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The first housing on the market for these two impressive compacts; the only housing with true TTL. Access to all camera functions plus built-in electronics to support TTL flash exposure with compatible Ikelite Substrobes.
The Liquivision Lynx air/nitrox dive computerallows you to monitor your dive status, aswell as your buddy and your dive team. Withits large fonts and customizable colors, theOLED display can be easily read in anyvirtually any conditions. It can collect tankpressure and location data from up to tentransmitters. Bottom line: the Lynx is aversatile dive computer offering range,reliability and readability.
From buying new dive equipment to taking care of what you already own, these simple tips will help you get the most out of your money.
Scuba diving is an equipment intensive sport, and your gear can be a fickle ally. Assembling a collection of dive gear-specific tools and spare parts to deal with basic maintenance and minor emergencies will help keep you ready to hit the water at a moment’s notice
SCUBAPRO has teamed its Mark 11 balanced diaphragm first stage with a new second stage, the R-195. Combining a classic downstream valve with a large diaphragm and a center-case purge button, the R-195 comes with a large dive/pre-dive switch that helps prevent surface free-flows. The reversible hose attachment feature lets you use the R-195 as a primary second stage, an octo reg, or the perfect choice for deco tanks.
We are Howler Brothers. We are not really related by blood. But we are bonded by many shared callings: Surfing, fishing, paddling and the good things that come with these pursuits. Things like fire pits, really good tequila, limes, and pre-dawn coffee.
A load of new gear debuted in 2012, and the ScubaLab team dive-tested just about all of it. After digging deep into both objective and ergonomic test results, on the following pages we celebrate the year’s top-performing fins, BCs, regulators and dive computers, along with some first-rate travel bags, warm-water wetsuits and a couple of our top picks for safety gear.
Subgear’s SG500 has been given a new name, but underneath this fresh moniker is the same high performing reg that earned a Best Buy rating in a major ScubaLab regulator review. In real-world diving it’s a sweet breather in all diving positions and dry as well. With its low work of breathing, surprising amount of reserve capacity and a solid track record for its in-water work, the SG500 is a proven performer.
Cressi’s frameless mask is lightweight, low volume and offers a compact profile. Its flared single window lens provides good field of view, including over the bridge of the nose. The silicone skirt’s double seal system is effective in blocking water entry. Strap buckles attach directly to the skirt, allowing for lots of lateral movement, plus lets the mask fold flat for packing. The mask comes with a black or white skirt.
The winner of both a ScubaLab Testers Choice and a Best Buy, the Travelight is a full-featured jacket-style BC designed for traveling divers. Constructed of featherlight 210-denier nylon, it comes with Cressi’s Lock Aid integrated weight system, two zippered pockets and six alloy D-rings. Its soft pack design can be folded in seconds and stowed in its own carry bag. For 2013 the BC features a new range of colors.
Before you explore your first wrecks, here are a few key pieces of scuba gear you might want to add to your kit.
If you have a need for specialized mask lenses, IST Proline has multiple options for you. The OL80 dive mask lenses are available in clear, tinted and optical corrections and can be fitted to a number of different mask styles.
IST is a family owned and operated manufacturer with three separate equipment lines available to the diving community. We have been manufacturing quality watersports equipment for others as well as ourselves for over 35 years, so while you may not have seen our logo frequently, chances are you have enjoyed our gear somewhere before.
The Dolphin Tech T110 Canister light generates a super-bright light beam well suited for advanced diving or cave exploration. In ScubaLab testing, its three LEDs produced an intense 12-inch diameter hotspot, matching the brightest ScubaLab has ever tested.
ScubaLab tests Polarion's Abyss Dual S big primary diving light
ScubaLab tests IST Sports' T-16 LED Sunny pocket diving light
ScubaLab tests Watershot's Strykr 10W 100M canister dive-light kit
ScubaLab tests Light & Motion's Sola Dive 1200 compact primary dive light
SCUBAPRO’s Seahawk is this year’s Testers Choice for a back buoyancy BC.
In recent ScubaLab BC tests the Luna was our test divers’ favorite women’s BC.
A lot of female-specific attention to detail went into this BC. Combined with its across-the-board, better-than-average performance, the Selene II is a good choice for women.
According to Bare this BC is popular among drysuit divers, and we believe it.
As tested, the Express Tech is a pretty nice minimalist BC perfectly suited for tropical diving.
Test divers liked the design and feel of the TravLite, but the lack of stability was a drawback. It also carries about 2-and-a-half pounds of inherent buoyancy, among the highest of this year’s tests.
The Litehawk came in hot on the Zuma’s heels as this year’s top Travel BC. The BC carries no inherent buoyancy, and its generous buoyant lift in all sizes makes it well suited for both tropical and temperate water diving.
The Geo is feather light, packs compactly, and is comfy and functional in the water. Plus it carries less than 1 pound of inherent buoyancy, so you might not need a weight system after all.
Check out our expanded data charts for Ergonomic Performance and PC Kit Performance.
Each year, designers of dive computers make quantum leaps forward in the features and functions of their newest data crunchers. This year is no different. Mixed in with 2010’s crop are a couple of new models that will simply blow your mind. ...
This is a great multifunction dive computer that does double-duty as a topside wristwatch for workday use. You get a lot of features and functions — which can be liberal or conservative, depending on the algorithm you choose — at a price that ...
With its vibrant color, large compass, data-crunching capability and innovative menu system, the conservative Icon HD rivals the Cobalt in ease of use, plus it offers a wider variety of logging and map and photo-storage features than any DC we’ve ...
Slightly conservative, this is a simple-to-use DC for the beginner, while offering all the features a veteran recreational diver might need.
The D4 offers all the functions recreational divers need plus a whole lot more in a really sharp-looking package.
The XP10 offers most features common in other dive computers. It takes more practice to navigate through its programs than other models, but you can’t beat the price.
It offers more features than the Profile, and its extra control button makes it easier to navigate through the system.
It’s a basic, easy-to-use computer available in a variety of mounting options and can be considered a solid entry-level dive computer.
This is a time-tested data cruncher with some new features.
The Neptune Space G.Divers full-face mask, equipped with a GSM G.Divers underwater transceiver, is OCEAN REEF’s entry-level comm kit for recreational diving. Hook up the single channel Push-To-Talk G.Divers communication unit, and divers can talk to their buddies or to the dive boat using separate comm units.
Without a doubt, fit and comfort are the most important “features” to look for when selecting a mask. While most manufacturers design their masks to fit the widest segment of the population as possible, there’s no such thing as a “one size fits ...
IST’s trio of aluminum-framed masks are made with marine-grade aluminum alloy outer frames, high-impact plastic sub-frames, and hypoallergenic silicone skirts.
Side windows on a mask offer a wider field of view, but also distort the scene.
Cressi’s Big Eyes Evolution mask is now available in Crystal silicone, an exclusive Cressi material that’s so clear it renders the mask skirt virtually invisible.
In 2009, divers were given a tsunami of new gear, and ScubaLab completed...
Ready to buy a new mask? Use this info from the ScubaLab testers to decide which skirt type is best for you.
The black silicone skirt is a favorite among photographers and hunters because it blocks out unwanted light that causes reflections on ...
Our test divers kicked the living hell out of 18 open-heel fins on Cozumel's current-washed reefs. See which fins are still standing when the results are tallied.
December 2002 By John Brumm Fins Reviewed in This Article Aeris Velocity Apollo Bio-fin Pro Atomic Aquatics Splitfin Cressi-Sub Rondine Pro Star Oceanic ...
Here's our annual product excellence awards for fins, brought to you by ScubaLab, the only independent testing facility of scuba life-support equipment.
Looking for scuba fins? Find the results of Scuba Lab's fin test.
Full-foot fins weigh less and move faster. We kicked 12 models and found five top performers.
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The Beta semi-dry snorkel from Cressi has a large-bore tube that allows lots of airflow while you’re enjoying the scenery just below the surface. The profiled splash guard deflects water away from the top of the tube when swimming in choppy seas; water that does manage to find its way in is easily expelled through the lower purge valve.
The Supernova Dry snorkel from Cressi uses a 100 percent silicone mouthpiece and a corrugated breathing tube, and comes with a large, easy-to-clear purge valve on the bottom, and a completely dry top on the other end. It’s the perfect design in a snorkel, allowing for effortless breathing performance when cruising along on the surface, plus it eliminates virtually all water from entering the tube when submerged.
Seasoft’s frameless Visionmaster Super Mask features lenses made of H-G-G glass with Crystal ARC anti-reflective coatings that virtually eliminate glare. HGG glass and Crystal ARC coatings are found on the optics of leading riflescopes and camera lenses and allow up to 20% more light to reach your eyes.
Here’s something you don’t usually see on a snorkel: ball-joint connections. On IST Sports’ 3-D Flex Dry Snorkel you have two of them: one at the base of the mouthpiece, and one where the purge body connects to the breathing tube.
The New Mantis 5 has the same frame as our standard Mantis mask with a new low volume skirt offering 20 degrees more visibility. Fits medium to wide face shapes. Optical lenses available upon request.
IST is a family owned and operated manufacturer with three separate equipment lines available to the diving community. We have been manufacturing quality watersports equipment for others as well as ourselves for over 35 years, so while you may not have seen our logo frequently, chances are you have enjoyed our gear somewhere before.
The easy-to-use SeaLife DC1400 brings the underwater point and shoot category to a new level, with amazing results that anyone from novice to veteran will be proud of.
The new GoPro 3D cage allows you to have a safer way to mount your 3D housing. The cage does not use the tabs on the bottom which can easily break. This can then be mounted to a pole cam to video sharks, salt water crocs, dolphins or whatever action is happening. Cages are available for the regular GoPro or the one with the LCD back.
Backscatter GoPro Starter System with HD Hero 2, Custom Underwater Housing, and Sola 500 - The Backscatter GoPro Underwater Starter Package is just what the beginner diver needs to have to start getting great underwater footage.
On the heels of its successful DC1200 underwater camera, SeaLife releases the new DC1400
This rugged, compact camera is rubber-armored and waterproof to 130 feet and shockproof up to six feet, making the Mini II perfect for divers and other outdoor adventurers.
Introducing the new SL980 Underwater Photo/Video Light, a powerful 500-lumen LED light source for your underwater photography needs
A collection of quick tips for getting the most out of your underwater camera's macro lens.
Nauticam’s housing is compact, ergonomic and dependable. Safely secured with a locking rotary latch, this housing is machined from solid aircraft grade aluminum then hard anodized.
SEA&SEA has released its most sophisticated, technically advanced digital SLR housings to-date with its MDX series. The latest, the MDX-D7000, was purpose-built for the Nikon D7000 and is ergonomically designed for ease of use and total control of the D7000 functions underwater.
ScubaLab's Director offers a behind-the-scenes look at Scuba Diving's regulator testing for 2011.
This 2010 Testers’ Choice regulator is a powerhouse when it comes to performance. And it’s a great price.
Pairing of balanced and adjustable 2nd stage Ellipse Balanced with the hyper-balanced 1st stage MC9. Thanks to the performance and the highly technological content of both stages this regulator is placed at the very top of the Cressi range. The user can adjust both the inhalation effort and the Venturi effect (dive / pre-dive) at any time during the dive.
IST is a family owned and operated manufacturer with three separate equipment lines available to the diving community. We have been manufacturing quality watersports equipment for others as well as ourselves for over 35 years, so while you may not have seen our logo frequently, chances are you have enjoyed our gear somewhere before.
SCUBAPRO’s balanced diaphram first-stage MK 11 is engineered to prevent the flow of cold or polluted water into the regulator, yet provide easy airflow regardless of tank pressure.
The RS-680 regulator from TUSA features a compact, lightweight design. It contains two high-pressure and four low-pressure ports and is available in both DIN and yoke versionsThe RS-680 also incorporates TUSA’s Sequential Exhaust Assist (or S.E.A.), a new design featuring a dual exhaust system to decrease breathing effort during exhalation. The entire second stage also swivels 360 degrees to prevent jaw fatigue and add to overall comfort.
The new Ellipse MC9 Balanced Non-Adjustable regulator has the same high-performance features of the Ellipse Balanced, but without the Second stage micrometric adjustment knob. This allows Cressi to offer the same level of performance at a more affordable price. The non-adjustable Ellipse is an easy-breathing second stage, with an oversized diaphragm that decreases inhalation effort.
When used as a safe second, Aqua Lung’s Air Source 3 inflator reg breathes smoother than many primary regs. And when used as a power inflator, it delivers total ascent control. The Airsource 3 uses a screw-down fitting similar to the one used on a primary reg’s second stage.
These regs delivered above-average breathing performance and a surprising amount of reserve capacity. The balanced second stage on the Cayman smoothes out the breathing at deeper depths and heavier breathing rates, but the Bonaire is no slouch. ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
June 2009 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Aqua Lung Aqua Flex 3mm
BARE Elastek 3mm Full
BARE 3/2 Velocity Full
Body Glove EX3 3 mm
Camaro Seamless Hydronomic 3mm
Camaro ...
SPECS• Price: $1,650• Style: Front Entry, Diagonal-Zip• Suited For: General-Purpose Diving• Available Sizes: 6
Offering a featherweight, snug-fitting, watertight ride, the Fusion One earned the second-highest number of votes for top suit and this year’s Best Buy nod.
Test divers really liked the features and the overall feel of the Trilam Pro. It racked up the most points for overall favorite in our shootout — earning it the Testers’ Choice for 2013.
Bare’s Trilam Tech Dry is both durable and comfortable. Featuring fell-stitched glue and heat-tapped seams and a front-entry T-Zip MasterSeal waterproof zipper, this rugged suit is available with either neoprene or latex wrist seals, a neoprene or latex neck seal, and a choice of vulcanized neoprene attached boots or neoprene soft socks.
What's new in the world of dive gear for August 2012.
What's new in the world of dive gear for June 2012? Let's get that First Look.
Waterproof’s D7 Pro ISS is a new-generation trilaminate drysuit featuring a front-entry design for super easy self-donning, and an innovative sealing system that combines Integrated Silicone Seals at the neck and wrists.
This suit is among the best of the new crop of compressed neoprene drysuits. Bare’s new self-donning X-C-S-2 Tech Dry is made of two-mil hyper-compressed neoprene sandwiched between a tough nylon laminate on the outside and a high-stretch “frictionless” laminate on the inside.
Scuba Diving Editor David Espinosa and Sport Diver Editor Eric Michael take Camaro drysuits
G-DIVE is our brand for high-end latex seals and other diving related products. With our G-DIVE products you get the best quality on the market.
ScubaLab puts eight new dive computers to the test and offers scuba gear reviews of each one tested.
These two models were tested but not included in the September/October issue of the magazine.
Constructed of a flexible polypropylene blade and a thermoplastic rubber foot pocket in an open-heel design, Tilos’s lightweight Torrent fins offer increased flexibility, which translates to a more comfortable kicking experience.
This rear-entry, 4 mm, high-density neoprene dry suit weighs 50 percent less than traditional neoprene dry suits. When ScubaLab tested dry suits this past winter, the immediate reaction from every tester was “Is this a dry suit?”
This serious dive tool uses a modular, interchangeable design so divers have a system that’s easy to use, no matter the environment. The knife offers a choice of a sharp drop-point or blunt-tip blade made from a hardened stainless steel alloy, making it durable and rust-resistant.
The Pro Light is an extremely light and well-balanced fin that’s surprisingly responsive and powerful. The compact blade features a soft rubber center panel that’s flanked by thermoplastic stiffeners and flexible yet supportive side rails. This combination provides nice blade flex when kicking, and allows you to maintain stability whether you prefer flutter, scissor or frog style kicking. The fin has two flaps along the end of the blade, a design that allows divers to change direction with only minimal kicking effort.
The Apeks XTX200, the company’s flagship regulator, gets high marks for its excellent breathing characteristics: well-designed user adjustments, great hose swivel connection on the second stage, and cool-looking chrome finish on the compact, environmentally sealed, over-balanced diaphragm first stage.
ScubaLab reviews the Tilos Men’s 3/2 mm Delphite SuperStretch Jumpsuit
Seasoft’s Stealth and Sunray booties are built with a hard sole that keeps a diver’s feet from moving up and down inside the foot pocket of their fins, one of a diver’s biggest causes of cramps. The booties are manufactured just like athletic shoes with a well-designed elevated heel and arch support.
