[Paddlewise] Camcorder Waterproof Housing

I'm looking for a waterproof housing for my Sony HI8 Handycam CCD-TRV85.  Most of my recording will be above the water but I also would like to do some shallow underwater recording.  I'll be using it in some of the kayak classes I teach to evaluate technique. 

I want a good housing that gives me access to most of the controls, on-off, manual focus, exposure, etc., without paying $1500 or more.  

Ikelite will have a new housing for this camcorder in a few weeks with a recommended retail price of $800 and I found a mail-order company (B&H)(http://www.bhphotovideo.com/) in New York that will be selling it for $650 plus shipping.

Is anyone out there using a camcorder with a waterproof housing?  Any words of advice for me before I make this purchase?  I've heard that Ikelite makes a quality product but have no experience with them.  Any other companies I should look at?

Rex
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************