Known for exceptionally detailed and well-written equipment reviews