Illustrations by Rachel Brooks
Masks
Seac Chiara
Round, elongated lenses grant this mask a distinctive appearance. They also result in a wide-open field of view that test divers loved. The soft, supple skirt is very comfortable on the face for long days of diving and offers a reliable watertight seal. Equipped with an elastic strap, the mask sits securely but with minimal pressure, and it’s effortless to don and doff. The Chiara was our Testers Choice for traditional dual-lens masks.
MSRP $82
Contact SEACSUB.COM
Oceanic Duo
The Duo impressed test divers with a comfy seal that provided a workable, dry fit for a wide variety of face shapes and sizes. The stiff yet comfortable skirt provides a reliable seal and makes for easy clearing and equalizing. The wide teardrop lenses offer a broad horizontal viewing angle. The mask provides a great combination of size, view and volume. It was our Best Buy for traditional dual-lens masks.
MSRP $69.95
Contact OCEANICWORLDWIDE.COM
Fourth Element Aquanaut
This mask’s super comfortable and bone-dry seal made it a standout among the masks we tested. The effectiveness of the soft, supple seal combined with the mask’s minimal internal volume make the mask very easy to clear and equalize. The lenses are placed close to the eyes for a great field of view. The Aquanaut was our Testers Choice for low-volume dive masks.
MSRP $79
Contact FOURTHELEMENT.COM
Cressi Rombo
Rigid enough to withstand general dive duty but also flexible enough to fold in half for easy stowage as a backup, the Rombo is incredibly versatile, with very good performance across the board. The mask provided a workable, comfortable fit for all our test divers. The big, close-fitting lenses offer a great field of view. A favorite of multiple test divers, it was our Best Buy for low-volume masks.
MSRP $64.50
ContactCRESSIAMERICA.COM
Illustrations by Rachel Brooks
Fourth Element Scout
The Scout offers a low internal volume and lightweight comfort. Its thin skirt edge rests lightly on the skin for a dry seal. Testers really liked our model’s optional elastic mask strap, which enhances the mask’s overall comfort and makes for effortless donning and doffing. The big lens offers an unobstructed view and is available in four special treatments to optimize vision for different dive conditions. It was our Testers Choice for frameless masks.
MSRP $99, $39 (ELASTIC STRAP)
Contact FOURTHELEMENT.COM
Tidal Sports Single Lens Tidal Mask
Test divers were obsessed with this mask’s anti-fog film, which ensures a crystal-clear view during every dive without the need of defog. This antifog technology is further complemented by the mask’s natural field of view. The beefy skirt is rugged and durable. The skirt has a large sealing surface that provided a very comfortable and dry fit for all our test divers and holds up well in current. This mask was our Testers Choice for traditional single-lens masks.
MSRP $79.99
Contact PROSHOTCASE.COM
Illustrations by Rachel Brooks
Computers
Garmin Descent X50I
The X50i wowed with its colorful, high-res display. The large screen is easy to read and has a logical, organized dive screen that always keeps critical data visible with easy access to secondary functions including compass and underwater messaging—when used in conjunction with compatible SubWave products. It features haptic alerts, a built-in LED light and support for CCR and trimix diving. The X50i is compatible with up to eight transmitters. It was our Testers Choice for air-integrated computers.
MSRP $1,499
Contact GARMIN.COM
Mares Sirius
The Sirius combines premium watch-like ergonomics with an easy-to-read color display. The well-organized dive display optimizes visibility with two viewing modes. The clean interface and intuitive operation are complemented by advanced functionality including a digital compass, hoseless air integration for up to five tanks, and compatibility with nitrox and trimix gas blends. It was our Best Buy for air-integrated dive computers.
MSRP $777.95
Contact MARES.COM
Related Reading: A Look at Sherwood's 70-Year Legacy
Atmos Mission3
Testers loved this computer’s intuitive operation and crisp color display. The simple menu navigation is seamless and straightforward. The large display makes the most of its real estate with large, bold characters and a sensible layout that is easy to read at a glance. It includes a digital compass and vibrating alerts, plus topside features such as basic GPS navigation, fitness tracking and smartphone notifications. Testers also loved its comfortable watch-like design. The Mission 3 was our Testers Choice for non-air-integrated computers.
MSRP $499
Contact ATMOS.APP
Cressi Raffaello
This computer’s large LCD display uses big, high-contrast characters and a clean layout to clearly display essential dive data—it also has a rudimentary digital compass with a markable heading. Equipped with a user-activated backlight, it offers great visibility in all conditions. Its two-button operation is accessible and easy to understand, making it a great option for users looking for a simplified, reliable dive instrument. The Raffaello was our Best Buy for non-air-integrated computers.
MSRP $379.95
Contact CRESSIAMERICA.COM
Illustrations by Rachel Brooks
Bags
Akona Azul
Designed to fit under a dive boat bench, this rectangular 65-liter bag opens wide for easy access to gear and is available in five colors. Sturdy coated mesh panels provide ventilation without snagging, while 600-denier sides with an interior PVC lining provide long-term durability with minimal weight. The bag can fold down for storage when not in use. It sports padded backpack straps for hands-free carry, plus a large briefcase-like carry handle. The Azul impressed with its combination of practicality, durability and value. It was our Best Buy for mesh bags.
MSRP $69
Contact AKONA.COM
Akona Classic Roller Duffel Bag
Simple and spacious, this 100-liter roller bag easily accommodates a full set of gear and more. It’s constructed with sturdy 600D polyester panels, smooth-rolling replaceable skate wheels and a corrosion-resistant metal zipper for lasting durability. The soft-sided duffel design keeps weight low for maximum packing capacity. A PVC lining contains damp gear and makes for easy rinsing. The bag includes a removable shoulder strap for off-road carry. It was our Best Buy for large roller bags.
MSRP $173
Contact AKONA.COM
Armor 29” Nautical Mesh Duffel
Constructed of heavy-duty 2,000-denier mesh for excellent drainage and durability, this huge bag easily accommodates a full set of gear and still has room for more. It is built with non-corrosive marine grade zippers and one-piece webbing that surrounds the bag for maximum support. In addition to an enormous main compartment, the bag includes an external zipper pocket to secure smaller items and keep them easily accessible. Built to last, with excellent capacity, this heavy-duty gear bag was our Testers Choice for mesh duffel bags.
MSRP $110
Contact SHOPARMORBAGS.COM
Scubapro Definition 130
A shortened profile, EVA foam back and distinctive backward tilt ensure this jumbo-size bag is easy to handle and maneuver. The humongous main compartment can expand up to 4 inches, making it easy to pack a whole scuba kit and weeks’ worth of clothes and personal belongings. Last-minute additions can easily be added to the large front-zip pocket—even if the bag is filled to the brim. It was our Testers Choice for large roller bags.
MSRP $399
Contact SCUBAPRO.COM
Tusa Medium Roller Bag
A short, rectangular profile makes it easy to pack bulkier items like BCs and wetsuits into this 81-liter bag and allows it to stand steady when left unattended. Its overall capacity is suitable for a full dive kit and clothing for a weekend trip. Several internal and external zipper pockets allow for flexibility in packing smaller items. Solid rolling hardware and multiple sturdy grips make for easy handling. Rigid panels and plenty of padding ensure contents arrive safe and sound. This bag was our Testers Choice for medium-size roller bags.
MSRP $299
Contact TUSA.COM
Illustrations by Rachel Brooks
Scubapro Definition Pack 24
Perfectly sized for air travel or dayboat accessories, this roll-top bag is sleek and streamlined. Its profile combined with ergonomic backpack straps and a waist belt make for extremely comfortable all-day carry. Its lightweight, durable construction is water-resistant and includes two exterior pockets. The main compartment contains a padded 17-inch laptop sleeve. Compact and capable, the Definition Pack 24 was our Best Buy for backpacks.
MSRP $99
Contact SCUBAPRO.COM
GroundTruth Unda 25L Roll-Top Backpack
This fully submersible bag is built with premium 100 percent recycled materials and includes several well thought out, convenient features. Our favorite? A removable tote, which includes a laptop sleeve and multiple compartments. It has a generous carrying capacity and can easily suffice as an airplane carry-on, dive boat day bag or anything in between. It was our Testers Choice for backpacks.
MSRP $275 (BACKPACK), $95 (TOTE), $370 (BOTH)
Contact GROUNDTRUTH.GLOBAL
Related Reading: ScubaLab First Look: MaskOptix Diving Prescription Glasses
Illustrations by Rachel Brooks
Regulators
Nex N1 Stealth With 2.5-Inch Balanced Second Stage
Available with a blacked-out military-grade DLC finish or an eye-catching iridescent finish, this easy-breathing regulator was a favorite of test divers. The environmentally sealed N1 Stealth first stage has five low-pressure ports on a swivel and two high-pressure ports. The reg impressed with outstanding performance on the breathing simulator and in the water. The N1 Stealth was our Testers Choice for regulators.
MSRP $1,021.99 (AS TESTED)
Contact NEXDIVE.COM
Scubapro MK11 EVO/C370
The updated MK11 EVO first stage uses a double spring layout to increase performance while maintaining a compact size. Paired with the C370 second stage, it earned excellent scores on the breathing simulator at all depths and breathing rates with remarkable consistency. In the water, it scored highly for its easy, dry breathing. It combines a smooth, quiet operation with reliable gas delivery and a powerful purge. The MK11 Evo/C370 was our Best Buy for regulators.
MSRP $699
Contact SCUBAPRO.COM
