My Dive Gear - Chicago (Dry)

xDeep Zen Standard - BPW

• Large Stainless Steel Backplate (~13lb travel weight)
• 42lb Toroidal Wing \w Double shell Cordura 1100
• K-Type inflator
• Padded Backplate
• Crotch strap converted to single "DIR" style

General Opinion: Chosen because of the modularity and my intent to have a BPW layout that can dive both cold and warm in either skin/rashguard, 3mm, 7mm or Drysuit. And so far it has done it all. I originally had the "Deluxe" harness configuration, but found the buckles got in the way of streamline flashlight placement on the shoulder straps.

Halcyon Weighted Single Tank Adapter

• Stainless Steel STA
• 6lb removable lead weight that rides in between the rails

General Opinion: Allows me to move ~6lbs of weight from off of my belt and place in line with my spine for theoretically better trim.

ScubaPro MK19 EVO / G260 - Regulator

• DIN 1st Stage
• Balanced diaphragm design
• Environmentally sealed
• Cold water appropriate
• Long-Hose Configuration

General Opinion: Not dove yet

Faber HP100 Steel Tanks (DIN)

• 100 cft volume / 3442psi nominal
• -8.4 lbs negative buoyancy when full
• -0.6 lbs positive buoyancy when "empty"

General Opinion: May be eventually converted into back mount doubles so they have modular Left and Right Pro/Convertable valve.

Perdix II + Air Integration

General Opinion: Great computer and love it. It is a highly customizable display and the two button setup is fairly easy to use, even with drysuit gloves.

Halcyon - Master SPG 2.5"

• Easy to read with 100-psi increments
• On a 22" rubber hose to keep it tight to the body and streamlined

General Opinion: It's big and easy to read and I prefer 500PSI as the start of the red-zone instead of 700PSI like some other SPGs.

Venom Frameless/Low Volume Mask (RX)

• Custom prescription lenses from See The Sea
• Have spare identical non-RX mask in different color

General Opinion: Works fine. I get mask squeeze during the first 10ft of decent, but once I equalize I'm fine for the rest of the dive. I get a VERY small amount of water in the nose pocket that I have to live with during the dive. This has been the case for every mask I've tried to use. Water near/in my nose doesn't bother me (water polo days kicking in) so it's virtually unnoticeable.

Santi E.Lite+ (Semi Custom)

• Neoprene Socks
• Low Profile Apex Exhaust Valve
• Si-Tech Quick Neck (Silicone)
• Santi SmartSeals ring system (Silicone)

General Opinion: Fits me perfect and works great.

H2 Short Bib 5/7mm (XL)

• If I'm wearing the drysuit I wear this hood

General Opinion: It's a hood. Fits well and keeps my ears warm.

Bare Ultrawarmth Glove (5mm) size XL

• Worn when I think my 3mm will not be enough

General Opinion: My absolute favorite style of gloves so far.

Forth Element "Rock Hopper" Shoe - Size 13

General Opinion: Much easier to get in/out of than rock boots and they give me maximum ankle movement for finning techniques.

Arc'teryx RHO Merino Wool Set - XL

General Opinion:
Used as a baselayer or wicking layer under the Xerotherm or Arctic

4th Element Xerotherm & Arctic - XL

General Opinion:
Xerotherm ~100gsm Thinsulate equivalent.
Arctic ~200gsm Thinsulate equivalent.
Combined ~300gsm Thinsulate equivalent.
I got the two piece because I can take the top off in-between dives and cool off without getting fully out of the suit.

Generic Wool Socks

Just regular old socks. Nothing fancy.

DRIS "Grey Dry Glove" - Size XXL

• Latex / Rubber without a cloth liner
• Substantially more expensive than other options, however these should last longer and they are way easier to put onto the Santi SmartSeal system than Showa 660's or other cloth lined gloves

General Opinion: Gloves worked as expected and do diminish my dexterity somewhat. Only complaint from folks is probably the cost. We'll see how long they last. I prefer to dive my 3mm wet gloves unless the temperature is expected to be below 55F.

4th Element Halo A°R Gloves - XXL

General Opinion:
Not dove yet

Refrigiwear Insulated Wool Grip Glove - Size XL

General Opinion: Contains 40g of insulation and fleece lined for extra warmth. They fit perfectly in the XXL Santi glove but with considerable loss of fine motor skill dexterity like working bolt snaps. So I only wear them on the coldest of dives. I prefer to dive my 5mm Bare wet gloves.

OMS Slipstream (XL)

• Negatively Buoyant

General Opinion: Very flexible and feel great on my feet

OrcaTorch D720 (Primary Light)

• 3°-18° beam angle (adjustable)
• 425,000 candela on high
• 1hr 35min runtime on high

General Opinion: Haven't dove yet. It goes with me on every dive on my right shoulder DRing.

OrcaTorch D710 (Secondary Light)

• 6deg beam
• 400/800/1700/3000 lumens

General Opinion: Great flashlight for the price. It goes with me on every dive on my left shoulder DRing.

Suunto SK8 Compass

• Convertible to wrist strap, bungee or retractable

General Opinion: I've used low quality compasses, wrist mount and several other configurations and the easiest for me to use as a beginner was the retractable compass that I could place in front of myself at virtually any angle. Once I got better at using it, it got converted to a bungee wrist mount and goes on my left wrist.

Highland Deluxe Wet Notes \w Graphite Pencil

General Opinion: Works fine. I have Minimum Gas calculations written in them for quick reference as well as emergency contact info in the back.

Trilobite

• Strap mount holster

General Opinion: Have used this to cut lost/abandoned fishing line. I keep it on my waist belt on the left side.

Halcyon - 6ft Closed End dSMB (XL)

• Red
• 50lbs of lift
• One way inflation valve so I don't have to "push" it in when inflating

General Opinion: Have not used it much yet

Halcyon - Defender Spools

• (1) 150ft Standard style Delrin
• (1) 200ft "Pro" style with the drysuit grip handle
• #24 White "cave line"

General Opinion: Have not used it much yet