DevonDiver
N/A
I put this in the Advanced section, because I know it is likely to produce some strong feelings and debate.
I don't think I am the only diver that's looked around a dive store and wondered at the amazing assortment of gadgets available. Some of them are great. Others not so. Some could even be debated as having negative safety implications.
What I see as a relatively common trend is that many novice divers become very eager to 'improve' their gear configurations and start adding a variety of gadgets to their arsenal without much clear knowledge on the pros and cons of those gear choices. Over-zealous or even misleading marketing helps contribute to those gear choices...
So folks... I am interested in your experiences and views. What 'gadgets' would you rate highly? What gadgets do you feel are worthless, dangerous or simply a waste of money?
I'll start:
GREAT GADGETS
Fin Spring Straps. They don't break. They fit snuggly. They make it really easy to remove and replace your fins.
SS Bolt Snaps. Tie them to your equipment and SPG using braided nylon line. They are robust, secure and they do exactly what you need of them.
Velcro Mask Straps. They won't perish and snap. Once adjusted they will fit perfectly. They don't drag your hair. They make mask removal and replacement a cinch.
Neck Oct/AAS Bungee. Effectively secures your AAS where it won't drag or release. Provides an immediate self-rescue if your primary fails. Enables primary reg donation, if required.
Milflex Regulator Hoses. Robust, flexible and less prone to failure. A good upgrade to your regulator set.
Finger Reel. Allows the diver to more easily deploy a DSMB. Can be used for navigation and penetration. Lightweight, robust and cheap. Unlike any other type of reel, there won't be tears and sobbing if you have to leave it behind or lose it.
Wet Notes. You don't use a slate to make notes on dry land. You don't use an etch-a-sketch either. You use a notebook. Why not use a (waterproof) notebook on dives?? It makes sense..
BAD GADGETS
Dry Snorkels. Over-complicated, over-expensive and make it harder to clear the snorkel.
Purge Masks. Over-expensive and prone to getting dirty. They require the user to make the same effort to clear the mask, as they would without the purge valve.
Retractor Clips. An expensive method of compensating for a badly configured scuba set-up. Prone to tangling and can fail via 'birds nest' inside the mechanism.
Spare Air. An expensive non-solution, based upon marketing which preys on diver's fears and offers them false hope. Sometimes seen as the 'lazy diver's' alternative to a pony.
Hose Swivels. Expensive compensation for a bad regulator set-up. Adds complexity with little benefit. Same benefit could be realised by properly routing hoses, better mouth-piece etc
Tank Bangers. Fellow divers will hate you when you use these. Audible underwater signals are not a compensation for proper buddy awareness. For emergency signalling, they won't provide a clue of where you are.
Underwater Klaxons/Horns. A good choice for surface emergency signalling. Some divers buy these for use underwater. If so...see 'Tank Bangers'.
Mini-Reels. Do the same job as finger reels, but are more difficult to use and more prone to birds-nesting and jams. Much more expensive too.
Etch-a-sketch slates. Huge, cumbersome and ungainly. They do the same job as a regular slate, but at triple the cost.
Bulb AAS holders. They don't work well. They release the AAS to dangle.
Coiled Tethers. They look like old-fashioned telephone wires. They tangle and generally annoy. They are expensive.
Caribiners. Do the same job as bolt-snaps, but not as well. The tech community calls them 'suicide clips'...for good reason.
'HD' or filtered Masks. Sunglasses for underwater. Why?
Scuba 'Shakers'. Annoying in the extreme. If you need these to get your buddies attention, then you have bigger issues to address.
I don't think I am the only diver that's looked around a dive store and wondered at the amazing assortment of gadgets available. Some of them are great. Others not so. Some could even be debated as having negative safety implications.
What I see as a relatively common trend is that many novice divers become very eager to 'improve' their gear configurations and start adding a variety of gadgets to their arsenal without much clear knowledge on the pros and cons of those gear choices. Over-zealous or even misleading marketing helps contribute to those gear choices...
So folks... I am interested in your experiences and views. What 'gadgets' would you rate highly? What gadgets do you feel are worthless, dangerous or simply a waste of money?
I'll start:
GREAT GADGETS
Fin Spring Straps. They don't break. They fit snuggly. They make it really easy to remove and replace your fins.
SS Bolt Snaps. Tie them to your equipment and SPG using braided nylon line. They are robust, secure and they do exactly what you need of them.
Velcro Mask Straps. They won't perish and snap. Once adjusted they will fit perfectly. They don't drag your hair. They make mask removal and replacement a cinch.
Neck Oct/AAS Bungee. Effectively secures your AAS where it won't drag or release. Provides an immediate self-rescue if your primary fails. Enables primary reg donation, if required.
Milflex Regulator Hoses. Robust, flexible and less prone to failure. A good upgrade to your regulator set.
Finger Reel. Allows the diver to more easily deploy a DSMB. Can be used for navigation and penetration. Lightweight, robust and cheap. Unlike any other type of reel, there won't be tears and sobbing if you have to leave it behind or lose it.
Wet Notes. You don't use a slate to make notes on dry land. You don't use an etch-a-sketch either. You use a notebook. Why not use a (waterproof) notebook on dives?? It makes sense..
BAD GADGETS
Dry Snorkels. Over-complicated, over-expensive and make it harder to clear the snorkel.
Purge Masks. Over-expensive and prone to getting dirty. They require the user to make the same effort to clear the mask, as they would without the purge valve.
Retractor Clips. An expensive method of compensating for a badly configured scuba set-up. Prone to tangling and can fail via 'birds nest' inside the mechanism.
Spare Air. An expensive non-solution, based upon marketing which preys on diver's fears and offers them false hope. Sometimes seen as the 'lazy diver's' alternative to a pony.
Hose Swivels. Expensive compensation for a bad regulator set-up. Adds complexity with little benefit. Same benefit could be realised by properly routing hoses, better mouth-piece etc
Tank Bangers. Fellow divers will hate you when you use these. Audible underwater signals are not a compensation for proper buddy awareness. For emergency signalling, they won't provide a clue of where you are.
Underwater Klaxons/Horns. A good choice for surface emergency signalling. Some divers buy these for use underwater. If so...see 'Tank Bangers'.
Mini-Reels. Do the same job as finger reels, but are more difficult to use and more prone to birds-nesting and jams. Much more expensive too.
Etch-a-sketch slates. Huge, cumbersome and ungainly. They do the same job as a regular slate, but at triple the cost.
Bulb AAS holders. They don't work well. They release the AAS to dangle.
Coiled Tethers. They look like old-fashioned telephone wires. They tangle and generally annoy. They are expensive.
Caribiners. Do the same job as bolt-snaps, but not as well. The tech community calls them 'suicide clips'...for good reason.
'HD' or filtered Masks. Sunglasses for underwater. Why?
Scuba 'Shakers'. Annoying in the extreme. If you need these to get your buddies attention, then you have bigger issues to address.
