Choosing the Right Underwater Camera Housing: Outex vs Aquatech, Seafrogs, Ikelite, Nauticam Compared

A practical, sincere comparison to help you choose the housing that fits your cameras, your shooting style, needs, and your budget.

The "best" underwater camera housing doesn't exist in the abstract. It exists in relation to each user's objectives and how you shoot. A surf photographer on the North Shore has very different needs from a macro scuba diver working thirty meters below the surface, and neither looks much like the travel photographer who wants to photograph a beach wedding in Bali, a snorkeling trip in the Maldives, a rainy day fashion shoot, or a sports photographer at a sporting event. Different needs demand different cameras, lenses, capabilities, and settings.

That's the lens we'll use throughout this comparison - pun intended. Rather than declaring one winner, we'll walk through the three broad approaches to waterproofing a camera — soft plastic covers, hard cases, and Outex – a tactile, universal system. We'll also look head-to-head at a few well-known brands in the marketplace: Aquatech, Ikelite, Seafrogs, Nauticam, and Outex. Each one has earned its place in the market over several years, and each one suits particular types of photographers and imaging needs. The goal here is to help you figure out which is best for you.

A note on pricing. All prices in this article are based on publicly listed figures from manufacturer websites and authorized dealers at the time of writing. Prices vary by camera model, region, retailer, and configuration. We encourage you to compare and validate on your own.

The Three Approaches to Waterproofing a Camera

Soft Plastic Covers

At the inexpensive end of the market, plastic bag housings cost anywhere from under fifty dollars to a few hundred (US$50-300), and they're designed to accept many/most cameras inside. Their appeal is straightforward: they are cheap, pack flat, and work in a pinch. And you get what you pay for. It’s not a professional system, not delivering professional results. If you're heading to a pool party with an old DSLR, mostly shooting on “auto” mode, and want a handful of shots without committing to a proper housing, a bag will get you something usable.

The compromises are equally straightforward. Plastic bag covers force you to shoot through plastic or acrylic sheeting at the lens, which introduces softness, distortion, and sometimes unwanted reflections. Even for the few bags that offer some sort of lens port, don’t have a retractable, moving port, so the lens floats inside and suffers from all the reflections, distortions, and focal challenges associated with an optically detached system. Not to mention problems associated with line-of-sight interference and vignetting. The wider the focal length, the bigger the problem. Tactile control through the bag is clumsy at best. It’s described as “shooting with oven mitts”, because the thick plastic interferes with most controls and all subtlety. Nuanced setting adjustments, knobs, or touchscreens become unusable. And much of the functionality is difficult to control. Bags are a starter solution for starter results – not a long term solution.

Hard-Case Housings

At the other end of the market spectrum, hard-case housings are professional tools built for specific use cases. A dedicated dive housing from Nauticam or Ikelite is a rigid, often aluminum or polycarbonate shell machined to the exact dimensions of specific camera bodies. The selected controls that operate specific buttons on the camera's body operate mechanically, and based on physical limitations, often in a different place than the buttons on the camera. Lens ports normally attach to the front of the housing rather than onto the lens itself, and different ports are offered depending on need and intended use, such as lens size and focal length.

Hard cases deliver professional results within their intended scope. For example, scuba diving housings can handle serious diving depths when using Oxygen tanks and extended periods under water. Since light does not travel well underwater, diving cases are also often equipped with mounts for external lighting and cable connections to control them. They also offer some impact protection. Dive cases often also require vacuum-seal mechanisms to calibrate the waterproof seal. Since dive housings are designed to operate a depth, their waterproof seal is often dependent on a great amount of external water pressure to perform properly. In other words, scuba gear’s waterproof seals may not operate well in shallow depths for snorkelling or swimming pools without expert calibration. 

Hard case housings are heavy, usually weighing 3-10 times the weight of the camera gear. They are also bulky by nature. For those reasons, they are cumbersome and expensive for transport and travel, often requiring a “case for your case”, additional airfare check-in fees, and customs scrutiny and/or taxation in many countries. Because hard case housings are model-specific, upgrading your camera usually means replacing your housing as well. Most hard case companies only support mainstream camera makes and models. If you’re a fan of Fuji, Sigma, Leica, or any brand other than Canon, Nikon, or Sony, there’s a chance your make or model is not supported. Hard cases are also sold without lens ports, which are a separate purchase you must factor for overall costs. The ports add weight and bulk, which adds cost for ownership and transport/travel. 

Hard cases are often specialized for certain activities. For example, Aquatech housings are designed for surf, or shallow depths above 1 atmosphere (10 meters or about 33 feet). While they can be used for fishing or snorkelling, they can not be used for scuba diving for example. And vice versa. Scuba brands like Ikelite or Nauticam can be significantly heavier, bulkier, and ergonomically inept for surf photos, making them impractical for shallow or above water use, such as kayaking, SUP paddleboarding, canoeing, river rafting, sports photography, or events like Burning Man, or Holi Festival. And their specialized designs — a surf housing isn't ideal for diving, and a dive housing isn't well-suited to the pool, and a Sony housing cannot be used for Nikon — means that photographers who shoot across environments or require different uses often end up buying multiple housings over time.

The Outex Flexible System

The Outex system occupies a unique market space. It is designed to combine elements of both, such as the universal compatibility of a malleable soft housing, with a superior, professional optical performance that exceeds most hard case housings. The patented Outex system was invented in 2010 unifying a transparent, flexible, tactile-rich, stretchy, soft cover (membrane) that envelopes virtually any camera system. That means it is compatible with all brands, makes, and models of cameras and lenses, including film, DSLR, mirrorless, and cinema cameras such as BlackMagic, RED, PhaseOne, Hasselblad, etc. And it works with any lens make or model, including telezoom, wide angle, fixed-focal-length, and variable lenses from all manufacturers. The ports attach to the lens and the housing simultaneously, creating both a waterproof seal, and becoming one with the lens for optical optimization. For imaging, that means the port is positioned ideally for photo results based on each lens’ optical characteristics. The port also moves with the lens, whether the user is shooting in manual or auto mode. There’s no reflection, limitations on viewing angles, or vignetting. The housing and port become one with the camera and lens.

Similarly, the patented, malleable covers (membrane) maintains all tactile functional control over dials, buttons, knobs, and settings – even touchscreens. You retain operational control over all functions or your camera and lens, and the buttons are exactly where you expect them to be, since you’re merely accessing them through the cover (membrane). It’s like a doctor operating with gloves, but the glove is on the camera.

Like a camera, Outex is a system of interchangeable, interoperable parts that work together so they can be mixed and matched to accommodate the user’s needs, and grow modularly over time. The different size housings/covers, work with all/any different size ports, and vice versa. That means the user can utilize the Outex system for different types of cameras; film, DSLR, mirrorless, or cinema. As well as different brands, makes and models of cameras and lenses. That is especially handy for professionals operating in vastly different environments or requiring different setups for different outcomes.

The covers are lightweight, weighing about 100 grams, or 2-3 ounces. It adds no weight or bulk to the camera gear. Because the covers are so light, Outex deploys optical glass ports – not plastic or acrylic as the vast majority of hard case housings – for all industry standard sizes, including its dome ports. Almost every lens is equipped with filter threads to accommodate filters, polarizers, or other protective accessories. These filter threads are designed in accordance with each lens’ optical characteristics. Outex supports all of these industry standard sizes, and takes advantage of matching the ideal optical characteristics of each lens to optimize imaging results. And like most lenses, it uses optical glass, not acrylic, to maintain visual integrity at its maximum. It’s engineered to conform to each lens’ best attributes.

In the case of the Outex Pro (professional) bundle, or kit, the rear glass port maintains visibility over the camera’s viewfinder, LCD screen, and functional controls as well. It’s designed not to impede access to all functionality as well. The engineered design maintains it at a distance that maximizes access and visibility, including buttons or touchscreens that lie directly behind the port glass, since the user can access them through the flexible cover, and even move, pivot, or slide the rear glass port out of the way. It’s an accommodating design feature that maintains the universal compatibility of the system

Because the Outex cover fits any camera and any lens that shares a filter thread size, a single cover works across your entire collection of cameras and lenses — a DSLR for client work, a mirrorless body for travel, a film camera for personal projects, even a cinema camera for cinematography. 

The system is also modular, virtually any professional camera accessory in the market, including tripod mounts, trays, flash, lights, triggers, repeaters, remotes, tethering, etc. – even underwater. The accessory “add-on” kits are sold as bundles, or kits, because they include the parts required to introduce such functionality to a Pro Camera Kit. In other words, the Pro Kit is the foundation for any user. And they can add functionality as needed over time. For example, the Tripod Add On kit, combines with the Pro Kit to add tripod mount capability. The Tether Add On kit, combines with the Pro Kit to add waterproof tethering connectivity underwater, so you can remotely trigger or control a submerged camera or send images to the surface for a DP’s (director or photography) analysis at the surface in real time. And there are combinations. You can combine a tripod mounted + tether system simultaneously, if you need to film a swimming competition from an anchored camera at the bottom of the pool while remotely accessing controls from your control station poolside. 

Outex is IP tested to one (1) atmosphere – ten (10) meters or about thirty-three (33) feet. But that has more to do with the gear inside than the system itself. Outex does not protect the gear from water pressure, so as the water pressure increases with depth it begins to press buttons on the camera, and interferes with normal camera operation. In other words, it becomes inoperable as you go deeper, and the depth at which it becomes inoperable depends more on the camera itself than on Outex since it’s a malleable membrane. Since its inception in 2010, Outex has had many of its worldwide users go twice as deep as and operate their cameras successfully, but the system is not designed nor sold as scuba gear. And exceeding that depth rating has little to do with the waterproof seal. It’s more a measure of it not being designed for scuba diving, similarly to many other hard cases. In other words, exceeding the depth rating does not necessarily damage the gear. It simply prevents use. Upon returning to shallower waters, operational use is reestablished. 

Outex does not offer impact protection. It is not designed to protect your gear against impact against a surfboard hit, rocks, or reef. What it is, is an all-around, multi-purpose, waterproofing solution for the vast majority of photography and cinematography that happens at, or near the surface — swim, surf, beach, river, lake, pool, rain, sand, mud, snow, fishing, action sports, adventure, travel, boating, canoeing, paddleboarding, etc. It’s a professional, universal, lightweight, compact, affordable solution to compliment your capabilities when you know you need it, as well as when you least expect it, since it’s always with you.

Feature Comparison at a Glance

The table below summarizes how the approaches compare on the factors that matter most when choosing a housing. We'll go deeper on each one in the sections that follow.

Pricing Tier Breakdown (Estimated)

A feature table can't show you the true cost of owning a system over time. A hard-case housing is only part of the cost — the lens ports you'll need to use it are almost always sold separately, and they add up quickly. Most hard cases use acrylic/plastic ports, which easily scratch. Optical glass is more expensive and heavier, but it offers better optical results, is more durable, and more scratch resistant.

Cinema, premium housings (range $7,000–$100,000+ per unit).

Nauticam's full range and several top-end aluminum and polycarbonate professional housings live here. A complete Nauticam full-frame rig with housing, a dome port, a zoom gear, a vacuum valve, and a viewfinder can easily total $100,000 before you've added accessories. For cinematographers and commercial photographers who live in the water and whose livelihoods depend on frame-perfect dive photography, that investment makes sense, although changing cameras might add to the overall cost later down the line. 

Upper-mid housings (estimated $2,500–$7,500 per unit).

Aquatech, Ikelite, Aquatica, and similar aluminum dedicated hard case housings sit in this bracket. These are professional tools, and many in this range call for additional accessories depending on use. Expect to add roughly $300–$1,200 per port depending on brand, and most photographers need two or three ports to cover wide, standard, and macro lenses. They are still brand/model specific, so they lock you into a particular camera setup.

Mid-tier housings (estimated $500–$1,500 per unit).

Outex and Seafrogs mirrorless polycarbonate housings land here. The big difference is that you can get a Pro Kit + Optical glass port from Outex, and the Seafrogs gear exhibits all of the limitations mentioned. Mid-tier is where you stop making major compromises — optics improve, ergonomics get more refined, and reliability goes up substantially.

Entry-tier housings (estimated $100–$300 per unit).

This is where plastic bag covers, low-end waterproof cameras, housings for old cameras, and the Outex Entry Kit sit. You'll get limited capabilities and settings resourcefulness. With bag covers you're limited by optics and ergonomics, and with compact-specific hard cases you're married to that one camera body for the life of the housing. The Outex Entry kit cover has no rear glass port so you’re shooting using the LCD screen mostly. But it’s a simple upgrade to the Pro kit if you decide you take that step. 

Where Outex fits.

Outex kits start at an estimated $295 for a complete Entry Kit including the cover and a front optical glass port. Pro Kits add the LCD window and additional functionality. Because the system is modular, you can add a dome port, tripod mount, flash, trigger, tethering, etc when you need them rather than paying for capability you don't use. The system grows with your work rather than forcing a full replacement.

Technical Specifications That Actually Matter

It's easy to get lost in spec sheets. Here are the specifications worth paying attention to when choosing a housing.

Port material. Optical glass outperforms acrylic for two reasons: it resists scratches far better, and it produces sharper, cleaner images with less chromatic aberration. That's why your camera lenses are made of glass rather than plastic in the first place. Aquatech and most Ikelite ports are acrylic or polycarbonate; Nauticam offers both acrylic and optical glass port options starting at 4-5 times the Outex port costs; Outex uses American-made optical glass as the standard front port material, including for its domes.

Depth rating versus actual use. A 100-meter depth rating is meaningful if you're doing technical diving. Most photography — including the vast majority of surf, snorkel, pool, and rain work — happens above ten meters. Past ten meters, the cost curve steepens sharply. It's worth matching depth rating to your actual practice rather than to aspiration.

Lens compatibility. This is where the differences between hard-case and flexible systems really bite. A model-specific hard case is built around the physical dimensions of one camera and one set of lenses. When either changes, you start over. Outex works with any camera and any lens that shares a common filter thread size, which means a 77mm front port works with every 77mm-thread lens you own.

Control access. Hard cases provide mechanical buttons, often not aligned to the camera's controls, which feels unfamiliar, and requires that the housing match the camera body/model. Outex's tactile membrane covers provide direct, tactile finger pressure on the native camera controls through the flexible cover, which means nothing is lost in translation — you're pressing the actual buttons on the actual camera. And the tactile material is engineered to maintain feedback on clicks, presses, dial turns, and sensory response whether in above-water, desert environments with your bare hands, or under ice in freezing underwater conditions operating with neoprene gloves through the cover. 

Ecosystem and accessories. Nauticam, Ikelite, and Aquatech all have mature accessory ecosystems — port charts, zoom gears, viewfinders, strobe connections. Outex's ecosystem is simpler and smaller, but because the system is universal, each accessory works across every camera you'll ever own rather than only matching one body.

Outex vs Aquatech

Aquatech built its reputation in surf photography, and the company has done a thoughtful job of extending that expertise into broader water photography. The EDGE line is well-made, durable, and optimized for fast-action shooting in the surf zone. The rubberized grip, ergonomic trigger system, and polycarbonate construction all reflect the brand's roots in high-intensity conditions.

The Aquatech system is model-specific. An EDGE Pro housing for a Canon R5 is engineered for that body, and the estimated starting price of around $1,499 does not include a lens port. A typical Aquatech kit with the housing plus two ports and a pistol grip often totals an estimated $2,500–$3,500 for one camera body. If you need to change from an R5 to R3 or a Sony, you're buying a new housing. The rugged body construction and dedicated ergonomics for high-impact wave-crashing is an advantage. But the acrylic ports are scratch prone and lose on image quality against optical glass head to head.

Outex takes a different position. A photographer who shoots surf in Florida one month and a triathlon race in California the next can cover both with one Outex system. It doesn't have Aquatech's surf-specific ergonomics, and it won't replace a dedicated surf housing for a pro who spends every morning in the lineup. But for photographers looking for superior image results, and whose work crosses use, environments, and gear — or for those who want one housing that works with every camera in the tool bag — Outex offers a useful alternative or complement. The modular support for accessories is another advantage.

When Aquatech is the right call: You shoot surf or water sports as a significant portion of your work, you own one primary camera body, and you want a dedicated tool optimized for that specific task.

When Outex fits better: You shoot across multiple environments, you use more than one camera body, or you want to add waterproofing to your existing kit without committing to a single-body system. It’s also ideal for when transportability & travel are frequent.

Outex vs Ikelite

Ikelite has been building underwater housings in Indianapolis since the 1960s, and the company's reputation for reliability and customer service is well-earned. Its ABS-PC blend construction is lighter than aluminum but rigid enough for serious use. The signature clear-back design lets you see the o-ring seal and the camera before you dive, which is a genuinely useful feature. Ikelite 200DL housings are depth-rated to sixty meters and are a favorite among dive photographers who want professional capability without the Nauticam price tag.

The Ikelite system is model-specific and port-dependent. An estimated $1,995 for a 200DL Canon R5 housing is the starting point; add a flat port, a dome port, zoom gears, and TTL strobe connection and you're looking at an estimated $3,500–$5,000 for a complete kit. A Deluxe version with handles, a vacuum pump, and USB-C charging bulkhead runs an estimated $2,295 or more before ports.

Outex and Ikelite aren't really substitutes — they're tools for different jobs. Ikelite is the right choice if you're committed to dive photography as a core practice, you want depth capability to sixty meters, and you're willing to build out a dedicated system for one or two primary camera bodies. 

Outex is the right choice for everything above that ten-meter threshold: surf, snorkel, splash, rain, sand, travel, or simply adding waterproofing to a camera that otherwise lives on dry land. And many Ikelite owners love their Outex system when a hard case is overkill.

When Ikelite is the right call: You're a dedicated dive photographer, you want a proven system with a mature port ecosystem, and you'll get genuine use out of the sixty-meter depth rating.

When Outex fits better: Your water work is shallow or surface-level, you want a second waterproofing option alongside a primary system, or you want to waterproof a camera you already own without a four-figure commitment.

Outex vs Nauticam

Nauticam sits at the top of the market, and deservedly so. The Hong Kong-based manufacturer builds CNC-machined anodized aluminum housings with patented port-locking levers, integrated vacuum leak detection systems, and an ergonomic design that genuinely rewards serious underwater work. Pro dive photographers, cinematographers, and marine scientists rely on Nauticam because the housings don't compromise. A Nauticam system is built for someone who spends serious hours in the water and whose income depends on capturing the shot.

The pricing reflects that. An NA-A7RV housing for the Sony A7R V is estimated at around $4,800 for the housing alone. An NA-R5 II for the Canon R5 Mark II is estimated at around $5,900. Add a dome port (an estimated $800–$1,500), a zoom gear ($150–$300), a vacuum valve ($100 or more), a viewfinder upgrade ($700–$1,500), and you're comfortably into five figures before strobes.

For photographers doing the kind of work Nauticam is built for, that investment makes complete sense. For everyone else, it's overkill. Outex isn't trying to be Nauticam. What it does is fill a different space — the universal, travel-friendly, optical-glass system that works with any camera, any lens, and any environment from ten meters deep to the splash zone of a waterfall hike. Many Nauticam owners also carry an Outex in their bag for exactly those conditions where bringing the full dive rig doesn't make sense.

When Nauticam is the right call: You're a professional dive photographer or underwater cinematographer, you want the best-in-class system available, and you'll use its capabilities regularly enough to justify the cost.

When Outex fits better: You want a lightweight, universal housing that travels with you everywhere, or you want to complement a premium dive rig with something more flexible for shallow, mixed, or travel conditions.

Outex vs Seafrogs

Seafrogs offers one of the best entry price points in the market for serious underwater housings. The Chinese, Shenzhen-based manufacturer has a broad catalog spanning a wide range of price points. Realistic camera cases begin just under $1,000 and up to an estimated $3,000+ aluminum pro housings for cameras like the Sony A1 II. For photographers on a tight budget who want a genuine underwater-capable housing, Seafrogs is a real option, and many users have had positive experiences with the brand.

The trade-off at the low end is optical and ergonomic. Entry-level Seafrogs housings use polycarbonate construction and acrylic ports, and because each model is camera-specific, you'll need a new housing every time you change camera bodies. The higher-end aluminum Salted Line and pro aluminum housings are well-built and dive-capable, but at that point pricing converges with Ikelite and the Aquatech EDGE range.

Outex's position relative to Seafrogs is less about the entry price — Seafrogs undercuts Outex at the compact-camera level — and more about flexibility. A Seafrogs housing is a one-camera tool. An Outex kit works with anything that takes a filter. If you own a Sony A7 IV today and plan to add a Fujifilm X-H2 for travel next year, Outex covers both with one investment.

When Seafrogs is the right call: You're on a strict budget, you own one specific camera body, and you want depth capability beyond ten meters at an accessible price point.

When Outex fits better: You own or plan to own multiple cameras, you value optical glass and universal fit over maximum depth, and you want a travel-friendly system that fits in your existing camera bag.

Which Housing Is Right for You?

A few scenarios might help you identify where you fit.

The surf photographer who shoots daily. Aquatech is the brand built for your work. A dedicated EDGE housing with a surf-specific port and pistol grip will serve you better than a universal system for this use case. Many surf photographers also carry an Outex for travel and for the days they're shooting something other than surfing. That list includes notable pros like Chris Burkard, Paul Matt Catalano, Michael Clark, Jürg Kaufman, Fred Pompermayer, and others. And these are just the Outex ambassadors. Fred Pompermayer in fact retrofitted his custom made hard case housing with Outex optical glass ports for superior imaging quality results. 

The dedicated dive photographer. You want Ikelite, Aquatica, Nauticam, or something scuba-certified, depending on budget and how serious the work is. The depth rating, the port ecosystem, and the ergonomic precision all matter here as much as the depth rating and connectivity to lighting, monitors, etc. Outex is not designed to be used for scuba diving. 

The travel photographer. This is where Outex genuinely shines. One lightweight, compact kit, any camera – fits in your existing bag, works for rain in Iceland, sand in Morocco, splash from a kayak in Alaska, and snorkeling in the Caribbean. The ten-meter depth rating covers the realistic conditions most travel photographers actually encounter.

Commercial photographers for hire. If you’re a professional sports or adventure photographer, or a commercial photographer for hire looking to impress clients, differentiate your work, and get noticed, Outex is a great solution. It allows you to go where others can’t, so you can get the angles, perspectives, and images that set your work apart from dozens of others doing the “same thing”. Whether it’s a downpour sporting event at a stadium, a triathlon race, a half-over half-underwater fishing shot, or a differentiated senior-portrait, having Outex available can be the difference maker in getting that shot nobody else could deliver. 

The photographer on a tight budget. It’s difficult to argue Outex isn’t by far the best value in underwater housings. You can rent some of the hard cases for one (1) day for the price of purchase of an Outex Pro Kit. But even renting usually means several days, assuming you can find the version for the camera and lens you have in the location of the shoot. By the time you’ve rented it for 3+ days you’re better off owning Outex. Seafrogs is the next best option, depending on use. 

The pro with multiple cameras. Outex's universal fit is unquestionably the strongest argument here again. Rather than buying three hard cases for three bodies over time, one Outex system covers them all and travels in the same bag you already use. If you’re looking for versatility around your needs, Outex is the answer.

The photographer who wants one housing to do everything. No housing does everything. The honest answer is that each approach excels at what it was built for. Outex is the closest thing to a universal, all-environment solution, but it isn't a dive housing and it isn't a surf specialist. Pick the approach that matches your actual shooting, and if you shoot across several environments, consider that two complementary systems often cost less than one compromised one.

A Final Word on Choosing

Underwater housings are one of the few categories in photography where buying the most expensive option is not automatically the right call. And there are several topics we did not even address here. Fogging, for example, and how a hard case can create additional condensation inside the housing, and not allow cold water to act as a cooling agent against the body of the camera, while Outex traps less air inside the housing, and allows more thermal regulation to occur, reducing fogging. A hard case housing can be extraordinary equipment for its intended use, and its waterproof seal may prove unsuited for shallow water photography, such as portraiture pool shoots, and overkill for someone who shoots three times a year. A forty-dollar bag cover is serviceable for an occasional shot and a liability for anyone whose income depends on the camera inside it. The right answer depends entirely on what you shoot, where you shoot it, and how often.

Outex was designed around a specific observation: most photographers don't live exclusively in one environment. They shoot weddings and then want to take a camera to the pool. They do commercial work and then travel to Bali. They own multiple camera bodies and lenses, and don't want to buy multiple housings to match. For that photographer — and for the professional who already owns a Nauticam but wants something lighter for half their shoots — Outex fills a real gap.

If you'd like help thinking through which system fits your specific workflow, the Outex team is happy to talk it through. We'd rather you end up with the right housing for your work than the most expensive one in your cart.

All pricing referenced in this article is estimated based on publicly listed prices from manufacturer websites and authorized dealers at the time of writing. Prices vary by camera model, region, retailer, and configuration. Competitors' housings typically require separate lens ports that add materially to the total system cost. For current pricing, please check each manufacturer's website directly.