Scuba Gear Reviews by Donald A. Dutcher

I bought this because I needed an alternate air source for my travel rig. What I liked most was the fact that the regulator was removeable and using attachments you can change it to a different BC without having to cut the bands off every time. Also that you can remove it for travel. I did 7 dives in the Caymans with this reg as my octo. At times during the dives, I intentionally switched over to it and it performed flowlessly. It breaths as good as the name brand regs I have used and it cleared easily, even at 105 feet. Although I have not yet tried it in cold water, I have no dought it will work fine. BOTTOM LINE - this is the best alternate reg ive used. This is my first atomic purchase and I am very happy and impressed. I spent the extra on the titanium because of salt water use, but im sure the regular model is just as good.

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76 out of 150 people found this review helpful.

This suit is fantastic quality almost bullet proof contruction. I am 6ft 3inches, 235 lbs. I found the 2XL was the right size for me. The zipper on the front was much more difficult to zip up than I had expected by myself. I could only close it 3/4 of the way by myself. I also found the front zipper to be not as comfortable for me as back zip suits. I was looking at this wetsuit for a cage diving trip to mexico, but elected to take my drysuit on the trip and return the Kodiak. The quaility was there in the suit, but I found out I am not a wet diver outside of the caribbean anymore. I give the suit high scores for its construction and quality.

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65 out of 127 people found this review helpful.

This is a good mask for all sorts of face sizes even younger folks. The mask is the same quality as my trusted Tusa M-14 which has a wider view. The Serene still has a pretty good view, at least as good as others it that size range. While I prefer the M-14s view, I love the Serene all black appearance, something the M-14 does not offer. Im keeping this mask as a backup for my fiancee or loaner for family.

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54 out of 102 people found this review helpful.

The interface connects to the pin holes on the back side of the Nemo Wide. I presume the puck is the same set up. Connect to the USB port, switch Nemo to "PC" and youre off and running. Works as expected. Nothing too fancy. Wish it was cheaper.

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45 out of 85 people found this review helpful.

I bought this mask as an experiment with the anticipation that the skirt would be like the skirt on the Mako mask by Sherwood. I was mildly disappointed that the silicone was the more traditional soft silicone. This mask is still a nice 3 window design and a bargain price. The manufacturer claims its a panaramic view, which is incorrect. It works like any other 3 lens mask. The two side windows act like side mirrors on your car, but with no support bars between the front and side windows, it gives a less closterphobic feeling. The mask sealed good on my face with no leaking or fogging problems. No major adjustments needed when donning the mask. BOTTOM LINE: Probably the best framed, 3 window mask I have used and at a very reasonable price. Only wish it would have used the Mako style silicone skirt.

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88 out of 177 people found this review helpful.

i was looking for a backup for my bahamas trip when i ed this mask. this mask is awesome! when i put it on, i immediately knew this was a great mask. usually it takes me a few adjustments to get a proper seat and seal but not with this mask. the biggest advantage is the silicone used in this mask. unlike other silicone skirts this one uses a more ridgid silcone that seems very similar to rubber. i get an immedate seal the first time i put it on with no adjustments. have not had that since my old dacor single lens. it also stashes well in my bc. i tested this mask at the lake and at 12ft in the local pool. no problems. bottom line: nothing but good things here.

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185 out of 317 people found this review helpful.

I have been impressed with XS Scuba products and this beanie did not disappoint. I bought this beanie for my girlfriend due to her hair issues. The beanie is well made and sizing seems right with size chart. Girlfriend uses beanie for snorkelling only so can not really speak about warmth for scuba diving.

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206 out of 456 people found this review helpful.

Yup its a mask strap. Got this one for my girlfriend because she had trouble with her hair. I put the neoprene strap on my mask and I liked it. I never had any problems with my mask straps, but this made it probably a second or so faster to put on my mask. Seems more comfortable, but it does not feel like it grips as well on my shaved head as my silicone strap. Definately think it would be alot better for people with hair. Hope this helps.

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138 out of 244 people found this review helpful.

I bought these fins to enhance my pool workouts. I have had an Aqua Sphere seal xp mask for 3 years and its still like new so I looked at their product first. For me the open heel design is the only way to go. As I have said in other reviews straps are cheaper to replace then buying a new set of fins. The fins are quality made and the heel straps are really nice with the neoprene pad over the strap for comfort. As for performance the fins provided a good amount of thrust. Using the fins I shaved 2 minutes off of my 600 meter swim. The only negative comment I could make would be that they do not come in an XL. I wear a size 13 shoe and the fins only go up to size 12 so my big toe protrudes from the open toe area of the foot pocket. To avoid chaffing I use dive socks which make the fins a bit tighter but still acceptable. If they came in XL or my mother gave me smaller feet things would be perfect. BOTTOM LINE: If your feet are bigger than mine look else where unless they offer them in XL size now. If your feet are Mens 12 or less do not hesitate. These fins are priced right and quality made.

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143 out of 289 people found this review helpful.

LIKE NEW: I bought the display model which was $200 cheaper than a new one. It was in perfect shape. No scratches on the screen, the battery was 100 percent and the wrist band was uncut. MARES NEMO WIDE: The display is huge so it can display all the essential information on the screen. Everything is clearly laid out for you and easy to see from any distance or angle. The night light glows like the Timex Indiglo. DIVING WITH NEMO: I did 6 dives in Cozumel with my computer. It worked great. It clearly showed my depth and in large numbers my bottom time countdown. Audible alarms can be heard even with arms at your sides. Between dives Nemo does a desaturation countdown and it has a planning screen that allows you to check your max bottom times for your next dive based on your current nitrogen levels. CONSERVATIVE REVIEWS: Of the few Nemo reviews I found online most indicated Nemo was too conservative. I found with the Fast Ascent Alert activated, Nemo is very sensitive to changes in depth. I got fast ascent errors on every dive even though the error only occurred over a distance of one to three feet in about 1 second. The lesson is not to let a barracuda startle you or turn the fast ascent alarm off. Experienced divers follow their slowest bubbles up and Nemos 3 minute safety stop at 10-20 feet picks up the slack. BOTTOM LINE: In this day and age any dive computer is gonna be conservative and its gonna be reliable its just a matter of how clearly you want the information displayed to you and how much you can afford to spend. Nemo Wide is a great dive computer for the price. I love the large display screen, the back light and the general setup of the display information. If you have the option of buying a discounted display model from Scuba.com, buy without worry. You will have $200 more to spend on other gear or on your dive trips. Hope this helps. DD

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271 out of 471 people found this review helpful.

I bought this suit for Cozumel and used it during the first week of October with the water temperature in the mid 80s. The skin provides some thermal protection, but not much. I wore it mainly as a protective layer to guard against chaffing. Construction wise, the suit is what you expect of Henderson quality. I got the black with blue stripes on the sleeves. Looks a bit like Hoopers wetsuit in Jaws. BOTTOM LINE: Good purchase for warmer waters. If you are naturally cold blooded, Id look for a 3mm wetsuit. Could be good under a wetsuit as well.

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164 out of 332 people found this review helpful.

THE FACTS: This snorkel is well made and looks good. The mouth piece is very comfortable and the purge valve is cleared with very little effort. It also has the shield on the tube to help keep water out of the barrel. MY TWO CENTS: I bought one of these snorkels for my girlfriend, who had never snorkelled before so of course I test & evaluated it too. It worked so well for her that I got one for my sister who was also a novice snorkeler. I liked it so much that I later bought a third one for myself. I do feel that a J-style snorkel with no purge is a better choice for those who are more serious about their snorkelling. BOTTOM LINE: If you are a casual snorkler who is going to swim around on the surface and you dont want to get a mouth full of water, give this snorkel a try.

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154 out of 311 people found this review helpful.

I bought this bag to keep my gear together on the dive boat in Cozumel. The bag is well made and has lots of room. The bag has more than enough room to hold my Scubapro Twin Jet Max fins, mask, snorkel, camera and assorted other items. With the nylon bottom supports the weight of the gear better while the mesh top allows you to dunk your gear then drain the bag after you dive. BOTTOM LINE: a great bag for the dive boat or beach. Get the Xscuba shoulder strap too.

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295 out of 648 people found this review helpful.

I got this cap free when I ordered a camera. Pretty nice cap considering it was free.

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154 out of 304 people found this review helpful.

A quality shoulder strap for any duffle bag. This strap is alot better than I expected it to be. Has quality clips and a nice shoulder pad. Worth the money if you need one.

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116 out of 265 people found this review helpful.

Quailty cloths line for traveling. Good price.

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112 out of 227 people found this review helpful.

The price is not bad and the pocket is made of quality materials except the thigh strap which did not seem to be very durable or abrasion resistant. Too elastic. The excess webbing on the fastening strap just hangs on the leg so it needs to be cut off or otherwise secured. Also the pocket is a bit narrower than I wanted. Tight fit for masks. In the end, I returned this item because I did not like the way it rode on my leg in addition to the above issues. BOTTOM LINE: Seems like someone just threw some straps onto the BC pocket and called it a thigh rig, but you get what you pay for.

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76 out of 154 people found this review helpful.

BOTTOM LINE: An SD memory card is an SD memory card. Delkin is a brand name and this one works fine with my camera. Scuba.com has been good about not selling junk so I ordered this one with the Sealife Reefmaster because I did not want to make a special trip to an electronics store just to pay the same price plus sales tax.

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195 out of 425 people found this review helpful.

The tags are made of hard plastic with a rubber/silicone attachment loop. I recommend a sharpie marker to write on them with. I got the tags with the Amphibious Outfitters scuba frog and they look really cool. BOTTOM LINE: Luggage tags that look cool.

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279 out of 595 people found this review helpful.

The best part about these fins besides the price is the open heel design with the replaceable quick release buckle straps. Unlike full foot fins if the strap breaks, replace it and keep on diving / snorkelling. While these fins are a bit low end for serious divers, they are head and shoulders above the junk you get in the sporting goods or department stores. BOTTOM LINE: I am a rocket fin guy. If you are going to scuba then get a pair of vented fins. If you just want a quality pair of fins for snorkelling without breaking the bank, these are the fins for you. Get the black. They look great!

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131 out of 267 people found this review helpful.

THE FACTS: Black mesh/nylon construction with draw string opening, carry handle and two shoulder straps so the bag can be worn like a backpack. Large enough to hold a pair of average fins, snorkel, a mask with case, booties and a beach towel. MY OPINION: For $10, I was expecting a plain mesh bag with a draw string so I was pleasantly suprised with the actual quality of the product. I like that its a simple design, well made for the price and you can fit all your gear in one ready to go bag. BOTTOM LINE: If you are looking for a simple and inexpensive snorkelling gear bag, this bag is a steal.

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182 out of 334 people found this review helpful.

THE FACTS: These socks are well made, comfortable and the price is right. MY OPINION: Because I live and dive in Michigan, I bought these socks so I could wear my DUI rock boots instead of my dive booties when I snorkel. If I were going to dive in a wetsuit, I think I would try to get a pair in 5mm or 7mm. BOTTOM LINE: Theyre socks and they do what socks are made to do. They are great for layering and protection from chaffing. They are not a substitue for good dive boots.

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81 out of 181 people found this review helpful.

THE FACTS: Well made, quality mask. The field of view is outstanding. Mask strap is extra wide in the back. Looks great. MY OPINION: I am 63" and weigh 225 lbs. I ordered the extra large which fits me, but I think my face is not wide enough for this size. When I snorkelled with it on two occassions, the skirt seal broke in the nose area. I repositioned the mask higher on my face so it snugged up under my nose and it seemed to help, but I also had issues with the sides of the skirt folding over towards the front of the mask on a couple of occassions letting water in. THE BOTTOM LINE: The issues I had with this mask are a sizing issue only. Unless you have a larger than normal face, I think the normal size range will be best. This mask has a great field of view and the side windows make it even better, but Im a 3-lens guy. I ordered the black silicone because it wont be brown in a year like clear silicone masks will. It looks cool now and it will still look cool in 10 years. This mask was my first frameless and I am impressed. It is one of the most comfortable masks I have tried. I have already decided this is the mask for me and I have ordered the normal size. Hope this helps.

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199 out of 410 people found this review helpful.

THE FACTS: If you dive coldwater and you like to be warm before / during / after the dive, this is the suit for you. The Merino-Evolution is very well made, very comfortable and easy to move in. The merino wool feels great. The neoprene leg and arm cuffs work well at keeping the suit in place under your drysuit. Unless you are cold blooded, 60 degree water is probably the warmest dive you want to take with this suit assuming you are wearing the minimum clothing necessary underneath. MY OPINION: This was my first purchase of a Pinnacle product and I am sold on them. When you handle this suit, you can feel the quality Pinnacle put into it. If there is a downside to the Merino-Evolution, its that the water has to be freezing to really enjoy what it can do. I say 60 degree water is probably the max because I never felt a chill when I was in the water, but getting geared up, it was about 70ish degrees and I was getting a bit warm. After about 30 mins of diving I came out of the water and I was starting to overheat. Keep in mind, I was only wearing underarmor heat gear underneath the Evolution. BOTTOM LINE: I love mine and thats all that matters. Hopefully some of what I have passed on will be helpful to someone elses decision.

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337 out of 609 people found this review helpful.