The gear I've chosen in this department is mostly ScubaPro equipment.
I chose it mostly because it has a good reputation. In addition, I had been
renting gear for about a hear before I purchased and the best gear I've
rented was ScubaPro. It seemed that when I rented other brands of gear
at least one of the pieces didn't work quite right.
A lot of people are against swivels but after using this gear for over a year
I never got used to the hose being as stiff as it is. It seems to restrict
my ability to turn my head left and right all the way. I found I needed to
either bite down on the regulator very hard or else it will get pulled out
of my mouth. I looked at several swivels and I chose this one because it
seemed to be the highest quality available. I have not used it in the water
yet so we'll see how well it works in the real world soon. If you're interested
I got my swivel from M & J Engineering 858-748-9442.
If you followed my usenet posts soon after I got the Oceanic Data Plus
then you already know what I think of the PC interface. When I got
this computer I didn't even consider the PC interface only to find that
the software that Oceanic provides is absolute garbage. It's really
annoying because it only captures data points every time your depth changes
by 10ft. This seems to be a function of the way the data is captured in
the computer so even rewriting the PC software won't do any good!! There
is more information about this shortcoming including charts from the
software on my computer comparison page (WAY out
of date by now).
I actually use the data from my Citizen Hyper Aqualand watch to produce
all the charts on my dive log. The Citizen is most likely the best dive
watch on the market by a wide margin.
The equipment I'm using includes the following:
- ScubaPro MK20 UL 1st stage
- ScubaPro G500 2nd stage
- ScubaPro AIR2 octo
- ScubaPro Mini Pressure Gauge
- Accent NT BCD
- Oceanic Data Plus computer
- Citizen Hyper Aqualand watch
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This is the basic regulator setup I'm currently using.
Viewed: 268 times. |
The MK20 UL is kind of nice because of the very light weight.
Viewed: 144 times. |
This G500 has been a consistent performer. The swivel is really handy since the hose is VERY stiff.
Viewed: 191 times. |
The Accent NT has been pretty good offering a great tank latch system and plenty of pockets.
Viewed: 320 times. |
No problems with the AIR2.
Viewed: 143 times. |
I'm not entirely happy with the gauge since you can't get a console to fit a regular size computer with it.
Viewed: 114 times. |
The Oceanic Data Plus computer is functional but not fancy.
Viewed: 296 times. |
The only way to attach it to the pressure gauge is with this hose mount.
Viewed: 104 times. |
Not content to just float around and watch the scenery go by I got into
underwater photography pretty much right away. I started out with a point
and shoot Sea Life Reefmaster RC camera. I eventually added on the external
strobe, 3X close-up lens and eventually the 8X and 16X macro lenses.
It took decent pictures but I have since sold it.
I did also try to use a Nikonos III camera. It took great pictures but
I never did get a strobe for it which is pretty much a requirement for
decent pictures. I ended up selling that camera.
More recently I picked up an Amphibico Explorer MV1
housing for the Canon
Optura miniDV camcorder I already had. I also looked around and settled for
the Amphibico 101S video light. It's fairly inexpensive and was adequate
but not great.
There are on-line manuals for
both the MV1 Housing and the 101S video light available.
Even more recently I picked up a Canon S400 digital camera for above
water usage. I'm heading on a dive trip soon so I decided to pick up the
Canon WP-DC800 underwater housing for it. It was VERY inexpensive so
I hope it doesn't suck. After doing a little research and speaking to
the knowledgeable people at
Helix Camera & Video
I picked up a Sea & Sea YS-25Auto strobe kit, which includes the tray,
arm and fiber optic sync cord.
I used this setup recently on a trip to The Galapagos and was pretty happy with the results.
It can take great pictures under many but not all conditions.
The only thing I wish it had was a way to focus manually but for such a small
and inexpensive setup it worked remarkably well.
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Canon S400 camera, WP-DC800 housing and YS-25Auto strobe.
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Same setup from the back.
Viewed: 255 times. |
A colorful Panamic Cushion Star.
Viewed: 246 times.
More: Dive 190 |
A pair of Spotted Eagle Rays.
Viewed: 421 times.
More: Dive 200 |
Great shot of a Galapagos Shark.
Viewed: 427 times.
More: Dive 201 |
Outline of a diver and Whale Shark from below.
Viewed: 328 times.
More: Dive 203 |
I worked very hard to get this Whale Shark shot.
Viewed: 843 times.
More: Dive 208 |
I was amazed by the colors of this Black Durgon.
Viewed: 461 times.
More: Dive 209 |
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