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It was announced more than a year ago, but at last supplies are reaching these shores. The Oceanic Atom is a combined wristwatch and nitrox-ready diving computer designed to be integrated with up to three different nitrox supplies switched during a dive, provided the independent wireless transmitters are fitted to the appropriate regulator first stages.
It can also be used air-integrated or without any integration at all and in gauge mode.
Besides being a dual-time calendar/watch and chronometer, it is a full-function deco-stop computer with back-lit display. It uses a variable safe ascent-rate depending on current depth.
The user has the option to choose sampling rates and, post-dive, the instrument logs both nitrogen and oxygen absorption data.
This computer has adjustable conservative factors designed to suit your philosophy of diving and variable safety-stop times. When total air time remaining has reached zero, it doesn't mean you are out of gas, because it takes into account ascent time and any mandatory deco-stops.
Batteries are user-replaceable. As shown, with PC interface (USB), software, strap extension and one transmitter, the Atom costs £675. The watch is available alone (£399) and transmitters can be bought separately (£224).
Oceanic SW 01404 891819
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Give your home a nautical atmosphere with this genuine ship's chronometer in marine-grade brass. From a range of clocks and barometers, with an eight-day sprung movement, the Royal Mariner clock will ring out the half-breaks in watches culminating in "eight bells". £295.
Nauticalia, www.nauticalia.com
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This BC should have the most secure and efficient integrated-weights system of any on the market, because the pockets are rotated through 90¡ when compared with other BCs. It also has four trim-weight pockets at the rear from which to choose, with the aim of imparting perfect equilibrium, whichever type of tank you use. Three dump valves, two zip pockets, a soft back-cushion and a big-lift maximum capacity makes this a conventional BC worthy of consideration. £370
Cressi-sub UK 01484 310130
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This handy little underwater torch packs a powerful beam, thanks to its four AA batteries. A new and junior member of a family of similar lamps that come in larger sizes, it is a back-up torch designed to stow away unobtrusively in a pocket until the moment you need it. £27.50
Oceanic SW 01404 891819
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Well-established among divers, McMahon reels have a reputation for being simple and robust. The big black and yellow McMahon reel is now available with either 50m of R25 line (£35 including p&p) or 100m of R20 line (£39). The McMahon Compact reel has 50m of Dyneema line (£32). McMahon Precision Engineering would also like it known that it can supply any component of any of its reels as replacement parts.
McMahon, www.mcmahon-engineering.com
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The final digit sadly went missing from the phone number of LF Design, whose mugs and coasters bearing vintage diving images were featured in the November 2004 issue. Its correct number is:
LF Design 020 8531 6227
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Now with push-button operation and user-replaceable batteries - that's the headline news on Scubapro-Uwatec's new range of four computers. Using the well-liked Buhlmann ZH-L8 ADT algorithm, the 90m-rated Aladin Prime is fully nitroxcompatible in a new full-size format that allows it to be mounted on either console or wrist. It has a three-minute Safety-Stop which is user-activated and a simple Infra-Red PC connection for downloading. The Xtender is virtually the same thing but in a watch format.
The 120m-rated Aladin Tec has, in addition, gauge mode with stopwatch function, bookmarks and its ZH-L8 ADT M program can be adjusted to account for different levels of micro-bubble formation.
It has user-adjustable maximum ppO2 settings, an adjustable Safety-Stop from one to five minutes, and a dive-planning mode that can account for planned deco-stops.
The Smart Tec is a development of the existing Smart range of computers. It is nitrox gas-integrated with up to three different transmitters to allow nitrox gas-switching during the dive and complete monitoring of decompression. Its 32-bit processor allows it to keep track whether you stick to planned gas-switches or not, says Scubapro-Uwatec.
The Smart Tec displays a remaining bottom time for gas-usage that takes into account consumption-rate and total ascent-times. It can even be programmed for three identical mixes to allow diving instructors to monitor trainees' gas reserves covertly. Prices to be announced.
Scubapro-Uwatec, 01256 812636
From top: The Smart Tec and Aladin Tec computers and Xtender watch
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People tell us they are having trouble finding a copy of Michael Aw's Essential Guide to Digital Underwater Photography, which was recently reviewed so positively in DIVER. London camera store Ocean Optics tells us it has plenty in stock.
Ocean Optics, www.oceanoptics.co.uk
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The Suunto D9 is a titanium watch that is also a three-gas-switching nitrox or air-integrated computer, and an electronic compass - all the instruments you needed in one place on your wrist. Complete with transmitter, extension strap, USB PC interface and software, it costs £.1050.
Suunto UK 01420 587272
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