Time to Test

On a sun-splashed Southern California morning last April the ScubaLab test team, aboard Body Glove’s dive boat Disappearance, skirted the eastern coastline of Santa Monica Bay, headed for the rocky cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Skipper Bob Meistrell eased his 64-foot vessel into a quiet spot on the edge of a massive kelp bed and dropped anchor on a sandy bottom in 40 feet of green water. The test team, comprised of six divers and one test coordinator, got ready to hit the water with this year’s new crop of regulators. There were 14 in all, running the gamut from economy to money’s-no-object. This was judgment day — the final of three test stages — and we couldn’t have asked for a better one. When all was said and done, we found what we were looking for — the year’s best breathers.

Oceanic Neo

Features

The Neo is the lightest second stage Oceanic makes and uses a simple AVS (Adjustable Venturi Switch) dive/predive switch. The CDX-5 first stage is fitted with DVT (Dry Valve Technology) to keep contaminants at bay and is environmentally sealed for use in harsh conditions. On the breathing machine, the Neo proved an upper- to midrange breather, delivering an Excellent work-of-breathing rating at the initial RMV/depth test level, then tapering to a Good rating when taken to the extreme. In the ocean it earned average scores for ease of breathing, but did much better in all other ergo categories for its dry breathing, minimal bubble interference, comfort and powerful purge.

Specifications

Bottom Line

One of the best performances in this price category plus one of the lowest MSRPs equals a Best Buy.