 |
|
|
Aqua-Lung Legend Glacia regulator
Time was when all regulators were made of metal and few divers encountered free-flows in cold fresh water. Then manufacturers went over to lightweight thermo-plastics, which worked well in warm and temperate seas. Now Aqua-Lung has added heat-exchanging metal parts to its top-performing Legend regulator. Metal is found in the finned environmental sealing-cap of its first stage; the front of the second stage, which allows for the inclusion of a purge-button with flow-control; and large heat-exchangers in-line both in the medium pressure hose and at the junction with the second stage. The Legend Glacia also has a similarly upgraded octopus rig dedicated for use with it. It costs £330 plus £113 for the dedicated octopus rig.
• www.aqualung.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
Apeks WTX BC
The Apeks WTX is a technical diver's wing-style BC that is modular in concept. It has a soft harness or a webbing harness and stainless-steel backplate, or even a combination of the two; buoyancy cells in four different sizes up to 36kg to suit different tank configurations; and the option of a modern quick-release integrated-weight system. The WTX soft harness in M, L or XL with WTX3 (14kg maximum lift) buoyancy-cell is suitable for use directly with a single tank and, with the SureLock weight system, costs £364 from Apeks Marine Equipment.
• www.apeks.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
Mediterranean Fish ID Card
Joining a range of fish ID cards that already cover other areas, the Mediterranean Fish ID card measures 15 x 23cm and has 70 illustrations of the most commonly encountered fish. It costs £5.95 plus delivery.
• www.dive-logs.com
|
|
|
|
|
Camaro suits
These very well constructed suits come from a big manufacturer in Austria, and although previous models have had some good reviews in this magazine in the past, readers have reported problems in finding a suit to buy. Now, however, Camaro has a UK distributor in Blandford Sub-Aqua. From a wide range of offerings, typical examples are the Camaro Hydronomic 5mm semi-dry at £185, with a Hydronomic 4mm Mono Vest (£65) that can be worn over it. For colder waters, the Hydronomic X-Treme 7mm semi-dry with dry zip (£300) might be more suitable.
A Hydronomic Hood costs £20.
• www.blandfordsubaqua.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
Beaver Plasma LED lamp
This new underwater lamp is added to a range of competitively priced products. It is powered by a 6V ni-mh rechargeable battery that will fire up three 3w Luxeon LEDs and keep them running for 4.5 hours.
Each of these high-output LEDs has its own reflector arrayed behind the front glass of the Plasma LED. It is rated to a depth of 100m, comes supplied with lanyard and charger, and is available in any colour so long as it's black! It costs £189.
• www.beaversports.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
Ralf Tech Travelight Tech
This wing-style BC should be all you need and nothing more. You get a simple harness attached to a generous buoyancy-cell with a pull-cord bottom dump and a dump-valve at the top of its corrugated direct-feed hose. It would seem ideal for the travelling diver who is aware of international airlines' new 23kg weight-restriction for each item of checked baggage. Price is £339 from Denney Diving.
• 01642 486666
|
|
|
|
|
Snapsights camera
Not ready to lash out on a digital camera? This simple re-usable film camera comes in its own 30m depth-rated submarine housing and is already loaded with fast film. With in-built flash and a frame viewfinder for use in conjunction with a mask, it represents a low-risk entry into underwater photography, but then, it really is only intended for snaps. The camera costs around £23 from CPS Partnership.
• www.cpspartnership.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
Scubapro Hybrid rash-guard
This UV-rated rash-guard, made with a 1mm thick Smoothskin neoprene body, has Lycra panels for utmost flexibility and a soft contoured Lycra neckline. It is claimed to be an ideal beach or snorkelling vest or a provider of extra warmth under a wetsuit. Suitable for both sexes, Scubapro-Uwatec provides it in either short-sleeved (£35) or long-sleeved (£42) versions.
• www.scubapro-uwatec.com
|
|
|
|
|
TUSA Reef Tourer Snorkelling Kit
You know how difficult it is to find a mask and snorkel to fit the small faces of your children. TUSA comes to your rescue with a snorkelling kit designed for the job. Made to the same high standard as any diving mask, it will provide hours of fun for your kids when you snorkel with them. It costs around £18 per set.
• www.cpspartnership.co.uk
|
|
|
|
|
Oceanic Navcon console
This neat three-gauge console from Oceanic SW reads tank pressure and depth as well as having a magnetic compass on the reverse side. It swivels nicely on its hose and is claimed to make instrument configuration easy. Price is £125.
• www.oceanicuk.com
|
|
|
|
|
Fishes of the Caribbean
This definitive guide is now available in its third edition on CD-Rom or DVD, with 665 separate species displayed in more than 2500 photos and 1000 video clips. A powerful search engine lets your computer do the work of identifying any fish for you. A wealth of interactive learning and teaching tools are included. Price is around £50.
• www.reefnet.ca
|
|
|
|
|
Oceanic GT3 CD-X5 DVT
This new lightweight regulator comes with an environmentally sealed first stage that also has Dry Valve Technology. This means that, should you accidentally drop it into a rinse tank without the dust-cap in place, you will not face a service due to the parts that should stay dry getting wet. A built-in valve keeps water and air out until it is connected to a high-pressure gas supply from your tank. It costs £230.
• www.oceanicuk.com
|
|
|
|
|
Nauticalia Ship's Telegraph
Are you desperate to own a ship's telegraph but can't expect ever to liberate one from a deep wreck? At Nauticalia you can buy one recovered from a vessel that has been scrapped. It will be in much better condition and your partner might not object to a shiny one sitting in a corner of your living room, as opposed to a manky one decomposing in the garden shed. Price is £795-£995.
• www.nauticalia.com
|
|
|
|
|
Markat Electronic Whistle
Caution! This whistle is extremely loud (120dB) and should not be used in confined spaces. It's so loud it could almost be used as an aural taser-gun! You can't take it under water, but if you want to get the attention of people in another boat who don't have their radio turned on, this could do the trick. Price is £25 (AAA batteries not included).
• www.markat.co.uk
|
|
|
|
