The Best Scuba Diving Gear in 2014
For more than 20 years, the ScubaLab team has tested several thousand items of scuba equipment, and has discovered some real gems — dive gear that delivers top-level performance and great value. Here are our favorites from recent tests. To view the results of individual ScubaLab tests, scroll down to the reviews in the Related Articles section below.
Jon WhittleReady to upgrade your dive kit? All of this gear delivers no performance and price.
Jon Whittle
1. TILOS VERSA
With its large lens, clear frame and silicone skirt, the versa offers an airy viewing experience. The translucent skirt allows lots of light in, making it ideal for diving in dark water. The lens has good field of view at all angles, and because the space over the bridge of the nose is so large, you can maximize the binocular effect for close-up viewing. $69.95 tilos.com
2. IST SPORTS MP204 SPEAR
The lightweight spear, with its low-volume dual-lens design, delivers good field of view. Its soft crystalline silicone skirt offers a double-sealing system that molds comfortably to the face. the strap buckles swivel for easy adjustment so you can get a good fit, and they can be separated from the mask with the push of a couple of buttons. $50 istsports.com
3. AQUA LUNG VENTURA+
A classic single-lens mask, the ventura+ offers an expansive field of view and has a low-volume fit with a comfortable skirt that delivers a watertight seal to the face. This good fit is helped by the mask’s cardanic joint strap buckles. these “double” joints rotate up and down as well as in and out to provide a snug fit for any head shape. $75 aqualung.com
4. SHERWOOD SCUBA ONYX
The near-custom design of the black-on-black onyx delivers a comfortable fit and good field of view. It comes with a pair of effective push-button buckles and an ultranarrow strap that incorporates a stretchy split headband. its foldability also makes it the perfect choice for a backup mask that fits easily in many BC pockets. $70 sherwoodscuba.com
Jon WhittleThe range of motion afforded by the Trilam Pro is excellent, in part due to the suit’s flexible T-Zip rear zipper. The suit comes with either heavy- duty vulcanized rubber boots with 4 mm compressed neoprene uppers or compression-resistant soft socks. The bottleneck wrist seals are made of heavy-duty latex, and large K-padz kneepads protect the lower legs. built-in tabs accommodate optional suspenders. $1,400 baresports.com
Jon WhittleMade from compressed 4 mm neoprene with triple-glued and double blind-stitched seams, the high-stretch everdry boasts a number of top-quality features. because the neoprene is precompressed, the suit doesn’t carry the inherent buoyancy often found in a standard neoprene suit, and doesn’t require as thick an undergarment as you’d need with a shell suit. And knee pads are included. $1,059 scubapro.com
Jon WhittleThis suit is built with an inner drycore shell (with latex seals, dry rear zipper and valves) that acts as the watertight component of the system. An oversuit made of 1 mm neoprene is worn over the shell. this oversuit protects the shell from damage and creates a snug- fitting hydrodynamic profile. The suit offers excellent range of motion and fits like a wetsuit, only better. The suit comes with adjustable suspenders and a drawstring bag. $999.99 whitesdiving.com
Jon WhittleThis suit dons and doffs easily due to its excellent rear Ti-Zip zipper and 3.5 mm super-stretch neoprene construction. You won’t need an undergarment when diving in water warmer than 65 degrees because the neoprene has its own thermal properties. The suit has little hydrodrag, stretchtex 3 mm fold-under wrist and neck seals and large rubber kneepads. The attached boots have an elevated heel and arch support; the thigh pocket and suspenders are nice extras. $1,800 seasoftscuba.com
Jon Whittle
1. CRESSI AIR TRAVEL
Purpose-built for divers who travel with their gear, the back-buoyancy-style air travel folds into a compact bundle and stows in its own travel bag. When it’s time to dive, it unfolds into a full-featured bc with lots of padding, easy-to-adjust waist and sternum straps, responsive inflate and exhaust valves, and a Lock-Aid weight-ditch system that’s one of the easiest systems to load and ditch. a test-diver favorite, the air travel received some of the highest scores for in-water performance, and due to its rear inflation, testers loved its minimalist feel while cruising the reef. Although designed for travel, it can be used in temperate water, and has up to 36 pounds of buoyant lift in the larger of its five sizes. $429.95 cressi.com
2. MARES PRIME MRS
With less than a pound of inherent buoyancy, this jacket-style BC offers a comfortable ride underwater. A rigid backpack stabilizes the tank, and due to its ergonomically designed power inflator and efficient exhaust valves, testers found the Prime MRS aced flow-rate tests. The BC omes in five sizes, and the corresponding buoyant lift — 30 pounds in the smallest size, more than 52 pounds in the largest size — is enough for virtually any type of recreational diving. The MRS Plus weight system holds up to 26 pounds of ballast. $370 mares.com
3. AQUA LUNG PRO LT
When it comes to providing stability at depth and pinpoint ascent control, the jacket-style Pro LT is hard to beat. The Pro LTcomes with low-profile flat valves, a SureLock II weight-ditch system, plus a list of convenience features that divers love. These include an octo pouch that enables a safe second to remain visible and always at the ready, and a pouch to stow your instrument console so it doesn’t drag along behind you. there are also a couple of huge cargo pockets, a cool backpack that uses traction pads for tank control, and a built-in carry handle. a test-diver favorite, the pro Lt is available in six sizes with buoyant lift ranging from 24 to 55 pounds. $460 aqualung.com
4. SHERWOOD SCUBA SHADOW
The hybrid design of the shadow puts most of its buoyant lift in back to keep the chest area clear, then has additional inflation around the waist area. This creates a comfortable, stable ride, both at depth and while on the surface. The shadow has a lot of extras, including velour-covered padding in the back and lumbar areas, and a neoprene neck roll. The CQR-3 weight system is a winner, and the power inflator and exhaust valves work together to deliver efficient ascent control. The cargo pockets are easy to access and they expand outward. The shadow has 32 pounds of lift in the smaller sizes and 46 pounds in the larger sizes. $550 sherwoodscuba.com
Jon WhittleAn open-heel fin that cranked out solid kicking performances during our tests, the Stratos’ long blade offers enough stiffness to deliver efficient kicking, and enough flexibility to prevent leg and ankle stress. When using a slow, relaxed kick, the fin moves you along nicely, but it also produces excellent thrust when needed. The foot pocket has easy-cinch straps with large grabeyes, and heel loops that make quick work of adjustments. $95 aqualung.com
Jon WhittleThis full-foot fin has a large, soft panel at the center of its blade that is flanked by a pair of stiffening strips and overmolded side rails. This combination creates a fin that’s excellent when cruising or kicking hard. Test divers were impressed by the fin’s ability to negotiate turns, sudden stops and backups. The Wave earned excellent scores for kicking performance, and had the overall best scores for acceleration and stability. $50 mares.com
Jon WhittleTesters appreciated the jet sport’s stiffer-than-average blade, and found this open-heel fin moves through the water efficiently with no stress on calves or ankles. It delivers good speed when you turn up the heat, and it maneuvers well, especially in tight spots. The rubber foot pocket molds to your foot for a comfortable fit. moving around on a wet deck, test divers found that the nonskid bottom offered secure footing. $81 scubapro.com
Jon WhittleThis full-foot splitfin has performed extremely well in scubaLab fin tests for years. The splitfin provides excellent propulsion with all kicking styles, and is nicely maneuverable in tight spots. At depth, it delivers excellent acceleration, and it is very responsive when you need an extra burst of speed. It’s also a superb cruising fin, and testers found it caused no calf or ankle strain. $89 atomicaquatics.com
Jon Whittle
1. MARES PUCK PRO
Mares redesigned the Puck Pro, and the result is an advanced wrist-mount computer that offers three modes — air, nitrox and gauge — and the ability to program two gas mixes up to 99 percent nitrox. A large trilevel screen makes it extremely easy to read, and a two-color bar graph provides at-a-glance tracking of N2 loading. The DC’s firmware is upgradeable to enable you to stay current on software. $370 mares.com
2. AERIS A300
Packed with features like three-gas capability to 100 percent O2 and a choice of two algorithms, the A300 also offers four operating modes: air, tech, gauge and free-dive. Aeris shaved the DC’s “norm” air/nitrox mode down to the basics for divers who don’t want to complicate their DC programming. The tech mode lets more-advanced divers program second and third gases, set safety factors, and more. $390 diveaeris.com
3. CRESSI GIOTTO
This air/nitrox wrist-mount dive computer has a high-definition screen and bold data digits. Cressi worked with Bruce Wienke and created a new RGBM algorithm for repetitive multiday dives. You navigate using three control buttons, and screen prompts let you know what mode you’re in. Able to program two gas mixes up to 99 percent nitrox, the Giotto offers audible and visual alarms, a deep-stop option, a gauge mode and a 70-hour/60-dive logbook. $399.95 cressi.com
4. SHERWOOD AMPHOS
This wristwatch-style dive computer offers four operating modes: air, nitrox, gauge and free-dive. You can program two gas mixes — one to 50 percent and one to 100 percent — and colored bar graphs make it easy to monitor N2 and O2 loading as well as ascent rate. Four buttons and screen prompts let you navigate easily, and large, bold data digits make it easy to read. This compact, dual-use data cruncher hits all the marks. $470 sherwoodscuba.com
Jon Whittle
1. APEKS XTX40
In Apeks’ stellar XTX line of regs, the XTX40 is priced very competitively, and ranks among the best in breathing performance. its overbalanced first stage is fitted with a dry-seal environmental kit and an LP-port swivel turret. The second stage is pneumatically balanced and comes with a diver-adjustable venturi control switch for detuning the reg when on the surface. $535 aqualung.com
2. SCUBAPRO MK11/R195
This was the only reg selling for under $500 that was able to deliver “muscle reg” performance in last year’s tests; for basic everyday diving, the MK11/R195 has proved to be a smooth, dry breather with an excellent purge. It has a balanced-diaphragm first stage fitted with a dry chamber for cold water, and high-flow low-pressure ports that ramp up airflow. The unbalanced second stage has a viva switch for controlling free-flows. $359 scubapro.com
3. ATOMIC AQUATICS Z3
Atomic regs are known for their rock-solid balanced-piston design and pack-leading performance. That usually comes with a price tag to match — but not the Z3. the best- priced model in atomic’s reg line, The tried-and-true Z3 does not offer titanium construction like the bar-setting t3, but when it comes to performance, the Z3 rocks some excellent testing results. $529 atomicaquatics.com
4. ZEAGLE ONYX
The onyx has a balanced-diaphragm first stage with five low-pressure ports and a pneumatically balanced second stage. The reg is offered in two versions: standard (pic- tured) and cold water, which sells for a few bucks more, and comes with a dry-sealed first stage and a heat sink on the second stage. the onyx is as smooth a breather as you’re going to find at any price, regardless.$399.95 zeagle.com
Jon WhittleMade from 3.5 mm ultraspan neoprene, the spring comes with preshaped legs and is easy to put on; once zipped up, it provides lots of freedom of movement. Glued and blind-stitched seams minimize water seepage, and the wrist and ankle seals are made with a new aqua-stop smooth-skin neoprene. The adjustable neck seal is also smooth-skin neoprene, and the YKK rear zipper features a smooth-skin underflap. $229.95 cressi.com
Jon WhittleThe Reef’s smooth, rubber chest panel is 3 mm thick, while the arms and legs are 2.5 mm trilastic neoprene. This puts most thermal protection in the core chest area where it does the most good, then thins out the neoprene in the extremities for comfort, improved range of motion, and easy donning and doffing. The reef comes with flat- lock seams, and wrist, ankle and neck seals are finished with aqua-stop smooth-skin neoprene. $165 mares.com
Jon WhittleBuilt with three high-stretch materials, the delphite has 3 mm neoprene on the torso, 2 mm super-stretch on the arms and legs, and thick prebent tatex kneepads to protect the lower legs. The suit is flat-locked stitched to enhance comfort, plus it has triangle stitching in high-stress areas, rolled smooth-skin wrist and ankle seals, and a 360-degree adjustable glideskin neck seal. $180 tilos.com
Jon WhittleThis well-built wetsuit offers double- blind-stitched outer seams to keep water out, and single-blind-stitched inner seams to make it comfortable against the skin. Slightly thicker neoprene protects the body’s core, while thinner neoprene covers the arms and legs. the smooth-cut collar is comfortable, and the rear zipper is sturdy yet easy to operate, aided in part by a nylon webbing thumb loop at the base. Tatex kneepads protect the lower leg areas. $177 scubapro.com
For more than 20 years, the ScubaLab team has tested several thousand items of scuba equipment, and has discovered some real gems — dive gear that delivers top-level performance and great value. Here are our favorites from recent tests. To view the results of individual ScubaLab tests, scroll down to the reviews in the Related Articles section below.
