Chasing Dory Underwater Drone
Quick take
Chasing Dory is a palm-sized, tethered underwater drone built for real-time observation and underwater photos or video, controlled from your phone using the CHASING GO2 app. It is best for swimmers, shore anglers, and divers who want to scout or shoot close to the tether, with built-in lights for medium-close subjects. The main tradeoffs are limited run time (about 1 hour) and “virtual” phone controls, which can be harder to master in active or debris-heavy water.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Tethered design that enables live viewing while you keep the drone under control from the surface.
- 1080p full HD camera for capturing underwater photos and videos.
- Built-in dual play approach, plus phone-based control for dive, move, and depth lock functions.
- Compact, travel-friendly form factor, with microSD support for saving footage.
Cons
- Battery life is about 1 hour, so longer outings require planning and charging between sessions.
- Built-in lights are more useful for medium-close subjects, not for far-off targets.
- Phone-based controls can take practice, especially in cluttered water.
- Live Wi‑Fi video depends on the tether and buoy connection, which matters when conditions are choppy or obstructed.
What buyers think
Buyer-review evidence is limited, but the available comments point to a consistent theme: Chasing Dory is fun and relatively easy to set up, and many users like being able to see what the drone sees without going underwater themselves. Several reviews mention that the build feels solid and that the inset propellers help with safety. On performance, live viewing and targeting are described as good enough to aim for a subject, while autofocus behavior can be hit or miss when the drone cannot easily find a target. In terms of limitations, a recurring concern is that in lakes or debris-heavy water, the drone can get pushed around and the footage becomes harder to compose, and the phone controls may feel less precise than dedicated physical controls.
Design and key features
Chasing Dory is a compact underwater camera drone that stays connected through a floating Wi‑Fi buoy, with a tether rated to reach close to 49 feet. The core idea is straightforward: you place the drone into the water, connect your phone to the system, and use the CHASING GO2 app to pilot it and capture what you see.
Camera, resolution, and storage
The drone is designed around a 1080p full HD camera and wide-angle lens. It uses auto focus, and it records to microSD (with C10 and V30 speed class support). If your goal is casual underwater footage for sharing and memory-keeping, the feature set is built around getting you from “launch” to “shoot” quickly.
Lights for underwater visibility
For low-visibility conditions, Dory includes built-in headlights (250 lumens). Review feedback suggests these lights work best for medium-close subjects. If you want to reveal details at longer distances or cover large areas, you may find the effective range is limited.
Phone control and depth functions
Control is handled through the CHASING GO2 app. The app supports forward and backward movement, up and down motion, tilt controls, and depth locking, with a gamepad-like control experience. This can feel intuitive for beginners, but it can also be harder to master than a dedicated controller when the environment is active (for example, when there is debris or current).
Who this is best for
- Shore anglers and casual scouts who want to peek underwater structure and movement without fully committing to a boat or scuba setup.
- Travelers looking for a compact underwater “toy camera” that fits easily into transport plans.
- Underwater hobbyists who prefer live observation so they can reposition and capture what they intended.
- Social creators who want to share underwater clips from a phone workflow.
Who should skip it
- Buyers who need long sessions, because the battery life is about 1 hour.
- People expecting wide-ranging search across open water, since tethered operation and practical targeting from the surface are built into the design.
- Users who want maximum precision from underwater piloting, since phone-based controls can require practice, especially in debris-heavy or turbulent environments.
Pros and cons breakdown by buying priority
Live viewing and capture
The tethered system is central to the experience, enabling real-time viewing while you operate the drone. For many buyers, that alone is the “point” of the device, because it helps you aim and shoot intentionally rather than randomly.
Low-light and subject distance
The built-in lights improve the experience for medium-close subjects. Expect better results when your subject is relatively near the drone, not far out in the water column.
Ease of use
Setup and basic operation are described as manageable, and the in-water navigation becomes the main learning curve. Autofocus generally performs well when a target is clear, but if a target is hard to distinguish, autofocus may struggle.
Portability and travel
The compact, palm-sized form factor is a highlight for transporting and storing the drone. One key reminder is that you will still need adequate space for tether management and safe handling during travel.
Price and availability
Pricing can fluctuate, so if you are comparing current deals, check the latest listing for the most up-to-date cost and options. Buy on Amazon.
Simple alternatives to consider
If your priority is not tethered live operation, consider alternatives using these decision criteria:
- Longer runtime vs. live tether control: If you need extended sessions, look for underwater camera systems with longer battery capacity.
- Better targeting precision: If you hate phone-style controls, consider underwater drones that use dedicated remotes or more tactile controllers.
- Range and lighting: If you regularly shoot distant subjects, prioritize systems with lighting and optical capability suited for longer ranges.
Final verdict
Choose the Chasing Dory Underwater Drone if you want a compact, tethered underwater camera drone that makes real-time observation from your phone part of the fun. It is a strong fit for scouting, close-range underwater shots, and casual video capture. Skip it if you need all-day battery life, long-distance subject reach, or pinpoint piloting precision without practice, since the phone controls and medium-close lighting range are built into the experience.
FAQ
How deep can Chasing Dory dive?
It is designed to dive up to around 49 feet (tether-supported).
What resolution does the camera record?
It supports 1080p full HD video capture.
How long does the battery last?
Battery life is listed at approximately 1 hour.
Does it work for lake use and murky water?
Live viewing can work well enough for aiming, but debris or clutter can make it harder to keep the subject framed. Lights are most helpful for medium-close subjects.
How do you control the drone?
You use the CHASING GO2 app on your phone to control movement, tilt, and depth locking.
Does it record video to memory?
Yes, it supports microSD cards (with C10 and V30 speed class support).
Specifications
| Product Title | Chasing Dory Underwater Drone - Palm-Sized 1080p Full HD Underwater Drone with Camera for Real Time Viewing, APP Remote Control Purple (Yellow) |
|---|---|
| Category | Electronics > Camera & Photo > Underwater Photography > Camcorders |
| Brand | Chasing |
| Manufacturer | Chasing |
| Model Name | CHASING Dory Underwater Drone |
| Model Number | Chasing |
| Video Capture Resolution | 1080p |
| Screen Size | 1 |
| Color | yellow |
| Item Weight | 1 Pounds |
| Sensor Type | CMOS |
| Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
| Features | Real-time Observation |
| Water Resistance Level | Waterproof |
| Has Image Stabilization | No |
| Form Factor | Palmheld |
| Battery Average Life | 1 Hours |
| Maximum Focal Length | 1 |
| Maximum Aperture | 2 f |
| Minimum Focal Length | 1 |
| Lens Type | Wide Angle |
| Focus Type | Auto Focus |
| Flash Memory Type | Micro SD |
| Flash Memory Speed Class | C10 |
| Flash Memory Video Speed Class | V30 |
| Camcorder Type | Action Camera |
| Built-In Media | camera body |
Available variants
Color
- lightgreen
- lightpurple
- yellow
Recommended next
Chasing Dory Underwater Drone
The Chasing Dory is a palm-sized, tethered underwater camera drone designed for real-time viewing and simple app control. It supports 1080p video capture, includes dual 250-lumen headlights, and uses a Wi‑Fi buoy connection for exploring from shore or a boat, with about 1 hour of battery life. Main caveat: it’s not a “push-button” experience, control can take some practice, and tethered operation can be limiting in choppy conditions.
Pool Toy & Kids Underwater Camera - 99FT Waterproof Kid Action Camera 1080P Video & 20MP Photo with Flip Lens
A kid-friendly underwater camera built for pool days and light action, with a waterproof case rated for dives up to 99 ft, 1080p video, 20MP photos, and a 180° flip lens for selfies. It’s best for ages 4–12 who want a real “play camera,” but buyers should note it does not have a touch screen and some features (like deleting photos) can be a bit limited.
GKTZ Kids Camera
The GKTZ Kids Camera is a lightweight waterproof action-style digital camera designed for kids, with 1080p video, 20MP photos, a 2.4-inch LCD screen, and a case built for everyday tumbles. It also includes fun extras like filters, frames, a rotation selfie feature, and basic creative features such as a built-in video player and voice recorder, but expect menu-driven controls (no touch screen) and limitations like image deletion behavior and a permanently time-stamped date.
Pool Toy & Kids Underwater Camera (SplashCam)
A waterproof, shock-resistant kids action camera built for pool days and beach adventures. It shoots 1080p video and 20MP photos in an easy, kid-friendly format with a flip lens, built-in frames and games, plus a pre-included 32GB SD card for immediate use.