Bouyancy Control Device
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.
Regulator
Aqualung Legend - Regulator(s)
- DIN 1st Stage
- Overbalanced diaphragm design
- Environmentally sealed
General Opinion: It's a regulator..nothing particularly awesome about it. It's comfortable in my mouth and breaths just fine (as far as I can tell).
Tanks
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.
Dive Computer / SPG
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.
Pressure Gauge
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.
Mask
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.
Wetsuit
Bare Reactive (5mm) - XLT [used]
Not Dove Yet
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 Large
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.
Boots/Shoes
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.
Fins
OMS Slipstream (XL)
General Opinion: Very flexible and feel great on my feet
Flashlight (Torch)
- 6deg beam
- 400/800/1700/3000 lumens
General Opinion: Great flashlight for the price. It goes with me on every dive on my right shoulder DRing.
Backup Light
- 6deg beam
- 530 lumens
- Can take (3) AAA batteries
General Opinion: Chose this as my secondary because I can use AAA batteries with it. So if ever I have re charger problems, a quick swap of batteries and I have at least 1 flashlight working for the next dive. It goes on my left shoulder DRing.
Cutting Device
Trilobite
General Opinion: Have used this to cut lost/abandoned fishing line. I keep it on my waist belt on the left side.
Surface Marker
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
Navigation
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.