Slate - rec'd one to purchase?

[littleguppie]

Some of you may have seen my post regarding a rec'd for a compass. I also need a slate. I didn't really think I'd need a rec'd on it, but when reading the reviews on slates they all seem bad. Everyone comments on the pens that float away or snap off or just don't work. Any thoughts?

Also, a side bar, but I was planning on purchasing all of this from Leisure Pro...I noticed some negative comments about them on another area of the board. Any thoughts on this? Should I stay away from them? Any suggestions on where to get reasonable priced items if not through them?

thanks again!

 

[Silent Hunter 56]

I bought a slate from Leisure pro and havent had any problems using it. Where are you diving? If you dive where it silts out and you cant see then a slate isnt worth the money. If you have atleast two or three feet of vis at all times then they work, under water you clear 'em by pushing them in the sand. The best wasy to use them is to write on them and hand it to your buddy to read. Pick one with a good lanyard. this is the link to the one i use.

Aqua Slate with Quick Disconnect Medium 6" X 8" from LeisurePro.com

 

[*Floater*]

Some of you may have seen my post regarding a rec'd for a compass. I also need a slate. I didn't really think I'd need a rec'd on it, but when reading the reviews on slates they all seem bad. Everyone comments on the pens that float away or snap off or just don't work. Any thoughts?

Also, a side bar, but I was planning on purchasing all of this from Leisure Pro...I noticed some negative comments about them on another area of the board. Any thoughts on this? Should I stay away from them? Any suggestions on where to get reasonable priced items if not through them?

thanks again!

I use both wetnotes and a small 3-panel wrist slate (with attached compass).

3-panel wrist slate, $10-20:

PROS:
- Easy to access
- Convenient for quick personal notes during the dive because it's always there (no need to pull it out of a pocket), and leaves the other hand free to hold light or do other things.
- Doesn't (normally) take up pocket space.

CONS:
-Mediocre for communication because you cannot easily pass it to buddy. i.e. can require arm contortions to show buddy or to let write a reply.
-Less space than on most other slate alternatives.
-PITA to wash/erase between dives.
-takes up forearm space (e.g. wrist slate, compass, watch can be too much for some people's forearms, especially if you dive a drysuit with a cuff dump)


WETNOTES: $15+ (Price and quality varies)

PROS:
- Lots of writing space.
- Can rip off page and hand to buddy, leave at site, shoot up with SMB, etc.
- Easy to pass from person to person.
- No need to erase/wash between dives (unless you want to). Just buy a new one when pages run out, or refill pages (for some models), space for multiple pencils.
- Can keep some permanent backup info there, e.g. backup deco tables, etc.

CONS:
-Takes up pocket space (some less than others)
-Can be inconvenient to take from and put back into pocket
-Requires one hand to write, and the other to hold (unlike with wrist slates)

 

[meesier42]

I have tried a couple of them and I hate all of them. I use a piece of acrylic that I bought at home depot for $3 and a grease pencil its cheap and easy, cleaning is a pain u/w but how much do you really need to say

 

[cmburch]

I have the AquaSketch. My family has purchased from LP and Adorama with excellent service and no problems over 15 years - before they were doing internet sales. I am going to get a DR Transpac this week from LP.

General Accessories | Scuba Diving and Snorkeling Accessories at LeisurePro.com

 

[crpntr133]

Buy the cheapest slate you can since you probably won't use it much. As for the pencil..go to a good arts supply store and buy a graphite pencil. It is all graphite and no wood.

 

[D_B]

Slate ... I use the smallest wrist slate I found, maybe 2"x3" , removed the ineffective velcro strap, drilled holes in the corners and installed two bungee cords (the advantage is that it does not get loose as wetsuit compresses at depth and takes up less realestate on my arm)
Compass .. SK7 , in a wrist boot converted to bungee (again, does not get loose and this model compass can be tilted more and still be free to turn and give an accurate reading, although I think the newest Oceanic compass does so as well)

 

[*Floater*]

Some of you may have seen my post regarding a rec'd for a compass. I also need a slate. I didn't really think I'd need a rec'd on it, but when reading the reviews on slates they all seem bad. Everyone comments on the pens that float away or snap off or just don't work. Any thoughts?

Also, a side bar, but I was planning on purchasing all of this from Leisure Pro...I noticed some negative comments about them on another area of the board. Any thoughts on this? Should I stay away from them? Any suggestions on where to get reasonable priced items if not through them?

thanks again!

Since you presumably decided to get the Suunto SK-7, I'll show you a pic of my SK-7 compass wrist slate combo:

I cut the corner off (top two layers only, and a tad off the bottom layer) and attached a DSS boot there with small aluminum sex bolts from the local hardware store. You could use the original boot too, but the DSS boot was lower profile. (And I've switched from the velcro band to surgical (latex) tubing since the pic was taken).

 

[D_B]

Very cool ... I've seen your pics of making it

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Cleaning most slates sucked until I tried a regular pink gum rubber eraser from staples. Not the cheapos at the dollar store but a good one. Works like a charm. Keep it in my log book so that when info is transferred slate gets erased. I like that one to Floater. First time I've seen it. But I like to wear my sk-7 on the back of my left hand. Cannister is in the right since no scooter yet but it makes it easier to read and lines up nicely with the comp on the right wrist. I can see everything without moving my head. And when I'm using my back up BT it's next to the sk on the left.