drrich2
Contributor
If anyone new to it takes a look at Undercurrent, be aware there are 2 kinds of reviews; those published in the main newsletter (tend to be more 'professional'), and those contributed by members (more analogous to trip reports here). Since Undercurrent uses a standardized review template, you get a consistent look and content on user-contributed reports. On the other hand, most user reviews don't have a bunch of photos worked into the narrative. When I post reviews on Undercurrent, they're more concise reports condensed from what I post on Scuba Board.
And take it all with a grain of salt. The article 'No Side-Mount Tanks on Aggressors?' describes a misunderstanding-based incident where a guy was quite annoyed he (& wife) weren't allowed to use his side-mount rig. Captain thought the company didn't allow it. End of trip, back with Internet access, the guy was able to show that single-tank side-mount was okay. Captain didn't charge for nitrox as a result. Yes, annoying, but it got fixed and shouldn't be an issue going forward (I was on that trip, the 'other Richard'). I, too, prefer diving my own gear and I'm not unsympathetic, and if you want to dive side-mount maybe checking in advance to avoid misunderstandings is worthwhile, but the title looked a bit stigmatizing.
Similarly, read a few user reports on a destination. Both of us 'Richards' contributed reports for that trip, and gave different impressions (e.g.: I, and I think the majority of the passengers, enjoyed the Engineer's sense of humor, and while viz. varied, it was often quite good).
I like the Scuba Board system where people ask follow up questions and a lot of detail is added, and trip reports often have photos to illustrate points and break up the text. I can tell you what I thought the reef or viz. looked like; adding photos let's you judge for yourself.
Richard.
And take it all with a grain of salt. The article 'No Side-Mount Tanks on Aggressors?' describes a misunderstanding-based incident where a guy was quite annoyed he (& wife) weren't allowed to use his side-mount rig. Captain thought the company didn't allow it. End of trip, back with Internet access, the guy was able to show that single-tank side-mount was okay. Captain didn't charge for nitrox as a result. Yes, annoying, but it got fixed and shouldn't be an issue going forward (I was on that trip, the 'other Richard'). I, too, prefer diving my own gear and I'm not unsympathetic, and if you want to dive side-mount maybe checking in advance to avoid misunderstandings is worthwhile, but the title looked a bit stigmatizing.
Similarly, read a few user reports on a destination. Both of us 'Richards' contributed reports for that trip, and gave different impressions (e.g.: I, and I think the majority of the passengers, enjoyed the Engineer's sense of humor, and while viz. varied, it was often quite good).
I like the Scuba Board system where people ask follow up questions and a lot of detail is added, and trip reports often have photos to illustrate points and break up the text. I can tell you what I thought the reef or viz. looked like; adding photos let's you judge for yourself.
Richard.