April 2007

By John Brumm

Photography by Joseph Byrd

Mares: Aliikai BC

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| Mares: Aliikai BC|
The newest addition to the Mares She Dives! line of gear is the Aliikai (Hawaiian for "queen of the sea"), a comfortable, functional and easy-to-pack BC that comes standard with a dose of style. Designed by women, for women, the BC conforms to a woman's shape with a comfortable fit, and thanks to the back-inflation bladder, the Aliikai allows for complete freedom of movement. The easy-loading and hard-working MRS Plus integrated-weight system, combined with trim weight pockets on the tank strap, allows for optimal weight distribution and maximum underwater stability. This BC also has all the extras a girl could want--five stainless-steel D-rings, two rear dump valves, a dual-position hose clip and a great big pocket that is not only incredibly easy to access, but also rolls away when not in use. But what sets this BC apart (along with its male counterpart, the Mares Icon, see p. 67) is the Quick-Pak system. The BC folds up into a neat, compact shape that's incredibly easy to pack. Price: $525. Contact: www.mares.com.

--Meghann McDonald

Mares: Nemo Sport Computer

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| Mares: Nemo Sport Computer|
Strap the new Nemo Sport from Mares to your wrist and you may never take it off. Topside, it's a rugged digital timepiece set in a lightweight thermoplastic casing. Underwater, it's a full-function dive computer that's capable of handling nitrox mixes up to 99 percent. The Nemo Sport operates on a new RGBM Sport algorithm that, according to Mares, reduces risk related to the formation of micro-bubbles. It's also been programmed to let you make deep stops in addition to your standard 15-foot safety stop, further increasing your safety cushion. Four clearly marked control buttons make navigating through the various operational modes a snap, and large data digits and multi-colored bar graphs let you easily track depth, time, nitrogen loading, ascent rates and other critical dive information on an uncluttered mineral screen. Price: $450. Contact: www.mares.com.

UK: Ultracase Series

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| UK: Ultracase Series|
To safely transport fragile electronics, cameras, lenses and housings to the other side of the world and back again, you need luggage that's rhino-rugged on the outside but tender-to-the-touch on the inside, just like the new Ultracase series from Underwater Kinetics. Falling in the middle of the size range, the carry-on sized Ultracase 716 is typical of the product line. The company says the injection-molded ABS case is engineered to withstand a seven-foot drop onto concrete. Bonus: The O-ring-sealed lid and a new venting latch system automatically equalize the interior of the case, locking in an airtight/watertight seal when you close it, while also making the case easy to open. Available with or without pluck foam. Price: $157.50 with foam, $124.70 without. Contact: www.ukinternational.com.

HydroOptix: Mega 4.5DD Mask

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| HydroOptix: Mega 4.5DD Mask|
The Mega is a blessing in disguise for nearsighted divers. On the surface you'll feel like Mr. Magoo as you fumble with goofy corrective goggles that snap into place over the mask. Just keep telling yourself, "It's worth it," as you endure the ribbing of fellow divers. The payoff comes underwater when you unsnap the goggles and the reefscape opens up in crisp, IMAX-like panoramas nearly five times broader than those offered by standard flat masks. Not only will you see more, everything will be in true perspective. No magnification. No distortion. The key is a double-dome lens that matches the curvature of one's eyes and spans the periphery. When submerged, each dome transforms into a variable negative-diopter lens. While this makes the Mega a no-brainer for the nearsighted, 20/20 divers must make themselves nearsighted to dive the mask. But will 20/20s bother with disposable contacts for underwater use and Buddy Holly prescription specs during surface intervals? "Hundreds of people around the world are doing it," assures HydroOptix CEO Jon Kranhouse. Price: $199; $85 for optional surface-interval kit. Contact: www.HydroOptix.com.

--Dave Lauterborn