Absurd dive equipment

[ScubaRon]

Ok, so we have a snorkel with a built-in radio and masks with built-in lights. What other absurd ideas are the diving equipment manufactures going to dream up next?

Perhaps we should give them a hand.

Here's my absurd idea:
a BC with an integrated back massager . For the ultimate relaxation. It saves on weight too and a clever engineer can probably design it in a way that helps with propulsion as well.

Any other absurd idea's?
:snorkel:ScubaRon

[KrisB]

It's already being marketed: the Dacor HUB. Pretty absurd!

[100days-a-year]

Ditto KrisB,add bungie wings and seavision masks.

[diverlady]

How about a combo BC/parachute?

[cstreu1026]

100days-a-year once bubbled...
Ditto KrisB,add bungie wings and seavision masks.

Maybe I am thinking of something different, but how does a sea vision mask fit in to the category of absurd?

[Walter]

"how does a sea vision mask fit in to the category of absurd?"

One man's trash is another's treasure. I agree with 100days-a-year, the Seavision is unnecessary and useless, but I have buddies who love theirs. It's a matter of perception. Everything anyone lists here will have people who like it.

I'd list Force Fins.

[BILLB]

Force Fins? From I I have read from users they are better than peanut butter. Heck, I once used a pair to make duck feet for a student in a children's play.

[ScottyK]

Walter once bubbled...

I'd list Force Fins.

Hey! I love those!!!

OK....Just kidding...I couldn't resist :D

I haven't seen them advertised in a while, but I remember getting a smile from a product who's name I can no longer remember.

It was a squeezeable pouch with a tube that you inserted through your mouthpiece. The premise was that you filled it with your beverage of choice, and squeezed the bag to get a drink while diving.

I was trying to imagine what happened when you unxpectedly bump the bag, or squeeze it too hard and start choking at 100' :rolleyes:

[cstreu1026]

Walter once bubbled...
"how does a sea vision mask fit in to the category of absurd?"

One man's trash is another's treasure. I agree with 100days-a-year, the Seavision is unnecessary and useless, but I have buddies who love theirs. It's a matter of perception. Everything anyone lists here will have people who like it.

I'd list Force Fins.

Just to make sure I am on the same page, exactly what is being refered to as a Sea Vision mask. I can't see a way that anyone would classify my prescription Sea Vision mask as absurd. The only possible way some might do that I would think is if you had the color correcting lens.

[mer]

ScubaRon once bubbled...
Ok, so we have a snorkel with a built-in radio
I dunno if that could be called dive gear... I think it's only water proof to 15-20' or so.

[drbill]

I can't believe no one mentioned the underwater cell phone for SCUBA divers that was on the news a few months (year?) ago. I don't even use one topside!

Dr. Bill

[Walter]

cstreu1026,

Unless I'm mistaken, Seavision masks are the masks with color filters.

ScottyK,

SCUDA = Self Contained Underwater Drinking Apparatus. They came out in the mid '80's. I still see an ad from time to time.

drbill,

I've never heard of that particular gem, but it would be high on my list.

[cstreu1026]

OK. so its the color filters. Is just the standard clear lens and is of very high quality.

[cnidae]

How about split fins?

[BILLB]

Wrong! IMHO they actually work for you.

[100days-a-year]

cstreu1026,yes the color filters.They may well work in very shallow water with great vis,but that desribes about 10% of what divers do.There is a rule in the phyical world "TANSTAAFL" There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch.The only way for them to work is to decrease the amount of light you see.How about Submersible flares as well?

[Rick Murchison]

100days-a-year once bubbled...
How about Submersible flares as well?
Well, now, it wouldn't make much sense to carry flares that weren't submersible, would it?
Rick

[BILLB]

The emergency flares I have used in the Navy actually will work under water.

[Bob3]

OK, where can one find submersible flares?
I recall a TV show, the AQUANAUTS where the guys were ALWAYS swimming around with the critters.

BTW, the straps on Force Fins beat the crap out of the "standard" plastic buckles & rubber straps.

[victoriawtx]

for your cell phone that attaches to your BC. I saw an ad for one in a dive magazine recently.

I don't get it.

?????

[BILLB]

Try PEP BOYS auto parts for your flares

[ScottyK]

S.C.U.D.A.- LOL :D That was it! Too funny.....



Anyplace that sells Kayaking gear will have waterproof flares, flare gun kits and dye markers.

[WJL]

victoriawtx once bubbled...
for your cell phone that attaches to your BC. I saw an ad for one in a dive magazine recently.

I don't get it.

?????

I think the idea was to carry your cell phone with you on the dive, not to use it, but because you didn't have a safe place to leave it on shore during your dive. I suppose you could carry your car keys and wallet too.

[Bob3]

Anyplace that sells Kayaking gear will have waterproof flares... I'm looking for the handheld variety that can be ignited while underwater. (not very easy to find).

[Boogie711]

Split Fins
the "Air2"
the "Low Profile Octopus"
Retractors
Tank bangers
cheap plastic orally inflated SMB's.
the HUB

[KrisB]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
the "Low Profile Octopus"
Retractors


Why are these listed?

[SeaJay]

KrisB once bubbled...


Why are these listed?

C'mon, man... You know the ones... They're flat and round, with a mouthpiece sticking out of the SIDE of the reg... They're non-adjustable, can't be disassembled underwater if there's a problem (likely, since it's the "octo," and not often used), vent bubbles right in your face, and breathe like crap anyway. Some of the ones I've seen don't even use a seperate hose, meaning that if you want to use it, you MUST use the hose it came with... Which creates a problem for the user who wants to customize their own gear (every diver I've ever met).

I haven't used one in a long time, but the last time my buddy used one, she had a primary reg failure and needed to use the "octo." She pulled it off her "octo holder" and guess what? It didn't work. Apparently the diaphragm inside wasn't sealing properly, probably due to a little dry rot.

She was able to use the octo anyway (her decision - I wasn't on the dive) but it pretty much gave her a mouthful of water on every breath until she was able to surface.

When she confronted the dive shop about it, they pointed out that it never had done that before. Of course, they weren't really sure, because they don't get tested on every dive, since it's "only the backup reg." The whole brilliance of that statement really says a lot about the dive shop if you think about it. What difference does it make that it worked last time? And what do you mean by only the backup reg? You mean the one that, when it's needed, you REALLY, REALLY need it to work?

They were selling the "low profile octos" (in bright yellow, of course) for $89. Why would anyone want to do something like that when they can purchase a real second stage (even a top-of-the-line one) to act as backup for about the same price? Heck, some dive shops sell some of the best Apeks second stages for only like $20 more...

...Just doesn't make any sense... Except, of course, for the LDS...

[TRIG]

Both force fins and Split fins are good fins and don't belong
on this list.

TRIG
:)

[SeaJay]

TRIG once bubbled...
Both force fins and Split fins are good fins and don't belong
on this list.

TRIG
:)

<slaps forehead>

:banging:

[Walter]

Like I said, "One man's trash is another's treasure. I agree with 100days-a-year, the Seavision is unnecessary and useless, but I have buddies who love theirs. It's a matter of perception. Everything anyone lists here will have people who like it."

I'd keep them both on the list.

[Boogie711]

pneumatic tank bands
Big knife with ankle straps (unless you're spearing.)
shrink wrap tank decals
neoprene tank protectors
(mesh tank protectors too!)

I saw a guy at Gilboa who carried a small orange spool (it looked like a dumbell for wrist curls, but it floated) with maybe 75 feet of line and a small weight on the end. I asked what it was for - it's in case he drops stuff, he can unhook the floaty thing, let the weight drop and go down and find what was lost. He carries it on every single dive, rigged right there on his right shoulder.

And of course, don't foget the ultimate stupid accesory - the Spare Air!

[SeaJay]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
I saw a guy at Gilboa who carried a small orange spool (it looked like a dumbell for wrist curls, but it floated) with maybe 75 feet of line and a small weight on the end. I asked what it was for - it's in case he drops stuff, he can unhook the floaty thing, let the weight drop and go down and find what was lost. He carries it on every single dive, rigged right there on his right shoulder.


OMG... You've got to be kidding...

I'm amazed at the crap that people buy. Do they not realize how simplifying gear can work wonders for the dive experience?

I once saw a dude that felt that a sunglasses holder was an important scuba accessory... He'd put his sunglasses in it, which was clipped to the shoulder of his BC. That way, he'd have them to wear when he surfaced.

I mean, c'mon people... Sure, sunglasses are nice to have on the surface, but doesn't it make more sense to leave them in the dive bag? I mean, a sandwich and a Coke might be nice, too, but I wouldn't clip them off to my BC...

RavenC: Tell them about the cool little drybox for your car keys. :D

[pdoege]

Those "barbell thingies" are actually surface markers used in fishing competitions to mark spots that you find via sonar.

You cruise over a spot, see the fish on the finder, chuck the marker overboard and then come around again and fish.

If the current or wind blows you off your spot, no problem.

I am thinking of using one off of my kayak to mark "interesting" spots that my sonar picks up.

That way when I drift due to current and wind I'll be able to quickly return to the spot.

I don't think I'd bring it on every dive though.

Peter

[SeaJay]

<slaps forehead again>

:banging:

;)

[nyresq]

The light up tank valve knob?

has anyone else seen this? I don't get it. you take off your regular knob and this knob with a light goes in its place....

have you ever not been able to find your tank valve when you needed it?
oh for night dives you say? I always figured the 1 zillion candle powered light was enough for anyones buddies to find them...

[SeaJay]

Interviewer talking with Sir Edmund Hillary, the first person to successfully climb Mt. Everest:

I: "...So, what was it like, and what do you attribute your success to?"

SEH: "Well, it was great, just great... We decided that blue parkas were so much better than red ones that we were able to ascend to the top with no problems whatsoever."


Interviewer talking with Neil Armstrong, the first person to walk on the moon:

I: "Why do you think that you were able to do this, when nobody's ever been able to do this before?"

NA: "Well, it's just a damn good thing that we used ink pens instead of pencils, 'cause you know how important it is that pens are easier to write with."


Interviewer talking with Jacques Cousteau, after his deep-diving manned submersible Treste set a world record:

I: "...So what's it like to have gone deeper than any man on Earth?"

JC: "Yes, yes... It's wonderful. It's a great thing that we used Duralube engine oil in the generator of the ship to power the Treste... You know, we get 15% better fuel economy with Duralube."


Do y'all get the picture? It's all about FOCUS. If you're busy thinking about some new whizbang gadget, then you might not be focused on diving.

Scuba is a gear-intensive sport, folks, but not because it works better that way... It's because it has to be. Frankly, we'd be better off not needing any gear whatsoever. Unfortunately, there's a few things we have to have to scuba dive. Minimizing other gadgets and crapola hanging off of you works in great ways to keep your focus on the dive, where it should be, instead of on some super-duper contraption that can dive for you.

[SeaJay]

nyresq once bubbled...
The light up tank valve knob?

has anyone else seen this? I don't get it. you take off your regular knob and this knob with a light goes in its place....

have you ever not been able to find your tank valve when you needed it?
oh for night dives you say? I always figured the 1 zillion candle powered light was enough for anyones buddies to find them...

ROFLMAO...

Uhhhh... It should be right where you left it. :)

[ew1usnr]

SeaJay once bubbled...
Interviewer talking with Jacques Cousteau, after his deep-diving manned submersible Treste set a world record:


Historical note:
Cousteau was not involved with the Trieste. That was designed by Professor Piccard, a Swiss inventor who was also a record setting high altitude balloonist. The Trieste was leased to the US Navy when it set the depth record. A Navy lieutenant was officially in command, but Piccard's son was at the controls.

[SeaJay]

I saw "Jacques" and remembered incorrectly that it was Cousteau. It was Piccard. Cousteau also designed a sub, but of a different name.

Details at http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/blowballast/people/submersibles1.htm

My bad!

Wasn't the point, though... :D

[100days-a-year]

Rick,I just couldn't think of any use for'em.Atho I could think of a place for folks to keep'em ;).The Biofilter,Spare Air,Suicide clips,X-brackets etc..,Cameras submersible to 130' with no flash..duh,Keep it up ,let's here some more.

[ew1usnr]

TIRED OF BEING A SCUBA AIR HOG? THIS PRODUCT WILL IMPROVE YOUR BREATHING EFFICIENCY FOR BETTER AIR CONSUMPTION.---ALSO GREAT FOR FREE DIVERS!!!

Breathing Resistance Exercise = Stronger Lungs = Greater Lung Capacity & Endurance.
The #1 Choice of Swimmers, Divers, and Triathletes.

The"EXPAND-A-LUNG" breathing resistance exerciser is a new breakthrough for increasing lung capacity and endurance.-- Research from the University of Zurich supports that this type of exercise significantly improves the endurance of respiratory muscles, and increases the volume of ventilation.--

[japan-diver]

Have to vote for the tank lights absolutely worthless...

Also does anyone remember the "air buddy" I think it was called, no octo to speak of just a hose with a small tilt valve at the end to use as a backup, very streamlined.- It came out at DEMA a few years back.

Also the self-inflating BC that automatically compensated for depth by putting air in your BC- an accident waiting to happen.

Force Fins definatley get an honorable mention

[pipedope]

MOST of what we use in diving would be looked at as silly by somebody.

Why is a tank valve light more silly than a light stick?

Why is a force fin bad but a rocket fin is great?

Heck, diving those old twin hose regulators with small tanks made depth gages and pressure gages redundant. Wet suits and computers (including that Bottom timer that I would call the Un-computer) did not exist. Dry suits were used only by commercial hard hat divers.

The real definition of an absurd piece of equipment?
Any gear that I am not using that gives me the opportunity to make fun of someone else.

[ew1usnr]

One man's trash is another man's treasure.



pipedope once bubbled...
Heck, diving those old twin hose regulators with small tanks made depth gages and pressure gages redundant.

If you know what depth the bottom is, a depth gauge is not needed. Example, Alexander Spring is 25-feet max depth, give or take a few feet. A depth gauge will not tell me anything that I do not already know.

A J-valve IS a type of a pressure gauge. I am finished with apologizing for liking them.

I tried a pair of Force fins while skin diving in a fast flowing river. I was kicking fast and it didn't feel like I was wearing fins. BUT, I was moving against the current, and at a good pace.

An auto-inflator can stick and cause a BC to become "self inflating". Auto-inflators are accidents waiting to happen. (This is an exaggeration, made to make a point).

[Damselfish]

These are actually a nice idea in theory if you're going to use some kind of light stick or marker light (which some ops even require at night.) Always there and one less dangely thing.

But they are junk or turn into it quickly - there's far too short a length of thread between the ON, OFF, and FLOOD settings.

[Boogie711]

I am finished with apologizing for liking them.

We won't get tired of explaining how they're dangerous. There's a reason no one makes them anymore. They're NOT a 'kind of pressure gauge.' They're a crutch for improper gas management, especially when you have better options available.


If the only diving you ever do is in 25 feet of water, hey - go ahead and risk your life. But if you want to dive a J valve in 90 feet and you discover that the little lever thing has already flipped, well - I hope you used a coffin as your save-a-dive case.

[Charlie99]

Only needed by people that are so unskilled or lazy that they can't remove their reg and orally inflate their BCD.
Can't have runaway inflation when you don't have a power inflator.

BCD power inflators rank right up there with other useless gear like computers, split fins, force fins, dry snorkels, and purge masks.

One mans treasure is another man's trash.

.:out: :banana:

[ew1usnr]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
There's a reason no one makes them anymore.

Look at MAR-VEL diver's supply. They sell new J-valves and rebuild kits.

http://www.mar-vel.com

"They're a crutch for improper gas management."
Gas mangement? I breathe the tank down and come up.

[/i] If the only diving you ever do is in 25 feet of water, hey - go ahead and risk your life. [/QUOTE]

Risk my life? In 25-feet of open water? Should I also be using a wings BC, a twin valve manifold, a 7-foot octopus hose, and Nitrox? That's absurd. So I guess it fits with this thread.

And I am also inclined to agree with charlie99: "Can't have runaway inflation when you don't have a power inflator."

[Boogie711]

My point was that in 25 feet, you can do whatever you want. If you want to be stupid and dive a J valve in 25 feet, go right ahead. Chances are good you can pull of an ESA. It's hardly the safest practice on earth, but hey - I know I'll never buddy with you, so go ahead and put your life at risk.

Now, in 90 feet, when your "gas management" consists of "I breathe the tank down and come up," I'd like to see what happens after you discover the little lever was flipped down.

Actually, check that - I don't want to see what happens. I get grossed out easily, and watching someone puke out a lung could really ruin my day.

[ew1usnr]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
I know I'll never buddy with you

I would rather have my teeth drilled.

[/i]Now, in 90 feet, when your "gas management" consists of "I breathe the tank down and come up," I'd like to see what happens after you discover the little lever was flipped down. [/QUOTE]

At 90-feet I prefer to use a pressure gauge in addition to my J-valve. My J-valve serves as a backup to the SPG. I've had pressure gauges flood, leak, and had a needle stick so that the gauge give me a false reading. Unlike you, I have learned not to place complete blind trust in a SPG. Or do you swim with two SPG's?

[Boogie711]

I do, however, dive with properly maintained equipment, practice proper gas management, and have situational awareness, so I would be aware if the SPG needle is sticking.

I guess that's what makes us different, huh?

[ew1usnr]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
I guess that's what makes us different, huh?

I am very glad of that.

[Boogie711]

ew1usnr - I have nothing against you and don't want to take this personal (any more than it's already been, anyway.) To the extent that it has gone personal, I apologize.

In summary - I believe some of the practices you advocate to others are simply unsafe.

J valves have no place in modern diving. It's NOT about diving only the newest and greatest. The 'newest and greatest' is the sort of crap philosophy which churns out useless accesories found in this thread - things like the HUB.

It is about diving the right tool for the job. J-valves are simply not the right tool - in any circumstance. By saying you use a J-valve as a backup to an SPG, which sometimes sticks and floods, is the same as saying "I'm going to get into this creaky old elevator, but I'm going to tie a knot around my waist and another knot around the doorknob of the 18th floor. The rope is only 17 floors long, so when it gets to the end, I'll stop."

Again - it's not about the newest and greatest. It's about waking up and realizing that some of the practices you used to think were acceptable are simply not any longer workable.

There is such a thing as "proper gas management." Do a search on this board for such terms as "rock bottom." If you stop and think about what you're doing, it may just really increase your diving enjoyment. Trust me - proper gas management does NOT mean "breathe the tank down and come up. " Again - that's NOT SAFE!!!! What happens if your buddy is out of air, but you still need to do stops? It's off to the chamber with you, just because you don't accept what you refer to as "the newest and greatest."

ew1usnr - good luck to you sir. I wish you no ill will. But if you continue to dive the way you advocate, ill will may find you regardless. It's not about the "scuba cops." It's about being safe and not putting your life, and the life of your dive buddy, at risk.

[Bob3]

J valves have no place in modern diving Whoa there, J valves make GREAT carrying handles.;)
The largest dive shop in Northern California still has a bunch in their rental department, as do most well established dive shops in the midwest.
If given the choice of a steel 72 with a J or an aluminum 80, I'll take the 72 any day, as the bouyancy characteristics of the 80 irritate the daylights out of me.
The biggest hazard about a J is a newbie shop hand not knowing to put the handle in the DOWN position for filling & sticking you with a 500 psi fill.

[Boogie711]

I have dove with a J valve, as long as the handle is in the 'full open' position it's nothing more than a k valve. I dive DIN valves now, anyway, so it's not a big deal.

But to use the J-valve as a substitute for an SPG is foolhardy and dangerous.

[detroit diver]

SeaJay once bubbled...


.........I mean, a sandwich and a Coke might be nice, too, but I wouldn't clip them off to my BC...
......


I think you've got something there. A portable sandwich! Darn, I'd like to have one of those when I surface.....:D

[Charlie99]

detroit diver once bubbled...
I think you've got something there. A portable sandwich! Darn, I'd like to have one of those when I surface.....:D Why wait until surfacing? I often slip a small Capri Sun foil juice packet into my BC pocket for a mid-dive sip. Now if the sandwich is in a ziplock baggie, it will be dry, although kind of squished. Now if you purge upward into the ziplok bag as you open it....... It will still probably get wet a bit, so it just has to be a sandwich that tastes good when heavily salted. Ya never know until you try! "Sandwich trials" are sked for this weekend.

Charlie

[ew1usnr]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
I believe some of the practices you advocate to others are simply unsafe.

...... for anyone else. I enjoy swimming with a double hose regulator and a J-valve, but won't argue that anyone else should dive this way. Neither will I condemn them if they choose to do so. This equipment is not illegal.

[ew1usnr]

Boogie711 once bubbled...
But to use the J-valve as a substitute for an SPG is foolhardy and dangerous.

My Boogie-buddy has partially convinced me. I will upgrade my 72 tank with a Dacor J-valve (see attached) that has an HP port for a pressure gauge. This will let me go AquaLung-ing with the advantages of both a J-valve reserve and a SPG.

[padiscubapro]

cstreu1026 once bubbled...


Just to make sure I am on the same page, exactly what is being refered to as a Sea Vision mask. I can't see a way that anyone would classify my prescription Sea Vision mask as absurd. The only possible way some might do that I would think is if you had the color correcting lens.

I also use sea vision masks both prescription...

One is a clear lens.. the other is the low viz mask (yellow lens) and I can tell you in darg / greenish water it makes an incredible difference..

The NE waters are pretty dark, with the yellow lenses I can read my guages without shining a light on them to much deeper depths than a standard clear lens.. the red color correcting... well that I think is unnecessary....

[nyresq]

Is that a HP port or a burst disk????:confused:

[ew1usnr]

nyresq once bubbled...
Is that a HP port or a burst disk????:confused:

It has both a burst disc and an HP port. It was made for use with older regulators that did not have an HP port themselves (like most of the double hose regulators). See the attached photo of the back side of a K-valve version of this valve. It shows both the burst disc and HP port.

[MikeFerrara]

Absurd equipment?

A snorkel when you have a tank (or two) of gas on your back.

An alternate reg that's hanging where you won't be able to find it or it won't work when you need it.

A consol, unless you need something big and flat to paddle a boat with.

fins that are broken when you buy them that you pay extra for.

Retractors.

[coberry7]

This thread has degenerated from a comical thread about outrageous gear into a thread that is a competition between minimalists, and those that like their gadgets.

Minimalists think that they are superior by streamlining their gear and 'bang their heads against a wall' if someone else doesn't do as they do.

Gadget heads love to dive and fail to see what the big **** deal is if you are doing a wall dive?

Cave diving in Wakulla? OK, different setup. Cave diving anywhere? Different setup.

Diving on Brac...where the kitchen sink for all I care.

Most OW dives? Put as much as you feel comfy diving with on your gear.

Quit pissing on each other and respect the differences in the dives that you will be doing.

Seems to be that most of the ridicule is coming from the minimalist divers, though. I saw the same trend in backpacking and climbing.

When will I ever escape those that feel superior based on methods, techniques, and equipment?

I'm tired of Prima Donna's that feel that their way is the only 'RIGHT' way.

Have fun, quit ridiculing other's methods and choices and by default, those that gear up differently than you.

This crap disgusts me.

[Hallmac]

ew1usnr once bubbled...
It has both a burst disc and an HP port. It was made for use with older regulators that did not have an HP port themselves

Dude! You forgot the newer version that also had the built in pressure guage. You remember it don't you? Had the brass filter to prevent the nasty air in your tank from contaminating the little metal rod....

it saved you from buying a spg and a hose that could rupture?

ARRR!

Just fanning the flames!!!!

Hallmac

[JHAM]

ScottyK once bubbled...


Hey! I love those!!!

OK....Just kidding...I couldn't resist :D

I haven't seen them advertised in a while, but I remember getting a smile from a product who's name I can no longer remember.

It was a squeezeable pouch with a tube that you inserted through your mouthpiece. The premise was that you filled it with your beverage of choice, and squeezed the bag to get a drink while diving.

I was trying to imagine what happened when you unxpectedly bump the bag, or squeeze it too hard and start choking at 100' :rolleyes:

All of the sudden I'm thinking the acid in soda can't possibly be good to mix in your regulator....I think I'll leave this one at the dive store.

[ew1usnr]

Hallmac once bubbled...
Dude! You forgot the newer version that also had the built in pressure guage. Had the brass filter to prevent the nasty air in your tank from contaminating the little metal rod....
it saved you from buying a spg and a hose that could rupture?

I've got several of those (see photo)! The little tire-pressure type rod gauge on the back of the valve is marked "F 1/2 E". The built-in pressure gauge has it's own little separate filter. It works for not getting empty tanks mistaken for full ones. It doesn't do a diver much good on a dive because it is behind the divers head. The gauge might be useful if the tank were used as a stage or deco bottle, though.

DCAR stood for "Depth Compensating Adjustable Reserve". The reserve automatically increases frpm 300 to 600 psi as the diver goes deeper. Or, the diver can manually set the reserve at 600 psi. When it was introduced back around 1973, Scubapro called it "The Valve of the Future, .... Today!" That valve cost $72 new, which was more expensive than a Scubapro first stage regulator. They are a piece of work. It's too bad that Scubapro did not include a HP port. I like the DCAR valve, but the Dacor J-valve will let me use a pressure gauge when I swim with my double hose regulators. See double hose thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37835

[Jeblis]

I can't find a link, but there was a electronic depth controller that would add and remove air from your BC to maintain neutral bouyancy. It also had buttons for up/down. Apparently it had some problems compensating for breathing.

[myz113]

haha, I dunno if anyone has mentioned this but look on eBay at the low pressure hose for a reg that has a water bottle attached. It says it solves the problem of getting thirsty underwater... like we go diving in the Sahara or something...=-)

[Hallmac]

ew1usnr once bubbled...
It doesn't do a diver much good on a dive because it is behind the divers head. The gauge might be useful if the tank were used as a stage or deco bottle, though.

And here I thought everyone knew I was being funny. dang I'll have to work on that.

Hallmac

[JHAM]

MikeFerrara once bubbled...
Absurd equipment?

A snorkel when you have a tank (or two) of gas on your back.

An alternate reg that's hanging where you won't be able to find it or it won't work when you need it.

A consol, unless you need something big and flat to paddle a boat with.

fins that are broken when you buy them that you pay extra for.

Retractors.

Snorkels can be used on the surface in rough water if you have a long surface swim and empty tanks, or used to assist in rescue swimming.

I love my split fins.

My SPG is mounted on a retractor, it keeps it out of the way.

Obsure is in the eye of the beholder...

[ew1usnr]

This is the first time I've seen one of these. It looks nicely made, but the light is probably too small to be of any reel (pun) use.

The item retails for $120 and does not include the flashlight or the clip hook shown in the picture.

"Lighted Dive Reel. Precision Dive Gear manufactures the premium "dive reel", perfect for finding your way back under extreme conditions. Manufactured to hold an underwater light in the same hand with the "dive reel". The "dive reel" is manufactured to close tolerances to prevent fouling of the line between spool and frame and is "ergonomically enhanced" for comfort."

[ew1usnr]

I don't think that these would work. It looks like it would slide around and the D-ring would end up where you couldn't reach it. If you didn't have a boot on your tank the thing could slide completely off.
*****************************************
SCUBA "D" Lites - portable tank "D" rings.
"They are light duty 1" solid brass, welded "D" rings that you attach to your tanks via a ballistic Nylon strap and a unique, heavy-duty push button swivel snap. They are meant for light duty purposes: holding a lift bag, holding a cave reel, attaching a breakaway dive flag, etc. They can be quickly and easily secured to rental tanks. They make great Christmas gifts as well. Note: Not recommended for DECO Bottles."

[ew1usnr]

What good would this be? Where could you get it filled? How durable would a fiberglass wrap be on a scuba tank?

***********************************************
BRAND NEW LUXFER ALUMINUM & FIBERGLASS CYLINDER & DIN VALVE / 106 CU/FT @ 4,350 PSI: These are the brand new high pressure 4,350 psi cylinders from Luxfer, you can dive the future right now ! The high pressure cylinders have been in use in Europe for over 20 years, they are finally legal to use in the USA. Luxfer is now shipping and we are one of the few that have them currently in stock. Most of the better dive shops can fill these with no problems because all of the Scuba compressors made within the last 20 years have a working pressure of 5,000 psi. These tanks are small and lightweight because of the super strong fiberglass wrap. Comes complete with 300 bar DIN valve. This is the same technology that has been used for fire fighter air packs for the last 10 years, and is it is now finally DOT approved for SCUBA use. If you are one of those guys who likes owning the best toys, and having the highest performance products, this is your dream come true. Why mess around with a steel HP cylinder that is going to rust when you can now have a rust free aluminum ? These are great to dive with, the balance is excellent ! Low drag and lightweight ! CERTIFIED DIVE READY: Each cylinder is inspected by a factory technician before is is shipped to you, so everything is dive ready and perfect. VIP iinspection is included. These cylinders & valves are O2 cleaned so they are Nitrox ready. Note: These cylinders require a hydro testing every 3 years and will fit all standard back packs and BCD's. They must be used with DIN regulators, older style standard Yoke types will not work. We suggest high grade regulator models like the Zeagle products for best results. MFG. TEST DATE: 9/03 HEIGHT: 26.1" DIAMETER: 7.39" COLOR: White WEIGHT IN AIR: 33.8 POUNDS / 15.3 kg. WEIGHT IN WATER: 24.45 POUNDS / 11.09 kg. BUOYANCY FULL: -4.84 POUNDS BUOYANCY EMPTY: +3.10 POUNDS THREAD SIZE: 0.875-14UNF-2B CAPACITY: 105.2 cu/ft / 2976.4 liters. MANUFACTURE: Luxfer USA. MODEL: 2003 S106W / 300 bar STARTING BID: $385.00

[KrisB]

ew1usnr once bubbled...
What good would this be? Where could you get it filled? How durable would a fiberglass wrap be on a scuba tank?
BUOYANCY FULL: -4.84 POUNDS
BUOYANCY EMPTY: +3.10 POUNDS

There was some discussion on fibreglass tanks over on the tank forum. For some reason (which I cannot recall) it is stupid to use them for SCUBA use. Perhaps it is that buoyancy swing, I don't know.

[loosebits]

KrisB once bubbled...


There was some discussion on fibreglass tanks over on the tank forum. For some reason (which I cannot recall) it is stupid to use them for SCUBA use. Perhaps it is that buoyancy swing, I don't know.

The buoyancy swing on a tank has nothing to do with what the tank is made of but simply the volume of air it holds. 12.8 ft^3 of air weighs 1 lb, it doesn't matter if your in an AL80 or a steel 120.

[coberry7]

Firefighters use these for their SCBA's. They are light and easily carried in addition to other firefighting gear.

I saw several of these at a dive shop in Summerville, SC. Naturally me and my buddies asked about them and were told that for diving they were not so great. (The ones we saw were ready to be filled and were the fire department's) Evidently they have a high propensity for damage. It would be easy to damage them by bumping into them. While this might not cause failure, it would cause me not to use one while diving.

I'll stick with the tried and true AL 80's.

[nyresq]

most fire dept are using tanks in the 30 cuft range with some using 45 or 60 cuft. these tanks are filled to 4500psi to achieve these fills. And from personal experience I can tell you these tanks are VERY positive in water, even when full they will float. The newest tanks in the fire service are now carbon fiber wrapped. These tanks also have a service life of 15 years, period. two hydros after manufature and then they are destroyed.
The old fiberglass and not so old kevlar tanks are being replaced with these lighter carbon wrapped tanks.

as far as toughness with a fiberglass wrap, there is a saying in the fire service "put a naked fireman in an empty room with an anvil and close the door for five minutes, when you open it back up the anvil will be broken....and the fireman will be drunk... "

Firefighters are the most equipment abusive people on the face of the earth, if the tanks survive firefighters, they can survive scuba diving.:)

[ew1usnr]

nyresq once bubbled...
"put a naked fireman in an empty room with an anvil and close the door for five minutes, when you open it back up the anvil will be broken....and the fireman will be drunk... "


You gotta love someone with this kind of ability!

[coberry7]

*S* I know about breaking things! I used to do demolitions for the military. I'll still stick with my AL 80's.

I know that firefighters are tough on equipment. Who else besides soldiers can be more tough on it? Firefighters and SCUBA divers operate in the exact opposite environments and with different support structures.

Tell you what, when firemen take AL 80's to a call, I'll take a tank designed for a SCBA underwater.

Colin

[TDunbar]

Ain't it great that we all still have free choice?




Todd

[ElectricZombie]

Absurd Gear:

Split Fins
Spare Air
Pony Tanks
Air 2 and copies
Jacket BCs
"Tech" BCs
Snorkel
Console
HUB
Retractors
Octo Holders

[dvrgaryc]

ScottyK once bubbled...


Hey! I love those!!!

OK....Just kidding...I couldn't resist :D

I haven't seen them advertised in a while, but I remember getting a smile from a product who's name I can no longer remember.

It was a squeezeable pouch with a tube that you inserted through your mouthpiece. The premise was that you filled it with your beverage of choice, and squeezed the bag to get a drink while diving.

I was trying to imagine what happened when you unxpectedly bump the bag, or squeeze it too hard and start choking at 100' :rolleyes:

That product is called a "SCUDA", meaning self-contained underwater drinking apparatus. They are still being sold today. You replace the mouthpiece on your second stage with the scuda mouthpiece that has a tube coming through the bite tab. You then fill the bag with fruit juice or water, wrap the bag around your primary hose, and you're all set. BTW, there's a on-off valve to keep the contents of the pouch out of your regulator when you're not using it.

[Tekdiver10]

I'd have to say one of those little ball thingies that holds your backup reg in place. Mine is alwasy falling out and $6.00 for it is a rip off.

[nyresq]

maybe this is a stupid question, but if it keeps falling out, why keep using it???:confused:

[Tekdiver10]

I use it because it is the best thing I can find right now to use on my bp/wing bc. I dont have the five foot hose or the bunggied necklace yet so I just put my backup in the little ball. I might adventually get one of the Scubapro holders, they seem to work good for my dad. And correction, it doesnt fall out all the time its just a pain to put back in when it does fall out.

[Mitten Diver]

I have the ScubaPro octo holder and can tell you that although it is not perfect, it does hold the octo better than most.

Mitten Diver

[CuriousMe]

Tekdiver10 once bubbled...
I use it because it is the best thing I can find right now to use on my bp/wing bc. I dont have the five foot hose or the bunggied necklace yet so I just put my backup in the little ball. I might adventually get one of the Scubapro holders, they seem to work good for my dad. And correction, it doesnt fall out all the time its just a pain to put back in when it does fall out.


The best Octo holder I've found looks just like a snorkel keeper (little piece of rubber that has a circle on each end...one smaller than the other)...but it has a square on one side...so I just wrap it around a D-ring and the square part goes through the circle and it's attached to my D-ring....then my octo mouthpiece goes into the little square. It's small simple and very effective.

While I'm posting here....what issues do folks have with retractors?

Peace,
Cathie

[Damselfish]

CuriousMe once bubbled...



The best Octo holder I've found looks just like a snorkel keeper (little piece of rubber that has a circle on each end...one smaller than the other)...but it has a square on one side...so I just wrap it around a D-ring and the square part goes through the circle and it's attached to my D-ring....then my octo mouthpiece goes into the little square. It's small simple and very effective.

While I'm posting here....what issues do folks have with retractors?

Peace,
Cathie

I use a regular old snorkel keeper to hold it in place, and one of those ball things on the end to keep junk out and provide color. It's all connected with a nylon tie. Sounds like it would be hard to remove, but it's not, just pull. The ball thing provides no resistance at all, I've never found one that holds a reg for long.

[Tekdiver10]

Thats a great idea Curiousme, I'll try that when I go diving this winter.

[Boogie711]

A long hose can be found for peanuts on E-Bay, and a bungee necklace for even less. Why bother with trying to jury rig an admittedly lesser solution?????

[Tekdiver10]

Im no way a Technical Diver, I just like all the gizmos and technology that goes into scuba diving. I hope my name doesn't imply that I am a technical diver or that I go beyond the recreational limits of scuba diving, which I do not. Im just diving for fun.

[pipedope]

Tekdiver10 is not a tech diver.

However, I AM a pipedope!
That is, I not only dive into pipes I am dope enough to do it again and again, for money even. :D

[Tekdiver10]

What is the big deal about my name. Real divers really wouldn't care what my name is. They would say "cool lets go diving." Im only hear to learn and share my knowledge with "real divers" not ones that care about a name.

[ColdH2Odvr]

A buddy of mine has a BC (old) with a little CO2 cartridge powered inflator. Out of air, dumped your weight belt and still stuck on the bottom? Just pull the handy cord and this clever device dumps the contents of the cartridge into your BC and your back on the boat telling stories in no time… especially useful if your J-valve was inadvertently pulled (ok sorry, I know you J-valve guys have taken way too much flack already but I just couldn’t resist).

12” of shock cord +1 zip tie + 5 minutes = necklace. For the $2.28 it’s worth a shot.

[SeaJay]

Tekdiver10 once bubbled...
What is the big deal about my name. Real divers really wouldn't care what my name is. They would say "cool lets go diving." Im only hear to learn and share my knowledge with "real divers" not ones that care about a name.

Yeah, pipedope and Boogie probably aren't real divers. :D

Not that it makes any difference to me (or probably anyone else for that matter), but if you aren't a "technical" diver, then why did you call yourself "Tekdiver?"

I agree with you on the octo holder, by the way... So I switched to the long hose primary/bungieed backup deal... And I highly recommend it.

...And I'm not a "technical" diver. :D

[pipedope]

:D

Just an observation, please don't take it hard.

BTW I am not a real diver.
I am trying to get away from making my living by diving. My body just doesn't want to do that much hard work anymore.

I have only been diving for 25 years.

If you come to Homosassa FL, look me up, we can go diving.
Warning, I will dive in nearly anything. Much of what I dive in could better be called soup than water. Some of it is not nearly as nice as soup. :D

Commercial Diver, $5 a day and all you can eat. :out:

Like I said, I am really a pipedope, I get paid to dive in pipes, and other places. Actually I get paid to get some work done and the job site just happens to be underwater. :D

[Tekdiver10]

Its cool Pipedope. That was kind of harsh on my part, I just got a little ticked, it was a bad day.:D I take back what I said about the "real diver." It was very childish on my part. If im ever in Florida we should hook up and do some diving.:)
Tekdiver10

[GDI]

ScottyK once bubbled...


Hey! I love those!!!

OK....Just kidding...I couldn't resist :D

I haven't seen them advertised in a while, but I remember getting a smile from a product who's name I can no longer remember.

It was a squeezeable pouch with a tube that you inserted through your mouthpiece. The premise was that you filled it with your beverage of choice, and squeezed the bag to get a drink while diving.

I was trying to imagine what happened when you unxpectedly bump the bag, or squeeze it too hard and start choking at 100' :rolleyes:

:doctor: Scooty K it's called the SCUDA
Self Contained Underwater Drinkning Apparatus

[Titletowndiver]

Coberry 7 said
Quit pissing on each other and respect the differences in the dives that you will be doing.

Seems to be that most of the ridicule is coming from the minimalist divers, though. I saw the same trend in backpacking and climbing.

When will I ever escape those that feel superior based on methods, techniques, and equipment?

I'm tired of Prima Donna's that feel that their way is the only 'RIGHT' way.

Have fun, quit ridiculing other's methods and choices and by default, those that gear up differently than you.

This crap disgusts me.

AMEN :thumb:

[ew1usnr]

A buddy of mine has a BC (old) with a little CO2 cartridge powered inflator. Out of air, dumped your weight belt and still stuck on the bottom? Just pull the handy cord.

Actually, the CO2 cartridge was meant to provide emergency surface flotation and wasn't intended to to be triggered at depth.

These are the instructions on the back of my BC:
Important Notice
Effective use of this product requires training in buoyancy control from a certified instructor.
Caution
*If equipped with a CO2 inflator do not inhale gasses from within the BC. *Emergency face up flotation may not be provided for all wearers and conditions.
*See literature supplied with BC for maintenance instructions and intended use recommendations.
Model: White Water. Approximate Buoyancy - 40 pounds when fully inflated in fresh water at sea level.
Before use - Inspect for damage and proper operation. Inspect for a full CO2 cartridge. Check the detonator operation. Lever must be in prefire position before installing cartridge. Minimum cartridge size required - 25 grams. After use - Rinse inside and out with fresh water. Store partially inflated. SeaQuest, Inc. Made in U.S.A.

[jplacson]

Well, there's the I Sea U rear-view mirror, and the SCUDA (Self-contained Underwater Drinking Apparatus), then there's the SPG that blinks when you're low on air (kinda pointless since you have to be looking at it to see it blink, so you'll know you're low on air with or without the blinking lights). There's also the underwater MP3 player... unless you're on a rebreather, I can't imagine how you can enjoy your music when your bubbles are louder! hehehe

[DCDivenut]

This thread has degenerated from a comical thread about outrageous gear into a thread that is a competition between minimalists, and those that like their gadgets.

Minimalists think that they are superior by streamlining their gear and 'bang their heads against a wall' if someone else doesn't do as they do.

Gadget heads love to dive and fail to see what the big **** deal is if you are doing a wall dive?

Cave diving in Wakulla? OK, different setup. Cave diving anywhere? Different setup.

Diving on Brac...where the kitchen sink for all I care.

Most OW dives? Put as much as you feel comfy diving with on your gear.

Quit pissing on each other and respect the differences in the dives that you will be doing.

Seems to be that most of the ridicule is coming from the minimalist divers, though. I saw the same trend in backpacking and climbing.

When will I ever escape those that feel superior based on methods, techniques, and equipment?

I'm tired of Prima Donna's that feel that their way is the only 'RIGHT' way.

Have fun, quit ridiculing other's methods and choices and by default, those that gear up differently than you.

This crap disgusts me.

AMEN!!!!!

You should check out a lot of the postings from the DIR gods!!!

[archman]

Hey! Stop picking up the SCUDA! I've got one of those ridiculous red bags, and actually use it sometimes. After 90 minutes of tooting around at Looe Key, it's a relief to suck down some freshwater.

And chics dig it!!

[JohnF]

AMEN!!!!!

I'll go along with you to the extent that some of the gear ridiculed or vilified here is in fact perfectly acceptable and useful, but not to everyone. Ergo, it's kind of shallow and silly to criticize it's use as a generalization. Admittedly there are some pretty useless, even dangerous offerings on the dive accessory market, and many of us still have drawers and boxes filled with those items. Obviously we thought they might be okay once upon a time. If you dive more than a few times your needs and wants tend to change, and you start to appreciate the practicality and utility of certain choices of gear and gear configurations because it complements your personal diving demands. But just because I've relegated a piece of gear to the junk bin doesn't mean that rule applies to everyone. To each his own.


You should check out a lot of the postings from the DIR gods!!!

I thought everyone was doing an admirable job of keeping the D-word out of this thread. This is as biased and offensive a judgement as the ones you criticize in the other posters in this thread. In no way do the DIR advocates have an exclusive on overzealous claims and derision. I think it would be fair to say that there are proportionally as many anti-DIR jerks as there are pro-DIR jerks.

You should have called it quits at "amen". 8)

JohnF

[SeaJay]

I'll go along with you to the extent that some of the gear ridiculed or vilified here is in fact perfectly acceptable and useful, but not to everyone. Ergo, it's kind of shallow and silly to criticize it's use as a generalization. Admittedly there are some pretty useless, even dangerous offerings on the dive accessory market, and many of us still have drawers and boxes filled with those items. Obviously we thought they might be okay once upon a time. If you dive more than a few times your needs and wants tend to change, and you start to appreciate the practicality and utility of certain choices of gear and gear configurations because it complements your personal diving demands. But just because I've relegated a piece of gear to the junk bin doesn't mean that rule applies to everyone. To each his own.



I thought everyone was doing an admirable job of keeping the D-word out of this thread. This is as biased and offensive a judgement as the ones you criticize in the other posters in this thread. In no way do the DIR advocates have an exclusive on overzealous claims and derision. I think it would be fair to say that there are proportionally as many anti-DIR jerks as there are pro-DIR jerks.

You should have called it quits at "amen". 8)

JohnF


AMEN!!! wink

[ColdH2Odvr]

Check the detonator operation.

Gotta love gear that comes with a detonator!!! That alone is reason enough to dive it!

[Pez de Diablo]

I'll stick with the tried and true AL 80's.

If you want tried and true, use steel.

[GotAir]

1. UW GPS system
2. contact lens that do away with the mask
3. a kayak that turns into a mini sub
4. cordless reg
5. computerized BCD
6. Mini turbo fans you can mount on the back of your theighs
7. lets see if where dreamin here than. take the air capacity of AL80 and put it in the size of a coke bottle. surely someone can do that?
8. a dive puter the size of a wrist watch Nitrox compadable also
9. nightvission divers mask
10. a small packet that is the size of a shoe that you press a button and it inflates to a full size yatch with a mini bar, captain and crew that runs on nuclear power! I can see i have run out of Ideas today but there's always tomorrow! Right!!!
I think this is what the starter of this thread wanted to know.

Mike

[JRO]

[QUOTE=GotAir]
10. a small packet that is the size of a shoe that you press a button and it inflates to a full size yatch with a mini bar, captain and crew that runs on nuclear power! /QUOTE]

I've got to remember to put this on my xmas wish list!!! Although I think I would prefer a full bar though.
:microwav:
Jeff

[Hobbs]

wow a captain and a crew that runs on nuclear power ???
that has to be the greatest...

what about a nose hair trimmer for underwater use ??
or
or an underwater videoplayer without monitor
or
underwater skies for skiing down the bottomsilt
or
pots and pans for underwater cookingclasses
or
base jumping kit for underwater use to jump the walls..

anything that might be interesting ?

[DivesWithTurtles]

Any other absurd idea's?

Hey, how about $85 titanium knives to cut fruit after the dive.

Or $65 fin straps made of metal finger pinching springs. :)


(OOoopsss... cover up!)

-=[Gabe]=-
Dive More in '04!!

[Robert Phillips]

Or $65 fin straps made of metal finger pinching springs. :)


(OOoopsss... cover up!)

-=[Gabe]=-

WHAT?!!!
If you can stretch a pair of spring straps far enough to pinch your finger, you're doing something wrong!
A sping strap is better than any rubber fin strap, anywhere, anytime!
And mine cost $35.

[SeaJay]

I spent $75 on mine... Yes, I know it was a rediculous expense, but I didn't feel that way after having lost a fin twice the day before due to crappy quick-release buckle design. I simply Ebayed a $70 pigsticker dive knife, a snorkel, and some extra hoses I had lying around (simultaneously too short and too long) and I was able to afford my spring straps and have enough left over for a couple more tank fills and gas for the car so that I could do some more diving... :biggrin:

[DivesWithTurtles]

I spent $75 on mine... Yes, I know it was a rediculous expense, but I didn't feel that way after having lost a fin twice the day before due to crappy quick-release buckle design. I simply Ebayed a $70 pigsticker dive knife... :biggrin:

Now, what were you doing with a $70 knife? You got to get a hold of yourself and stop these ridiculous impulse buys! $75 for fin straps! Sheesh, they should be gold plated and have diamond studs at the attachment points. :)

Think about it. FIN STRAPS.

(OOOooppss... sorry. I didn't mean to rant on you. But I get carried away sometimes... like you.)

:biggrin:

-=[Gabe]=-

[SeaJay]

Lol...

Well, I'd have paid $170 for them the day before, when I was doing a penetration dive on the Spiegel Grove and kept losing one of my fins.

Now... A $70 knife is a frivilous and pointless expense. I bought it when I first got into scuba really heavily, and I felt that I needed it.

I was wrong. :biggrin: Ah, well...

Other things that I will spend money on:

1. More education
2. The right breathing gas
3. Bulletproof equipment, including fin straps and a bp/wing
4. Backup lights that are $90 each
5. A primary light for $1300

...Know why? 'Cause I consider that stuff life support. Failure of those things could cause a life-threatening situation with the sort of diving I'm doing.

What I won't spend money on:

1. SCUDAS
2. HUBs
3. Giant knives, no matter how cool looking :biggrin:
4. Split fins
5. An "octopus"

...And other things mentioned here.

But hey, one man's treasure is another man's trash, I guess.

[DivesWithTurtles]

Lol...
Other things that I will spend money on:

...


Sounds like you're getting better. Next we'll have to work on me. :)

-=[Gabe]=-

[SeaJay]

Really? What sort of things have you bought that you look back on and think, "What was I doing??"

[DawgPaddle]

I have split fins and love them. I think you use a bit more energy, but I've gotten used to them and am quite satisfied. I have the ScubaPro Twin Jet's.

[bwerb]

I spent $75 on mine... and I was able to afford my spring straps

You spent way too much for your spring straps...springs (http://fifthd.com/cgi-bin/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=5AG&Product_Code=dir-strap&Category_Code=)

[SeaJay]

Yeah, I know, but they were available on the way to the dive site, and... Well... EE does me so well for so many things that I don't mind paying the extra. They filled two of my tanks for free that day with 31%...

I also like the design of the Halcyon spring straps a bit over all the others... I like the delrin rods (no dislike metals there) and I like the fact that the "tube" doesn't trap water against the spring for days at a time (which can be a big deal after lots and lots of salty ocean dives).

Yeah, I paid too much. :biggrin: Doug (EE) installed them for free, though.

You should see what I paid for my backup lights... Two of 'em. :biggrin:

[DivesWithTurtles]

Really? What sort of things have you bought that you look back on and think, "What was I doing??"

Oh, man, SeaJay, I've got a killer list... Where to start?

Fins...
I'm BAD with fins. I think I have about eight or nine pairs. I'd be set if I were an octopus. I've bought freediving fins, Force Fins, paddle fins, cheap fins, $plit fins, even cheap split fins.

No Jets yet, which gives me something to waste money on in the future. :)

Lights...
I bought an LED that worked, very dimly, for half a dive before flooding. Have you ever seen what salt water does to lithium batteries?

I bought a combo emergency LED strobe/whistle/compass that flooded as soon as it hit the water.

I bought one of the old lights that used a car headlamp and a lantern battery, on approval, and lost it before I even tried it. Pay up!

Suits...
I bought a really nice ScubaPro 7mil hooded sleeveless jacket, too small to wear over my wetsuit, too thick to wear under, and useless as a stand alone without sleeves.

I've got a nice polypropylene skin that I bought before I got a wetsuit. I thought it would keep me warm because it was polypropylene instead of lycra. Sure.

Weights...
I bought pockets for my harness, much like what you are having made in Oz (without the SPECIAL FEATURE, of course). Useless. I quickly went back to a belt.

Oh, and here's one... I had two 2#s and one 3#. I needed more for my new, thicker, wetsuit. I decided I needed eight pounds. I bought two 4#s instead of just another 3#. Duh. But wait... I decided that I was still a touch light. (I was... in the head, obviously.) So I went and bought two 5#s! I had to go back and exchange them for one 3# because I finally figured out that 3+2=5!

BCs...
I bought a jacket with a tire patch on the bladder at a pawn shop. I bought a used Zeagle. I now use a BP/wings.

Masks...
I bought one of those Dacor masks that were like swim goggles with a nose pocket. What crap.

I have little bottles of about six different de-fogs, even though the best thing I've used is baby shampoo.

SMBs...
I had an orange sausage like everyone else. I read somewhere that yellow was more visible, so I had to buy one of those. I read somewhere that a collapsible flag was more visible, so I bought one of those. I now have a big semi-closed SMB with a pressure release valve that I can shoot from a spool at depth.


And the road goes on forever.

But, I've NEVER paid $75 for fin straps!! :)

[SeaJay]

Hahahahaaa! Now that was enlightening. Lol...

Do Ebay! I have, and it frees up more money to blow on useless crap. :biggrin:

...Speaking of which, I have a few items that are due for "release to the public." I'm thinking about a new can light, and could use the extra dosh...

[DivesWithTurtles]

Do Ebay! I have, and it frees up more money to blow on useless crap. :biggrin:

...Speaking of which, I have a few items that are due for "release to the public." I'm thinking about a new can light, and could use the extra dosh...

We may be able to do some trading... Nah!!

[Joemag94]

We use these in search and recovery on the Police Underwater Recovery Unit I am on. We run search patterns alone. When you find a body, etc... you let the dumbell thing float up so the location of the object is marked so yourself or other divers can easily return for photo/video documentation if neccesary, and subsequent recovery. Not so dumb after all...

[SeaJay]

Wow... It's been nearly a year since I last saw this thread... Great stuff indeed! :D

Yeah, there's a couple of divers that use the dumbell thingies on my rescue squadron, too...

Hey, man... One man's trash is another man's treasure, I suppose. I hit my bodies with a lift bag and spool as per Dive Rescue International (DRI), PADI, and GUE... Could go into the reasons why not to use the dumbell, but if it works for you, then by all means...

'Cause it's really all about just gettin' the job done. :D

Thanks for resurrecting this thread... Great stuff for sure!

[Moogyboy]

This thread is 13 pages long, so I'll just throw out a couple of ideas:

1) A dive computer with built-in wireless internet and instant messaging, for those who simply must stay connected at all times.

2) A submersible cell phone, so as to call your nondiving friends during a dive and quietly mock them with the sound of your bubbles.

3) A combination snorkel/water bong.

4) Fins with built-in appendages that make motor boat noises like what we used to do with our bicycles as kids.

5) Mask that digitally superimpose your choice of attractive person of the opposite sex (mermaid, macho black-suited SEAL, scuba model in thong bikini, Peter Hughes) over the underwater scenery.

6) Flavored mouthpieces.

7) Wetsuit with round indentations on interior surface to allow you to load wetsuit with Alka-Seltzer tablets, for an unusually invigorating dive experience.

8) Tank with working air-rocket nozzles in bottom. For quick escapes or just for fun!

9) Regulator with special exhaust flapper valve that either whoopees (basic) or makes what sound like rude remarks (deluxe).

10) Submersible snacks.

cheers

Billy S.

[The Kraken]

SeaJay,
How's about enlightening me on this one. I've considered using these to mark under water ruins so that I can go back to the surface and get good GPS co-ordinates.

"Could go into the reasons why not to use the dumbell, but if it works for you, then by all means..."

Thanx . . .
Dennis

[SeaJay]

Oh... Sure, man...

Here's how you want to mark something underwater: http://www.fifthd.com/divestore/classes/video/shootbag.avi

If you take a dumbell down with you, then:

1. You can only carry one or two before you start to run out of space.
2. Keeping them streamlined is a problem.
3. The buoyant little dumbell changes your buoyancy characteristics, which can be a problem especially if you carry them in the wrong spot.
4. If you accidentally let one go, you can't get it back - well, not easily, anyway, which is especially a problem in deep water.
5. Dumbells have the line on them - that is, they uncoil as they go... You hold one end of the line and then let the whole shebang go. If there's any current, once that dumbell hits the surface it'll splay all the way out, becoming a hazard to yourself and others; it also doesn't do a very good job of marking your point for your GPS.

Lift bags, on the other hand:

1. Are streamlined prior to deployment and don't mess with your buoyancy and trim.
2. Can be carried as multiples.
3. Don't get lost if you drop one - they only "go" after you've inflated them.
4. Rise directly above you, and allow you to measure out exactly how much line you want.
5. Double as a surface marker buoy.
6. Can lift large objects if you need them to.
7. Provide a redundant buoyancy source.

In terms of body searching, though, I wouldn't recommend the use of either.

A diver doing a body search in a diver-sized area should be doing it with a line... Like a spool or reel. Almost always, the body will be in zero vis water unless it's in a cave or wreck - otherwise they'd have found the body already. :D

Anyway, so a diver does a circular pattern search using a line - once the body's located, the line should be tied off to the body, but left in place. The searching diver then returns back up the line (the other end should be attached to an anchor, the rescue boat, a stationary buoy, etc. - or another diver in a pinch) and then acends to the surface with critical information and to discuss with the authorities the condition of the body, the location of the body, and to obtain permission to remove the body from the water. Depending on the situation, the body should never be "marked" directly - no buoyant devices should be attached to it, for fear that it'll get dragged to the surface by wind and current, destroying a possible crime scene.

For that matter, imagine the horror of family members standing on the shore or on the boat - your buoy takes off, dragging a partial body to the surface. Not good.

Besides, once you've found the body, you'll probably be asked to bag it and then lift it, likely on the leeward side of the rescue boat. This means that you're going to have to go get a body bag anyway, unless you plan to do your entire search with one. Getting the chance to go back, discuss the situation with the Captain, and make a mutual decision on what to do now that you've found the body (which may change with whatever information you bring up with you) are all things that you need to stop and have the chance to do. During this time, if you have a marker buoy in the water, people (family members and onlookers) start freaking out, wondering why you're not immediately recovering the body. Thus, no markers should be used.

Low key is "the" key. :D It's a matter of respect for the family and a matter of respect for the powers in charge of the operation.

[The Kraken]

Thanx . . .
#1, #4 and #5 were pretty evident. I did have concerns about #3 and #2 didn't even factor into the equation.

Just trying to figure out something #1 - inexpensive that #2 can be retrieved from the surface.

Don't cotton to the idea of leaving a good reel on the bottom only to get tangled up on the retrieval . . .

[DPJ]

8. a dive puter the size of a wrist watch Nitrox compadable also


I think that ones exists. Some of the others, you should go ahead an patent now. ;)

[Hawkeye Mark]

I saw one of these for sale yesterday at scuba flea market for 300 dollars. Think I can pass on this

[opiniongirl]

I think the stupidest thing I saw was a USD BC that had an integrated Bra. I remember the rep attempting to get me to try it on in the pk session...I imagine he's recovered now...

stupid things that I actually like now - I love my U/W lazer pointer....

Other stupid...HUB (both mares and dacor), oh and Trident has these super huge dive flags that you can attach to your snorkel...

anyone else find that the majority of dive clothing is absolutely awful?

[freediver]

Well, two things are certain. #1) Those ridiculous gadgets out there likely made SOMEBODY a bit of money and that's because #2) SOMEBODY out there found a use for them. What is funny is someone will list a bunch of "crap" that is absurd to them and when they see something they dive with listed as absurd crap, they get their toes stepped on. chuckle chuckle

[mannydib]

the HUB!
I hope he can get to his octo thats zipped away in that pocket when his buddy rips his reg from his mouth:

http://www.realmsofneptune.com/viewImage.asp?image=trips/tenneco/2003-08-03/DSC01777.jpg

[cdtgray]

Just out of curiosity, was the guy in the picture someone you know or just some random diver that happened to be there the same time as you? Some of the worst pictures Ive seen of how not to be in the water - fins kicking across the bottom, looks like monofilament trailing from his valve, and looked to be bumping into a lot of coral and the wreck.

[JRO]

Wonder how bad it'll hurt when that lead weight swings the wrong way...

[SeaJay]

Heh. Great picture. Here's a photo of him in much better form later on...

http://www.realmsofneptune.com/viewImage.asp?image=trips/tenneco/2003-08-03/DSC01795.jpg

(I think he's actually using the freestyle stroke there.)

(Whoops, I said the word - don't tell anybody...)

But his buddy's nearly got him beat...

http://www.realmsofneptune.com/viewImage.asp?image=trips/tenneco/2003-08-03/DSC01797.jpg

It's like some sort of bizarre attempt at "technical" diving. :D

Hey, hey... I'm not making fun. Honest. :D I guess everyone has their own "special way."

At least the site's pretty... And the photo work is actually pretty good, too.

This is good-looking, for example... http://www.realmsofneptune.com/viewImage.asp?image=trips/tenneco/2003-06-25/DSC01125.jpg

[JeffG]

http://www.realmsofneptune.com/viewImage.asp?image=trips/tenneco/2003-08-03/DSC01797.jpg

It's like some sort of bizarre attempt at "technical" diving. :D
Edit: ignore:)

[Jeddah Aquanaut]

Hey! I love those!!!

OK....Just kidding...I couldn't resist :D

I haven't seen them advertised in a while, but I remember getting a smile from a product who's name I can no longer remember.

It was a squeezeable pouch with a tube that you inserted through your mouthpiece. The premise was that you filled it with your beverage of choice, and squeezed the bag to get a drink while diving.

I was trying to imagine what happened when you unxpectedly bump the bag, or squeeze it too hard and start choking at 100' :rolleyes:

I saw another kind of underwater drinking pouch with a mouthpiece, I think it was called a SCUDA or something like that. Actually, I buy juice drinks in foil pouches, the ones that have a bendi straw. I do like to re-hydrate underwater, but I do agree, it's absurd to pay big bucks for something that you can do cheaper.

[yukoneer]

I saw another kind of underwater drinking pouch with a mouthpiece, I think it was called a SCUDA or something like that. Actually, I buy juice drinks in foil pouches, the ones that have a bendi straw. I do like to re-hydrate underwater, but I do agree, it's absurd to pay big bucks for something that you can do cheaper.


how do you drink out of those foil pounches?

[SeaJay]

I saw another kind of underwater drinking pouch with a mouthpiece, I think it was called a SCUDA or something like that. Actually, I buy juice drinks in foil pouches, the ones that have a bendi straw. I do like to re-hydrate underwater, but I do agree, it's absurd to pay big bucks for something that you can do cheaper.

What's wrong with bringing a water bottle with you when you dive? (If, of course, you're actually doing individual dives that are that long - single tank dives don't count... You can wait 'til you get out for that...) :D

[yukoneer]

What's wrong with bringing a water bottle with you when you dive? (If, of course, you're actually doing individual dives that are that long - single tank dives don't count... You can wait 'til you get out for that...) :D

that brings another question from me.. how do you drink from a water bottle underwater?



take regulator out, put bottle tip in mouth, suck(drink), then put reg back in mouth?

[SeaJay]

take regulator out, put bottle tip in mouth, suck(drink), then put reg back in mouth?

Yep... That is, if you can't wait the few minutes until you get out. It's only really an issue if you're diving for more than two or three hours.

...Which, even at shallow depths, is at least doubles and maybe a stage bottle or two. So... It's not really an issue until you get to that point.

...And believe me, it won't be a problem by the time you get to that point. LOL...

[Lat. Adjustment]

Platapus makes a flat water bottle made to go in a bike jersey pocket that being soft works great u/w and fits in a BC pocket.

[amport]

Platapus makes a flat water bottle made to go in a bike jersey pocket that being soft works great u/w and fits in a BC pocket.

The ultra dry mouth from the tank air can be a problem even on a 1 hour dive. Quary water in your mouth can be a drag.
Sea water is not much beter. Lets hear it for underwater drinking.

[junior diver]

I can think of a absurd dive equipment idea..
Tech HUB

[WarmWaterDiver]

I don't know about absurd, but for outrageous (extreme toys) the dive yacht owned by golfer Greg Norman takes the cake in my book! If only I'd studied golf and not engineering . . .

here's an excerpt from an e-mail I got earlier this year on this.

"Life must be tough for "The Shark."

See what kind of boat GOLF could bring you?

Greg Norman, "The Shark", recently took delivery of his new toy, named "Aussie Rules", which he helped design. At 69.5 metres (228 feet) in length, it's the world's largest aluminum and composite private yacht.

He had it built for only $70 million dollars. The company meant to build it for him "at cost" in return for the excellent advertising of having him as an owner, but they actually lost money on it.

When he first cruised into Sydney Harbor, onlookers remarked, "It's massive! Nearly three times the size of the ferries in the Harbor!" In addition to being opulent, it is also built for Jacques Cousteau type fun and exploration. There is onboard diving equipment for 30 people including a decompression chamber and two huge compressors. Dives of all types can be accomplished by operating the Nitrox Mixing Panel onboard, enabling each guest's air tank to be customized with a mixture of gases.

To get the people out to those choice dive spots, or maybe just for having a bit of a splash, the following additional "small" boats are kept onboard:

42-Foot Custom Built "Game Fisher" Can be launched and retrieved from the deck. Perfect for a 4-person overnight fishing expedition. Has a gourmet galley for cooking up the catch while it's still fresh.

30-Foot SeeVee for a quick afternoon fishing trip.

22-Foot Novurania Equator with a meager 800 horsepower so you can get to the best diving sites ahead of everyone else. It has beach landing capability as well.

(2) 18-Foot Hewes Bonerfishers for those special occasions when Greg and a close friend may wish to maneuver over the sand flats in Key West, Florida

13-Foot Narwhal Rescue Boat in case someone falls off one of those other boats.

And finally, just for the hell of it, (4) Yamaha Waverunners!!!

Good grief already! Kind of reminds me of one of those Russian Matryoshka Dolls where the little ones just keep coming out of the bigger one!

I knew I should have gotten serious about golf!!!!!

[Jacobsen]

Hey! I love those!!!

OK....Just kidding...I couldn't resist :D

I haven't seen them advertised in a while, but I remember getting a smile from a product who's name I can no longer remember.

It was a squeezeable pouch with a tube that you inserted through your mouthpiece. The premise was that you filled it with your beverage of choice, and squeezed the bag to get a drink while diving.

I was trying to imagine what happened when you unxpectedly bump the bag, or squeeze it too hard and start choking at 100' :rolleyes:


That product was called the "scuda"

[mempilot]

There are several models with 1 basic difference. One is for enhancing color, the other is for enhancing light/contrast. The pink lense is the same as the lense covers you would put on your underwater camera. If it serves a purpose there, it should serve a purpose for your eyes as well. The yellow lense Seavision adds contrast and enhances low light situations. This is same as wearing yellow lense glasses during building infiltration. Yellow lenses are used by tactical military and law enforcement personel to cut glare, enhance contrast, and such. Military pilots often use the yellow lense on their helmets during low light situations.

In a nutshell, they work under certain situations. For some, the reef and fish colors look more vibrant. For some, the inside of a wreck is more defined. I use the yellow lense Seavision. I used to use a regular clear lense. I notice a major difference inside wrecks where light is shining through an opening casting shadow.

To each his own I guess.


"how does a sea vision mask fit in to the category of absurd?"

One man's trash is another's treasure. I agree with 100days-a-year, the Seavision is unnecessary and useless, but I have buddies who love theirs. It's a matter of perception. Everything anyone lists here will have people who like it.

I'd list Force Fins.

[mempilot]

If you know what depth the bottom is, a depth gauge is not needed. Example, Alexander Spring is 25-feet max depth, give or take a few feet. A depth gauge will not tell me anything that I do not already know.OK, the diver is doing a wall dive off Cayman. The top of the wall is at 90', the bottom is over 3000'. Their MOD is 130'. Tell me how their depth gauge is not needed.

To the rest of us:

For every piece of equipment, there are those who need it and those who don't. If it get's them killed, then we can talk about them using it. When I was growing up, I used to visit my grandfathers farm. He used to have all kinds of crap rigged to his tractors and combines. He probably didn't 'need' any of it, but he found function in all of it. BTW, he died of cancer, not from a gadget hanging off his combine cab.

Who cares what others bring on the dive. If they are your buddy, then you have the right to question. If they aren't your buddy, then you're just a snob pointing fingers to make yourself feel more squared away.

When diving, I focus on my dive team and not what weird crap everyone else is bringing along.

[mempilot]

If it ever sinks, it will make a great dive site(s). I get dibs on the gear.




I don't know about absurd, but for outrageous (extreme toys) the dive yacht owned by golfer Greg Norman takes the cake in my book! If only I'd studied golf and not engineering . . .

here's an excerpt from an e-mail I got earlier this year on this.

"Life must be tough for "The Shark."

See what kind of boat GOLF could bring you?

Greg Norman, "The Shark", recently took delivery of his new toy, named "Aussie Rules", which he helped design. At 69.5 metres (228 feet) in length, it's the world's largest aluminum and composite private yacht.

He had it built for only $70 million dollars. The company meant to build it for him "at cost" in return for the excellent advertising of having him as an owner, but they actually lost money on it.

When he first cruised into Sydney Harbor, onlookers remarked, "It's massive! Nearly three times the size of the ferries in the Harbor!" In addition to being opulent, it is also built for Jacques Cousteau type fun and exploration. There is onboard diving equipment for 30 people including a decompression chamber and two huge compressors. Dives of all types can be accomplished by operating the Nitrox Mixing Panel onboard, enabling each guest's air tank to be customized with a mixture of gases.

To get the people out to those choice dive spots, or maybe just for having a bit of a splash, the following additional "small" boats are kept onboard:

42-Foot Custom Built "Game Fisher" Can be launched and retrieved from the deck. Perfect for a 4-person overnight fishing expedition. Has a gourmet galley for cooking up the catch while it's still fresh.

30-Foot SeeVee for a quick afternoon fishing trip.

22-Foot Novurania Equator with a meager 800 horsepower so you can get to the best diving sites ahead of everyone else. It has beach landing capability as well.

(2) 18-Foot Hewes Bonerfishers for those special occasions when Greg and a close friend may wish to maneuver over the sand flats in Key West, Florida

13-Foot Narwhal Rescue Boat in case someone falls off one of those other boats.

And finally, just for the hell of it, (4) Yamaha Waverunners!!!

Good grief already! Kind of reminds me of one of those Russian Matryoshka Dolls where the little ones just keep coming out of the bigger one!

I knew I should have gotten serious about golf!!!!!

[babar]

If it ever sinks, it will make a great dive site(s). I get dibs on the gear.


I've heard that he has TWO onboard hyperbaric chambers

[junior diver]

Just out of curiosity, was the guy in the picture someone you know or just some random diver that happened to be there the same time as you? Some of the worst pictures Ive seen of how not to be in the water - fins kicking across the bottom, looks like monofilament trailing from his valve, and looked to be bumping into a lot of coral and the wreck.
Is he on Nitrox??? He has a green valve on his tank.

[WarmWaterDiver]

I've heard that he has TWO onboard hyperbaric chambers
I wonder why - would one get two crowded?????

I'd take dibs just on what he carries as 'skiffs' - with the 42 footer being the largest . . .

[SeanQ]

the HUB!
I hope he can get to his octo thats zipped away in that pocket when his buddy rips his reg from his mouth:

http://www.realmsofneptune.com/viewImage.asp?image=trips/tenneco/2003-08-03/DSC01777.jpg

http://www.realmsofneptune.com/viewImage.asp?image=trips/spiegel_grove/adventure_mike.jpg

In his bio he says he plans on taking DIR courses. I guess diving with HUB users, submerged dive store accessory racks and line draggers is going to stop.

[aquadiver]

My motto is a boat should either be something that takes me to a dive site...

or it should be a dive site.

Since I doubt that Mr. Shark will ever invite me on his boat, I guess you know what I think of it...

gc


I don't know about absurd, but for outrageous (extreme toys) the dive yacht owned by golfer Greg Norman takes the cake in my book! If only I'd studied golf and not engineering . . .

here's an excerpt from an e-mail I got earlier this year on this.

"Life must be tough for "The Shark."

See what kind of boat GOLF could bring you?

Greg Norman, "The Shark", recently took delivery of his new toy, named "Aussie Rules", which he helped design. At 69.5 metres (228 feet) in length, it's the world's largest aluminum and composite private yacht.

He had it built for only $70 million dollars. The company meant to build it for him "at cost" in return for the excellent advertising of having him as an owner, but they actually lost money on it.

When he first cruised into Sydney Harbor, onlookers remarked, "It's massive! Nearly three times the size of the ferries in the Harbor!" In addition to being opulent, it is also built for Jacques Cousteau type fun and exploration. There is onboard diving equipment for 30 people including a decompression chamber and two huge compressors. Dives of all types can be accomplished by operating the Nitrox Mixing Panel onboard, enabling each guest's air tank to be customized with a mixture of gases.

To get the people out to those choice dive spots, or maybe just for having a bit of a splash, the following additional "small" boats are kept onboard:

42-Foot Custom Built "Game Fisher" Can be launched and retrieved from the deck. Perfect for a 4-person overnight fishing expedition. Has a gourmet galley for cooking up the catch while it's still fresh.

30-Foot SeeVee for a quick afternoon fishing trip.

22-Foot Novurania Equator with a meager 800 horsepower so you can get to the best diving sites ahead of everyone else. It has beach landing capability as well.

(2) 18-Foot Hewes Bonerfishers for those special occasions when Greg and a close friend may wish to maneuver over the sand flats in Key West, Florida

13-Foot Narwhal Rescue Boat in case someone falls off one of those other boats.

And finally, just for the hell of it, (4) Yamaha Waverunners!!!

Good grief already! Kind of reminds me of one of those Russian Matryoshka Dolls where the little ones just keep coming out of the bigger one!

I knew I should have gotten serious about golf!!!!!
:eyebrow:

[fenderbender29]

cstreu1026,

Unless I'm mistaken, Seavision masks are the masks with color filters.

ScottyK,

SCUDA = Self Contained Underwater Drinking Apparatus. They came out in the mid '80's. I still see an ad from time to time.

drbill,

I've never heard of that particular gem, but it would be high on my list.


ok, scuda is actually very good fro some people, some with diabetes may need to have some sort of drinking aparatus in an emergency

[padrediver]

Just bought a pair of thirty dollar USD/Aqua Lung "propeller" split fins.
If I hadn't tried them I wouldn't have believed it....they're better than
Jet/Rocket 1st gen....and a lot cheaper...plus they have padded foot straps!

[Swan1172]

OceanMaster 2000 Dry Snorkel

[ScubaTwo]

MOST of what we use in diving would be looked at as silly by somebody.

Why is a tank valve light more silly than a light stick?

Why is a force fin bad but a rocket fin is great?

Heck, diving those old twin hose regulators with small tanks made depth gages and pressure gages redundant. Wet suits and computers (including that Bottom timer that I would call the Un-computer) did not exist. Dry suits were used only by commercial hard hat divers.

The real definition of an absurd piece of equipment?
Any gear that I am not using that gives me the opportunity to make fun of someone else.

I just happened to be reading thru old stuff and thought this was a very well said post.

[ODIN61]

I have 2 pairs of TAN Delta ForceFins (one for Drysuit, one for tropical), and been using them for the past ~8 years. In the past 30 years I have tried many. I would have to disagree with all who think that FF's are a joke http://www.scubaboard.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=397736#. In my opinion, they are the best fins I have owned. Period.http://www.scubaboard.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=397736#

[jaycanwk]

My dive buddy still has his st72's with j valves that we use all the time except, we don't use them and leave them open as if we were diving regular k valves.

[Dragracer]

Hey! I love those!!!


It was a squeezeable pouch with a tube that you inserted through your mouthpiece. The premise was that you filled it with your beverage of choice, and squeezed the bag to get a drink while diving.

:rolleyes:

SCUDA: Self Contained Underwater Drinking Apparatus. I saw one on eBay a while ago!

[KrisB]

I think that the SCUDA was probably a good idea, but the marketing was what makes it so silly... you don't come up with an acronym for such a frivolous item.

And, for the diabetic comment: if they're so diabetic they may need an emergency boost of sugar, they shouldn't be underwater... it's not worth risking their lives and those around them. I'm sure none of us would want to go diving with someone prone to epileptic seizures... same deal here.

[pipedope]

In many cases it is a matter of gear that works for the diver in the particular environment or does not.

There are many dives I have done where jet fins would be absurd but lead boots were perfect. Then again the opposite is also true.

Anyone who thinks the SCUDA is absurd should spend 6 or 8 hours on the end of a hose and see what they think then.
Would I take one on a 30 minute dive? Probably not.

It is more a matter of planning the dive and diving the plan. Part of planning the dive is choosing the gear and configuration for that dive. In most sport diving the gear setup will be very similar from one dive to another but even in DIR the gear (including gasses) changes for many dives so it is still an important part of the dive plan.
In commercial diving the gear may vary widely depending on what is needed for the job. Sometimes there are multiple lights and cameras mounted on the helmet and the diver still has to get the job done knowing that besides the extra stuff on his head everyone is watching and any screwup will be recorded and replayed forever.

Some gear appears to be absurd but is only being used in the wrong place or way. A great example is the 'SpareAir'. This is a great item to have in your Mustange suit on a heli flight to a rig, especially over cold water. It is perfect for getting out of a crashed heli but is not very useful for diving. I would probably not fly to a rig without one but also would not dive with one. Use the right tool in the right job.

[Xarifa]

1. UW GPS system
2. contact lens that do away with the mask
3. a kayak that turns into a mini sub
4. cordless reg
5. computerized BCD
6. Mini turbo fans you can mount on the back of your theighs
7. lets see if where dreamin here than. take the air capacity of AL80 and put it in the size of a coke bottle. surely someone can do that?
8. a dive puter the size of a wrist watch Nitrox compadable also
9. nightvission divers mask
10. a small packet that is the size of a shoe that you press a button and it inflates to a full size yatch with a mini bar, captain and crew that runs on nuclear power! I can see i have run out of Ideas today but there's always tomorrow! Right!!!
I think this is what the starter of this thread wanted to know.

Mike

How about UW hot-rollers! No more hood-head for me! :anon:

As for underwater snacks, too bad they don't make 'Space Food Sticks' anymore. Remember those?

[ScoobieDooo]

OceanMaster 2000 Dry Snorkel

Swan1172,
My entire family has Ocean Master Dry Snorkels and we all love them and wouldn't dive with anyhting else. They work great and none of us have had ANY problems or issues with ours. Bone dry!

[KrisB]

Swan1172,
My entire family has Ocean Master Dry Snorkels and we all love them and wouldn't dive with anyhting else. They work great and none of us have had ANY problems or issues with ours. Bone dry!
For their price, I should hope so.

[ScoobieDooo]

For their price, I should hope so.

Few things in scuba come cheap. Even my decent vintage Aqua Lung Aqua Master DA cost me $400!

[Tom Winters]

Well, I got through two pages of these postings before I ran out of steam. People slammed Force Fins, Sea Vision masks, flares, and cell phone cases.
Obviously, there are some great minds at work here with many more thousand of dives than I can ever hope for.
I tried Force Fins shortly after they came out in ithe early 80's. I should have worked with Al Gore to invent the internet earlier so I could read about how useless they are. I actually liked them, and because no one else bought them, I never paid more than $15 a pair for them. After about three years, they wouldn't give me the propulsion I needed, so gradually I drifted away from them. A couple of years ago, I tried a pair fo Foce Foils. They were pretty good, but I wasn't wild about the strap, so I eBayed them and actually got more for them used than I paid for them new. Must be a lot of morons out there.
Sea Vision masks - I can leave the color-correcting feature behind, but the -2.0 gauge readers are worth their weight in platinum for my 50+ aged eyes, especially at night. I've only been diving since 1961, so I will defer to the experts and deepsix my Sea Vision mask and not read my computer anymore at night.
Flares are worth their weight in gold when you need them. I have a set of Olin Matheson wax-sealed flares from the 60's that still work. They're not USCG-approved anymore, but they're for deep drift diving and only if I ever need it.
I've been stuck at sea twice and I really LOVE being rescued. It sure beats the alternative.
The cell phone case - I dived with a guy who also uses one. He shot something off the Juno Ledges that attracted at least one large curious bull shark. Surfacing, he called Captain Ray on the Narcosis for a quick pickup before he became chum. And Ray came roaring over the visible horizon pronto and got him.
I guess he should have saved his money according to you experts.
So as I said, I got through two pages of these post before I could not read another word of drivel. I'm glad we have all these experts out there to save us money. When someone says they're adding their two cents, a lot of times, that's a little overvalued.

[ScoobieDooo]

Tom,
Nicely said - touche!

Divers are quite opinionated. I'm sure most guys would think my buddies and I are crazy for paying $200-400 for a nice vintage Aqua Master double hoser - but hey, WE like 'em! Guess thats all that counts! I don't dive to impress anyone. I'm not into the 'arms race' with anyone, and I'm not interested in the lastest fashion statement, latest model of BC, nor have a wallet full of C-cards.

I just dive for fun and buy what I think is good and thats it...

Enough said...

[Tom Winters]

My dad got one of those twin hose Royal Aqua-Masters when I got my Calypso in 1966. When I went searching through the house for it in the 70's, I couldn't find it, and he never remembered getting rid of it.
I searched that house for hours over the decades looking for that reg. It's gotta still be in there somewhere. Everytime I go up to that house in CT, I do a quick look through.

[ODIN61]

Brands that got to go : TUSA, Dacor, OMS (bungee on a BC - give me a break)

Here to stay: DUI, Henderson, Poseidon, Force Fin, ScubaPro - hmm I like the Oceanic Shadow mask too. Lets not forget Halcyon & Dive Rite

[grazie42]

Ok...I tried to keep away from this one but I just couldn´t help myself...
What´s wrong with a bungied wing (no, not a troll or rethorical question)?

I have one wing that is good for my doubles and ok for my singletank recreational dives. That saves me about 300$. I dive it "unbungied" for technical dives and bungie it to my hearts content for single tank dives.

I can inflate it orally (with the bungies), it doesent trap air and I´ve never gotten stuck with it yet (even on singletank wreck dives). It does keep my wing from tacoing. Should the bag be pierced the bungies may deflate the wing faster (at least in the beginning) but if you´re diving without a second BD or without being able to swim your rig up or even without a good buddy then the bungies are the least of your problems...

Odin (or anyone else) please explain whats bad about a bungiedwing. And before you start typing, if the argument you´re about to make is not something you´ve experienced first hand, don´t bother typing.

[ScoobieDooo]

Odin61,
The argument of the bungee issue is highly opinionated and over-rated, has been going on for the last several years and likely will continue for many more. Take a closer look at Christina Young's web site and you'll find a awful lot of highly skilled and accomplished divers that dove the Doria on a OMS Bungee wing.

I know an awful lot of friends who dive the OMS wing for a variety of reasons that grazie42 just stated and have had nothing but great things to say about their wings. Yup, if you puncture your wing it theoretically may be harder to orally inflate a wing with bungee’s. This however has never been proven scientifically in a controlled study. Lets face it - HOW many times has one actually heard of anyone puncturing their wing during a dive? I've never personally ever heard of any...and, most divers diving a highly technical dive are wearing a drysuit anyway (redundant lift device). If we wanna belabor that thought should we now start carrying 2 masks, 2 sets of fins, an H-valve on a single tank, etc? And where do we draw the line? Should we have 3 instead of 2 regs? What about a bladder failure? Twin bladders then?

But hey, that’s just MY $.02.

[JustinW]

while its a stretch for diving equipment, its still an accessory, how bout those hats, shirts, jackets etc. that say Nitrox diver. I was going to include the ones that say Instructor or DiveMaster too, but I can see some purpose in those at some point. These are all offerings by Trident.

[JustinW]

padded floaty mask straps

[Ahab]

Anything that is not DIR.... :rolleyes:

[scubatwinned]

That product is called a "SCUDA", meaning self-contained underwater drinking apparatus. They are still being sold today. You replace the mouthpiece on your second stage with the scuda mouthpiece that has a tube coming through the bite tab. You then fill the bag with fruit juice or water, wrap the bag around your primary hose, and you're all set. BTW, there's a on-off valve to keep the contents of the pouch out of your regulator when you're not using it.

Are these anything like those misters - I think thats what they were called - to prevent dry mouth. A small bottle placed in line between the second stage and hose that had a plunger to "mist" ones mouth???
I thought I'd heard that these underwater drinking thingys were taken off the market because stooges were putting booze in them???
Or is that another urban myth???

[KrisB]

Anything that is not DIR.... :rolleyes:
How about anything that *is* DIR? :-)

[NightRaven77]

Ok....

Why not help out your smile and incorporate some sort of teeth bleaching material on your mouth piece...?

Or even edible mouthpieces???

NightRaven77

[puckvirus]

I think a dry suit is the most Absurd idea ever, EVER!

[PhotoTJ]

"I do not dive with that gear, nor am I interested in that gear, until such time as I become interested in that gear, that gear is absurd. What ever are you thinking, diving that absurd gear?"

That said, I have three versions of the new SeaVision Raptor mask, the clear lens, great, the Sharp Image lens, great, the Tru-color lens, a little freaky, I can see my irises reflected back at me in anything less than optimum viz. Very disturbing!

[PhotoTJ]

...SeaVision...

That should say SeaDive, much better mask, IMO

[lairdb]

"I do not dive with that gear, nor am I interested in that gear, until such time as I become interested in that gear, that gear is absurd. What ever are you thinking, diving that absurd gear?"

Four stages of acceptance:

i) this is worthless nonsense;
ii) this is an interesting, but perverse, point of view;
iii) this is true, but quite unimportant;
iv) I always said so.

(attrib. J.B.S. Haldane)

[verybaddiver]

depending on whether you get a signal. couldn't you use a underwater mobile for text messages?

[Mishelle]

Hmmmmm, how about a spear gun/ stun gun.

This way when your buddy gets out of hand under water..... ZAP!!!! ;)

[padrediver]

It gets really cold EVERYWHERE below 70-100 ft. and dry suits
are the only way to avoid hypothermia on longer dives.

I've got split fins now...first breakthrough since rocket/jet fins in the sixties!

[freshwaterdiver]

This has to be the oldest and longest thread I have seen on this board. I wanted to be part of the history....

Anyway, Underwater cell phone is next..

[peterbkk]

Absurd gear: any piece of dive gear that includes metal that is not rust-proof.

Over the years I have seen dive bags with the straps connected to the bag by steel loops that rusted on the first contact with sea water. I have seen dive torches with metal clips that rusted on the first dive trip. I have seen dive knives where the blade is rust-proof but not the guard on the handle. I have seen camera housings where everything is rust-proof except the screws holding it together...

Come on, manufacturers, we are paying enough. Please use rust-proof metals or stick with plastics! These things need to be able to co-exist with sea water.

[sauga]

Has the underwater MP3 player been mentioned yet?

I know that I find my dives to be boring and repetitious, so the thought of bringing along some tunes would really help pass the time, not to mention tune out that boring buddy of mine, always trying to get my attention, to show me some fish, or plant, or crayfish, or etc. Now, I can dive in my own little world, to MY life soundtrack. So, can I get it in "DIR" black?

[kazinvan]

The MP3 players is more for deco stops. Hanging on a line in the same spot for 20 minutes with nothing to see is not too much fun. I know some dive computers have games on them as well.