Buddy Link

[elmer fudd]

I guess I just don't see the point, at least not for $350. All it will allow you to do is flash an LED in your buddies mask. I guess you could work up a few codes for messages like, "I'm OK, just separated", or "I'm in trouble, help!", but you can get a dive alert for a lot less and do the same thing, plus you can use it as a signaling device at the surface.

For $350 I'd just plan on spending the extra cash and get a FFM and voice communications.

 

[TSandM]

Well, the one place I've thought it might be useful is in extremely clear, sunlit water in the tropics, where can lights really don't accomplish very much. If your buddy has his back to you and is taking pictures of ANOTHER lionfish, when the manta swims by, it might be nice to have a way to let him know without having to swim over to him and tug on his fin . . . But I'm not sure it's worth $350 to me, which is why we don't own one.

 

[DiveNav]

I think it is a nice idea and it was the "Product of the month" in my March Newsletter.

Price is a bit on the high side ....

There are a lot of progresses being made in underwater communication and, in a not too distant future, the budd-link could be just a piece of IP in someone else device.

Alberto (aka eDiver)

 

[super7]

Well, the one place I've thought it might be useful is in extremely clear, sunlit water in the tropics, where can lights really don't accomplish very much. If your buddy has his back to you and is taking pictures of ANOTHER lionfish, when the manta swims by, it might be nice to have a way to let him know without having to swim over to him and tug on his fin . . . But I'm not sure it's worth $350 to me, which is why we don't own one.

I though tank bangers were just for such occasions. And it's cheaper!

 

[knowone]

GREAT idea and by the time we all pass our morse specialty they will have come down in price and have the right mods but for now I'm still gonna use my empty pea soup tins attached by string.

 

[TSandM]

If you have a hood on, tank bangers don't work all that well. I've beaten the snot out of a couple spare double-enders, trying to get Peter's attention

 

[lavachickie]

I though tank bangers were just for such occasions. And it's cheaper!

I might need my hearing checked, but my hubby and I both have and use tank bangers and... miss the message. A metal knife rapped on the tank... now that I hear. But anything else...

EDIT: Ah, TS&M -- hoods! Of course that's the reason!

 

[super7]

Ouch!
A proper answer by TS&M to a joking remark I made makes me look even more of a

 

[Teamcasa]

..There are a lot of progresses being made in underwater communication and, in a not too distant future, the budd-link could be just a piece of IP in someone else device.

I believe that as well. It won't be long before diver location/signaling/message devices will be as common as a wrist compass.

Buddy link is the beginning.

 

[scjoe]

The problem with banging on a tank to get your buddy's attention is that everyone within 500 yards, except for your buddy, hears it.