The Aqualung booth
I actually visited them yesterday, so sorry for the delay.
What can I say? Most of the :sblogo: contingent were not thrilled with going into the AL booth. They thought that the welcome would be cool at best, but possibly downright hostile. So, I got up my gumption and went on in...
At first it was like swimming in a bait ball, as I approached the reps, they sort of scattered. Maybe I should hide my namebadge with our logo??? But there were three of them sort of in discussion and they didn't have time to see my logo, so I jumped right in.
First I asked about their new trim lever... it looked like it was only on jacket model BCs. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Mares "Hub", this jacket style BC, had a similar configuration for adding and venting air through a single lever on the left side. Unlike the Mares, it was not nearly as bulky, and trying it on it felt "OK"... at least for a vest style BC.
But the rep who was bold enough to talk to me, Robert Bruins, was very helpful. I then asked him what was new, and he walked me over to the new Status Regulator System. OK, this is an electronic sensor/clock/calander that is contained in the first stage of the regulator. When you energize it (turn on the air), the unit will give you a go/no go status of your regulator. If the IP is out of spec, too much time has passed under water, or if you are more than a year on the calander, the status will indicate that you should not dive. No, it doesn't get ScubaBoard at depth, but it is evidence of the continuing progress of computers into our industry.
He also showed my their newest iteration of the Titan regulator, with a new side discharge that dumps your bubbles up your hose. I have always been a fan of AL regulators, and this looks like something I want to dive.
All in all it was a fun visit!
The NAUI booth...
As always, going into the NAUI booth feels like I am coming home. Saw some new faces, but did not see a bunch of new products. But that's OK... they have great stuff already!
The Maxtec Booth... Luke@Maxtecinc.com
You know, I have always liked their products. Straight, simple and oh so easy to use! I spoke with Luke Anderson and he was incredibly proud of what their meters can do. However, their pride does not equate into EXPENSIVE. This has to be the most cost effective analyser on the market. Also, though excited about their "stuff", there was no arrogance. Just a common sense approach on how to measure your O2
The SeaDine Booth... info@seadine.com
DON'T FEED THE FISH WITH CHEEZE WHIZ!!! If I got anything out of this booth, it was the fact that we are inadvertently killing our fish by feeding them fatty products. They simply can't handle it! Fortunately, they are providing us with a method of feeding our scaly friends safely. It's a tube with a rubber wrist band, so you won't loose it. Looking at the videos, the fish really love it! In fact, I had to keep our mermaids aways from the stuff: it's addicting!
I actually visited them yesterday, so sorry for the delay.
What can I say? Most of the :sblogo: contingent were not thrilled with going into the AL booth. They thought that the welcome would be cool at best, but possibly downright hostile. So, I got up my gumption and went on in...
At first it was like swimming in a bait ball, as I approached the reps, they sort of scattered. Maybe I should hide my namebadge with our logo??? But there were three of them sort of in discussion and they didn't have time to see my logo, so I jumped right in.
First I asked about their new trim lever... it looked like it was only on jacket model BCs. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Mares "Hub", this jacket style BC, had a similar configuration for adding and venting air through a single lever on the left side. Unlike the Mares, it was not nearly as bulky, and trying it on it felt "OK"... at least for a vest style BC.
But the rep who was bold enough to talk to me, Robert Bruins, was very helpful. I then asked him what was new, and he walked me over to the new Status Regulator System. OK, this is an electronic sensor/clock/calander that is contained in the first stage of the regulator. When you energize it (turn on the air), the unit will give you a go/no go status of your regulator. If the IP is out of spec, too much time has passed under water, or if you are more than a year on the calander, the status will indicate that you should not dive. No, it doesn't get ScubaBoard at depth, but it is evidence of the continuing progress of computers into our industry.
He also showed my their newest iteration of the Titan regulator, with a new side discharge that dumps your bubbles up your hose. I have always been a fan of AL regulators, and this looks like something I want to dive.
All in all it was a fun visit!
The NAUI booth...
As always, going into the NAUI booth feels like I am coming home. Saw some new faces, but did not see a bunch of new products. But that's OK... they have great stuff already!
The Maxtec Booth... Luke@Maxtecinc.com
You know, I have always liked their products. Straight, simple and oh so easy to use! I spoke with Luke Anderson and he was incredibly proud of what their meters can do. However, their pride does not equate into EXPENSIVE. This has to be the most cost effective analyser on the market. Also, though excited about their "stuff", there was no arrogance. Just a common sense approach on how to measure your O2
The SeaDine Booth... info@seadine.com
DON'T FEED THE FISH WITH CHEEZE WHIZ!!! If I got anything out of this booth, it was the fact that we are inadvertently killing our fish by feeding them fatty products. They simply can't handle it! Fortunately, they are providing us with a method of feeding our scaly friends safely. It's a tube with a rubber wrist band, so you won't loose it. Looking at the videos, the fish really love it! In fact, I had to keep our mermaids aways from the stuff: it's addicting!
