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FWIW I had a Zoop and hated it...especially in dark/murky water where reading it could be rather challenging, or when I was narked at 100+ feet, but everyone is different. Setting/changing gasses was a bit laborious as well, but I say all of this as compared to my Perdix. The i330 looks...

For travel I went with the softpack version of this and have been quite happy with it. For cold water I dive an Apeks WTX-D40 with steel plates and have no complaints. I second Jai Bar's comments about avoiding bells and whistles.

No worries, we are all here to share. Ultimately we settled on Buddy Dive in Bonaire as I was able to find cheap flights with only one reasonable layover each way (departing from SEATAC). With Bonaire, it's all about finding the right day of the week for the return flight, as some are...

Thanks again to everyone for chiming in with suggestions and insights. Now I just have to see which locations have the best (shortest) flights available :) I didn't realize Curacao had good shore diving, so that is a real plus.

Thanks, that is great to know, and it's wonderful that you and your dad could keep diving. Being able to gear up in the water is a real plus for her, especially at a leisurely pace. Everything is great once the dive starts.

Thanks for the suggestions. The medical situation isn't a new thing, but a progressive one that will make diving a no-go in a few years. She and her doctor have discussed things, so no issues there. I'll definitely look at LCBR (I miss Pirate's Point...RIP)

Hi all, My dive buddy is no longer in great health, but not ready to hang up her fins so I am looking for possible destinations in the Caribbean that still have good diving. We've done Bonaire, Cozumel, and Little Caymen in years past, the decline in coral health caused us to switch to the...

I strongly support getting a strobe, and for close macro work the Backscatter Mini Flash with certainly do. Long arms help as well for getting the strobe away from the camera and reducing backscatter. Others may have mentioned it already, but read everything here: Underwater Photography Guide If...

@DutchDiverDude I realize you expressly asked about doubles, but just curious if you have considered slinging an AL40 (5.7 liter) pony bottle? Properly configured, I don't even notice mine is there during a dive, plus I can visually confirm for leaks and easily reach the valve. It also weighs...

Windows 11

When I switched over to the SWC it wouldn't download my dives (~400), despite pairing to my computer. I figured that it was because my computer's firmware was old, so I tried to update it, but the SWC kept giving an error after a while. I managed to bootstrap with the legacy version and got my...

@JMBL I also have found Shearwater Cloud to be iffy, so I also use their legacy PC desktop version as a backup (Shearwater Desktop Downloads | Dive Log Desktop Software for Tech Diving). I've not asked it to do the sorts of equipment tracking that you mention, though, so I cannot say if it...

Like @Outbound said, a water temperature range would help with suggestions, and cold tolerance is really subjective. I dive in the PNW, so mid 40's in the winter and 60's in the summer. I started with a 9/7mm semi-dry, 5mm gloves, and 7mm hood, but found it miserable in winter. I now dive a...

At least 50 a year, preferably over 100, but that rarely happens.

Interesting. In my case it was an emergency repair in the tropics with what was available, but my screws are pretty similar to the ones I referenced, so I went with that. Rental AL80's are usually pretty rough looking in the best of times, so any scratches were unremarkable to me or the...

My coldwater BCD is an Apeks WTX Deluxe and I find the chest strap a big help. Can I dive with it unclipped? Absolutely. Does clipping make everything feel nice and snug? Definitely. It also has quick-release buckles on the shoulder straps that are a huge help to me when getting out of the...

Agreed. I should have specified in my previous post that I was referring to BCD's with and without crotch straps, rather than not using it on one that does.

OP: you may want to move this thread to the 'Basic Scuba" --> 'Diving Into New Gear' sub-forum for more views.

My dive buddy has the Ghost and have been very happy with it (and she is fussy about gear.) Regarding your question about the crotch strap, I wouldn't dive without one, but unless you plan on using a scooter, it's really a matter of preference. If other, more seasoned members here say...

That's actually what I dive now. Very light and easy to pack, and the price can't be beat. However, I would highly suggest replacing the plastic screws that hold the harness to the wing with metal ones (DGX Assembly Screws, Metal, Set of TWO). The plastic ones lasted exactly two dives...