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Thanks charris, the difference between the photos is dramatic. I can sure use "darken highlights" and adjusting the levels on my photos. I use a slave strobe (SeaLife SL960D with adjustable intensity), and I often overexpose the photos even with it set on low.

Most rec divers I know deploy their SMB at the safety stop depth (15-20ft). Bearing in mind there may be wind/surge/wave motion on the surface that could push your SMB well away (so your line will no longer be vertical), I'd add 40ft to the 20ft = 60ft, so I'd say the 65ft finger spool is...

I use the Dive Rite Venture wing, which has the same amount of lift (30 pounds) as the Travel wing. The difference is the Travel wing has an elastic outer shell to keep it small and streamlined, whereas Venture's outer shell is made of ballistic nylon (non-elastic) but I didn't notice it being...

Great shots. Can you let us know what you adjusted on Photoshop? My images always turn out too bluish. Dive safely.

Is your friend just legally blind or 100% blind? I don't see why a blind person can't get certified and can/should exercise the right to do so (I know of at least one blind person becoming an MD, a blind person making it to the top of Everest, a blind concert pianist and many more feats by the...

Thanks for the update. I like Los Seras and Chilangos too - both are cheap and patronized mainly by locals (I like this rather than eating where the cruise ship crowd go - in San Miguel square). I had 2 burritos, soup and a lemonade for under $5 at Chilangos. If you get a chance, do try La...

Hello and welcome. I'm in MA as well (Boston/Cambridge). The water's too cold for me right now (I don't own a drysuit), maybe I'll see you guys around (in the water?) in summer. Dive safely.

Congratulations! I'm glad you did so well. I'd say it's up to you whether you want to go ahead with AOW now (I did it right away), based on your comfort level in the water and water temps/conditions in your area right now. Most people taking GUE/DIR courses are DM and above, so I wouldn't change...

Much depends on what type of dives (how deep, sw or fw, water temp) you do and your budget. Not biased against Sherwood, but their regs don't do too well IMHO at deeper depths (say 99 ft) than many others on the market. Check out some better regs from these tests at...

I'm not current with what dives are required, but I recommend deep and night dives as they prepare you to be a better and more experienced diver. I also did search & recovery. As for wreck or peak buoyancy, you can sign up for them later as a single course. I also highly recommend the rescue...

Hi. I stayed at Tauch Terminal 3 years ago. It is 3-star, fairly reasonably-priced and has a pool, good dive-op on site. The restaurant is so-so but fairly cheap (lunch for US$3-4). They can also arrange for other activities/trips (more on these later). Most of their guests are Europeans (French...

After Yap, I would say your best bet is at Kona (Big Island) on dusk/night dives. Also in Baja (sea of Cortez) and the Revillagigedos Islands of Mexico over the summer months, I think. Dive safely.

Hi. I've had good experiences with 2 dive ops in Bali: Aquamarine - I believe the owner is British (instructors and DMs are from all over the world). Very friendly, professional and efficient. They offer pick up for most of the island (for a fee) or you can go to their shop...

My logbook is like a journal, so I try to record it on the same day (like when having lunch/dinner), when memory is still fresh. The reason is I can look it up after the trip when someone asks me about the dive, dive site, currents or depth. I'd even include my hotel name and restaurants. I...

Yep, I know what you mean after reading this. For me, 160ft is just too far from the surface if crap like this happens. Glad they are all OK. That's not to say all tech divers are bad. I've got 2 great instructors (both great teachers and cave instructors) who have gone deeper. I'm not going...

I use a 50lb OMS SMB. Zip-tied to it are a mirror and whistle (they also keep the SMB's bottom end submerged when inflated). I keep the SMB in my jacket BC pocket, or in a Dive-Rite mask pouch when I use my transpac. I clip my 100ft reel (to deploy SMB at depth) to my hip D-ring. Dive safely.

In addition to scubatoys.com, for stuff other than regs, computer and BCD I have ordered from: http://www.leisure-pro.com http://www.diversdirect.com and eBay. Happy shopping

Hi, I second what jpcpat said - they are all excellent regs and most divers probably can't tell the difference between them performance wise. I would shop around for better prices. You can get the Oceanic Delta IV from several dive shops for $400 or less (PM me if you need more info). I...

I try to put most of my expensive or harder to replace gear in my carry-on luggage: a pullman and a smaller backpack. The mask, reg, computer and BCD (plus pair of shorts and T-shirt) go in the pullman. The camera+strobe and toilettries goes in my backpack. The rest of the stuff (fins, wetsuit...

I love Cressi-sub's masks with tear-dropped shapped lens (e.g., Big Eyes, Horizon) - they allow me to see the gear clipped to my BCD from the chest down. I couldn't see them so easily prior to using these masks. Dive safely.