Search results

IMO, business class is totally worth the expense, particularly on legs >6h. Much of the rationale has already been explained, but for me the flight comfort is part of the dive vacation. However, you also shouldn't necessarily put yourself in a poorhouse just to fly in travel in comfort. If you...

Reefs beyond the resort are in most good shape. Is it Indonesia quality, no. Is it adequate to find interesting critters, absolutely. There is plenty of bleaching but also areas of corals that are more or less pristine. It's a good mix. Varies with the time of year and damp. CCV does a good job...

misread the OP, apologies.

I'm in the direct-connect-to-1st-stage camp. EDIT: I have also an SPG at my hip for redundancy. I briefly had a 6" connector HP hose for my transmitter after thinking about handling by boat crew. The hose failed after <70 dives. While I'm sure it was just some bad hose assembly, I think simple...

I'd like to, but I'm not blessed with many good options.

I appreciate the in depth discussion (my local dive shop owner was not really helpful other in explaining other than saying 'these 1st stages are lethal! don't use them!' I'll check my 1st stage tonight and see if I have the shutter with the ridge. I'm happy with the Atomic 1st stage, but it...

I love my AL L3gend reg and octo (but I swapped out my L3gend 1st stage for an Atomic after learning about some accidents and construction problems with the AL resulting them failing in the closed position). I love how the L3gends breathe, easy adjustment, and how tough they are. What I DON'T...

Contact Hollywood Divers (ask for Hal). Underwater Camera, Scuba and Snorkeling Center They will hook you up with some operators and options. There is a very active dive scene in LA, and I'm sure there is a club or shop that will help you out.

Good friend of mine just got an ST Elite about a month ago and really likes it. She's currently diving it in Mozambique. I was about to purchase the same Hollis unit until I test dove the XT Lite BP with a TransPac harness, both from DiveRite. I found this combination very similar to the Hollis...

Want to turn a large fortune into a small one? Open a dive shop! (Or buy a vineyard....)

Sounds like you were unfortunate to be the cooler head on a boat full hot tempers and know-it-alls. Thank you for being the better person.

I don't disagree with you. For me it's about ethics and ensuring that someone who is providing me a service (particularly when diving) is recompensed in the manner I would recompense my own employees for similar services. You do you. It ought to, but you do you. It is not only acceptable, it...

Perhaps I am overly generous. I also know that most DMs and dive guides are not paid well (frankly, I believe they are abused). Regardless, I can afford it. I avoid vacationing in the US, so no data on tipping housekeeping in the US. A 'little extra' is significantly more in my case. I...

AI + SPG for me. Over my years on and in the ocean, I've had enough electronics go wrong on me for me to solely rely on one piece of mission critical gear. My Perdix AI has never acted up, but at 100' down I like some redundancy.

I had my Perdix AI drain a new battery after 3 dives during my last trip. Replaced it, and then dove another 27 dives with very little drain. I always pack 3 additional AAs in my kit.

Just returned from 2 weeks in Sulawesi on Sunday. Tipping for services/meals/etc. not the norm in SE Asia. Tipping for dive resort-hotel housekeeping/staff, the boat crew, and your DM/DG is generally expected/appreciated. We typically do $25-$35 per day for housekeeping/staff, same $ pd for...

I fall into the 'belt and suspenders' camp and use AI and a backup SPG on my rec rig. I consider myself a new diver after 7 years and ~500 dives, and though I've never had trouble with my AI, I have had my SPG 'fail' on 2 occasions (leaking at the gauge). This thread is giving me food for...

Thunderous silence indeed. :) I don't think it matters. IMO (and it's been repeated ad nauseum on SB), all the scuba agencies are businesses; if they did not make money, they would not exist. I feel it falls on the individual instructor to Provide the appropriate trAining. Even a really gooD...

"Excuse me, sir. Seeing as how the V.P. is such a V.I.P., shouldn’t we keep the P.C. on the Q.T.? ‘Cause of the leaks to the V.C. he could end up M.I.A., and then we’d all be put out in K.P." - Good Morning Vietnam

If you are into shore diving, Bonaire really is your place. If you are a 'bit concerned' about SCTLD, I think you should simultaneously follow both local shop and STINAPA guidance regarding SCTLD transmission, and also the DBAA rule. You'll be fine.