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.
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.
READERS
Tell us about the toys you would like reviewed or your
experiences with gear: e-mail info@sternereditorial.com.
Click To Enlarge
The 'skinny' on warmth July 2008
Protection suits that span the gap between Lycra skins and
neoprene wetsuits are being brought to market by the Aqua
Sphere unit of Aqua Lung. The company says Aqua Skins will
be made of compressed neoprene to be ultra light and
hydrodynamic, offering thermal protection and protecting the
skin from harsh effects of the sun. Being marketed primarily
to swimmers, the skins also resist chlorine and feature flat
seams to reduce drag in the water. Aqua Lung says that
muscles work best in 82F water and that the skins can help
swimmers avoid cramping in cooler waters. Skins are being
made in thicknesses from 0.5- to 1-millimeter as full body
suits as well as shorts and tops configurations. The thickness
range is intended to help swimmers match protection needs
with personal temperature preferences. The suits are not
designed for scuba diving. However, a new lightweight Aqua
Skin hood may be handy to help divers stay warm at tropical
destinations. Men's skins are black with red accents and
women's are black with powder blue accents. Five sizes range
from XS to XL for men and women. Look for the skins to
wash up in dive shops and other retail outlets in September.
www.aquasphereswim.com.
Protection suits that span the gap between Lycra skins and
neoprene wetsuits are being brought to market by the Aqua
Sphere unit of Aqua Lung. The company says Aqua Skins will
be made of compressed neoprene to be ultra light and
hydrodynamic, offering thermal protection and protecting the
skin from harsh effects of the sun. Being marketed primarily
to swimmers, the skins also resist chlorine and feature flat
seams to reduce drag in the water. Aqua Lung says that
muscles work best in 82F water and that the skins can help
swimmers avoid cramping in cooler waters. Skins are being
made in thicknesses from 0.5- to 1-millimeter as full body
suits as well as shorts and tops configurations. The thickness
range is intended to help swimmers match protection needs
with personal temperature preferences. The suits are not
designed for scuba diving. However, a new lightweight Aqua
Skin hood may be handy to help divers stay warm at tropical
destinations. Men's skins are black with red accents and
women's are black with powder blue accents. Five sizes range
from XS to XL for men and women. Look for the skins to
wash up in dive shops and other retail outlets in September.
www.aquasphereswim.com.
Pegasus rises from Mares July 2008
Northern divers looking for a lightweight buoyancy
compensator to keep packing weight down when they head
for warm-water resorts this winter might consider the Pegasus
from Mares. Although it weighs only 7 pounds, 7 ounces, the
BC has a 45-pound lift capacity in its back-mounted bladder,
which vents through two dump valves at the top and bottom
of the vest's right side. Mares says its integrated MRS Plus
weight-release system holds up to 26 pounds of weight
securely, but they can be ditched with quick tugs on
bright-red, front-mounted handles. Pre-shaped shoulder straps
and dual position chest straps can help to customize the fit to
individual divers, and the BCs are shipped with removable
double crotch straps. Grommets are in place to attach a knife.
Lights and other gear can be clipped to two polymer D-rings.
Hoses clips can help keep computer consoles from banging on
the reef during dives. Zippered rollup pockets flanking the vest
outside of the integrated weight system may be accessible
before and after a dive. Pegasus BCs are available in XS
through XL sizes. www.mares.com.
Northern divers looking for a lightweight buoyancy
compensator to keep packing weight down when they head
for warm-water resorts this winter might consider the Pegasus
from Mares. Although it weighs only 7 pounds, 7 ounces, the
BC has a 45-pound lift capacity in its back-mounted bladder,
which vents through two dump valves at the top and bottom
of the vest's right side. Mares says its integrated MRS Plus
weight-release system holds up to 26 pounds of weight
securely, but they can be ditched with quick tugs on
bright-red, front-mounted handles. Pre-shaped shoulder straps
and dual position chest straps can help to customize the fit to
individual divers, and the BCs are shipped with removable
double crotch straps. Grommets are in place to attach a knife.
Lights and other gear can be clipped to two polymer D-rings.
Hoses clips can help keep computer consoles from banging on
the reef during dives. Zippered rollup pockets flanking the vest
outside of the integrated weight system may be accessible
before and after a dive. Pegasus BCs are available in XS
through XL sizes. www.mares.com.
Get in your Element July 2008
Short, tall, skinny, plump? No matter the size or shape,
chances are good for finding an off-the-rack wetsuit among
the 27 men's and women's sizes of Pinnacle Aquatics' new
Element line. The 7-millimeter suits are titanium lined, highly
stretchable Elastriprene, a proprietary formula of neoprene.
The company says its Melino lining system enhances thermal
efficiency while making it easy to don or doff. All materials
dry quickly to reduce odors. Pinnacle incorporates a
Swiss-made Riri zipper that allows water to enter or exit the
suit only when a pressure imbalance exists. The arrangement
allows for some water to seep into the suit during descents,
but become trapped once depth is achieved. Thus, the diver is
insulated with thin layer of body-warmed water during the
dive, and the water is pushed out upon ascent. Other features
include a roll collar neck seal, BC-gripping shoulder pads,
anatomically pre-bent knees and arms with stretch panels,
O-ring wrist seals, 10-millimeter spine pad, Kevlar knee pads
and ankle zipper to ease getting in and out of the suit.
www.PinnacleAquatics.com.
Short, tall, skinny, plump? No matter the size or shape,
chances are good for finding an off-the-rack wetsuit among
the 27 men's and women's sizes of Pinnacle Aquatics' new
Element line. The 7-millimeter suits are titanium lined, highly
stretchable Elastriprene, a proprietary formula of neoprene.
The company says its Melino lining system enhances thermal
efficiency while making it easy to don or doff. All materials
dry quickly to reduce odors. Pinnacle incorporates a
Swiss-made Riri zipper that allows water to enter or exit the
suit only when a pressure imbalance exists. The arrangement
allows for some water to seep into the suit during descents,
but become trapped once depth is achieved. Thus, the diver is
insulated with thin layer of body-warmed water during the
dive, and the water is pushed out upon ascent. Other features
include a roll collar neck seal, BC-gripping shoulder pads,
anatomically pre-bent knees and arms with stretch panels,
O-ring wrist seals, 10-millimeter spine pad, Kevlar knee pads
and ankle zipper to ease getting in and out of the suit.
www.PinnacleAquatics.com.
Shoot your Canon underwater July 2008
Owners of Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS or IXUS80 IS
cameras can take their digi-cams diving with FantaSea's new
FSD-1100 housing. The molded housing is depth rated to 200
feet and has double O-ring seals on push-button controls that
allow underwater photographers full access to all of the
camera's features. An anti-glare hood can be mounted over the
rear screen to ease viewing in bright waters. A built-in flash
diffuser spreads the light of the camera's flash. The housing
also features a 46-millimeter threaded lens port to add optional
auxiliary wide-angle lenses. Besides divers, outdoor sports
enthusiasts may find the housing useful to protect their
cameras while sailing, surfing, fishing or backpacking in
extreme elements. As with all FantaSea housings, the
FSD-1100 comes with one free year of flood insurance that
can replace the camera should the housing flood during normal
usage. www.FantaSea.com.
Owners of Canon PowerShot SD1100 IS or IXUS80 IS
cameras can take their digi-cams diving with FantaSea's new
FSD-1100 housing. The molded housing is depth rated to 200
feet and has double O-ring seals on push-button controls that
allow underwater photographers full access to all of the
camera's features. An anti-glare hood can be mounted over the
rear screen to ease viewing in bright waters. A built-in flash
diffuser spreads the light of the camera's flash. The housing
also features a 46-millimeter threaded lens port to add optional
auxiliary wide-angle lenses. Besides divers, outdoor sports
enthusiasts may find the housing useful to protect their
cameras while sailing, surfing, fishing or backpacking in
extreme elements. As with all FantaSea housings, the
FSD-1100 comes with one free year of flood insurance that
can replace the camera should the housing flood during normal
usage. www.FantaSea.com.
A suit to dry for July 2008
Diving Unlimited International has redesigned its popular
jumpsuit undergarment for drysuits to improve the fit and
comfort. DUI's Polartec PowerStretch 300 suit is a
form-fitting stretchy undergarment that allows for freedom of
movement while keep a diver warm in waters that range from
45F to 60F. PowerStretch is a dense material that captures
and holds air, which insulates from the cold water. Yet it is
flexible and hugs the body, eliminating the need to have extra
panels of material to allow for movement, DUI says. The
lightweight suit is easy to launder and comes with a tote bag.
The suit features two zippered hand-warmer pockets and one
zippered chest pocket, and thumb and ankle stirrups. Men's
suits are chalkboard, and women's Aegean blue. Both have
accent piping. Suits are available in six sizes each for men and
women ranging from small to XX large. Since more than 50
percent of DUI's customers custom order drysuits, DUI is
extending the service to its PowerStretch suits, which can be
ordered in additional colors as well. www.dui-online.com.
Diving Unlimited International has redesigned its popular
jumpsuit undergarment for drysuits to improve the fit and
comfort. DUI's Polartec PowerStretch 300 suit is a
form-fitting stretchy undergarment that allows for freedom of
movement while keep a diver warm in waters that range from
45F to 60F. PowerStretch is a dense material that captures
and holds air, which insulates from the cold water. Yet it is
flexible and hugs the body, eliminating the need to have extra
panels of material to allow for movement, DUI says. The
lightweight suit is easy to launder and comes with a tote bag.
The suit features two zippered hand-warmer pockets and one
zippered chest pocket, and thumb and ankle stirrups. Men's
suits are chalkboard, and women's Aegean blue. Both have
accent piping. Suits are available in six sizes each for men and
women ranging from small to XX large. Since more than 50
percent of DUI's customers custom order drysuits, DUI is
extending the service to its PowerStretch suits, which can be
ordered in additional colors as well. www.dui-online.com.
NiteRider beams brighter
NiteRider's new Next Generation 14-watt HID light boasts of
twice the output of its earlier high-intensity discharge lights
and allows divers to switch between low and high beams to
conserve battery power. On the low setting, the light has the
same 500-lumen output as the earlier 10-watt system, and
provides up to four hours of light. On the high setting, it
provides 1,000 lumens for over two hours. Also available are
HID II light heads, with dual beams that are twice as bright as
the single-light heads. Wet connectors allow for battery
changes underwater, a feature cave explorers may appreciate.
The HID beam is the same color as the sun, making it handy
for videographers to light up underwater scenes. Light and
battery components are depth rated to 500 feet. In addition to
the light head and battery pack, the units are shipped in a
carrying bag along with an international charger that can
recharge the nickel metal hydride battery in 2.5 hours, a
hand-held mount and a Neoprene head-mount strap. Light and
ballast components are available to upgrade earlier NiteRider
HID models. www.niteriderdive.com.
NiteRider's new Next Generation 14-watt HID light boasts of
twice the output of its earlier high-intensity discharge lights
and allows divers to switch between low and high beams to
conserve battery power. On the low setting, the light has the
same 500-lumen output as the earlier 10-watt system, and
provides up to four hours of light. On the high setting, it
provides 1,000 lumens for over two hours. Also available are
HID II light heads, with dual beams that are twice as bright as
the single-light heads. Wet connectors allow for battery
changes underwater, a feature cave explorers may appreciate.
The HID beam is the same color as the sun, making it handy
for videographers to light up underwater scenes. Light and
battery components are depth rated to 500 feet. In addition to
the light head and battery pack, the units are shipped in a
carrying bag along with an international charger that can
recharge the nickel metal hydride battery in 2.5 hours, a
hand-held mount and a Neoprene head-mount strap. Light and
ballast components are available to upgrade earlier NiteRider
HID models. www.niteriderdive.com.
Be a tag team diver
Having trouble identifying your buoyancy vest in the stack of
gear on the cattle boat? Or maybe it'd be handy if all your
shop's students and their gear would stand out at a local
popular regional training / certifying center. Your Bag Tag has
just the item for marking your gear with custom embroidered
labels sewn onto rugged polypropylene webbing. Smaller strips
can be wrapped around BC shoulder straps and larger ones
can fit tanks. The webbing is secured in place with a touch
fastening system so – unlike sticky decals – the tags can be
shifted from one piece of gear to another. Polypropylene
stands up to corrosive saltwater and sunlight, so the tags can
last for years. Although they're a handy way for a diver to
personalize the kit, the company is set up to create bulk orders
as well. In addition to personal names, Your Bag Tag can
embroider shop or dive club emblems to help customers or
members stand out during group dive trips.
www.yourbagtag.com.
Having trouble identifying your buoyancy vest in the stack of
gear on the cattle boat? Or maybe it'd be handy if all your
shop's students and their gear would stand out at a local
popular regional training / certifying center. Your Bag Tag has
just the item for marking your gear with custom embroidered
labels sewn onto rugged polypropylene webbing. Smaller strips
can be wrapped around BC shoulder straps and larger ones
can fit tanks. The webbing is secured in place with a touch
fastening system so – unlike sticky decals – the tags can be
shifted from one piece of gear to another. Polypropylene
stands up to corrosive saltwater and sunlight, so the tags can
last for years. Although they're a handy way for a diver to
personalize the kit, the company is set up to create bulk orders
as well. In addition to personal names, Your Bag Tag can
embroider shop or dive club emblems to help customers or
members stand out during group dive trips.
www.yourbagtag.com.
Put a PADI in your plans
Anyone who's ever used the planning wheel or the planning
function on most computers to prepare for multi-level dives
will appreciate PADI's new Electronic Recreational Dive
Planner Multi-Level version. The eRDPML is not a computer,
but rather a calculator for suggesting times and depths for
single- or multi-level dive plans. It can be set in imperial or
metric measurements. Imperial levels change in 5-foot
increments and metric, in 2-meter increments. Large
calculator keys and display screen are easy to read, features
that may be appreciated by those who require corrective
lenses. Basic guides to operation are displayed on a flip cover
that protects the device, which is designed with a space to
hold the operator manual as well. Look for the eRDPML at
PADI dive shops. www.padi.com.
Anyone who's ever used the planning wheel or the planning
function on most computers to prepare for multi-level dives
will appreciate PADI's new Electronic Recreational Dive
Planner Multi-Level version. The eRDPML is not a computer,
but rather a calculator for suggesting times and depths for
single- or multi-level dive plans. It can be set in imperial or
metric measurements. Imperial levels change in 5-foot
increments and metric, in 2-meter increments. Large
calculator keys and display screen are easy to read, features
that may be appreciated by those who require corrective
lenses. Basic guides to operation are displayed on a flip cover
that protects the device, which is designed with a space to
hold the operator manual as well. Look for the eRDPML at
PADI dive shops. www.padi.com.
A skin-care secret
Two days into a dream dive getaway your foot is developing a
blister from rubbing inside the booty and the back of your
neck is raw from the zipper on your wetsuit. It's almost bad
enough to make you consider blowing off diving. Instead of
spending the remaining days of your trip drinking anesthetics
in the lounge, try slathering on some Surgeon's Skin Secret
Sportwax from Jamark Laboratories. The hypoallergenic
beeswax-based product was developed by a plastic surgeon in
the 1950s to promote scar-free heeling and is now marketed
as a water-resistant moisturizer for athletes. Lanolin and
mineral oils blended into the wax help to protect the skin from
chaffing and reduce irritation. Unlike petroleum jelly products,
the wax stays on in salt- or freshwater or during sweaty
workouts. Sportwax is available in 0.78- and 2.5-ounce sticks
that pack easily into dive bags or airport carry-on luggage.
Look for the sticks in sporting goods stores or on-line.
Wholesale quantities are available for dive shops and other
retailers. www.jamarklabs.com.
Two days into a dream dive getaway your foot is developing a
blister from rubbing inside the booty and the back of your
neck is raw from the zipper on your wetsuit. It's almost bad
enough to make you consider blowing off diving. Instead of
spending the remaining days of your trip drinking anesthetics
in the lounge, try slathering on some Surgeon's Skin Secret
Sportwax from Jamark Laboratories. The hypoallergenic
beeswax-based product was developed by a plastic surgeon in
the 1950s to promote scar-free heeling and is now marketed
as a water-resistant moisturizer for athletes. Lanolin and
mineral oils blended into the wax help to protect the skin from
chaffing and reduce irritation. Unlike petroleum jelly products,
the wax stays on in salt- or freshwater or during sweaty
workouts. Sportwax is available in 0.78- and 2.5-ounce sticks
that pack easily into dive bags or airport carry-on luggage.
Look for the sticks in sporting goods stores or on-line.
Wholesale quantities are available for dive shops and other
retailers. www.jamarklabs.com.
