Speaking of boxes, we’ll start with the Neon packaging. Rather than a typical dive-computer box, the Neon comes in a compact, semi-rigid clamshell case, surrounded by a cushioning foam insert. If you don’t wear your dive computer as a watch when you travel, this makes for a perfect carrying case.

What I like about the Neon

Although I love the box, as mentioned above, I’m the kind of dive-traveler who wears her computer as a watch from the beginning to the end of the trip. I chose the white/lilac combination for just that reason. It’s a well-fitting, stylish dive watch that doesn’t look out of place on your wrist out of the water.

In the water, though, the Neon really shines. Once I figured out the two-button navigation (see below), I found it to be a fantastic companion on dives. The rounded, hydrodynamic design kept the profile low and close to my wrist, and the nicely backlit screen was easy to read. I set a deep stop on the computer as well and found the alarms for that and for my safety stop unobtrusive but effective.

The post Gear Review: Cressi Neon Dive Computer appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

What I love about the Otterflex

I’ve got a full range of Cressi exposure protection now, from shorties to the powerhouse Medas. The Otterflex fits perfectly into my wetsuit closet as the most versatile suit of all. A well-fitting, well-made 5 mm wetsuit is a must in any diver’s closet, offering both just enough warmth in cooler waters while still being cool enough for those of us who chill easily no matter the water temperature.

Often, 5 mm suits are bulky or hard to travel with — it can be a pain to bring a 5 mm when your 3 mm packs up so nicely. Not so with the Otterflex. Though of course it’s heavier than a 3 mm, it packed down nicely into my gear bag without taking too much room.

Getting into and out of Cressi wetsuits is a snap, thanks to the smooth, double-lined neoprene, and the Otterflex is no exception. The suit slid on with no issues, wet or dry. I also loved the watertight seals on the wrists, a nice touch when it comes to keeping the water next to your body warmer.

Finally, the ergonomic cut fit my form perfectly. Wearing a suit that’s made for a woman is a game changer, and one of the reasons I always bring my own. Now if only they came in petite (hint, hint, Cressi).

The post Gear Review: Cressi Otterflex Wetsuit appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

What I love about the Cressi Thor fins

These flexible fins more than got the job done in both diving and snorkeling scenarios. I kept my booties on while waiting for whale sharks to appear and, once they did, the EBS strap meant I was able to slip into them in mere seconds before sliding off the boat.

On both dives and snorkels, pushing through the water required very little effort and I found my legs didn’t become fatigued as they have with other fins. When I was flutter kicking to get through the water quickly, the Thor fins got me right to the whale shark’s side. It was also quite easy to put the fins on and take them off on both snorkels and dives, thanks to the adjustability and flexibility of the EBS strap.

The post Gear Review: Cressi Thor EBS Fins appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

On a recent trip to the Sea of Cortez and Guadalupe Island to dive with great whites, I tested out some new Cressi gear. Of everything I tested, I was most anxious to try out the Bahia Lady, Cressi’s new 2.5mm wetsuit. While it wasn’t warm enough for Guadalupe Island, where water temperatures topped out at 67 degrees F (19 C), it was absolutely suitable for the warm waters of the Sea of Cortez — and I run very, very cold when I dive. After a few days in the Bahia, my only wish is that it also came in a 5mm so I would never have to wear another wetsuit.

What I love about the Bahia

The first thing you’ll notice about the Bahia is the front zip. Back zips tend to be longer and thus are meant to make the suit easier to get into and out of because they’re longer. And while this is true, the front-zip on the Bahia was my favorite feature of the suit. I was able to easily and quickly put the suit on and take it off between dives, and the zipper did not interfere with any of my other gear.

The neoprene itself was another highlight of the Bahia. I can’t remember if I’ve ever had a suit with such a soft, flexible feel, but the double-lined neoprene here made the wetsuit fit snugly yet comfortably, and it slid on with no red-faced struggling yanking or fingernail breaking. The light, breathable neoprene also dried quite a bit between dives, making it far more pleasant to put on a damp suit for the second dive of the day. The suit fit perfectly, other than being a tad long, sliding on like a glove. 

Finally, the wrist and ankle ‘Aquastop’ cuffs kept the water exchange inside the suit to a minimum. My biggest concern with the Bahia was the thickness — at only 2.5mm it’s only half as thick as my usual 5mmm, which I wear even in warm water. I credit the wrist and ankle seals for keeping me plenty warm though, along with the double-lined neoprene. The only time I was chilled at all in the Bahia is when we remained stationary underwater for a lengthy time — when finning along, I was perfectly toasty.

Wrap-up

9ScubaDiverLife score

Cressi Bahia Wetsuit

• I love the front-zip on this suit. It does not interfere with your BCD and you won’t even notice it when diving. The front-zip also makes it incredibly easy to don and doff.
• The wrist and ankle seals really do work to keep water exchange to a minimum. I credit these seals for keeping me much warmer than I’d usually be in a 2.5 mm wetsuit.
• The anatomical cut of the women’s suit means that it fit me perfectly, aside from being a little long. It was so easy to glide in and out of the Bahia that I didn’t even dread putting on the damp suit for dive No. 2.
• The double-lined neoprene was soft against my skin and, again, made the suit very easy to put on.
• Finally, the lightweight Bahia packs up easily and is great for travel.

• My only real complaint with this suit is that it doesn’t also (yet?) come in a 5mm version. The Bahia only 2.5mm. I chill very easily and, unless the water is bathtub warm, I’ll get cold just wearing the Bahia. It’s almost worth it though in terms of suit flexibility and comfort.

• I’d also love if women’s wetsuit manufacturers began producing suits in different lengths. I’m quite petite and this suit — and every other wetsuit — I’ve ever worn tends to bunch up behind my knees.

In short, if you usually dive in a 3mm or are looking for a light wetsuit for warm water, you can’t go wrong with the Bahia. The comfort, ease of donning and doffing, and great packability make it an exceptional choice for this winter’s tropical vacation.

The post Gear Review: Cressi Bahia Wetsuit appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

A few companies will create a custom suit for you; one of the newer ones on the scene is 7till8. They have different types (surf or dive), different styles (full, spring, hooded, front-zip), different thicknesses, zipper options, and two different types of neoprene. I’m not going to go into all of the possible options, I’m just going to talk mostly about the one I have. But please check out their site to see all that they offer.

My 7till8 suit is a 3mm fullsuit with the Yamamoto neoprene. Never heard of Yamamoto? Neither had I.  It’s Japanese neoprene made from 100% limestone, which makes it slightly more eco-friendly than petroleum-based neoprene.  But more to the point, this neoprene is more flexible, softer, lighter, and warmer. Oh, and durable too, which is important for an active diver.

See the Yamamoto neoprene flexibility in action in the video below:

The verdict

After I got my suit, I did have to send it back for some alterations, something they politely worked with me on and quickly completed. Once I got it back, I could see they’d made the changes I requested, and it was perfect. Next step was trying it out.

In the water, there’s very little water exchange to the point that when I emerge I actually have to pull out the ankles to let out the water that’s trapped in the suit.  While teaching a class recently I had to stand around in the water for a couple hours and I honestly never even felt it. In the ocean off the North Carolina coast I was so toasty that I actually had to open the neck to allow some water in. (Bear in mind that I run warmer than most people). But my point is — I kid you not — this is the warmest suit I’ve ever had on. It could easily take the place of a 5mm. And as a bonus it’s quite thin. Most people who saw it thought I was wearing a 1mm. 

For a little extra, they’ll customize the color and style and even add a logo. You can check out their customization gallery for some of the more unusual options, including one that looks like a business suit.

Wrap-up

9ScubaDiverLife score

7till8 Comfort and Warmth

• Handcrafted
• Full warranty
• Free alterations until you’re happy – note: they will even make alterations if you lose/gain weight later
• Very flexible
• Very warm with minimal water exchange

• May be more expensive than off-the-rack suits
• Takes about three weeks to get
• Alterations will take time (shipping there, altering, and shipping back)

In short, if you could benefit from a custom suit, definitely check out 7till8. Custom suits are always more expensive than off-the-rack, but in this case, I think the price is reasonable and you get amazing quality workmanship, materials, and customer service.

The post Gear Review: 7till8 Wetsuit appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

As a completely cold-averse diver, it may seem strange that I acquired my new Cressi drysuit for a trip to Norway last January to snorkel with orcas (watch for a forthcoming story on that). The Desert arrived at my house straight from Italy. It’s made of pre-pressed neoprene, ranging from 7 to 4 mm and packs up easily. The undergarments are similarly compact, and the entire kit fit well into my Cressi Moby 5. Confession: Although I’m drysuit certified, I haven’t used one for almost 20 years. Taking the Desert to Norway to snorkel seemed the perfect way to (not) get my feet wet after all this time, and test out whether wearing a drysuit was for me.

Wrap-up

8ScubaDiverLife score

Cressi Desert Drysuit

• These easily packable suits are great for travel.
• The suit is easy to understand and putting on the farmer John underneath was intuitive and simple.
• Suits fit perfectly to size – which is a pro, but can be a con if you need to wear thicker undergarments.

• While we absolutely loved the fit and feel of the suits, they weren’t quite warm enough for the near-freezing waters of the Arctic Circle. If I were to order again, I’d probably order a larger size to accommodate larger, thicker undergarments, which would make the suit more useable in a variety of cold-water environments.
• The undergarments that came with the suit were not warm enough for the Arctic Circle, although I expect they’ll work perfectly well in the Great Lakes this fall.
• The suit is (as yet) only available in Italy. Although this could be a pro: maybe it’s time to go to Italy on vacation to pick one up.

On our first day out, both my dive buddy and I were well-kitted out in our drysuits. We headed out to look for orcas just off Andenes, Norway. And here our story turns sad: although we saw plenty of orcas topside, we didn’t see them underwater. Although I jumped in a few times, the pod was long gone before I got a peep.

While our drysuits kept us both dry (as promised), we both felt that they just weren’t quite warm enough for riding around in an open boat for three hours in the Arctic Circle, although the suits are hardly to blame. With the wind and the spray, and especially once I’d jumped in, it was difficult to stay warm. In hindsight, we both wished we’d ordered larger sizes so we could fit thicker, warmer undergarments underneath the drysuits. The suits also have soft encasements for your feet, so although we both had boots to wear over-top, we’d ordered those too small as well. In short, make sure your suit can accommodate all the undergarments you might need, and double-check what size boot you’ll want in advance.

That said, the Desert will absolutely provide sufficient warmth for diving the Great Lakes this fall, with average water temperatures in the mid-40s at depth. It’s easy to don and doff and not overly complicated. Now if only I can convince myself that the cold is all in my head.

The post Gear Review: Cressi Desert Drysuit appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

To use the Buddy-Watcher, you and your buddy each strap one to your wrist for the dive. If one diver needs the others’ attention, he or she simply presses the prominent button on the middle of the unit to activate it. The Buddy-Watcher then sends an underwater transmission signal to the other unit, making it vibrate, much like a cell phone. The buzz works day or night and in great terrible visibility.

What is the Buddy-Watcher like?

The unit itself is a bit bulky as it sits on your wrist. It’s quite comfortable, however, especially in the water. I easily located the button with my mask off and my thickest gloves on. It’s also easy to press the button, though not so easy as to cause a false alarm. I wore this device on a recent dive I was guiding. My assistant, who was bringing up the rear in a four-man group of clients, wore the other. The Buddy-Watcher’s range traversed that distance quite easily.

How does it work?

The vibration is fairly aggressive, definitely enough to catch your attention if you wear it on your skin. A 3 mm wetsuit was no problem either, but in my 7 mm the sensation was a lot less pronounced. I could see myself be distracted enough to not notice if, for example, I was taking pictures, a scenario infamous for causing buddy separation. Although I felt the vibration in my drysuit, it was somewhat fainter and it might have gone unnoticed. I fixed this issue by moving the unit from my arm to my wrist, so that only my glove was between the Buddy-Watcher and my arm, not the drysuit.

The devices charge with a mini-USB, standard in the mobile-phone and smart-device industry. The Buddy-Watcher is sold in pairs, and comes with a double charge cable, with a USB in one end and two mini-USBs in the other. The red diodes alert users to the charge level, and you can expect a full charge in a few hours. I accidentally left the test devices on overnight, but still had plenty of power for an hour-long dive in 65 F (18 C) water.

Any challenges?

The main challenge with the Buddy-Watcher is that it only alerts you to the fact that your buddy needs you, not where he or she is. It’s best suited for a scenario wherein two buddies are within visual range of each other, but separated by some distance. If possible, the buddy who activated the system should swim over to the buddy he alerted. The system is similar to a tank banger in this regard, as you can’t place directionality of that noise either underwater.

Wrap-up

7ScubaDiverLife score

The Buddy-Watcher

• Easy to use
• Wears comfortably
• Good for contacting your buddy without alerting everyone else

• Buzzing may go unnoticed, particularly in thick exposure suites
• Bulky
• Of limited usefulness in an actual buddy-separation situation

An interesting product that we really shouldn’t need, but sometimes do. Some divers will find it useful for communication, but don’t let it take the place of good buddy skills.

Overall thoughts

All in all, the Buddy-Watcher is a good idea. It works well as a signaling device, but it’s no substitute for good buddy skills. As my guiding assistant and I discussed, it’s really best for a situation when two dive pros need to communicate without distracting the rest of the group. As the dive leader, I could simply buzz the other guide to help with a situation such as a loose fin or a leaking mask. With a longer range, the Buddy-Watcher would make a great call-back device, better than an underwater audio device. There are certainly potential uses, but less so for the situation it tries to address, the classic buddy separation.

Although it’s a clever idea, it shouldn’t lead to become complacent regarding buddy separation. You may be able to buzz your buddy from far away, but in an out-of-gas situation, you must be able to cover that distance on a single breath.

The post Gear Review: The Buddy-Watcher appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

I’ve never ended a dive because I was too warm, but I’ve sure called some prematurely because I was freezing. Not anymore. Enter the Cressi Medas Lady, the answer to all my underwater shivering problems.

A recent trip to the Azores meant water temperatures in the low 60s F (around 16 C). I was sure I’d chatter the regulator right out of my mouth. The warmest suit I had was a 5 mm fullsuit, and after one toe-dip in the water, I knew it wouldn’t be sufficient. Luckily, the dive shop had the Cressi Medas Lady on hand for guests. My weather woes were solved.

After a week of diving in the Medas, I was completely sold. The tailored look, the great fit, and the overall warmth and comfort of the suit made it a winner, even in temperatures I consider bone-chilling (I’m no ice diver). And best of all, the suit offers flexibility. In warmer water, divers will be comfortable with just the farmer john portion of the suit and a rash guard. In chilly waters, the whole suit does the job. I knew I had to have one for myself. My only real complaint about the suit has to do with its availability. Luckily, I was able to obtain a Medas for review. But others in the United States aren’t so lucky, as the wetsuit isn’t available here. But our loss is Europe and Asia’s gain — divers looking for warmth, flexibility and style won’t go wrong with the Cressi Medas Lady.

Wrap-up

Cressi Medas Lady

• Flexibility — dive in just the farmer john in warm water and throw on the jacket for colder temps. You’ll never need another wetsuit again.
• Comfort — the pre-shaped arms and legs mean the suit stays comfortable underwater and moves with you as you move.
• Durability — the tough 5 mm neoprene is designed to last. The knee and shin areas also feature anti-wear inserts.

• You must step into the women’s over-suit, like a bodysuit. I’d prefer the toggle-fastening at the groin, like the men’s suit.
• It would be ideal if the two pieces were sold as separates so that someone with a bigger chest (ahem) and a smaller bottom could mix-and-match.
• I’d like to see the suit for sale in the United States. Our worldwide readers get to have it, so it’s only fair.

After a week of diving in the Medas, I was completely sold. The tailored look, the great fit, and the overall warmth and comfort of the suit made it a winner, even in temperatures I consider bone-chilling (I’m no ice diver). And best of all, the suit offers flexibility. In warmer water, divers will be comfortable with just the farmer john portion of the suit and a rash guard. In chilly waters, the whole suit does the job. I knew I had to have one for myself. My only real complaint about the suit has to do with its availability. Luckily, I was able to obtain a Medas for review, but others in the United States aren’t so lucky, as the wetsuit isn’t available here. But our loss is Europe and Asia’s gain — divers looking for warmth, flexibility and style won’t go wrong with the Cressi Medas Lady.

The post Gear Review: Cressi Medas Lady appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

From there, it’s all about power. If you decide on the floodlight, you can choose from three strength settings. For the spotlight, you’ve got the full power output of 800 lumens. And, thanks to strong batteries, with all that power you don’t have to worry about running out of juice. No matter what your output, the light is guaranteed to deliver at least 60 minutes of burn time. And when they do run out, the rechargeable batteries are quick to bounce back in only 170 minutes.

The Sea Dragon is also adaptable to other camera systems. Available on its own or with the Flex-Connect single tray and grip, it can click into place to fit a variety of setups, and can mount to any camera using the standard ¼-20 mounting screw. But no matter how creative your camera setup may be, from wide-angle videos to up-close macros, this little light ensures that you’ll capture every detail.

 What’s included: 

• Sea Dragon 2100 Dual Beam underwater photo/video/dive light head
• Flex-Connect single tray with standard ¼-20 mounting screw
• Flex-Connect grip
• 25W lithium-ion rechargeable battery
• AC power adapter, charging tray, and international plug adapters
• Adapter for GoPro cameras with acorn nut
• Spare O-rings, O-ring lubricant, O-ring removal tool
• Instruction manual
• Sea Dragon case

Wrap-up

9ScubaDiverLife score

SeaLife’s Sea Dragon 2100 Dual Beam Light

• Quick charge time
• Easy controls
• Rechargeable batteries
• Universal mounting fits multiple brands of underwater cameras

Limited adjustability for macro

The flexibility of the Sea Dragon 2100 Dual Beam light helps make it one strong little light system, boasting four brightness levels and extra-long burn times.

By guest author Tara Bradley Connell

The post Gear Review: SeaLife Sea Dragon 2100 Dual Beam Light appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

I put the garment on under the farmer John, and then put the bodysuit over the top, effectively giving myself another 2 mm of thermal protection. With a stretchy fleece lining, the shirt helped keep me warm at the surface, too. It’s warm without being too bulky, and I was able to easily pull on the full wetsuit top over it. The thumb loops in particular came in handy here. You can also tighten the shirt at the bottom with a drawstring loop pull.

The shirt’s got three layers: the outer layer is made of flexible, neutrally buoyant, water-repellent, hypo-allergenic neoprene. It’s stretchy, too, so you shouldn’t have any problem putting it on. Word to the wise, however: the shirt runs a bit small, so order a size up if you’ve got anything larger than an A-cup. The middle layer is windproof but breathable, which means it’ll help protect you against the wind and will also wick moisture away from the body, an essential feature in a scuba undergarment. The inner, fleecy layer shares the wicking properties. It’s also antibacterial so it won’t get stinky. It’s also machine washable, which will take care of any lingering odors that may occur after a week’s diving.

Wrap-up

8ScubaDiverLife score

Lavacore Women’s Long-Sleeved Shirt

• Neutrally buoyant
• Extra protection from the cold, both over and underwater
• Thumb loop for easy donning (and it stays in place under a full wetsuit)
• Soft fleece lining makes it more comfortable

• Although it’s water-repellent, the same fleece lining takes a while to dry out
• Runs small. Order one size bigger than you think you need, especially if you’ve got a large chest.

Overall, I thought the shirt was great — it added a layer of warmth underwater and at the surface. It didn’t dry out as quickly as I’d like at the surface, but it was perfect under heavier thermal protection, and would also be great alone under the farmer John in warmer water.

The post Gear Review: Lavacore Women’s Long-Sleeved Shirt appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

Not only is SeaLife’s new Micro 2.0 camera system compact, making it great for travel, but it also offers the benefits of a professional housing system in a self-contained camera. With no doors or openings, it’s virtually leak-proof. But don’t let its size fool you. This little camera doesn’t skimp when it comes to executing quality images.

On to the fun stuff: The Micro 2.0 camera system comes with a built-in fisheye lens that offers 130-degree angles. Shooters can capture big-picture scenes of anything from a vast reef to a dramatic wreck or a massive Goliath grouper.

Macro lovers will appreciate the Super Macro lens (sold separately) and the convenience of its rubber press-on feature. Users can change lenses at the surface or at depth by simply fitting it over the camera lens. Switching from wide-angle to macro is easy and the handy little safety lanyard ensures you won’t lose it during the process.

Throw in video capabilities that can capture not only HD but can also pull still images while shooting and it will be almost impossible to miss your shot.

The optional 64GB of internal memory and a high-capacity internal battery means you won’t need extra memory cards, spare batteries and O-rings. What’s even better: Thanks to a waterproof USB port and a quick battery charge of just three hours, you can accomplish last-minute file transfers and battery charges before a big dive in no time. That’s something any underwater photographer can appreciate.

What’s included:

The Micro 2.0 is available at SeaLife dealers or online at SeaLife Factory Superstore.

• Micro 2.0 32 or 64GB Wi-Fi underwater camera
• Wrist strap
• Lens cap
• USB adapter/cable
• Wall charger, plus and international wall-charger adapters
• Camera pouch
• Instruction manual 

Wrap-up

9ScubaDiverLife score

SeaLife Micro 2.0

• Long battery charge
• Large LCD panel
• Built-in fisheye lens
• Easy-to-attach macro lens
• Compact size

• Slight shutter delay
• Occasional delay swapping from camera to video

Overall, the SeaLife Micro 2.0 and the Super Macro Lens provide the perfect set-up for an underwater photographer who wants to dabble between wide-angle and macro techniques.

By guest author Tara Bradley Connell

The post Gear Review: SeaLife Micro 2.0 appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

The first look at the Eon Steel is promising: the computer features a nice design and the materials look robust. It’s also quite heavy compared to an average dive computer.

Despite offering pretty advanced functions, getting used to the Eon Steel is pretty straightforward. It has three easy and accessible buttons (even when wearing gloves) and the menu is quite detailed but easy to navigate.

It has a built-in, rechargeable battery and can be charged with a cable that plugs into a USB port. The autonomy lasts between 20 and 40 hours; battery life is displayed on the screen at all times when diving. Divers can also use the USB cable to download the diving data onto DM5, Suunto’s free software.

The Eon Steel uses the same algorithm as other Suunto computers, so on the default setting it is quite conservative. Unlike other models, it has an adjustment that allows users to make it more or less conservative, depending on their diving style. It includes deep stops for added safety, which display on the top of the screen during the dive so you already know at what depth you will have to stop.

The Eon Steel Display

The display is huge. In sunny conditions, I found that the standard brightness was not sufficient in order to get info at a glance. The display can be customized and, for some functions, it is really great; the compass, for example, is big and easy to read. When it comes to some other information, I felt that the computer was not making the most of the large screen — the non-stop time is not as big as it could be; neither is the dive time. The safety or deco stop however features minutes and seconds, and the countdown is big and easy to read.

The dive log display is also pleasant; you can see the entire dive profile and go back and forth during the dive to see depth and time. The original release oddly did not include a no-decompression dive-planning mode; it is now available with version 1.2 of the software. This update also allows switching the display so buttons can be on the left, which is nice for left-handed users.

The downside of having a big screen is the size of the computer itself. Wearing a 5mm wetsuit, I found it to be pretty heavy and bulky, and getting in the way a bit (I am not very tall, and it takes a fair bit of space on my arm). On the upside, it’s not easy to press something by mistake, as it happened only once over a couple of weeks while diving with the computer every day.

The Eon Steel can deal with air, nitrox and trimix, and also has a rebreather mode. I used it only with air and nitrox; it’s quite easy to change the settings and put nitrox in.

Wrap-up

8ScubaDiverLife score

Suunto Eon Steel

• Battery display, long charge life
• Aspect, feel, durability
• Large digital compass
• Free software update
• Deep stops with notice ahead
• Clear dive profiles
• Personal settings flexibility

• Display brightness
• Size and weight with a wetsuit
• Deep stops cannot be turned off

Overall, the Eon Steel is a completely different product from the rest of the Suunto computers. While it may not be appropriate for the beginner diver it is, however, a contender to be taken seriously if you are looking for a top-of-the-range dive computer.

The post Gear Review: Suunto Eon Steel appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

The glass is also domed, allowing you to read it from any angle. The oil also aids in waterproofness, allowing the designers to use thinner, and thus lighter, glass and metal walls in the housing. This, combined with the titanium construction, means that the watch weighs in at only 87 grams, or 3 ounces. The titanium is also a plus, as it is highly corrosion-resistant.

In spite of the oil used to ensure waterproofness, however, the watch is only rated to 10 ATM (100 meters or 330 feet), which is less than most watches. While very few divers venture beyond 300 feet, it’s one thing to be water resistant to 10 ATM when the watch is brand new and kept immobile, and quite another to maintain that waterproofness while in motion and a few years into the watch’s lifespan, when gaskets and O-rings start to see some wear.

The design of the watch face takes some getting used to. Similar to Oris, Ressence split up the traditional hour- and minute-hand design, and shows the minutes along the edge of the watch face, but the hours in a completely separate, smaller dial nestled inside the minute dial. This is a traditional design for dive watches, one that keeps focus on the tracking of minutes, as very few (recreational) dives exceed an hour. The watch face also has a separate dial for tracking temperature, but with only 10 and 40 degrees Celsius marked, you’ll be getting an approximate temperature reading. The rotating bezel is more integrated into the watch case than on most dive watches, making an accidental movement of the bezel unlikely, which is a big plus. The watch does not feature a depth gauge.

Wrap-up

8ScubaDiverLife score

Ressence Type 5 Dive Watch

• Legibility
• Innovative design and construction
• Lightweight
• Very corrosion resistant

• Quite expensive
• Only rated to 10 ATM
• Reading the time takes some getting used to
• Temperature gauge too small and unspecific to be of real value
• No depth gauge

All in all, the Ressence Type 5 dive watch is interesting and a novel design. The aesthetics will be a divisive point; some will love the look and some will hate it. It has a definite feel of functionality, which is a big plus in my book, and the notion of waterproofing with an oil-filled case is innovative. And finally, the legibility really is unsurpassed by any dive watch I’ve tried. However, the relatively low depth rating of 10 ATM is a drawback, as is the hefty price tag of $35,800. For divers seeking a ‘backup computer’ style watch, this is probably not the best choice. For those seeking a dive watch unlike any other, and with an extra $35,000 to spend, this watch is a great fit.

The post Review: Ressence Type 5 Dive Watch appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

One of their unique product features is their use of ArmorTex material, which is extremely light but also highly durable. In fact, Akona ArmorTex is, pound-for-pound, a full 10 times stronger than steel. This makes it well suited for bonding onto typical stress points on clothing that experiences extensive wear, such as scuba gear.

Akona’s ArmorTex glove is lightweight and comfortable, utilizing ArmorTex on stress points like the palm and fingertips. By adding ArmorTex to these areas, rather than to the entire glove as with their All-ArmorTex Glove, they can create a lighter glove with better fit and an increased touch sensitivity, while maintaining material strength where it matters most.

The glove is made with a 4-way stretch type of neoprene, which allows for a much tighter fit. This, in turn, ensures better touch sensitivity, making it easier to operate line reels, computer buttons or other equipment. It also reduces water movement inside the glove, a key element when it comes to staying warm in any wetsuit material. The gloves come in a 3.5 mm version for temperate waters and a 5 mm for colder waters.

Both the stretch and the sensitivity is most apparent in the 3.5 mm version, but even in the 5 mm, you’ll get a much snugger fit than you would in most gloves without them being hard to put on or remove, a problem I’ve had with numerous gloves that aim for a similar snug fit. The combination of the fit and the tear-resistance makes these gloves an ideal choice for wreck dives, where even the sharpest bit of exposed metal would have a hard time penetrating the palm (do watch where you put your hand, of course). The gloves would be too warm, strictly speaking, for tropical waters, but you could still use the 3.5 mm gloves for a Caribbean wreck dive. All in all, these gloves live up to their promise, and at the price, they’re a good option for your next pair, regardless of whether you choose them for the fit or the protection.

Available: Now

Price: $58 for 3.5 mm; $64 for 5 mm.

Wrap-up

8ScubaDiverLife score

Akona ArmorTex Gloves

Snug fit without being restrictive or hard to put on

ArmorTex protection on stress points

Low water-exchange rate

Sizes seem to run a bit small, so make sure you either try them on before purchasing, or, if ordering online, can return them if they’re too small.

The combination of the fit and the tear-resistance makes these gloves an ideal choice for wreck dives, where even the sharpest bit of exposed metal would have a hard time penetrating the palm (do watch where you put your hand, of course). The gloves would be too warm, strictly speaking, for tropical waters, but you could still use the 3.5 mm gloves for a Caribbean wreck dive. All in all, these gloves live up to their promise, and at the price, they’re a good option for your next pair, regardless of whether you choose them for the fit or the protection.

The post Akona ArmorTex Gloves appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

Whereas the suit itself is made from either a compressed neoprene or a laminated rubber — both of which are quite durable — the cuffs must be made from a fairly soft, stretchy material. And soft, stretchy materials, all other things being equal, are weaker. Traditionally, the cuffs have been glued onto the suit to ensure that they’re waterproof. This has made them somewhat cumbersome to change, requiring some use of tools.

Because of this, replacing a drysuit cuff is not something you can easily do at the dive site or on the dive boat, especially not if the neck cuff is leaking. It’s best to take a workshop or course to learn how to change a broken cuff, but unfortunately, they do tend to break at dive sites. A distressed cuff may seem fine based on all but the most meticulous inspection, but when you try to push your head or hands through it — however gingerly — a hidden weak spot becomes an all-too-visible hole. And, unless you have a backup drysuit with you, that probably spells the end of that dive day before it has even begun.

Swedish dive gear producer SiTech is looking to fix this problem. With their quickly interchangeable systems for both wrist and neck cuffs, changing one could take a matter of minutes, and you could do so without any gear aside from a spare cuff.

The wrist cuffs are essentially the same as those they use for their Quick Dry Glove system, wherein mounts are placed on the drysuit sleeve and the dry glove or cuff, respectively. Changing the wrist cuff becomes simply a matter of removing the cuff mount from the broken cuff and placing it on a new one, or on a drysuit glove, if that is available.

The real novelty appears with the Neck Tite system for the neck cuffs. Unlike the Dry Glove system, this must be mounted in a shop, where a mounting ring is glued onto the the suit. After that, the diver can mount and interchange the cuff itself using a locking ring, similar to the Dry Glove system. The cuff is adjusted into place using a supplied tool that looks very much like a pizza cutter. This allows the diver to quickly switch a cuff, if it breaks, or to switch between silicone and latex cuffs. It even allows divers to switch cuffs on rental drysuits to accommodate various neck and wrist sizes.

Wrap-up

9ScubaDiverLife score

Siliflex Drysuit Cuffs

No costly repairs or visit to a dive shop

Switching cuffs can be done on the dive site

Mounting systems can be a bit cumbersome; practice definitely helps

Must be purchased as optional extras

Neck Tite system must be mounted by a technician

The system is easy to use, but can feel a bit cumbersome the first few times you use it. I’d recommend doing a practice run — dare I say a dry run? — so you don’t find yourself changing a cuff for the first time on a rocking dive boat in the middle of the ocean. All in all, the systems deliver what they promise, enabling divers to change broken drysuit cuffs without going to a dive shop or calling the day’s diving.

The post Gear Review: Siliflex Drysuit Cuffs appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

A torch that literally fits in the palm of your hand, it still boasts an impressive 600 lumens of light output. At 5.3 inches long and 1.3 inches wide, and weighing only 3.4 ounces, that is truly impressive. Just as impressive, though, is how easy it is to use, despite the minute size. Designing backup torches is always a balancing act between making the light small enough to fit into any pocket while not making it so small that it is difficult to use, particularly if it’s intended for divers wearing thick gloves.

The torch turns on by twisting the head, a definite improvement on a more traditional flashlight button-style function, which can be hard to operate with thick gloves.

The light beam’s angle is 75 degrees, which allows for a pretty concentrated beam while still providing some peripheral light. It has two power modes, putting out either 100 percent or 40 percent of maximum effect. Which you choose greatly affects battery life.

The torch accepts either standard CR123 batteries or rechargeable 18650 Li-Ion batteries. The former is included with the torch, while the latter is an optional extra. With the standard batteries, the torch can shine for 60 minutes at 100 percent power or 150 minutes at 40 percent. With the Li-Ion batteries, those time frames are boosted to 100 minutes at 100 percent, and 250 minutes at 40 percent. In any case, it will suffice for most divers on a single dive as the primary torch. It’s also plenty as a backup, wherein you would deploy it only if your primary fails. Even if you’re inside a cave or wreck, there will be plenty of time to reach the surface (unless you’re doing some extreme cave dives, that is).

If you’re an underwater photographer, you can attach the Sea Dragon Mini to a variety of cameras, including the GoPro, by using the included adapters and mounts. Sealife produces a range of extras to add functionalities to the torch, including a hand mount that allows you to strap the torch to the back of your hand, similar to using a Goodman handle on a canister light. This is very useful if this is your primary torch, or if it’s a backup for cave or wreck dives, where being able to use both your hands while holding onto your torch is highly valuable.

Wrap-up

8ScubaDiverLife score

SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 600

Compact, only 5.3 inches long
Lightweight, only 3.4 ounces
Good beam angle of 75 degrees
High output of 600 lumens
Long-lasting, up to 250 minutes with optional extra rechargeable battery
Includes mounts for underwater cameras

Price is a bit high
Built-in rechargeable batteries would have been preferable at this price point

The combination of size and output is a definite sales point for the torch, but the price might be a bit too steep for some. At $130, it’s not the cheapest backup torch out there, but it does sport some impressive features.

The post Review: SeaLife Sea Dragon Mini 600 appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

The Hollis F1 fin, also known as the ‘bat fin,’ is one of these fins, and a very popular one. With high-quality rubber and a small profile, it moves easily in the water, while simultaneously generating enough thrust to stand a fighting chance against a strong current. But these fins are heavy, weighing in at 7.7 pounds for the pair.

With the follow-up fin, called the F2, Hollis has tried to remedy this by creating a pair of fins that have the same overall performance, but weigh less and are slightly smaller, making them ideal for the traveling tech diver or anyone else who wants a tech-inspired fin without the weight.

The first impression of the F2 depends on your point of reference. If you’re used to plastic fins, you’ll probably find them a bit heavy. If you’re used to tech fins, the fins will seem lightweight. They weigh in just shy of 4 pounds, making them heavier than most plastic fins, but almost half the weight of their full-bodied big brother and comparable fins.

In spite of the reduced weight, they come standard with adjustable spring straps, rather than traditional rubber heel straps, just like the F1. Since most divers who purchase fins like these will likely replace rubber straps with spring straps, this is a definite plus.

They move easily and quickly in the water, requiring a bit less strength to propel them compared to the F1, perhaps due to the extra vents on the blade. This will likely make them more suitable to male divers with smaller frames, as well as female divers. The thrust is still great, though perhaps slightly less powerful than a traditional rubber fin. On one of my test dives I managed to find a good, strong upswell to battle and the fin held up admirably. Maneuverability is totally on par with the F1, except for making a turn while in hover, which seemed to require a bit more finning. Perhaps more practice will make the difference less noticeable.

Wrap-up

9ScubaDiverLife score

Hollis F2 Fin

• Low weight
• Good amount of thrust
• Compact
• Relatively large foot pocket (good for drysuits)

• Quite costly
• Relatively large foot pocket (might be problem with some wetsuit boots)

These fins aren’t cheap, costing almost as much as the F1, but if you’re in the market for a tech fin that isn’t quite as bulky as most, or if you’re looking for a designated travel fin, but want to stick with a rubber fin, this fin is a great choice.

If you are a drysuit diver with “light feet,” who struggles to keep your feet down while in trim, this fin might be a bit on the light side for you. Some divers I’ve spoken to rely on the weight of a rubber fin to help them maintain neutral trim. If this is the case, and you want to make the switch to the F2, you may need a small amount of ankle weight to compensate. Often, however, you can solve light feet-issues by adjusting your overall position of weight and buoyancy. Shift the tank down a bit and move any weights down to ensure that air isn’t getting trapped around the feet and so on.

The post Gear Review: Hollis F2 Fin appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

Very often, divers using this kind of a BCD setup will opt for putting their knives on the waist belt, very similar to the way you’d carry a normal knife in your belt. The advantage of placing it here, is that the risk of the knife itself getting tangled up in something is minimal, and the knife can easily be reached with both hands, almost regardless of which part of your body is entangled. Knives to be placed here will need a sheath that accommodates being threaded onto the belt.

Halcyon makes two knives, both of which are made for this specific way of carrying them, both of them made in titanium. The H model is a traditionally designed knife, though smaller than most dive knives. The Explorer model, however, is even more minimalist. It consists of a single piece of 5.75” titanium, which makes up both blade and handle. This makes its profile beyond slim, and reduces the weight to 2.2 oz. Titanium is chosen, as it is both lightweight and corrosion resistant. The blade itself is 2.5”, making this one of the smaller knives on the market.

To further reduce the profile of the knife while sheathed, Halcyon has elected to omit the traditional closure system that locks the knife in place in the sheath. On their H model, this was done with a nylon strap with velcro closure, which is already a more minimalist solution than the integrated locking systems many knives feature. But on the Explorer, it is removed all together, with the friction between the blade and the simple nylon sheath holding the knife in place. This means that the entire thing (knife and sheath) weighs in at only 2.2 oz, and measures only .12” in thickness at the thickest point.

One feature that seems fairly inconsequential, but that I’ve actually come to appreciate about the knife, is the slanted sheath design. The knife sits at about a 50° angle (from horizontal), designed to make it easier to reach the knife when placed opposite the diver’s dominant hand. So right-handed divers would place this knife on the left side of their body, while left-handed divers would put the knife on the right side. While a small slant might seem of little importance, I was actually very impressed with how much easier it made deploying and replacing the knife.

While I had some hesitations as to whether or not the knife would stay in place during a dive, I put it through the ropes during a recent wreck dive, where I found myself in pretty much every angle imaginable (including completely inverted upside-down), and it never budges. The combination of the friction and the negligible weight of the knife, means that the knife isn’t pulled from the sheath by gravity.

No doubt the diminutive size and minimalistic design of the knife will put some people off from it, but as anyone reading my articles on dive knives will know, I’m a big proponent of small knives. I like that I have a knife I can put on my gear and forget is there until I need it. And this one definitely fit the bill. It is small, lightweight, and so slim that you can literally forget that it’s there. You don’t even have to worry about rinsing it after diving, as the titanium won’t corrode. And if you’re a travelling diver, counting every ounce, this knife will definitely not weigh you down!

It rest fairly well in the hand, though for my size hand (I’m a fairly average sized guy) it felt a little small to get a really good grasp of it, in particular if you need to cut through a tough material. Cutting through fishing lines and nets were a breeze, as the blade is very sharp, and maintains its edge well. Getting it out of the sheath and replacing it is easy, helped by the angle mentioned earlier.

The design of the simple sheath means that it is pretty much only suited for carrying in the belt of a tech wing BCD. There’s no real way of attaching it to neither leg, jacket BCD, or on the low-pressure inflator hose.

Wrap-up

8ScubaDiverLife score

Halcyon Explorer Knife

Extremely lightweight
Corrosion resistant
Titanium maintains edge sharpness well
Small and compact

Titanium is hard to sharpen yourself
No attachment option for legs, arms, BCD.
No optimal for jacket BCD (intended for tech BCD)
Hard to grip with thick gloves

All in all, the Explorer is an excellent knife for travelers and for people (like me) who isn’t a fan of large dive knives. For anyone who regularly use their knives to cut through serious stuff, such as marine rope for cleanup purposes, say, will probably find it lacking. Personally, I probably wouldn’t take it with me for kelp diving, but for the absolute majority of the dives I do, it is a great choice.

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