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BARE’s ELASTEK 3 mil wetsuit boasts the newest advancements in wetsuit design and incorporates BARE’s latest innovations in dry technology, including SEAMTEK
Top Five Things I Learned at the Backscatter Digital Shootout
Sure, there might be other dive gear deemed more important to basic survival (a reg) or your general well-being (a dive computer) than a BC. But when it comes to being able to comfortably acclimate to being underwater — to the point where you feel like a resident rather than a clumsy topside tourist — the BC is the most important component of your kit.
Follow these 8 tips to keep your BC in good working order and ready for your next dive.
Subgear’s new Apnea 1 five-mil is a unique wetsuit designed specifically for free diving. It comes with a nylon-lined interior so it’s comfortable against the skin plus easy to climb in and out of. However, its exterior surface is slick to repel water.
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.
The T-120 Mini torch may be small in size, but it delivers quite a punch when it comes to illumination.
Nauticam’s anodized aluminum housing for the Sony NEX-7 camera supports all camera controls, each one ergonomically placed for comfortable shooting. The housing takes advantage of the unique NEX-7 three-dial interface to give the user direct access to ALL THREE manual exposure settings.
Scuba Diving Photo Editor reports from the Backscatter Digital Shootout at the Little Cayman Beach Resort
Scuba Diving Photo Editor heads to the Backscatter Digital Shootout at the Little Cayman Beach Resort
December 2002 By John Brumm BCs Reviewed in This Article AQUA LUNG Malibu RDS AQUA LUNG Maverick RDS GENESIS SCUBA Phantom MARES Dragonfly AirTrim OCEANIC ...
Good news for parents: The scuba kiddie pool is open, thanks to these innovations in buoyancy control.
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Models Reviewed In This Article: Genesis ReAct; Mares Surveyor Nitrox Interface; Oceanic Oceanlog; Scubapro/Uwatec DataTrak; Suunto Dive Manager; Diver's Black Box and Sensus Data Analyst 1.1
December 2002 By John Brumm Dive Computers Reviewed in This Article AERIS 100S AERIS 300G AERIS 500AI AERIS 750GT AERIS ATMOS Pro AERIS ATMOS ...
Here's our annual product excellence awards for dive computers, brought to you by Rodale's ScubaLab, the only independent testing facility of scuba life-support equipment.
Measuring dive time, depth and air supply, it uses a reliable, time-proven algorithm to calculate and display remaining dive time based on established limits for nitrogen tension, oxygen exposure or cylinder pressure.
On every dive you entrust your life to a mathematical formula being kept a secret from you. No more.
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The MP206 Chameleon mask from IST Sports is made from a liquid-injected, hypoallergenic silicone that is soft and supple, resulting in a skirt that offers comfort as well as a watertight fit. Its raked inverted-teardrop dual-lens design delivers a wide field of view. To enhance the underwater view, the mask is fitted with a new type of ultra clear lens that allows for increased light transmission.
IST’s MP204 Spear mask, with its low-volume dual-lens design, provides an expansive view of the underwater world.
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.
It’s no fun diving with a mask that keeps filling with water every few seconds. So the first consideration when buying a mask is how well its skirt seals against your face. Despite claims to the contrary, no one mask fits all.
What's new in the world of dive gear for August 2012.
On Scubapro’s Spectra Trufit, narrow ribs molded into the ultra-soft silicone create a pliable skirt that molds to facial contours, creating an excellent seal on a variety of face shapes.
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.
Cressi’s popular raked-glass single-window Piuma mask is now available with Cressi’s exclusive crystal-clear silicone. This silicone creates a mask skirt that is so close to total transparency, it simply has to be seen to be believed.
Fit is always top priority when selecting a dive mask. The new M-211 Freedom One from TUSA offers the company’s latest Freedom Fit and Freedom Dry technologies intended to maximize comfort and minimize leakage.
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.
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.
CETATEK’s new aquabionic warp1 fins instantly adapt and continuously change to any kick style and load level based on the demands of the diver. The warp1 blade features unique construction: At rest, it is relatively flat, but when the diver kicks, the sophisticated design creates a deep scoop that channels water to create thrust.
CETATEK introduces the new patent pending aquabionic warp1 fin providing water adapting responsive propulsion technology.
15 kickers vie for the top spot in this year's ScubaLab fin tests. ScubaLab’s test team headed to Alexander Springs, Florida, a freshwater site that offers an easy entry, enough space and depth to do some serious kicking, and rock structures and crevices for performing tight turning maneuvers.
This kicker turned in some of the best overall in-water performance scores, earning the highest scores for acceleration. Test divers liked the fin’s exceptional maneuverability, and noted its ability to negotiate turns with minimal foot action.
In water, the fin delivered solid kicking performance. It did take a couple of strong kicks to get it going from a dead stop, but when test divers "turned it on," the fin generated some pretty good power.
The only split fin in this year's open-heel group, the Z3 is easily recognizable by its radical 27-degree blade angle. In the water, the fin racked up some of the best scores of this group in acceleration, stability and efficiency.
The Tusa FF-19 X-Pert Evolution was a test-diver favorite, with many of the testers commenting on how comfortable it felt, whether kicking easy or hard. Testers didn’t report any leg or ankle strain, and noted that the fin was fast, powerful and agile, plus very responsive using all kicking styles.
Kicking versatility through interchangeable blades is the name of the game with Cressi’s new Gara Modular free-diving fin. The standard blade is lightweight and provides a nice mix of power and flexibility.
Cressi’s Reaction adjustable fin has a long and relatively flexible blade that’s made from a new-generation technical polypropylene. This lightweight composite makes for a responsive fin throughout each phase of the kicking cycle.
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.
Ikelite has packed more than 35 years of strobe design into the new Manta substrobe. Featuring proprietary Pre-Flash Recognition Technology, Manta has the unique ability to automatically adjust to any pre-flash sequence — a feature that’s sure to attract first-time strobe users and impress the pros.
The Ikelite housing for the XZ-2 doesn't just allow you to take pictures underwater—It helps you get the most perfect shots possible. The camera's built-in flash doesn’t need to fire for automatic TTL exposure, which saves battery life and improves recycle time.
The perfect system for photographers of all skill levels who are looking for a small, simple system that delivers high-quality photos and video… anywhere there’s water. Simply point, and shoot!
If you want a housing that’s comfortable to use, offers peace of mind, and gives you an edge over the competition – look no further. Our comfort grip handles, clear construction, and corrosion-proof body are benefits you can quickly spot from a product photo. Hold the real thing and you’ll notice that your Ikelite housing provides access to all important camera functions, as well as a glass optical viewfinder that’s been enhanced for the underwater environment.
When we asked readers and Facebook fans to tell us about their favorite stories from our Nov/Dec 2012 issue, this one from Matt Haeussler stood out — and wins the Watershot Underwater iPhone Camera Housing we featured in that issue's "Win This!".
The rigors of the road can play hell on sensitive equipment. Here are some tips on how to get your gear safely to your destination, and avoid excess-baggage fees.
Bring out your creative side – underwater! Superior flash control, ergonomic handling, and reliable performance are just a few of its perks. Why not experience the bonuses for yourself, enjoy great photos and have fun doing it?
Upgrade to a Li-Ion battery pack for twice any many full power flashes, fast recycle time, and superb neutral buoyancy. Smart Charger Li-Ion provides a full recharge time of approximately 5 hours and is now included with all current DS160 and DS161 Substrobes. Removable adapters for UK, Australia and Europe are included.
Your housing won’t help you take a better photo…unless it has built-in TTL strobe exposure. Make the full frame count. Then use your leftover cash on a new lens.
ScubaLab puts 14 new regulators to the test, unveiling a few that will have us all breathing a little easier.
Alternate inflator regulators that streamline your gear and deliver big air when you need it most.
IST’s Flexus jumpsuits are available in three thicknesses—3 mil, 5 mil, and 7 mil—to provide dependable thermal protection in both temperate and tropical waters. The 5 and 7 mil suits are triple glued and double blind-stitched, with the 7 mil offering zippers on the ankles to aid in getting in and out of the suit.
Cressi’s Spring 3.5 one-piece wetsuit is designed to be worn in waters ranging from the tropical to the marginally warm.
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
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.
BARE’s ELASTEK 3 mil wetsuit boasts the newest advancements in wetsuit design and incorporates BARE’s latest innovations in dry technology, including SEAMTEK
Subgear’s new Apnea 1 five-mil is a unique wetsuit designed specifically for free diving. It comes with a nylon-lined interior so it’s comfortable against the skin plus easy to climb in and out of. However, its exterior surface is slick to repel water.
Cressi’s Lido two-mil shorty provides enough high-stretch neoprene to help keep you warm and protect against stinging critters, but not so much neoprene that you feel overdressed in the bathtub-warm waters of the tropics.
Designed for cold-water divers, Thermalution’s Power-Heated Undersuit can be worn beneath any wetsuit. A thin, flexible heating element built into the nylon/lycra Undersuit lays against your back and radiates heat while you’re cruising the cold depths.
Features: 3.5 mm Ultraspan highflex neoprene; glued and blind-stitched seams; smoothskin seals at wrists and ankles; smoothskin spinal flap; adjustable collar with smoothskin sealing surface; embossed rubber kneepads.
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.
The W2 Wetsuit from Waterproof is anatomically designed for a superior fit. It features Waterproof’s patented HexTex inner lining, a dense, knitted, hexagonally shaped plush lining to restrict water movement and increase comfort and warmth.
Specifically designed and engineered for divers who travel by plane, the Travelight BC from Cressi is the product of extensive research into weight-reducing materials.
The Artemis from IST is not just a typical smaller version of a men’s BC. It was designed exclusively for women divers, by women divers.
Aqua Lung’s i3 technology for BCs is now available in back inflation. The Dimenion and Lotus, designed for men and women, respectively, provide a single-touch control lever for both inflation and deflation.
The DX-GE5 camera from SEA&SEA is waterproof to 16 feet without its housing, making it versatile for any outdoor sport activity from skiing to snorkeling.
Nauticam’s NA-LX5 underwater housing, designed for use with the Lumix LX5 digital camera from Panasonic, is another example of Nauticam’s innovative and ergonomically designed imaging equipment.
Fourth Element’s Proteus wetsuit is all about keeping warmth in and water out, while providing unparalleled comfort at depth. Using both Superstretch and Thermocore neoprene, in thicknesses from three to seven mil, the Proteus is the suit that ScubaLab Testers rated warmest in its class. With availability in 10 women’s and 13 men’s sizes, the Proteus is versatile enough for a wide range of divers AND environments.
With two large compartments, roomy enough for full-size fins and a drysuit, Stahlsac’s Curacao Clipper gearbag is designed inside and out to accommodate the traveling diver. It’s also the company’s first-ever user-repairable bag: replacement parts for the completely modular frame can be sent directly to the owner or the local dive shop for repair. Weighing in at just seven pounds, the Curacao Clipper is a full-size bag with user-friendly features for even the most discriminating of divers.
