broncobowsher
Contributor
15 years, that is a lot of water under the bridge. You almost have to take it in small bites.
Trying to think of what was happening back at that time.
Lights. Incandescent/Halogen were the norm. LED didn't exist and high end was HID. Now everything is LED. From the basic entry level all the way to the big dive cans. As with most LED lights, the ratings often don't match performance. Takes real research to know what a light does and not what it claims to do.
Masks have grown some softer silicone. Snorkels are largely disappearing.
Computers are nearly standard now. Maybe they are. Tables are for teaching theory. The general answer for anything above the entry level basement models is something made by Shearwater, with Garmin making a pretty nice watch as well.
Aluminum 80s are still bread and butter everywhere. Still run into issues with shops that won't fill the 'bad' alloy version.
Neoprene has gotten better, in the more premium suits. Drysuits are more common as well, along with dry gloves.
Regulators have not changed much. DIN is a lot more common, but still not universal. The long hose has spread beyond the technical crowd, but still isn't that common for basic training.
It was rare to ever see a rebreather, now it is not uncommon. They show up in a lot more regular diving spots.
Affordable scooters with decent performance exist now. Thank you power tool batteries.
PADI is still the butt of many jokes. So are split fins.
The brick and mortar stores have learned how to be competitive with online, mostly.
Trying to think of what was happening back at that time.
Lights. Incandescent/Halogen were the norm. LED didn't exist and high end was HID. Now everything is LED. From the basic entry level all the way to the big dive cans. As with most LED lights, the ratings often don't match performance. Takes real research to know what a light does and not what it claims to do.
Masks have grown some softer silicone. Snorkels are largely disappearing.
Computers are nearly standard now. Maybe they are. Tables are for teaching theory. The general answer for anything above the entry level basement models is something made by Shearwater, with Garmin making a pretty nice watch as well.
Aluminum 80s are still bread and butter everywhere. Still run into issues with shops that won't fill the 'bad' alloy version.
Neoprene has gotten better, in the more premium suits. Drysuits are more common as well, along with dry gloves.
Regulators have not changed much. DIN is a lot more common, but still not universal. The long hose has spread beyond the technical crowd, but still isn't that common for basic training.
It was rare to ever see a rebreather, now it is not uncommon. They show up in a lot more regular diving spots.
Affordable scooters with decent performance exist now. Thank you power tool batteries.
PADI is still the butt of many jokes. So are split fins.
The brick and mortar stores have learned how to be competitive with online, mostly.
