Gear Check
Every month, Sterner Editorial Services looks over the
newest tools and toys for sport divers with an eye for
who could use them the most. Many have been field
tested. Quality claims of those that have not will be
attributed to the manufacturer. Go to the Gear Locker
to read about products by category.
MANUFACTURERS
Have your new products considered for a review on this
page, which is also published in Northeast Dive News
and Northwest Dive News magazines as well as other
venues. Click Contact Bob and send it to the mailing
address. Press releases are welcome by e-mail, but the
most honest way to evaluate dive gear is to get it wet. In
addition to print media, these items are posted at
DiversOnly.Com.
READERS
Tell us about the toys you would like reviewed or your
experiences with gear: e-mail info@sternereditorial.com
Every month, Sterner Editorial Services looks over the
newest tools and toys for sport divers with an eye for
who could use them the most. Many have been field
tested. Quality claims of those that have not will be
attributed to the manufacturer. Go to the Gear Locker
to read about products by category.
MANUFACTURERS
Have your new products considered for a review on this
page, which is also published in Northeast Dive News
and Northwest Dive News magazines as well as other
venues. Click Contact Bob and send it to the mailing
address. Press releases are welcome by e-mail, but the
most honest way to evaluate dive gear is to get it wet. In
addition to print media, these items are posted at
DiversOnly.Com.
READERS
Tell us about the toys you would like reviewed or your
experiences with gear: e-mail info@sternereditorial.com
Click To Enlarge
Element II dive safety
With only three buttons and a big easy-to-read backlit display,
Tusa's new IQ-750 Element II computer looks very simple.
Yet it's packed with handy and technical features, like water
activation and the capability of switching between two gas
mixes. Visible and audible alarms alert users to possible
problems in ascending or exceeding bottom times. The
Buhlmann ZHL-16c algorithm can be customized with personal
settings, and it has a deep-stop function for added safety. It
automatically adjusts for altitude dives up to 14,000 feet. Dives
can be reviewed with a one-touch log access, and data can be
uploaded to a personal computer using the Tusa Datalog
Interface. After dives, it displays a no-fly icon along with the
residual nitrogen time. www.tusa.com.
With only three buttons and a big easy-to-read backlit display,
Tusa's new IQ-750 Element II computer looks very simple.
Yet it's packed with handy and technical features, like water
activation and the capability of switching between two gas
mixes. Visible and audible alarms alert users to possible
problems in ascending or exceeding bottom times. The
Buhlmann ZHL-16c algorithm can be customized with personal
settings, and it has a deep-stop function for added safety. It
automatically adjusts for altitude dives up to 14,000 feet. Dives
can be reviewed with a one-touch log access, and data can be
uploaded to a personal computer using the Tusa Datalog
Interface. After dives, it displays a no-fly icon along with the
residual nitrogen time. www.tusa.com.
Look stylish in a mask
IST's M-200 mask combines practical features with stylish
looks. Its lightweight design is made possible by a
marine-grade aluminum alloy frame that solidly supports the
mask's twin-colored injection-molded sub-frame. Flexible
buckles mounted behind the sub-frame self-adjust to the
wearer's personal strap angle, and allow for folding the
buckles to pack the mask into a buoyancy vest pocket or for
travel. The liquid-injected silicon skirt, which accommodates a
wide range of facial profiles, is available in clear or black
models. Some photographers and spear-fishers prefer black to
block out distracting light and motions from the side. The
M-200 is available in black or with blue, yellow, red or white
accents. Optical lenses are available to enable eyeglasses
wearers to see clearly underwater without wearing contacts.
www.istsports.com.
IST's M-200 mask combines practical features with stylish
looks. Its lightweight design is made possible by a
marine-grade aluminum alloy frame that solidly supports the
mask's twin-colored injection-molded sub-frame. Flexible
buckles mounted behind the sub-frame self-adjust to the
wearer's personal strap angle, and allow for folding the
buckles to pack the mask into a buoyancy vest pocket or for
travel. The liquid-injected silicon skirt, which accommodates a
wide range of facial profiles, is available in clear or black
models. Some photographers and spear-fishers prefer black to
block out distracting light and motions from the side. The
M-200 is available in black or with blue, yellow, red or white
accents. Optical lenses are available to enable eyeglasses
wearers to see clearly underwater without wearing contacts.
www.istsports.com.
Hydrofoil your kick strokes
Aquatec has come up with a fin that is intended to maximize
the energy that divers put into propulsion. Its Duo-Vortex
model incorporates a hydrofoil design that Aquatec says
produces forward motion with less effort. The blade of the fin
is an elastic material that is reinforced with ridges in a
double-layer construction. Paired flexible flaps are designed to
generate two complementing vortices to boost thrust toward
the tip. The tip is a rigid "whale-tail" construction that is said to
provide even more thrust and improve control. Fins are
available in silver with black trim or blue with black trim in
sizes from extra-small to extra large. Aquatecusa.com.
Aquatec has come up with a fin that is intended to maximize
the energy that divers put into propulsion. Its Duo-Vortex
model incorporates a hydrofoil design that Aquatec says
produces forward motion with less effort. The blade of the fin
is an elastic material that is reinforced with ridges in a
double-layer construction. Paired flexible flaps are designed to
generate two complementing vortices to boost thrust toward
the tip. The tip is a rigid "whale-tail" construction that is said to
provide even more thrust and improve control. Fins are
available in silver with black trim or blue with black trim in
sizes from extra-small to extra large. Aquatecusa.com.
CORRECTION
Dear Bob,
In a recent Gear Check column, you stated that Diving
Unlimited International's Limited Edition designs are "Not Your
Father's Drysuit."
I humbly request a suitable retraction due to the fact that, as
you can clearly see, DUI's Limited Edition Designs are MY
father's drysuit. (Click HERE to read original item.)
I admit that my father has been called not your typical father,
but I see this as a plus rather than a minus … most of the
time. And I also have to say that my father has excellent taste;
not so much for his DUI drysuit selection, but that he chose
me to make this important decision on his behalf.
With all humility, a tad of sarcasm and a whole lot of frivolity,
Susan Long, president and CEO
Diving Unlimited International, Inc.
San Diego, Calif. www.dui-online.com.
Dear Bob,
In a recent Gear Check column, you stated that Diving
Unlimited International's Limited Edition designs are "Not Your
Father's Drysuit."
I humbly request a suitable retraction due to the fact that, as
you can clearly see, DUI's Limited Edition Designs are MY
father's drysuit. (Click HERE to read original item.)
I admit that my father has been called not your typical father,
but I see this as a plus rather than a minus … most of the
time. And I also have to say that my father has excellent taste;
not so much for his DUI drysuit selection, but that he chose
me to make this important decision on his behalf.
With all humility, a tad of sarcasm and a whole lot of frivolity,
Susan Long, president and CEO
Diving Unlimited International, Inc.
San Diego, Calif. www.dui-online.com.
Zuma through airports
Travel divers facing ever tougher baggage requirements at
airports have a lighter-weight option in Aqua Lung's new Zuma
buoyancy compensator. The BC weighs less than 5 pounds,
and can be rolled up and put in a carryon bag. Yet has a
SureLock II ditchable integrated weight system capable of
holding up to 20 pounds. Back-mounted air cells protected
with durable 200 D nylon can provide from 90 to 150 pounds
of lift, depending on the size. Three dump valves ease
emptying air from the bladder from any position. Aqua Lung
trimmed the weight by eliminating the hard backpack common
to many BCs. Instead, it has a support system that Aqua Lung
says distributes the tank weight evenly on the sculpted
shoulder, spine and lumbar pads while keeping the tank close
to the body. Grommets to accommodate a knife sheath and
four D-rings are provided to attach accessories. Vests are
available in two colors: palm green / charcoal and ocean blue /
charcoal and in four sizes from XXS to XXL.
www.AquaLung.com.
Travel divers facing ever tougher baggage requirements at
airports have a lighter-weight option in Aqua Lung's new Zuma
buoyancy compensator. The BC weighs less than 5 pounds,
and can be rolled up and put in a carryon bag. Yet has a
SureLock II ditchable integrated weight system capable of
holding up to 20 pounds. Back-mounted air cells protected
with durable 200 D nylon can provide from 90 to 150 pounds
of lift, depending on the size. Three dump valves ease
emptying air from the bladder from any position. Aqua Lung
trimmed the weight by eliminating the hard backpack common
to many BCs. Instead, it has a support system that Aqua Lung
says distributes the tank weight evenly on the sculpted
shoulder, spine and lumbar pads while keeping the tank close
to the body. Grommets to accommodate a knife sheath and
four D-rings are provided to attach accessories. Vests are
available in two colors: palm green / charcoal and ocean blue /
charcoal and in four sizes from XXS to XXL.
www.AquaLung.com.
Pressured to feel better
Adventurers traveling to remote waters might feel a little easier
about diving if they pack an SOS Hyperlite portable hyperbaric
chamber. At 191 pounds, the latest model is one-third lighter
than earlier models and packs into one case rather than two.
The improvement was made possible by a material braiding
technology developed by Joint Venture and Beaufort Ltd. The
companies say the chamber can be fully operational within 10
minutes to treat decompression sickness on-site or to transfer
the victim to a medical facility. Its maximum working pressure
is the equivalent of 75 feet seawater. Patients can be monitored
via fixed-wire connections or Bluetooth, and pure oxygen can
be administered via a mask or hood. Owners of earlier models
can contact the company about upgrading they gear.
www.hyperlite.co.uk.
Adventurers traveling to remote waters might feel a little easier
about diving if they pack an SOS Hyperlite portable hyperbaric
chamber. At 191 pounds, the latest model is one-third lighter
than earlier models and packs into one case rather than two.
The improvement was made possible by a material braiding
technology developed by Joint Venture and Beaufort Ltd. The
companies say the chamber can be fully operational within 10
minutes to treat decompression sickness on-site or to transfer
the victim to a medical facility. Its maximum working pressure
is the equivalent of 75 feet seawater. Patients can be monitored
via fixed-wire connections or Bluetooth, and pure oxygen can
be administered via a mask or hood. Owners of earlier models
can contact the company about upgrading they gear.
www.hyperlite.co.uk.
Update your Whites wardrobe
Owners of Whites Fusion Tech drysuits have more options to
customize their appearance. The suit is designed to be covered
with a skin, but the initial color palette was less than flashy
when the suit was introduced last year. Whites is remedying
that with the launch of four new graphic colors: yellow, red,
pink and midnight blue. The skins combine 1-millimeter
neoprene with Lycra stretch panels to streamline and protect
the suit in the water while allowing for stretch and mobility.
The skin attaches to the bi-laminate membrane Fusion Tech
suit with touch fasteners. Skins can be washed or replaced if
they become damaged or soiled. They provide a smoother
outer covering intended to reduce the chances of snags. And
they provide additional thermal protection. The self-donning
Fusion suit has latex wrist and neck seals and Si-Tech inflation
and deflation valves. www.whitesdiving.com.
Owners of Whites Fusion Tech drysuits have more options to
customize their appearance. The suit is designed to be covered
with a skin, but the initial color palette was less than flashy
when the suit was introduced last year. Whites is remedying
that with the launch of four new graphic colors: yellow, red,
pink and midnight blue. The skins combine 1-millimeter
neoprene with Lycra stretch panels to streamline and protect
the suit in the water while allowing for stretch and mobility.
The skin attaches to the bi-laminate membrane Fusion Tech
suit with touch fasteners. Skins can be washed or replaced if
they become damaged or soiled. They provide a smoother
outer covering intended to reduce the chances of snags. And
they provide additional thermal protection. The self-donning
Fusion suit has latex wrist and neck seals and Si-Tech inflation
and deflation valves. www.whitesdiving.com.
Give DUI hood a dry
Diving Unlimited International has revamped its dry hood with
innovations intended to improve the fit and comfort. Most
noticeable is what's missing. DUI's new hood does not have a
skin-chaffing seam running up the middle of chin and neck.
The top is made of 7-millimeter neoprene to keep the head
warm. Despite the thickness, the hyper-stretch super-soft
material makes the hood easy to pull it on and off. The face
seal is a bit larger, protecting more face from cold water. By
tapering the hood behind the head and neck, the new design
reduces water flow, thereby helping to maintain body warmth.
Hood are available with the standard style as well as a
warm-neck model. The latter has a 4-mm neck collar that
tucks under the neck seal to help keep wearers warm and dry
throughout the dive. Test dive the hood at DUI Owner Group
rallies or see it at your local dive shop. www.dui-online.com.
Diving Unlimited International has revamped its dry hood with
innovations intended to improve the fit and comfort. Most
noticeable is what's missing. DUI's new hood does not have a
skin-chaffing seam running up the middle of chin and neck.
The top is made of 7-millimeter neoprene to keep the head
warm. Despite the thickness, the hyper-stretch super-soft
material makes the hood easy to pull it on and off. The face
seal is a bit larger, protecting more face from cold water. By
tapering the hood behind the head and neck, the new design
reduces water flow, thereby helping to maintain body warmth.
Hood are available with the standard style as well as a
warm-neck model. The latter has a 4-mm neck collar that
tucks under the neck seal to help keep wearers warm and dry
throughout the dive. Test dive the hood at DUI Owner Group
rallies or see it at your local dive shop. www.dui-online.com.
A camera to dive for
Budding photographers can get started taking shots
underwater without sinking their budgets with the EHD-800Ai
digital camera system from Epoque USA. The basic system
consists of an 8-megapixel point-and-shoot camera housed in a
compact ABS plastic housing that Epoque lists at less than
$400, so chances are the street price will be even lower. The
ergonomic housing is depth rated to 150 feet, and features
external controls for all of the camera's functions. Its 3X
optical autofocus zoom provides the 35-millimeter equivalent
of a 35- to 108-mm lens, and can be switched to a macro
setting for close-up shots. A 55-mm thread mount in front of
the housing allows for the attachment of optional auxiliary
wide-angle and ultra-macro conversion lenses. The built-in
flash is programmed for auto exposure. Those who want to
add extra brilliance to their images may want to expand the
system with external strobes that can be fired wirelessly as
slaves or hardwired with fiber-optic cables.
www.epoqueusa.com.
Budding photographers can get started taking shots
underwater without sinking their budgets with the EHD-800Ai
digital camera system from Epoque USA. The basic system
consists of an 8-megapixel point-and-shoot camera housed in a
compact ABS plastic housing that Epoque lists at less than
$400, so chances are the street price will be even lower. The
ergonomic housing is depth rated to 150 feet, and features
external controls for all of the camera's functions. Its 3X
optical autofocus zoom provides the 35-millimeter equivalent
of a 35- to 108-mm lens, and can be switched to a macro
setting for close-up shots. A 55-mm thread mount in front of
the housing allows for the attachment of optional auxiliary
wide-angle and ultra-macro conversion lenses. The built-in
flash is programmed for auto exposure. Those who want to
add extra brilliance to their images may want to expand the
system with external strobes that can be fired wirelessly as
slaves or hardwired with fiber-optic cables.
www.epoqueusa.com.
Dive a compact BC
Mini-B takes a new approach to streamlining dive gear with its
all-in-one buoyancy vest and regulator kit. Unlike most vests,
the Mini-B mounts the scuba tank horizontally instead of
vertically on the back, which it asserts is easier the back.
Models are available in six sizes to hold cylinders from 11 to
74 cubic feet of compressed air, enough for shallow
excursions or short dives to deeper depths. Regulator and
gauge hoses tuck away in a back-mounted rucksack that also
contains the bladder and power inflator for buoyancy
compensation. The unit is fitted with internal pockets for trim
weights. Between uses all gear can stowed in the pack to ease
storage and transportation. All components are mounted to
backboard with a one-size-fits-all harness system. The
company is offering a course in “micro diving” to acquaint
consumers with its product. www.mini-b.com.
Mini-B takes a new approach to streamlining dive gear with its
all-in-one buoyancy vest and regulator kit. Unlike most vests,
the Mini-B mounts the scuba tank horizontally instead of
vertically on the back, which it asserts is easier the back.
Models are available in six sizes to hold cylinders from 11 to
74 cubic feet of compressed air, enough for shallow
excursions or short dives to deeper depths. Regulator and
gauge hoses tuck away in a back-mounted rucksack that also
contains the bladder and power inflator for buoyancy
compensation. The unit is fitted with internal pockets for trim
weights. Between uses all gear can stowed in the pack to ease
storage and transportation. All components are mounted to
backboard with a one-size-fits-all harness system. The
company is offering a course in “micro diving” to acquaint
consumers with its product. www.mini-b.com.
Poseidon grows in USA
Poseidon’s Discovery rebreather isn’t new, but its
commitment to marketing the unit in the United States, Canada
and Mexico is. The Swedish company began the year by
establishing Poseidon Diving Systems Inc., with a warehouse
at Woodlands, Texas, and a corporate office at Los Angeles.
The move is intended to support customers and distributors in
the Americas, and ease cooperation with training agencies and
their instructors. The Discovery rebreather earned the Best of
What’s New Award from “Popular Science” after it was
introduced in November 2008, touted as the world‘s first
rebreather for recreational divers. Some 10,000 instructors
worldwide have been certified on the unit. Poseidon hopes the
expansion into American markets will further popularize the
Discovery and other Poseidon products. www.poseidon.se.
Poseidon’s Discovery rebreather isn’t new, but its
commitment to marketing the unit in the United States, Canada
and Mexico is. The Swedish company began the year by
establishing Poseidon Diving Systems Inc., with a warehouse
at Woodlands, Texas, and a corporate office at Los Angeles.
The move is intended to support customers and distributors in
the Americas, and ease cooperation with training agencies and
their instructors. The Discovery rebreather earned the Best of
What’s New Award from “Popular Science” after it was
introduced in November 2008, touted as the world‘s first
rebreather for recreational divers. Some 10,000 instructors
worldwide have been certified on the unit. Poseidon hopes the
expansion into American markets will further popularize the
Discovery and other Poseidon products. www.poseidon.se.
Apeks Lightens up
Travelers facing weight restrictions will appreciate Apeks’
new Flight regulator. Said by the company to be the lightest
reg in the world, the yoke valve version weighs in at 25
ounces and the DIN model, only 21 ounces. In water, the unit
is nearly neutrally buoyant. Weight was cut by the use of high-
tech polymers that are as rugged and corrosion resistant as
they are light in weight. Yoke first stages were designed with a
unique knob that does not extend outward as it is unscrewed.
Keeping it flush maintains a compact size and minimize
entanglements. The second stage is pneumatically balanced
and small in size to minimize drag. Women’s models are
slightly narrower to accommodate the smaller jaw structure of
women than men. Pliable braided hoses are used for safety and
practicality. Although flexible and lightweight, the hoses are
twice as strong as conventional ones, Apeks says, and kink
resistant. The company claims that air flow remains
unobstructed even if the hose is knotted. Flight regulators are
available in green/black, pewter/black and pink/black color
combinations. www.AquaLung.com.
Travelers facing weight restrictions will appreciate Apeks’
new Flight regulator. Said by the company to be the lightest
reg in the world, the yoke valve version weighs in at 25
ounces and the DIN model, only 21 ounces. In water, the unit
is nearly neutrally buoyant. Weight was cut by the use of high-
tech polymers that are as rugged and corrosion resistant as
they are light in weight. Yoke first stages were designed with a
unique knob that does not extend outward as it is unscrewed.
Keeping it flush maintains a compact size and minimize
entanglements. The second stage is pneumatically balanced
and small in size to minimize drag. Women’s models are
slightly narrower to accommodate the smaller jaw structure of
women than men. Pliable braided hoses are used for safety and
practicality. Although flexible and lightweight, the hoses are
twice as strong as conventional ones, Apeks says, and kink
resistant. The company claims that air flow remains
unobstructed even if the hose is knotted. Flight regulators are
available in green/black, pewter/black and pink/black color
combinations. www.AquaLung.com.
A flashy way to dive
Diver masters who want to be easily seeen by their guppies on
night dives might want to strap on a Tektite Mark-Lite strobe
to their kid. The Xenon strobe is only 5.75 inches long and
weighs but a few ounces, yet it blasts a powerful 180-degree
beam of light that lets every diver in the area know where you
are. Another handy use is to clip it off at t anchor line to be a
visual aid to ease relocating the boat. One AA cell can power
the strobe for up to six hours or 10 hours a Lithium cell. The
Xenon bulb is reated for 100,000 plus hours of service, and
the unit is depth rated to 1,000 feet. The rugged little
Mark-Lite was designed for military customers and was
shown at the recent SHOT tactical equipment show at Las
Vegas. Consumer models are available in black, royal blue,
rescue orange and fluorescent yellow. www.tek-lite.com.
Diver masters who want to be easily seeen by their guppies on
night dives might want to strap on a Tektite Mark-Lite strobe
to their kid. The Xenon strobe is only 5.75 inches long and
weighs but a few ounces, yet it blasts a powerful 180-degree
beam of light that lets every diver in the area know where you
are. Another handy use is to clip it off at t anchor line to be a
visual aid to ease relocating the boat. One AA cell can power
the strobe for up to six hours or 10 hours a Lithium cell. The
Xenon bulb is reated for 100,000 plus hours of service, and
the unit is depth rated to 1,000 feet. The rugged little
Mark-Lite was designed for military customers and was
shown at the recent SHOT tactical equipment show at Las
Vegas. Consumer models are available in black, royal blue,
rescue orange and fluorescent yellow. www.tek-lite.com.
