Hand-held underwater cameras have an obvious flaw: they only ever see what one diver sees. QYSEA's FIFISH V-EVO, a remotely operated underwater drone, takes the camera out of the diver's hands entirely — and it's currently discounted in a Black Friday promotion running until 3 December 2026.

The idea is simple but genuinely useful for dive trips. Before anyone gets wet, a surface operator can pilot the tethered drone down for a live look at an unfamiliar site — spotting points of interest, hazards, or features worth avoiding, all before the team commits to a dive plan. Since dives shouldn't be substantially altered once you're underwater, that pre-dive recon is more than a gimmick.

During the dive, the operator stays at the surface and frames shots from an independent position. That means actual third-person footage: the whole group in frame against the reef, not just POV selfie-stick footage. Spec-wise, the V-EVO shoots 4K at 60fps, has a 166-degree field of view, 360-degree omnidirectional movement, and 5,000 lumens of LED lighting for darker water. An AI Vision Lock keeps a chosen subject locked in frame while the operator repositions. Depth and tether are rated to 100m, covering recreational dives and shallower technical work straight out of the box.

There are two packages. The Standard Pack is the core filming and scouting setup; the Arm Pack adds a robotic arm that can grip and retrieve dropped items, within its handling limits. From 5 November to 3 December 2026, buyers in the US and Canada can get the Standard Pack for US$1,269 (down from US$1,399, saving US$130) and the Arm Pack for US$1,559 (down from US$1,699, saving US$140).

Worth knowing: QYSEA is upfront that the drone supports visual site awareness but doesn't replace proper dive planning or safety procedures. It's a scouting and filming tool, not a substitute for a briefing.

For travelling divers — especially those filming group trips, running dive charters, or producing content — the appeal is clear. One person at the surface can capture footage nobody in the water could get, and the same drone doubles as a site-checking tool on unfamiliar reefs. Non-divers interested in underwater exploration, inspection work or marine wildlife filming also get a capable ROV at a lower price point than usual, at least for a few weeks.

Full details of the V-EVO packages and offer are via Dive Magazine.