My Dive Gear - Chicago (Wet)

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.

ScubaPro MK19 EVO / G260 - Regulator

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

General Opinion: Not dove yet

Luxfer AL80 Tanks (DIN)

• 77.4 cft volume / 3000psi nominal
• 1.7lbs negative buoyancy when full
• 3.4lbs positive buoyancy when "empty"

General Opinion: They are tanks...nothing special. I picked up 4 of them on Facebook Marketplace for $300 total. 4 tanks allows me to have (2) 2 tank dives on the weekend and not have to visit a local shop for airfills when most of them are closed on Sunday.

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.

Bare Reactive (5mm) - XLT

• Good for me down to ~55F
• 16lbs of positive buoyancy

General Opinion: I prefer to dive my 3mm suit, but this is the next best suit to wear when I'm looking for something a little warmer than the 3mm and I don't want to fully commit to the drysuit.

H2 Bib 3/5mm (XL)

• If I'm wearing the 5mm wetsuit I wear this hood

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

Halcyon - Tech Shorts

• Need pockets to put things in

General Opinion: Have not used it much yet

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.

Bare Ultrawarmth Glove (3mm) size XL

• Worn on most of my dives

General Opinion: My absolute favorite gloves so far. So nice, I purchased another pair just in case I loose one or I wear them out. It's like I'm not even wearing gloves and they can take me down to ~55F.

Chuck Taylor (10.5)

General Opinion: These "boots" are much more stable when walking on gravel for shore entry than traditional wetsuit boots. And...I mean...they also look cool.

WORN Frictionless 1.5mm Neoprene Socks

General Opinion: My go to socks when I'm wearing a wetsuit.

Deep6 Eddy "Flippers" (XL - White)

• Slightly Negatively Buoyant

General Opinion: They work fine, but not as flexible at the OMS Slipstream fins. I use them as backups to the Slipstream fins or when I'm looking for a technical fin to wear with my wetsuits.

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.

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 (skinny)

• Red
• 12lbs 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

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.