December 2006

By Bill Kendig

Photography by Joseph Byrd

It's the holiday season, and if you're a typical Scuba Diving reader, that means you've been doing an inordinate amount of shopping--not at the overcrowded malls, but down at your local dive store. We understand completely. Why not shop at the one store in town that has all the latest and greatest toys any diver could want? Whether you're shopping for a buddy or for yourself, we're here to help you sort out your options. On the following pages we've identified six typical divers, and offer some gear suggestions we think make sense for each one. The gear profiled includes a number of Scuba Lab Best Buys, as well as Testers' Choice winners new and old. We've also thrown in some of the latest products profiled in our Gear Bag column. Pick the diver that most closely resembles the diver you're shopping for and you're halfway home to hearing "It's just what I've always wanted!"

Advanced Diver

The advanced diver doesn't just follow the "80 feet for 30 minutes" crowd. He takes control of his diving by taking advantage of the latest tools, training and techniques to expand his underwater horizons. When diving is a passion, not just a hobby, you need feature-rich gear that works as hard as you play.

Aqua Lung Legend LX ACD Supreme (A)
Take it deep, take it cold, work it hard and still grow old with this high-performance breather. Supreme denotes its ability to work in cold water (below 50 degrees F), LX refers to the breathing-resistance knob that lets you fine tune the pneumatically balanced second stage, and ACD stands for Auto Closure Device, which seals off the first stage inlet to prevent water intrusion when you disconnect the reg from a cylinder. The first stage of this 2006 Testers' Choice is also environmentally sealed against freeze-up and contaminated water. Price: $610. Contact: www.aqualung.com.

Sea Quest Black Diamond (B)
The Black Diamond gives you the ability to go from rec to tech as your skills advance. The low-profile, three-dimensional air cell can provide the extra lift (50 pounds) needed when using dry suits, pony bottles or even doubles. The multi-set waist and long adjustment straps let you dial in a perfect fit and the BC now features the exclusive Sure Lock weight system. Price: $695. Contact: www.aqualung.com.

O'Neill 7mm Sector
Serious divers need serious thermal protection and the O'Neill 7mm Sector delivers. All seams are glued and blind-stitched and externally sealed with O'Neill's Fluid Seam Weld technology. This also happens to be one comfortable suit with surprising mobility. Price: $339.95. Contact: www.oneilldive.com.

Suunto Vytec DS
The Vytec DS uses an RGBM Deep Stop algorithm to facilitate better off-gassing, and all mission-critical data is displayed clearly on the primary screen with bold numbers. Divers can switch between three different nitrox mixes from 21 to 99 percent oxygen. Get the optional wireless transmitter, and the Vytec also shows your primary cylinder's pressure and calculates air time remaining. No wonder this computer earned a 2006 Testers' Choice rating. Price: $1,260 with transmitter; $760 computer only. Contact: www.aqualung.com.

Mares Volo Power
Swimming against a current or towing a buddy in a rescue class, you'll appreciate the power, stability and maneuverability of the Volo Power fins. Price: $170. Contact: www.mares.com.

Cold-Water Diver

Sure, the tropics are nice, but for plenty of divers, nothing beats a day exploring a California kelp forest, diving on a well-preserved Great Lakes wreck, or playing with lobster in the waters off Maine. The conditions in these world-class regions are often referred to as "temperate water," but let's call it what it really is--cold. Don't let that scare you. With the right equipment and thermal protection, you're "go" for some very cool adventures.

Scubapro MK 17/S555
Insiders at Scubapro refer to this reg as "The Icebreaker" for its ability to tough out cold water and extreme dive environments. The new MK 17 balanced-diaphragm first stage is completely sealed for trouble-free operation in cold conditions and silty water. The new S555 pneumatically balanced second stage is a rugged, easy-breathing companion with a Venturi adjustment (VIVA) to prevent surface free-flows. This reg earned the highest possible scores on the ANSTI breathing simulator and praise from our test divers en route to earning a 2006 Testers' Choice rating. Price: $537. Contact: www.scubapro.com.

Apeks WTX (A)
With its heavy-duty construction and low-profile, modular design, the Apeks WTX harness, air cell and accessories allow you to tailor your buoyancy control to the conditions. Add the stainless-steel backplate if you want targeted ballast to offset excess buoyancy from your extra thermal protection. Price (as shown): $710. Contact: www.aqualung.com.

Mares Isotherm 6.5 Semi-Dry (B)
Even though it's slightly thinner, this semi-dry wetsuit can smoke most 7mm wetsuits when it comes to keeping you warm, thanks to a snug comfortable fit, a full-on dry zipper and rolled cuffs that can work like dry suit seals. The large shoulder entry, plush lining, wrist and ankle zips also make this an easy suit to get into, and a built-in 2mm vest adds an extra layer of insulation to the vital torso area. Price: $475. Contact: www.mares.com.

UWATEC Smart Z
Cold water can increase your risk of DCS, so why take chances? The Smart Z features an exclusive UWATEC adaptive algorithm that adjusts your profile to account for water temperature and other environmental variables. When equipped with the optional transmitter, the computer's remaining bottom time (RBT) function also tracks temperature data (among other factors) in order to get you safely back to the surface with a pre-set air reserve. And to top it all off, the Smart Z offers six levels of Micro Bubble Suppression, user-controlled settings that let you take maximum control of your DCS exposure. Price: $1,386 complete with transmitter; $950 computer only. Contact: www.scubapro.com.

Apollo Sports Bio-Fin Pro XT/C
The downside to thicker exposure protection is increased hydrodynamic drag, so you need fins that can deliver more power without making you work hard for it. The Bio-Fin Pro XT/C split fins are easy on your legs but generate some serious thrust. Bonus: The rubber-guarded spring strap is easy to use with gloved hands. Price: $270. Contact: www.diveapollo.com.

Budget Diver

Who says you have to spend a fortune to get comfortable, reliable dive gear? If you shop around, you'll find solid gear at rock-bottom prices. These examples all offer great value for the dollar. They may not have the bells and whistles of pricier items, but they don't skimp on quality or performance.

Zeagle Rezort (A)
The Zeagle Rezort earned a Best Buy rating in Scuba Lab's 2006 regulator review with a combination of solid breathing machine scores, user-friendly performance in the water and a price tag so reasonable that it borders on being an impulse buy. This straightforward reg features an unbalanced flow-by piston first stage and a pneumatically balanced second stage that comes with an effective dive/pre-dive switch and a mighty purge button. Plus, it's capable of handling nitrox mixes up to 40 percent. Price: $258. Contact: www.zeagle.com.

Akona 7mm Fullsuit (B)
You won't get soaked buying the Akona 7mm Fullsuit. Well-built to resist the cold, it features Glide Skin seals at the neck, wrist, and ankles and a skin-to-skin flap behind the zipper. It earned both Testers' Choice and Best Buy ratings in our 2005 review of 7mm suits. Price: $285. Contact: www.akona.com.

XS Scuba Nekton (C)
This 2006 Testers' Choice jacket-style BC may be pumped up with features but it's not overinflated in price. The semi-soft backpack rivals most hard packs for stability, a rolled neoprene collar and good padding give a nice ride without adding buoyancy, and an efficient integrated-weight system holds 20 pounds of ballast (plus an additional 10 pounds in trim weight pockets). Other nice touches include dump valve cords that are routed to the front and activated with large toggles, plenty of well-placed D-rings and large cargo pockets to carry all the clams you'll save. Price: $300. Contact: www.xsscuba.com.

Mares M2 RGBM
The Mares M2 RGBM wrist computer, an updated version of the M1, hit the market this year with improved screen graphics, redesigned control buttons, updated software--and a lower retail price. The M2, a 2006 Scuba Lab Testers' Choice and Best Buy, is a user-friendly, single-gas, air/nitrox computer that makes life easy with large bold numbers and user-changeable AAA batteries. Price: $300. Contact: www.mares.com.

Tusa Imprex Tri-Ex
Rigid rails, a medium stiff blade and a soft foot pocket all combine to create a com-fortable, stable and efficient fin. In our 2004 Scuba Lab fin review, the Imprex Tri-Ex earned a Testers' Choice rating and it's still priced low enough to be a Best Buy. Price: $89. Contact: www.tusa.com.

Tech Diver

Tech usually means deep, and the world below traditional recreational diving depths is literally a high-pressure environment. The water is darker and colder, the air you breathe is denser, and if there's trouble down there, ascending to the surface to sort it all out simply isn't an option. Tech diving often demands different gear configurations, too, so good tech gear has to have two features above all others--adaptability and reliability.

Apeks XTX 100
With an over-balanced diaphragm first-stage (it's also environmentally sealed) and a pneumatically balanced second stage, this top-of-the-line model from Apeks has the rock-solid air breathing performance tech divers depend on. It's also customizable. You can change the XTX 100 to a right- or left-side hose configuration, and it comes with both a small or large exhaust tee, making it adaptable for use as a primary or secondary reg. Price: $675. Contact: www.aqualung.com.

Dive Rite Transplate (A)
The rugged Dive Rite Transplate Harness offers the clean lines and simple functionality that are the hallmarks of a good tech diving rig. Mix and match air cells and backplates to customize the rig for each dive. Air cell options range from the low-profile Venture wing with 32 pounds of lift for single-tank excursions to the double bladder Super Wing. Price (as configured): $665.58. Contact: www.diverite.com.

Pinnacle Evolution 2 (B)
Made of commercial/military grade 220-gram Cordura, this suit has tech written all over it. Pinnacle's newest shell suit is built tough with double-layered kneepads, heavy-gauge latex wrist seals, and vulcanized rubber boots. The front diagonal zipper makes for easy self entry/exit and is guarded by a protective overflap. Internal suspenders and an external crotch strap increase comfort and fit. There are easy to reach expandable pockets on each thigh for lift bags, reels and accessories. There are even attachment loops sewn on for clipping gear off. Price: $1,595. Contact: www.pinnacleaquatics.com.

Oceanic VT3
With the new VT3 wireless air/nitrox computer from Oceanic good things come in threes: It can switch between three gas mixes (21-100 percent oxygen), read three transmitters, and operate in three different modes (Air/Nitrox, Gauge, Free Dive). For the Tech Diver this means you can monitor three different gases, in three different cylinders, wirelessly, on one gauge. The VT3 is user-friendly, presents the most important information with large bold numbers on the main screen and uses alternate screens for less critical data. Price: $949.95 with one transmitter, $639.95 without transmitter. Additional transmitters $419 each. Contact: www.OceanicWorldwide.com.

OMS Slipstream
If it's made by OMS it's got to be tech. This time-tested fin design features an updated plastic compound that's surprisingly light and neutrally buoyant. It now comes in four sizes (M, L, XL, XXL), but still in just one color: black. Bonus: Check out the durable, stainless-steel spring straps. Price: $90.30. Contact: www.omsdive.com.

Tropical Divier

Warm water, sun-lit reefs, colorful fish and water conditions so docile that your bathtub seems treacherous by comparison--who doesn't love tropical diving? When the hardest part of your dive excursion is staying within airline baggage restrictions, look for travel-ready tropical gear.

Mares V42 Proton Metal
This tiny, lightweight reg doesn't take up much space in your gear bag, but still manages to deliver big air when you need it. The V42 first stage is the smallest and lightest Mares has ever made, and it features angled ports for better hose routing. The all-metal second stage housing is compact and light, creates very little drag and is easy to purge. Price: $600. Contact: www.mares.com.

Sea Quest Malibu (A)
The Malibu is a textbook example of what a travel BC ought to be--comfortable, full-featured, but easy to pack. The rear inflation air cell keeps all the bulk behind you and the efficient integrated weight system holds more than enough weight (20 pounds) for tropical diving. Upgrade to the Air Source alternate inflator reg (shown) and you can simplify your packing even more. But here's the best part: At the end of the day, this BC stuffs into its own integrated mesh bag. Dunk it in the rinse tank, hang it up to dry and forget about it until tomorrow's dives. What could be easier? Price: $475, or $615 with the Air Source inflator reg. Contact: www.aqualung.com.

Henderson InstaDry 3mm Shorty (B)
Even in luxurious tropical conditions, your body is losing heat every second you're in the water. This 3mm shorty offers just-right thermal protection to keep you diving strong all day long. And thanks to its unique quick-drying outer layer and smooth anti-microbial lining, you'll never again suffer the indignities of unpacking a damp, funky wetsuit on your return home. Price: $302.14. Contact: www.hendersonusa.com.

Beuchat Voyager (C)
The Voyager is a single-gas, air/nitrox computer that is delightfully easy to use from the moment you open the box. Set-up is easy with this 2006 Testers' Choice computer, thanks to an owner's manual that offers clear, step-by-step instructions. In the water, all your critical dive data is displayed on the primary screen in big, bold digits. Between dives, the computer automatically displays your surface interval time so you don't have to go hunting for it. It's even easy to maintain, thanks to a user-replaceable three-volt lithium battery. Price: $410. Contact: www.beuchat.fr.

Mares Avanti Excel Fullfoot
Lose the booties, but keep the power, speed and maneuverability of a well-designed paddle fin. The new Avanti Excel fins from Mares have the same Super Channel Thrust and Optimized Pivoting Blade (OPB) technology as Mares' open-heel fins, but with less weight and bulk. The anatomic foot pocket is thick, comfortable and ready to meet your feet. Price: $90. Contact: www.mares.com.

Diver Who Has Everything

When it comes to dive gear, a higher price does not always equate to performance. But sometimes it does. These luxury items have it all--quality, status, unique features and chart-topping performance. If you can spare the few extra bucks to invest in your dive gear, why not have it all?

Atomic aquatics T2 (A)
The T2 may be diving's premier status item, but it's also one gutsy reg. The T2's first stage is factory-sealed for cold-water performance. Solid billet titanium components won't corrode, no matter how badly you treat this reg, and they keep the weight under two pounds. Atomic's patented Seat Saving Orifice prevents the reg from going out of tune between servicing, and the Automatic Flow Control automatically adjusts breathing performance as you go deeper. The result? Extensive Scuba Lab tests have shown it to be one of the easiest breathing regulators ever built. Price: $1,499. Contact: www.atomicaquatics.com.

Mares Dragon AT (B)
Two features put the Mares Dragon AT on the cutting edge of BC innovation. The first is the Dragon air cell, which wraps partially around the tank as it inflates, creating a streamlined contour. The second is the unique Airtrim (AT) power inflate/deflate system. The AT module is located on the front left pocket where you can always find it. One button inflates the BC; the other uses tank pressure to open deflate valves. It's an intuitive system that provides quick control over buoyancy changes, and with a little practice, you'll forget all about your old inflator hose. Price: $600. Contact: www.mares.com.

DUI TLS 350 (C)
The DUI TLS 350 tri-laminate dry suit maximizes comfort and range of motion while minimizing excess material. When you invest in the top-of-the-line signature series, it gets even better. Your dry suit is made to your precise measurements, plus you can add all the options you want, from Kevlar kneepads to pockets to the handy ZipSeal and ZipGlove systems. You even get to select from multiple upper body designs and more than 20 colors. Price: $1,878 for the basic suit; $2,498 for the signature series. Contact: www.dui-online.com.

Suunto D9
Masquerading as a high-end digital sports watch, the D9 is, in reality, one of the most capable dive computers on the market today. And if you need to justify the price tag on this baby to your spouse, consider this: It's capable of replacing your entire gauge console. When equipped with the optional wireless transmitter, the D9 reads and displays your primary tank pressure, replacing the traditional SPG. It's a computing powerhouse, capable of tracking up to three nitrox mixes (21 to 99 percent oxygen) per dive, and is the first computer with a built-in digital compass. Price: $1,775 with transmitter, $1,275 without. Contact: www.aqualung.com.

Atomic Aquatics Reef Red
The Reef Red sports a longer-than-average blade, but it's relatively light, really powerful and offers impressive maneuverability. It earned a Testers' Choice rating in our 2004 Scuba Lab fin review, and remains one of the best all-around fins we've tested. Price: $199. Contact: www.atomicaquatics.com.