The Dive Otter

My Dive Gear - Chicago (Wet)

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

  • 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.

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)

  • Negatively Buoyant
General Opinion: Very flexible and feel great on my feet

Flashlight (Torch)

OrcaTorch D710 (Primary Light)

  • 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

OrcaTorch D580 (Secondary 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

  • 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.

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.