Willy showed us some East Coast style with the contents of his dive bag. Compact and to the point. On the other hand we've got my bag throwing down some West Coast style. Neither compact or trim, it's all about bulky neoprene for Southern California waters in the range of 50-70 degrees F. The gear is around five years old so there isn't much which needs changing, but a drysuit (or semi-dry) is mighty tempting! It's a real workout getting in and out of thick, layered, neoprene.
I've shown you mine so show me yours! Drag that equipment out of the garage, post a photo on Flickr, and tag it with "whatsinyourdivebag".
This afternoon, I hauled my dive gear outside, unpacked it all, arranged it in neat little piles, and took a picture of it. Then, I uploaded it to Flickr and used that handy little API to add notes to the image, explaining what everything was. If you're interested to see what I dive with, head over to Flickr. Warning: some of the equipment is pretty ancient. I plan to do some upgrading this spring. So don't laugh. If you've got a few minutes, I invite you to share with us what's in your dive bag. Be sure to tag your picture(s) with "whatsinyourdivebag" so we can find it easily.
Aeris recently announced its new MANTA Wristwatch Dive Computer. Compact and kinda stylish, the water-activated MANTA is air- and Nitrox-compatible and also features special modes for freediving.
Offering backlighting, an alphanumeric display, and a user-replaceable battery, the MANTA comes with a Wrist Band Extender, a battery and battery hatch tool, and ACI PC Interface CD-ROM. (Diverwire even boasts that the MANTA comes with an operating manual. Wow-ee!) Optional accessories include color-coordinated Sport Wristbands and an ACI PC Interface USB Cable. The MANTA retails for $430.
Last week, Oceanic Worldwide announced their new GEO Wristwatch Personal Dive Computer. Air-, Nitrox-, gauge-, and freediving-compatible, the GEO measures depth and calculates and tracks nitrogen tissue loading – allowing users to alternate between scuba, freediving, and snorkeling. The GEO also features custom audible alarms, to signal elapsed dive time, for example, or maximum depth.
The GEO comes with a wrist band extender so users can switch between wetsuits and drysuits; a user-replaceable battery; and OceanGlobacklighting, so you can see how late you are returning home at any time.
Nerdy? The optional OceanLog allows you to easily transfer dive data from your GEO to your PC via a plug-in USB cable, so you can geek out with medians, averages, maximums, and p-values. Gnarly, Charley! The GEO Personal Dive Computer lists for $430. The pocket protector is your responsibility.
When preparing for a dive trip I usually take my own gear but that means a large duffel with BCD, regulators, computer, fins, gloves, booties, mask, spare parts kit, etc.
But there are times I need to travel light due to baggage restrictions or just plain convenience. Most of my items are chosen for reasons of performance, safety, and hygiene. The latter two may be paranoia but why risk it.
My short list of gear fits nicely in a small backpack (well...not the fins) and I rent everything else from the local operator.
A while back, we told you about ReefNet's Sensus Pro dive tool, a mini dive data recorder that can store 100 hours of dive information. If you've got a Pro, ReefNet wants to offer you $35 (or one of their DVDs) to upgrade to their new matchbox-sized Sensus Ultra.
This new and improved depth-activated data logging instrument can record up to 1500 hours of dive data, like depth and temperature profiles. Apparently, the highly-configurable Ultra resolves depth and temperature to unrivaled precision: 0.5 inches and 0.01 degrees C, respectively. According to ReefNet's Kris Wilk, "To put it in perspective, that's 20-100 times better than most dive computers." Additionally, the press release states that the Sensus Ultra features a dedicated storage space where user data such as certification or medical information may be stored. Very cool.
Sensus Ultra kits retail for $150 and include the data recorder, download unit and the necessary software for Windows XP, Mac OS, and Palm OS. If you're interested, you can take a mini-tour of the Ultra online.
Dive Zero is a brand new "youth-oriented scuba diving/extreme sports video magazine." Filmed in high-def, this video magazine has the same components as a traditional, print magazine -- gear reviews, trip reports, destination profiles, etc. -- except the content sits on a DVD, and you "read" the magazine by watching your TV.
Recently, I viewed the premier issue. At just under an hour long, the Dive Zero team has assembled a very engaging product that was both entertaining and informative -- which is more than I can say for most of the stuff I see on TV. If you like looking through your dive magazines during lunch breaks, while traveling, or at the beach, a DVD video magazine probably isn't going to interest you. However, if you believe the static nature of a magazine doesn't lend itself to the beauty of the dynamic, underwater world, getting your dive news via a high-def DVD will really appeal to you.
As far as new gear reports, the Aeris Elite T3 got lost in the shadow of Labor Day weekend. After looking at the unit's specs (I didn't dive with it) I can see why there wasn't much hoopla: it's the same as the Epic with these differences:
Retractor mount (and wrist)
Two less buttons
No watch features such as Stopwatch, Alarm, Countdown Timer, etc.
Retailing at $599 (computer only) it's no less expensive than the Epic which means losing watch functions in favor of an almost-console-mount but smaller. These minor differences aside, the Elite (I'm dropping the T3 since it reminds of a mediocre movie sequel of the same name) is a very capable dive computer. It runs hoseless and supports up to three transmitters (for you tech divers), handles Air/Nitrox/Gauge/Freedive modes, and can monitor nearby transmitters in a feature called "Buddy Pressure Check." Kiss those confusing hand signals goodbye.
Like Aeris' other computers, the diving algorithm supports 12 tissue compartments based on Advanced Haldanean and DSAT databases with altitude, personal conservatism, and O2 limits using NOAA data. Adjustments to altitude, decompression, ascent rate, and air/gas can be made in varying amounts.
Moving from dive science to practicality, the Elite has audible alarms for safety stop, ascent, remaining gas and O2/PO2 mixes. The user replaceable batteries have a run-time of 300 hours in the computer and 1500 hours in the wireless transmitter. Also included is a backlight, countdown flight timer, depth gauge to 330 feet max, 24 log memory, PC interface, and pre-dive planner (but not simulator). As with Aeris' other computers, tank pressure, ascent rate, nitrogen load, O2 load, and other values are displayed graphically and numerically.
If you already own an Atmos AI and are happy with it, the Elite offers little more except hoseless operation and small size. I mentioned the computer alone is $600 and each transmitter will set you back $460. Read the Elite product page and comparison chart PDF.
Tired of your standard depth gauge only going to 300(100 meter) or 600(200 meters) feet? Or disappointed that you can't accurately capture that record setting free dive?
Most computers and bottom timers don't go very deep, mainly because they were designed with that thought that anyone would ever need to go that deep wouldn't be do so on purpose. However, now we have people breaking depth records, so it looks like it might have a market.
Anyway, it looks kinda cool, it has a OLED display, which is claims to be bright , visible at any depth and in all conditions. A sample rate of 4 seconds, which is a fancy way of saying that its accuracy will catch even the slightest change in depth. And is "future proof" due to it's user replaceable rechargeable battery and the ability to update the devices firm ware.
It's rated to 275 meters or 902 feet but it's claimed max recording depth is 500 meters or 1500 feet. Sounds really good.
So how much is all this cutting edge technology going to cost you? $749.00USD or $828CAD. Which is pretty step for a dive computer, let alone a depth gauge/bottom timer that doesn't calculate your decompression obligations for you.
Dive's Charles Hood recently grabbed 7 popular dive computers -- all of which retail for $500 or less -- and took them diving. The computers had two things in common: they all performed well, and they all had user-replacable batteries. That's where the similarities ended. Their algorithms were all slightly different (the TUSA IQ 700 was the most conservative model he tested), and their user interfaces varied substantially.
Interestingly, Hood's only complaint was that many of the owner's manuals didn't accurately describe the model he had, or -- worse -- they were simply too confusing to be useful (like the manual for the Aladin Prime). The model Hood liked most -- the Suunto Gekko -- had the best user interface, the clearest manual, was the simplest to use, and -- surprisingly -- was the least expensive computer he tested. Don't let that spoiler prevent you from checking out the rest of the list, but if you want to learn more about the Gekko, head over to Suunto's website.
Oceanic's VT3 dive computer can switch among up to three different Nitrox mixes containing 21-100% oxygen. The VT3 also sports over-sized digits, a nifty "Patented Air Time Remaining Algorithm," alarms that require user acknowledgment, a SmartGlo backlighting system, a 24-dive on-unit logbook, diver-replaceable batteries, and more. The VT3 also features an optional wireless transmitter, so a diver can monitor gas pressure from up to three independent cylinders. (This is clearly ideal for technical diving applications. However, it may also be useful for recreational divers using the Buddy Pressure Check feature.) The VT3 receiver runs $599. With the wireless air-integrated transmitter, the unit runs $999.
If you plan to be in the Seattle area late next month, you might want to stop by Underwater Sports' 28th Annual Divers Fair sale. Scheduled for the weekend of July 28-30, customers can save up to 50% on every imaginable kind of dive gear from companies like Atomic, Apollo, Atlan, Cetacea, DeepSee, DiveRite, DUI, Harvey's, High Tide, Ikelite, JBL, Light & Motion, Mares, McNett, Northern Diver, Oceanic, OMS, O'Neill, PADI, Pelican, ScubaPro, SeaLife, Sea & Sea, SeaSoft, Stahlsac, Trident, USIA, Underwater Kinetics, Viking, XS Scuba, and Zeagle.
According to Calvin Tang, who attended last year's event, "this is honestly, hands down, the best time and place to gear up - especially if you've recently got into scuba." In fact, this year's sale features over 100,000 items, including thousands of regulators, thousands of suits, thousands of computers, and hundreds of tanks. Calvin claims the best part of the event is that all the reps show up to answer questions and to demonstrate their equipment.
Sadly for me, the Fair couldn't be much farther away and still be in the same country. This is too bad, especially since I dropped my reg off to be serviced this week. Upon seeing my vintage Dacor unit, the repairman's eyes popped out of his head and he reminded me that Dacor's replacement parts are hard to come by. Depending on the news he gives me, it may be time to buy a new reg. I could certainly use one at 50% off. Maybe Calvin can buy me one and ship it to me.
I went to the Scuba Show in Long Beach on Sunday, checked out the exhibits and ran into some friends. I've been planning on going to the yearly Scuba Show for 5 years but something always comes up. This year, I put the event in my calendar and made myself go to it.
Southern Californian's define everything on not how far away something is but on how long will take you to get there. This is because we are very proud of our traffic, and I can report today that we had a good traffic day, so I arrived in Long Beach in short order.
The conference costs $9.00 to attend per day and I got my money's worth.
Suunto is recalling both the D6 and D9 due to a software bug. Looks like for your trouble you get a battery change and service, which is typically around $60.
Here are the details from the press release:
Suunto has identified a software bug in the D9 and D6 diving instruments. The software bug may cause the D9 and D6 to incorrectly track dive time on rare occasions, potentially causing a risk to the diver.
The products affected are: D9 serial numbers 62102582 and below D6 serial numbers 62103693 and below
Suunto will provide a free software update to fix the bug. Please bring your D9 and/or D6 to your nearest local authorized Suunto retailer for the software update as soon as possible. For contact information please visit our web site www.suunto.com If that is not possible or if you require any further details, contact the Suunto Help Desk at SuuntoD9-D6@nordictelecenter.fi To contact Suunto by phone, call toll free 1 800 543 9124 in the USA and Canada, or +358 284 1160 (international call rates are applicable) from all other countries.
As a complimentary service Suunto will at the same time replace your battery and perform a pressure test free of charge.
I have a wrist-mounted dive computer from Oceanic. I really like its features, but I hate the buckle: it's way too long, and I end up having to fold it and loop it under the buckle. I could cut it, I suppose, but for some reason, I have this morbid, unhealthy fear of trimming the excess, because I know that as soon as I do, I'll wish I hadn't. (Perversely, that's why my weight belt is still about 4 feet long, and is always flapping in the breeze.)
Anyway, if you wear wrist-mounted gear when you dive, but you dislike the way the strap and/or buckle works, you might be interested in an elastomeric boot. More than just a difficult-to-pronounce name, elastomeric boots are seats into which the computer (or compass, or timer) snaps and which accepts a 3/16-diameter Bungee that fits around your wrist. Available for Suunto's Vyper/ Vytec Dive Computers and SK7 Compass, and Uwatec's Digital Bottom Timer, these mounts are easier to don than a rubber strap, depth-compensating, tough, and flexible. Ranging in price from $8 to $18, the mounts do not come with their own Bungee cord, meaning you have to color-coordinate on your own. If you need help, that's what Home Depot salespeople are for.
Aeris recently announced its new 
Last week, Oceanic Worldwide announced their new 
When preparing for a dive trip I usually take my own gear but that means a large duffel with BCD, regulators, computer, fins, gloves, booties, mask, spare parts kit, etc.
A while back, we told you about 
Dive Zero
As far as new gear reports, the 
Tired of your standard depth gauge only going to 300(100 meter) or 600(200 meters) feet? Or disappointed that you can't accurately capture that record setting 
Dive's Charles Hood recently grabbed 7 popular dive computers -- all of which retail for $500 or less -- and took them diving. The computers had two things in common: they all performed well, and they all had user-replacable batteries. That's where the similarities ended. Their algorithms were all slightly different (the 
Oceanic's VT3 dive computer
If you plan to be in the Seattle area late next month, you might want to stop by .jpg)
I went to the 
Suunto is recalling
I have a wrist-mounted dive computer from 
