ScubaLab: Dive Accessories - Be Prepared
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Aqua Lung/Suunto SK7 Compass, RetractableThe Suunto SK7 is an ideal navigation tool because it’s so easy to read, whether being viewed from above or through the handy side-view window. Its magnetic card has a smooth fluid action that responds quickly and doesn’t hang up if tilted at a sharp angle. The large bezel uses high-contrast black numbers and hash marks on a gray background, and ratchets every 5 degrees to allow for precise navigation. The integrated retractor lets you mount the SK7 on a BC D-ring and extends 24 inches, so it can be held at just the right distance to match your eyesight. A quick-release buckle allows for easy removal from the BC for cleaning or storage. Price: $135 www.aqualung.com |
| ZTS Multi-Battery TesterMake sure your camera, strobes and flashlights don’t go dim during your dive. The ZTS Multi-Battery Tester can test alkaline, lithium and NiMH rechargeable batteries in seconds. About the size and shape of an iPhone, the ZTS uses Pulse Load technology to measure battery performance under load for real-use accuracy. An intuitive LED readout displays percentage of remaining battery life. Price: $30; neoprene case $4 www.ulcs.com |  |
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Atomic Aquatics Universal Spring StrapsFirst introduced back in the ’70s, the spring strap is one of the best ideas to re-emerge on the diving scene. Eliminating problematic buckle/strap systems, the spring straps self-adjust, providing an excellent fit every time, and let you don and doff your fins with ease. The Atomic Universal Spring Strap is one of the best we’ve seen. Designed to fit virtually any open-heel fin, it takes only minutes to install a pair on your existing fins — no tools needed. Offering an internal adjustment so you can achieve that perfect fit, the soft stretch, variable-pitch stainless spring keeps a firm but comfortable grip on your foot. A rubber heel pad with large finger loop makes pulling on or taking off the fins easy. Available in two sizes: medium and large. Price: $69 www.atomicaquatics.com |
| Seasoft Flashlight Pocket w/ Retractor & SL4 lightThe Seasoft Flashlight Pocket is one of the smartest ways we’ve seen to carry a dive light. The pocket can be mounted on any 2-inch belt as well as on most cummerbunds. A retractor with quick-release buckle is mounted in the pocket and attaches to an Underwater Kinetics SL4 dive light. Want to light up a reef? Grab the light and switch it on. When finished, just let the retractor guide your hand and the light back into its pocket like a moray eel retreating into its hole. Price: $90 www.seasoftscuba.com |  |
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Princeton Tec Torrent LED The Torrent LED was recently upgraded with a new Maxbright LED for brighter, longer-burning performance. Its compact design holds eight AA batteries that offer 4.5 hours of full-power burn time and up to 30 hours of burn time at reduced power. The locking on/off thumb switch offers easy one-handed operation. The center spot is wide and bright, registering an Exposure Value (EV) of 7.1 on our digital light meter from a distance of 6 feet away. The lens is double O-ring sealed and depth rated to 328 feet. It will fit in most BC pockets and comes with a lanyard and batteries. Price: $70 www.princetontec.com |
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Spyderco SpyderHawkThe new SpyderHawk offers some serious slicing power not often found in a folding dive knife. The blade is H1 stainless steel, made from a special process that uses nitrogen instead of carbon in its matrix. This means you get a very hard blade that can hold an edge yet won’t rust. The Hawkbill blade measures 3.5 inches and sports a wicked curve with either a smooth or a serrated edge. The shape of the blade is designed for downward pulling cuts. It sliced through every type and thickness of marine-grade rope as if they were soft butter. The handle is almost 5 inches long for good gripping and ripping. When folded, the SpyderHawk stows neatly in any BC pocket. Price: $120 www.spyderco.com |
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Aqua Lung/Suunto SK7 Compass, RetractableThe Suunto SK7 is an ideal navigation tool because it’s so easy to read, whether being viewed from above or through the handy side-view window. Its magnetic card has a smooth fluid action that responds quickly and doesn’t hang up if tilted at a sharp angle. The large bezel uses high-contrast black numbers and hash marks on a gray background, and ratchets every 5 degrees to allow for precise navigation. The integrated retractor lets you mount the SK7 on a BC D-ring and extends 24 inches, so it can be held at just the right distance to match your eyesight. A quick-release buckle allows for easy removal from the BC for cleaning or storage. Price: $135 www.aqualung.com |
| ZTS Multi-Battery TesterMake sure your camera, strobes and flashlights don’t go dim during your dive. The ZTS Multi-Battery Tester can test alkaline, lithium and NiMH rechargeable batteries in seconds. About the size and shape of an iPhone, the ZTS uses Pulse Load technology to measure battery performance under load for real-use accuracy. An intuitive LED readout displays percentage of remaining battery life. Price: $30; neoprene case $4 www.ulcs.com | |
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Atomic Aquatics Universal Spring StrapsFirst introduced back in the ’70s, the spring strap is one of the best ideas to re-emerge on the diving scene. Eliminating problematic buckle/strap systems, the spring straps self-adjust, providing an excellent fit every time, and let you don and doff your fins with ease. The Atomic Universal Spring Strap is one of the best we’ve seen. Designed to fit virtually any open-heel fin, it takes only minutes to install a pair on your existing fins — no tools needed. Offering an internal adjustment so you can achieve that perfect fit, the soft stretch, variable-pitch stainless spring keeps a firm but comfortable grip on your foot. A rubber heel pad with large finger loop makes pulling on or taking off the fins easy. Available in two sizes: medium and large. Price: $69 www.atomicaquatics.com |
| Seasoft Flashlight Pocket w/ Retractor & SL4 lightThe Seasoft Flashlight Pocket is one of the smartest ways we’ve seen to carry a dive light. The pocket can be mounted on any 2-inch belt as well as on most cummerbunds. A retractor with quick-release buckle is mounted in the pocket and attaches to an Underwater Kinetics SL4 dive light. Want to light up a reef? Grab the light and switch it on. When finished, just let the retractor guide your hand and the light back into its pocket like a moray eel retreating into its hole. Price: $90 www.seasoftscuba.com | |
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Princeton Tec Torrent LED The Torrent LED was recently upgraded with a new Maxbright LED for brighter, longer-burning performance. Its compact design holds eight AA batteries that offer 4.5 hours of full-power burn time and up to 30 hours of burn time at reduced power. The locking on/off thumb switch offers easy one-handed operation. The center spot is wide and bright, registering an Exposure Value (EV) of 7.1 on our digital light meter from a distance of 6 feet away. The lens is double O-ring sealed and depth rated to 328 feet. It will fit in most BC pockets and comes with a lanyard and batteries. Price: $70 www.princetontec.com |
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Spyderco SpyderHawkThe new SpyderHawk offers some serious slicing power not often found in a folding dive knife. The blade is H1 stainless steel, made from a special process that uses nitrogen instead of carbon in its matrix. This means you get a very hard blade that can hold an edge yet won’t rust. The Hawkbill blade measures 3.5 inches and sports a wicked curve with either a smooth or a serrated edge. The shape of the blade is designed for downward pulling cuts. It sliced through every type and thickness of marine-grade rope as if they were soft butter. The handle is almost 5 inches long for good gripping and ripping. When folded, the SpyderHawk stows neatly in any BC pocket. Price: $120 www.spyderco.com |
