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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Original Post - Jan 25, 2013 - 10:38pm PT
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I know there are a few divers on this forum. cozmeek, phil b....
I'm in the middle of my DCS cert through SSI.
It's time to upgrade some equipment - computer, BC, second stage
For computer I use Dive Log DT on my mac which syncs nicely with my iphone/ipad. I'm kinda curious how iGills works but probably won't by the hardware to find out. So I'm looking for something that easily syncs with dive log dt.
next up is a new second stage. My basic Oceanic just isn't designed for hard work.
BC - probably leaning towards integrated weights.
so what's the latest and greatest these days. or maybe the cozmeeks of the group still wear metal diving helmets and need not respond ;-P
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Jan 25, 2013 - 10:44pm PT
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DCS?
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 25, 2013 - 10:47pm PT
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yeah, they certify us for DeCompression Sickness.
Dive Control Specialist. Basically it's divemaster plus you can teach some basic courses and assist in teaching OW, etc.
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:01pm PT
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got it.
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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:03pm PT
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The gear has changed so radically since I instructed with PADI... First though... What are you using? Regular Air, Nitrox, Trimix? How deep are you being certified for, your intentions? Are you thinking about a re-breather?
All I know is the basics. Have a back up for everything, don't EVER dive without a partner and... Don't be stupid and leave your partner's side which is equivalent of diving alone. I know two deaths of experienced divers that were because the person was diving alone and four death of a person dying because they wandered away from their partner.
Best person to ask is your instructor. They usually are testing gear for their shop, and have seen everything on their students. I haven't dove professionally in YEARS... I am sure to be out of the LOOP.
I personally love Suunto Computers, mine is over a decade old of hard use and it's still awesome. I also love Zeagle BCD's. Though I prefer back inflations than a full jacket so keep that in mind. Anyway... Carry on...
Ooh, you are working with students! That makes sense... Get your gear sleak, not have things floating around since it will tangle with your students and complicate things. Back ups are awesome. This includes having a spare air. A dive watch will help immensely!!!
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zip
Trad climber
pacific beach, ca
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:06pm PT
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"don't EVER dive without a partner"
Ha Ha Ha
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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:11pm PT
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Yes, I mean that even while being an instructor. You should still be partnered up. I have a very close friend die because of that. Part of the year of hell that included the car accident. I Did Not Enjoy That, would love never hearing that kind of news again.
Remember gear failure happens and only way to survive that is being in reach of a partner. You must keep your gear up to date. I am planning on diving soon so guess what, my computer, BCD is getting tuned up at the shop. New gear is a great idea if you use it hard.
Luckily all instructors get pro-deals. Use it, sell your old and trade up!
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this just in
climber
north fork
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:14pm PT
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I have a Zeagle BCD and the Integrated weight system is the way to go. It's been a few years since my last dive, so don't know anything about the apps you are talking about, but I bet it's pretty cool way to track your dives. Way better than dive logs. Diving is a great thing and really makes you feel small as a human. As climbers, the feeling of weightlessness is a great feeling to experience. I'm thinking I need to get back under, thanks for the stoke.
Edit: Oh sh#t, I'm thinking a taco dive sushi fest.
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rurprider
Trad climber
Mt. Rubidoux
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:19pm PT
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Nature....try LeisurePro, ScubaToys, Diver'sSupply, JoeDiverAmerica....all very knowledgeable and helpful, with lots of gear at discounts. Also, contact DAN (Diver's Alert Network) at (800)446-2671 is a topnotch resource, or contact your local diver center.
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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:20pm PT
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I want a Zeagle...
My shop didn't carry the line and so I pro dealed a scubapro. It doesn't fit me well so dreaming of selling it and switching to a better fitting BCD. I really need to start diving regularly again before I can justify spending that kind of money and... Well, being a mommy I don't foresee that as being soon.
Ah well, kiddo is worth it.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 25, 2013 - 11:23pm PT
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That's two votes for Zeagles so ill check those out.
I'm a fan of Suunto but in this case I'm looking for specific model recommendations that'll interface with my apps.
Same goes for secondary. The technology certainly is changing. In class last night we took regs apart and also bench tested them. Mine somehow didn't free flow at 10bars but still isn't designed for real work.
Another line item is strobes for my digi rig. I'm going light with a canon s100 and canon housing. Looking for strobe recommendations.
Rurp - I like leisure pro but there is a lot to choose from. So I'm looking for input. My dive shop is SSI which has the biz model of coupling adventure with retail. They
promote hard what they sell.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:33pm PT
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Doug, it's time for a reality check.
You live in Boulder.
There is no diving in Boulder.
There is no diving within a thousand miles of boulder.
Transfer your equipment fetish back to knives and climbing gear.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 25, 2013 - 11:33pm PT
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Dive tables penalize you. I'm sure you know that. Might as well climb in EBs ;-)
No single stage. There's a secondary on your metal dive helmut?
David. I'll be in the Florida keys next month. Costa Rica in march. Diving with whale sharks in July.
Besides... I have knives and more than enough climbing gear.
And there's a pool at the dive shop.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 25, 2013 - 11:47pm PT
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Goldline is safe too.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jan 25, 2013 - 11:53pm PT
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Yer gunna die!
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 26, 2013 - 12:10am PT
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Tables? Astronauts? I'll bet they use computers :-)
And by the way.. I would never dispute the safety of conservative dive tables. But they were devised initially through trial and error. We know so much more know about partial pressure gas absorption and the variations within different body tissues. Only computers can more accurately crunch those numbers.
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Captain...or Skully
climber
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Jan 26, 2013 - 01:37am PT
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Dude, you can spell gauge! I was hoping that SOMEONE could.
Sooner or later. Whew.;-)
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Jan 26, 2013 - 01:49am PT
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Only computers can more accurately crunch those numbers.
Well, there you go. You've answered your own question. Just grab your iPad and dive in!
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froodish
Social climber
Portland, Oregon
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Jan 26, 2013 - 03:46am PT
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Man, do I feel out of date. I learned to to dive and got my PADI and LA County certification in '81 while at Cal Poly Pomona. The head of the program then was Otto Gasser (glad to see he's still kicking - and what a perfect name for a diver!).
Maybe I'm a curmudgeon, but I'm with Cosmic, I'd still trust a depth gauge, watch and dive table more that a computer.
Oh, and hey you kids, get off my lawn! ;-)
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 26, 2013 - 09:42am PT
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m'eh... grimm stories. yeah, I plan on keeping my current computer. It's about as basic as it gets - oceanic datapro 100 - but it does the job. nice big nitrogen graph and ascent rate.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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Jan 26, 2013 - 10:46am PT
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Old school here, still have most of my gear from the eighties, rarely sport dive now, no partner. All of my diving is boat cleaning now, for that I use a hookah rig, 25 foot hose on a dockside tank.
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east side underground
climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Jan 26, 2013 - 10:56am PT
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Cool cosmic, my dad is a retired doctor who was a naval medical officer bitd and worked on developing the navy dive tables. Also I've a bunch of dive gear(modern) I would give away for cheap .Also anyone into underwater photoraphy, I have a bunch of Nikonis camera bodies ,flashes etc. Pm me if interested. cheers, paul linaweaver
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 26, 2013 - 11:49am PT
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PM Sent...
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DrMaino
Trad climber
Denver, CO
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Jan 26, 2013 - 12:24pm PT
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Just FYI, when I was transporting bent civilian divers by helo for the Navy the majority were using nitrox and all were using computers. Just sayin...
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 26, 2013 - 12:38pm PT
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At the time had the navy made a switch over to computers? Do/did their divers have a choice?
Seems like you are making a point which is fair but w/o additional facts and details it's hard to judge the value of your point. Are you suggesting there's an inherent problem with computers?
Navy diving != recreational diving.
Hell I'm not at all interested in technical diving. but if I'm going to spend thousands of dollars to visit some exotic tropical place on this planet I'd like to maximize my bottom time. Computers give recreational divers that. Dive tables do not.
People make mistakes both with how they use their computers as well as how they figure out where they are on their dive table. And about the last thing I'd ever want to do is try and do dive table calcs at 120' when I'm narc'd.
by chance you wouldn't be the doc that runs the decomp tank in Denver would you?
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Jan 26, 2013 - 01:42pm PT
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I like my Zeagle BCD. Am off to Sulawesi in 2 weeks to dive Bunaken.
I want to go to Komodo some day but need to get more experience. Check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nerqAeWFKD0
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Jan 26, 2013 - 01:58pm PT
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I was in the Maldives last year. We did one reef, there was an 18 foot Mama Shark in a grotto pumping out babies. The little sharks were all over like mosquitoes. Never guite saw the like.
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east side underground
climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Jan 26, 2013 - 01:59pm PT
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sorry folks , I'm a moron who only knows how to post one photo at a time. :)
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Jan 26, 2013 - 02:02pm PT
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Just press the photo button again eastside. Each time you do it generates a new code for the photo you pick.
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froodish
Social climber
Portland, Oregon
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Jan 26, 2013 - 02:12pm PT
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Uhhhh, Froodish, Don't you mean, Cosmic?
Doh!, yes, sorry, reading too fast.
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east side underground
climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Jan 26, 2013 - 02:18pm PT
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thanks, big mike. I hope we get into winter mode again soon. way to warm here[photoid=286556]
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Big Mike
Trad climber
BC
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Jan 26, 2013 - 02:48pm PT
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Me too. You almost got it! Just make sure the photoid's are separate!
Hey! That's Sproatt right?
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east side underground
climber
Hilton crk,ca
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Jan 26, 2013 - 02:52pm PT
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I have no idea mike, but it's your hood.... which rocks!!!!
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this just in
climber
north fork
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Jan 26, 2013 - 03:02pm PT
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I have the Concept II which has been discontinued. The ranger looks similar and seems like a good deal. If you ever get down to the south pacific, New Zealand and Fiji are incredible dive spots and though I haven't been to Australia, The great barrier reef.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 26, 2013 - 03:14pm PT
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I was thinking the Ranger as well. hmm....
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Jan 26, 2013 - 03:20pm PT
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so what's the latest and greatest these days.
I strongly recommend that you look in the Hogarthian configuration. As a climber, you will appreciate the harness and simplicity. Steer away from the old-school jacket BCs.
The Hogarthian configuration is also known as the backplate & wing (BP/W) configuration. It was named after Bill Hogarth, who revised the "standard" scuba configuration into something much more simplistic, modular and clean. The Hogarthian configuration works for both recreational and technical diving.
Underwater you are suspended from the harness so you don't even feel the backplate. The plate and harness together are like a climber's harness - very secure.
In another decade, the BP/W will be the standard for recreational scuba. Right now, the BP/W is THE standard for all technical diving.
Basically the BP/W is just a metal plate rigged with a harness that attaches to you tank. Here is an example of a backplate with double steel 130s (the wing is omitted):
The "wing" is a bladder that is sandwiched between the BP and tank. You can buy different size wings for different situations. I have a wing with 27 pounds of lift for single-tank recreational diving, a 40# wing for aluminum doubles and a 55# wing for steel doubles. Here is another photos showing the BP/W with doubles:
Finally, here is a photo of me with a single tank with a BP/W. You can see how it's all very clean and streamlined.
Here is a front view of one of my cave diving buddies - you can see how clean you are in front. You don't have all that clutter up front like you do with a jacket BC. Your "octopus" is suspended on a bungee necklace right under your chin, where you can always find it. (The Hogarthian philosophy is to donate the regulator in your mouth to an out-of-air diver, and then you go to your backup regulator on the necklace.)
We use a "long hose" (the yellow hose in the photo below) for the primary regulator - the extra length makes sharing air a lot easier. In cave diving you have to have a long hose so that you can pass single-file through tight restrictions while still sharing air.
About cumputers - Nowadays a lot of dive boats require the use of a computer for "safety." Just get something simple that also has a Nitrox function. I like Suuntos because I prefer Sunnto's Reduced Gradient Bubble Model (RGBM) for the computations. Gives you Haldane calculations when you're shawllow and RGBM model calculations when you're deep. Best of both worlds.
I do not use a computer for technical and decompression diving - I use the old Navy tables. Plan your dive, dive your plan.
Viva la Scuba!
Souces for BP/W gear:
https://www.deepseasupply.com/
My favorite is Halcyon
Halcyon, the "Patagucci" of technical scuba
http://www.halcyon.net/
I have a full dive shop/compressor in my garage. I can mix any kind of dive gas (Nitrox and Trimix), and I inspect and maintain all of my own gear/tanks. Any other questions? Just send me an e-mail.
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Anastasia
climber
InLOVEwithAris.
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Jan 26, 2013 - 04:15pm PT
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That's awesome! Your own compressor that can make any mix simply blows the mind! I know of guys that have compressors on boats but they all do regular air.
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Jan 26, 2013 - 04:22pm PT
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The compressor only spits out compressed air. I run the air through a serious of purifiers and filters so that it meets OC (oxygen compatibility) standards. Then I can do partial-pressure blending to mix any kind of gas.
I also have the option of titrating a small amount of oxygen into the compressor inlet to do continuous blends that contain a maximum of 40% oxygen. I have oxygen sensors at the compressor inlet to monitor the intake.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Jan 26, 2013 - 05:00pm PT
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wow! cool!!
I too like the setup above. I also keep my Primary on a loop around the neck and the Octo on a 2 meter hose. Many jackets have the air sharing built in, in a real situation, you;d be so close all you can go is go straight up. With a tech rig like that, you have more options. Nice, when things are coming unwrapped inside a wreck.
I will get with a backplate next time. I've rented them, you can get the doubles on, the weights get bolted in between the plate and the tank. Of course ditching a weight belt is for n00bs. lol
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Jan 26, 2013 - 07:17pm PT
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There is some high end cave diving exploration to be done up here.
Castlegard is one of the longest systems around and an 800m long sump has been dived but not till the end.
I am not into cave diving but have done cenote diving in Mexico.
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Klimmer
Mountain climber
San Diego
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Jan 26, 2013 - 07:44pm PT
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One of my all-time favorite books ...
I know diving can be really stressful, especially if you're cavern diving etc., but I find diving incredibly relaxing. Climbing and flying paragliders I'm way more amped.
I've been diving off and on since 1977 since HS, advanced NASDS openwater certified at Poway HS through The Diving Locker here in San Diego, with the Nicklin family. I miss the big Underwater Photography Society (UPS) shows they used to have at the San Diego Civic Center every year. Michael Cousteau was Master of ceremonies one year. Now I mostly free-dive just because its faster and less equipment.
However, I did take my kids 12 and 10 on a free "Discover Diving" class at the Sports Chalet recently. They loved it. They love snorkeling and free diving. Apparently you can now get certified at the very young age of 10, with parent approval and level of maturity considered.
I don't own a computer, I still use the tables. Old school. However, resort diving, the wife and I stuck to couples near our size and stature that had computers. According to the tables we would have been bent and not had as much bottom time.
I've spent week after week commercial diving surveying San Diego Bay and Mission Bay for Eelgrass beds and then replanting Eeelgrass projects while working in environmental consulting. Talk about endless bottom time. The things you'll do just to alleviate the boredom (but can't say).
Cenote diving in the Yucatan is awesome! Experienced that on my honeymoon. Love Cozumel and Hawaii.
I probably should take a refresher course and learn the computers and mixed gas diving. It would be cool. I think diving is something that a person can do well into their late years just like Cousteau did.
Again I find it really relaxing (unless a white ever comes by). Then again there is The Shark Shield. http://www.sharkshield.com/
SLR, very impressive set up you have. Incredible.
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SteveW
Trad climber
The state of confusion
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Jan 26, 2013 - 08:08pm PT
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Nature's gunna be fishin' for sushi. . .
hee hee hee. . .
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Dr.Sprock
Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
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Jan 27, 2013 - 12:46am PT
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computer is just the dive shop squeezing money from people who put the gear in their closet for 20 years, which is 90 percent of the class.
hard to get into trouble with a 80 cu ft tank unless you do a bounce dive to 300 ft at monestary beach and get narced out.
i like scubapro jet fins and dacor big barrel snorkels,
regular back-pac
had a 400 dollar zeagle but someone stole it,
too much prep to dive with that thing,
like old school bac pac and may west with standardf weight belt,
shot belts are a pain, so skip those. they rust.
charlie brown was the instructor from divers dock sunnyvale.
ken down in mt view was the comp with the indoor pool.
charlie hid behind a rock while free diving and stuck a ling cod with his knife as it passed his view.
also drank coors underwater. great example for safety.
we used to take shrooms and lay on the bottom at carmel river beach.
just watch the fish swim overhead and the kelp weaver back and forth with the tide, tank lasts way long when you don't move,
we drove to cannery row in our wetsuits in a GTO convertible to get free refills, with the top down of course, people were gawkin, we were lit up,
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Phil_B
Social climber
Hercules, CA
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Jan 27, 2013 - 01:31am PT
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Ha,
Looks like there are lots of folks out there who dive more technical than me. I'm just a guy who started diving again because we were in SE Asia. Hell, if you don't dive in the Philippines, you're missing a great opportunity.
I'm only a Nitrox Advanced diver. Would like to get a cert that allows me to pierce wrecks in places other than the Philippines.
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Jan 27, 2013 - 05:20am PT
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+ 1 to Philippines. Lots of wildlife, lots of wrecks. Even a Spanish-American War vintage US Battleship. The USS NEW YORK.
I particularly like the wrecks of vintage 1860 - 1880. It's early mechanical, the old guys were still sorting out how to do arrange engines and propulsion machinery. Really incredible. I saw one, the engine was forward, the shaft was nearly the length of the ship.
Though my best wreck was a German WWII destroyer North of Scotland. That was amazing.
Here's part of one I lensed off Bermuda. The MARIE CELESTE sunk around 1864. A Paddle Wheel Blockade Runner.
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Jan 27, 2013 - 11:32am PT
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Holy crap, that's an amazing contribution Sierra Ledge Rat, thanks for sharing it.
I've been nibbling on the idea of gearing up for some shallow, short dives, off the Oregon Coast, but am torn on doing it, as I'd probably be doing it solo. Any thoughts?
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Jan 27, 2013 - 11:50am PT
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Hell, if you don't dive in the Philippines, you're missing a great opportunity.
And Philippino chicks are awesome..... for other opportunities as well... (:
...as I'd probably be doing it solo. Any thoughts?
Most of my rec/tech dives are solo.
Soloing is not something that you want to get into right away. You've got to have a firm grasp on your solo strategy first. You can have redundant everything except for your brain.
You've also got to be well-versed in managing all of your emergencies solo. Emergency procedures need to be second-nature if you are going below the waves alone.
I have a checklist of emergency drills, and I start every solo dive with a run through my drills. If the drills go poorly, then I just stay at 20 feet and drill. If the drills go well, then I proceed with my dive.
Drills:
1. Flooded mask - remove, replace, clear
2. Lost mask - find and don replacement mask
3. Lost regulator - sweep recovery and neck-touch recovery
4. Valve drills - if I am in doubles then I go through a full valve drill (left/right/isolator). If I am using only a single only my back, then I go through the drill with my stage cylinder, including turning on the valve, deployment of the regulator, then shutting down the stage and stowing the reg. I also make sure that I can reach the valve on my back.
5. Stuck drysuit inflator - quick disconnect of the inflator, and roll recovery (for too much air in the feet)
6. Stuck BC inflator - quick disconnect and dump
If I were to solo in Oregon's cold water, here is what I would do:
-Assume shore diving with a bit of walk to the water, so I would use a single steel cylinder on my back and carry an AL40 stage for back-up, rigged with a redundant 1st and 2nd stage regulator (as opposed to carrying twin steel cylinders on my back)
-Dry suit, which also gives me redundant buoyancy
-Carry a spare mask in my pocket
-Two computer or depth gauges
-Two bottom timers
-Two compasses
-Two cutting devices
-When I am soloing I also use a carbon monoxide meter to check my breathing gas for CO before I go head wet
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Jan 27, 2013 - 12:08pm PT
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Your first Galapagos trip should prolly be snorkeling and hiking. More general. But it is amazing. Aren't many places you can swim with penguins.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Jan 27, 2013 - 03:48pm PT
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Maybe the comps have gotten better
Ya think?
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Feb 22, 2013 - 04:19am PT
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Am in North Sulawesi right now. Did 14 dives at Bunaken last week. F**ing awesome but could have used a magnifying glass for the small stuff.
Hope to get off to Lembeh Island in a few days for some muck diving.
If you ever want to dive Indonesia is the place to be. Already dreaming of a trip to Raja Ampat next year.
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healyje
Trad climber
Portland, Oregon
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Feb 22, 2013 - 04:54am PT
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Most of my diving has been in the Pacific - Hawaii, Okinawa, Philippines, Thailand, Australia, and Indonesia. Diving from shore sites like those in North Sulawesi are great, but there's still a lot of dynamiting and other destructive activities going on (or at least there was when I was there). If I were to get back into it I'd only be doing it at really remote sites on live aboards or with uncommon travel arrangements to shore sites where there just isn't a lot of human activity.
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RJNelson
climber
A few different places
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Feb 23, 2013 - 09:56pm PT
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I'm an avid climber and diver. If your looking for advice on equipment, definitely go for a weight intergrated BC. The convenience of having the weights in the BC is that it balances out your setup, and makes putting on/off much easier. Also more aerodynamic in the water so it's easier kicking, not to mention safer to drop in an emergency. As far as regulator goes. Upgrade 1st and 2nd at the same time. Sounds like your gear is old? Go with a balanced 1st and matching 2nd. They breath easier at any depth or PSI. I use the Atomic B2, kinda pricy, but balanced is well worth it. PM me if you have any other questions
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mdavid
Big Wall climber
High Springs, FL
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Feb 23, 2013 - 10:20pm PT
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I'd second going with a Halcyon back plate and wing. I'm cave diving three times a week and find their gear is awesome.
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TomCochrane
Trad climber
Santa Cruz Mountains and Monterey Bay
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Feb 24, 2013 - 11:34pm PT
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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Feb 25, 2013 - 03:58am PT
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Am diving in Lembeh Straight Sulawesi right now.
Really industrial as we are near the port of Bintung. Lots of trash like paint cans, tires, on the bottom but some neat stuff lives in them and on the coral patches. This is the home of weird and wonderful macro stuff with new discoveries still being made. Some of the fish are even uglier than the garbage. True muck diving but like an awesome treasure hunt.
Truly a unique experience
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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Feb 25, 2013 - 10:09am PT
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I was reading about making cave diving photos this w/e.
Seems - to get any photo depth in zero light - you need a sensor, on your companions gear, that fires their Strobe at the same time as yours.
Said sensor needs to be at the top of his tank so it can see your strobe.
The author remarked, that at the bottom of popular cave routes, there are a ton of plastic knobs. Guess that must be from the first stage banging on the roof. Can't imagine hitting the overhead that hard but that's what he says. He mentioned that, cuz if your friend scrapes off your strobe sensor, it gets to be a really expensive sport.
Seems a bunch of my Scuba friends are getting into Cave Diving. Though, IIRC my fav dive buddy flunked her course.
For myself, I dunno. Looks like one of those things you get into all the way or leave it alone.
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miwuksurfer
Social climber
Mi-Wuk
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Feb 25, 2013 - 01:45pm PT
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The ink is still wet on my open water cert. I'm so stoked to get out. Love the photos and the trip reports.
Keep them coming. The accident reports, though grim, are good to read also, I belive.
Question: Do most of you prefer the wrist mounted computers or the computer and pressure guage mounted on a hose?
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2013 - 02:02pm PT
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I prefer mine on the console. Though I know many that prefer the wrist mount. The nice thing about the console is integrate air is a lot less expensive.
And just wait locker - I'm going to mexico this summer to dive with Whale Sharks and part of the requirement is we do a fundraiser. All proceeds go back into "the cause" (awareness to the shark finning industry and putting a stop to that horrible industry). There will be prizes :P
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Feb 25, 2013 - 03:03pm PT
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Nature,
Here are a few thoughts.
1) I'm not sure how old you are but if you're starting to loose any near visual acuity then the size of the font for the computer really matters.
I've got a newer oceanic (which will do multiple gas mixtures :) but it's hard for my eyes to read - ug.
2) Specific computer experiences
Aeris - they break and you should avoid them.
Sununto - seems to hold up pretty conservative algortithms.
Oceanic - some of the new ones have multiple algorithm choices for modeling nitrogen absorption and this allows you to choose how liberal or conservative you want it. My current on is an oceanic and it has survived about 140 hours in the last 16 months.
3) On the strobe question - if you get and ikelite housing buy a used ds125 strobe, if you don't get an ikelite housing get a S&S YS-D1 or Inon z240 type 4. If your shooting macro you probably will need a focus light.
For used gear try reef in florida - lots of used stuff on their website, also backscatter (CA) has some used stuff as does bluewater photo. Jack at Ocean Optical sales also has some used stuff from time to time but typically isn't advertised on his web site - also scuba board and wetpixel are good sources for used stuff.
kev
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2013 - 04:42pm PT
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thanks kev. I'm almost 47 and so far my eyesight is holding up. Though I'm noticing really small fonts are hard to read.
I've had an Oceanic for 12 years and it's held up well. It's very basic but it's easy to read. Doesn't do mixed gas though.
After consulting with my instructor I've decided that my first priority is a new BC. After that it'll be a computer. And then maybe a new reg.
The timing on the strobe info is perfect. I have my housing (it's a canon) and the fish eye lens is on order.
I'll check out some of those sites.
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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Feb 25, 2013 - 07:42pm PT
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I second the back plane and wing. I currently dive with a jacket type bc and it works fine. Had a Zeagle for a while. The scuba pro jacket is cleaner, more simple and more streamlined but does have less lift. I would love to have a back plane / wing setup and when I wear out my current bc that is the way I will go. Way less drag, very configurable and simple which is important in diving. Redundant, failsafe but simple.
I quit recording my dives when I starting showing my log book to folks (only when asked) and half my dives were solo and received tons of crap. Absolutely love solo night dives. Reminds me of being a kid and walking alone in the woods. Have to keep thinking I am not afraid of the dark, dang it I am a grown man no way I am afraid of the dark. I think the incredible amount of pressure about not diving solo is in some ways bad even though I do understand why folks do it. I strongly discourage people not to dive solo. But the result was me diving solo and not telling anyone where I was and what I was doing. It is very similar to free soloing, recognize what you are doing, minimize risk, stay within boundaries. In some ways it has made me a better diver in some ways worse. When I dive I think self-contained, I monitor my stuff and my environment and expect my partner to do the same. To me it seems some divers that are completely entrenched in the dive partner philosophy rely on those partners which I think is a dangerous thing to do in the ocean. It is very good to have a partner there and there are times I will not go in the ocean without one but I think it is good to be self reliant.
I really like my scuba pro computer and reg. I do not like computers that have integrated air. With an actual air gauge if your computer fails you at least you know how much air you have. Also really like the Air 2 and Do not think I would dive without it, simple and bomb proof. One simple aftermarket piece of gear that I got that I highly recommend is the full piece mouth piece. When it gets rough or whatever I can clamp down on it better and I have only lost my reg once and that is when getting picked up by a wave and slammed into some rocks which kinda knocked the wind out of me. My reg shot out of my mount but the Air2 was right there ( I had two partners that day) and thankfully my partner grabbed me while I was getting maytaged and pulled me deeper and handed me my reg. I also recommend getting a bc with at least two dump valves one on the shoulder and one down low at the bottom, I see the third dump valve on the Air2 as being optional even though it is there by default with an Air2 type setup.
Have fun out there but be safe.
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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Feb 25, 2013 - 07:49pm PT
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Some words that also stuck with me. I remember when I got my advanced card from my instructer. He congratulated me in the group. Then found me when I was off by myself, looked me hard in the eye and said "You know what this means (while pointed at my card then not waiting for an answer), absolutly nothing". He then walked off.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2013 - 07:51pm PT
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The Air2 is a nice feature. One less hose to worry about. The shop I'm training with and will eventually be working at uses ScubaPro's as their "uniforms". Though I guess that means if I go with a ScubaPro BC with Air2 I also need up upgrade my reg to ScubaPro.
kev - what are your thoughts on the Ikelite AF35?
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Feb 25, 2013 - 10:20pm PT
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Nature,
Here are some strobe/s100 ramblings - please ignore anyhting you already knew - I wasn't sure where you were at with the whole underwater photo thing.
So I had (well still do until I bother to sell it) an Pany LX-5 in an ikelite housing. I was using a ds125 via electrical sync. The damn thing was way to strong and I found the TTL metering was so/so. This caused me to set the strobe manually. It was pretty easy once I got the hang of it. So I'm not sure how important TTL really is for you. Plus the Cannon S100 does NOT support TTL in manual mode which is probably what you'll be shooting in most of the time.
Initially I suggested Ikelite strobe with Ikelite housing because I assumed the housing had an electrical sync cord/TTL circuit which is uber fast (recycle time is < 2 seconds). Well, it's not that the sync is fast but rather with electrical sync you're only dependent on the strobes recycle time which with the DS125/160s is way way fast. Using the camera's flash as your strobe trigger means you're limited by the S100 recycle time. So the big selling point of the ikelite DS125/160 (and maybe 51) is gone.
My current system uses a mirror to allow flash from my d7000 to pass down a fiber optic cable which is connected to my strobe which then interprets the preflash for TTL that way - essentially what ikelite is doing with their autoflash 35. With this camera/strobe combination it seems pretty good. I'd call a few stores and see what they've had that works well with the cannon, I know some of the sea and sea strobes and the Inon strobes will fire via your a mask over your cameras internal flash with a cable running from the mast to the strobe. Here's an example http://www.bluewaterphotostore.com/ys-02-flex-arm-package and here's a S&S camera/strobe compatibility chart link http://www.seaandsea.jp/products/strobe/compatibilitychart/a.html but again I really don't think your going to use much TTL.
A lot of people really like Inon, S&S and Ikelite - I've used 2 of the three myself and they've all got their little pros and cons. But I don't think you need the TTL. Focus on the amount of light not the TTL unless you really think you're NOT going to me shooting in manual. I wouldn't use anything with less power than the DS51.
Hope I haven't muddied the waters too much.
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kev
climber
A pile of dirt.
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Feb 25, 2013 - 10:22pm PT
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Yeah the Air 2 is great until you have a panicked diver. If/when you go the Air2 route get an extra long hose for your primary so you can keep the panicked student/diver a reasonable distance away from you.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 25, 2013 - 11:00pm PT
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I'm fairly new to underwater photography and most of my years of experience have been outdoors (little use of strobes).
I don't see the need for TTL - I'll just get use to manual adjustments from the get-go. I'm ok with the recycle time with the s100 - I don't have a choice give the housing I chose.
I'm figuring I'll be shooting in Manual (C) at first. Still trying to learn this camera. It's pretty complex for being so little.
thanks for the link to the YS-02. I'll probably debate on that one vs the AF35.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 1, 2013 - 01:49am PT
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bought the YS-02 with flex handle.
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AP
Trad climber
Calgary
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If you like photography you must go to Indonesia. The sites there are legendary. I just got back from several weeks diving at Bunaken and Lembeh and am already thinking about Raja Ampat next year.
The comparison to other diving I have done is: You can climb a scruffy route on a choss crag. Yes it is climbing and it may be fun. Then compare it to the Nose or Astroman and you know this is a totally different arena.
Lembeh in particular is awesome and probably features the most unusual creatures you will ever see under water.
Check out videos on Youtube and you may want to book at a resort immediately! The dive resorts are great with 1 guide to 1-2 clients. They do everything for you ( twice I had to turn on my air though) and are there to find the wonderful things you want to see. Every dive featured critters I had never seen before and discoveries are still being made so no one knows everything that is down there. Especially exciting when you spot things before the guide does. Just like a giant treasure hunt.
Do it
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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I'm fairly new to underwater photography and most of my years of experience have been outdoors (little use of strobes).
I don't see the need for TTL - I'll just get use to manual adjustments from the get-go. I'm ok with the recycle time with the s100 - I don't have a choice give the housing I chose.
I'm figuring I'll be shooting in Manual (C) at first. Still trying to learn this camera. It's pretty complex for being so little.
Learning the camera is easy. It's the bouyancy that's problematic. Very much like texting and driving. The camera is devouring your attention. I've dived with some groups where they get hostile towards the idea. I had a 3 dives a day for a week with one of the best in the business. So I'm not bouncing all over the dive site, though I've been known to take off and my partner has to follow me. Here's a shot I took of him.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 4, 2013 - 07:49pm PT
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I'm getting a lot of practice with buoyancy. Part of the DCS requirement is being able to demonstrate all the open water skills while maintaining neutral buoyancy. Some of them are pretty tricky. Switching to a rear inflation BC and getting the integrated weights just right is also really helping.
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mynameismud
climber
backseat
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Nature
...if I go with a ScubaPro BC with Air2 I also need up upgrade my reg to ScubaPro.
Your primary Reg can be whatever you choose.
The hose on my primary is not real long but is a bit longer than normal. I have had to hand off my primary once while I used the Air2. It worked ok. If I was a Dive Master, doing Rescue Diving or Cave diving I would probably change my setup and go with a secondary with a long hose.
Other tips would be to learn to dive inverted (head down). Half the cool stuff out there is underneath something. Dive with as little weight as you can. It definitely eases buoyancy but if you take a beginner out extra weight can be helpful. Simplify/streamline your setup as much as possible while still being safe.
As far as photography goes.. If you dive with a photographer you may as well learn to dive solo :) One of my primary dive partners is a photog and he inevitably floats off by himself. He dives dry, I dive wet and would not only die of boredom but would freeze to death if I stuck by his side at all times. He takes pics and I swim around and find stuff. For the most part we do keep tabs on each other, the arrangement works.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 5, 2013 - 06:12pm PT
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I've got all my components now. This will be fun.
canon s100, canon housing, Sea & Sea YS-02, Fantasea BigEye fish eye lens.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 6, 2013 - 11:24pm PT
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it works!
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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My girlfriend and I just got back from 3 weeks of diving on the Kohala coast of the Big Island, Hawaii. (Also did a bunch of caving.)
We did the night manta ray dive off Kona. It was one of the most spectacular dives that I have ever done (and I have 400+ dives on 5 continents, including some cave diving). The diver's lights attract plankton, and the manta rays swoop in to feed on the plankton. With the lights and bubbles and manta rays, it is an utterly surreal and spectacular experience.
Here is an excellent video from youtube showing a manta dive (not my video)
[Click to View YouTube Video]
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Holy crap - that video of the dolphin encounter brought tears to my eyes.
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Anastasia
climber
Home
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The air 2 sucks when you do have a panic diver. I had to hit a guy with my regulator to get him to stop grabbing the air 2 out of my mouth and take the dang regulator. Though I do like it as a third option. I also had a spare air tank.
Remember, I use to dive master classes so it was part of my job to help others. It was a very interesting and intense experience. Probably why I can handle bad situations so calmly while the everyday silly stuff can rattle me.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 7, 2013 - 12:36am PT
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Holy crap - that video of the dolphin encounter brought tears to my eyes.
Yeah... same here and I've watched it a few times with the same result.
Their brain functions in ways I don't believe we can even begin to imagine.
Then there was this one:
http://www.globalanimal.org/2010/11/25/happy-thanksgiving-humpback-whale-gives-thanks-to-divers-for-rescuing-her/24717/
While I was playing around in the pool ton with my camera I had a chance to test drive an aqualung bc with their new i3 system. Not so sure about all the moving parts but the control you get on buoyancy is very very impressive.
next month I'll get a chance to test drive the poseidon rebreather.
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Sierra Ledge Rat
Mountain climber
Old and Broken Down in Appalachia
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Yeah the Air 2 is great until you have a panicked diver. If/when you go the Air2 route get an extra long hose for your primary so you can keep the panicked student/diver a reasonable distance away from you.
That's one of the reasons I went with the Hogarthian philosophy. My primary regulator is on a 7-foot hose. When someone takes the regulator out of my mouth (which is what I plan for) they get plenty of hose with which to work.
(The 7-foot length comes from cave diving, so that you pass single-file through restrictions and still share air.)
My backup is on a short bungee around my neck, where I can always find it. This is the standard setup for all technical divers, and it works perfectly well for recreational diving, too. I like it because I don't have to change my gear or configuration when I move back and forth between rec and tech diving.
A cave diver in Mexico
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couchmaster
climber
pdx
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Thanks for the advice Mr Rat, it's appreciated.
Ledge Rat said: "Most of my rec/tech dives are solo.
Soloing is not something that you want to get into right away. You've got to have a firm grasp on your solo strategy first. You can have redundant everything except for your brain.
You've also got to be well-versed in managing all of your emergencies solo. Emergency procedures need to be second-nature if you are going below the waves alone.
I have a checklist of emergency drills, and I start every solo dive with a run through my drills. If the drills go poorly, then I just stay at 20 feet and drill. If the drills go well, then I proceed with my dive.
Drills:
1. Flooded mask - remove, replace, clear
2. Lost mask - find and don replacement mask
3. Lost regulator - sweep recovery and neck-touch recovery
4. Valve drills - if I am in doubles then I go through a full valve drill (left/right/isolator). If I am using only a single only my back, then I go through the drill with my stage cylinder, including turning on the valve, deployment of the regulator, then shutting down the stage and stowing the reg. I also make sure that I can reach the valve on my back.
5. Stuck drysuit inflator - quick disconnect of the inflator, and roll recovery (for too much air in the feet)
6. Stuck BC inflator - quick disconnect and dump
If I were to solo in Oregon's cold water, here is what I would do:
-Assume shore diving with a bit of walk to the water, so I would use a single steel cylinder on my back and carry an AL40 stage for back-up, rigged with a redundant 1st and 2nd stage regulator (as opposed to carrying twin steel cylinders on my back)
-Dry suit, which also gives me redundant buoyancy
-Carry a spare mask in my pocket
-Two computer or depth gauges
-Two bottom timers
-Two compasses
-Two cutting devices
-When I am soloing I also use a carbon monoxide meter to check my breathing gas for CO before I go head wet"
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John Duffield
Mountain climber
New York
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next month I'll get a chance to test drive the poseidon rebreather.
How are you getting this? I think I would like to do it. Was looking at going back to Divetech, but maybe somewhere else would work.
Here's on of my Scapa Buds suited up. As I age, the lighter equipment becomes more attractive to me. Staggering around the deck with two cans of backgas and a couple of deco in a heavy sea, in a dry suit really sucks the energy out.
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nature
climber
Boulder, CO
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Topic Author's Reply - May 5, 2013 - 06:28pm PT
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John - I missed your question regarding the rebreather.... My local dive shop is doing a demo on this later this month. They have one on hand right now. It's a pretty cool little unit.
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