Dive Gear Review: Oceanic SWIV SPG

I'm not the usual "Dive Gear Review" contributor, but there are a few items I've been meaning to voice an opinion about.

SPGs.  An extremely important piece of equipment.  You're not much good on a dive if you don't know the pressure of the contents of your tank (we're in the 21st century, so no more J-valves for us!).   As a working dive instructor, I've always opted for a mechanical SPG, as opposed to a transducer linked to a dive computer.  The reasoning behind this is twofold: mechanical SPGs are not as expensive, but I've also seen far cases of the transducers failing.

Or so I thought, until I replaced my old Sherwood SPG (many years of use) with an Oceanic SWIV.  A quick online search shows it retailing for between USD 75 to 106.  After the first one flooded after less than 10 dives, I thought I might just have a defective product.  I replaced that one with another one on a console I used to use.  Another 5 dives, and that one also failed.  At this point, I'm not happy.  No pressure gauge, no work.  I had to replace it with a THIRD one (given to me by a friend, brand new, who was getting rid of her spare parts), until the new one I ordered could be shipped down.  When that one failed, I put my other backup old old Dacor, until I could get a new one got delivered (it can take up to two weeks, minimum, to get anything shipped to the island).

Before people start jumping down my throat about dust caps and flooding regulators, that definitely isn't what happened.  After the first one failed, I had my regulator (1st stage Scubapro MK2) fully serviced, and had the o-rings on my (new) high pressure hose inspected.

So...moral of the story: three thumbs down (one for each bad SPG).

Next up from me:  the successful replacement

Half Moon Bay Weather Report

Overcast, calm, intermittent rain showers.

Recent Sightings

Flamingo Tongue

Pipefish

Hamner's Tritonia

Dive Gear, Review, Puppy Weight

If you have been diving, or thought about diving, you will presumably at least have thought about dive equipment.  At first, it can seem a bit daunting to think about investing getting ALL your own equipment.  But after all is said and done, the PADI videos don't lie (remember your Open Water Course), you really are more likely to dive more if you have your own equipment.

Most people might not choose to get "everything" at once. Maybe a mask (it's not much fun if your mask doesn't fit properly) to start with, perhaps a pair of fins - maybe even a dive computer (easy to travel with).  There certainly are a lot of options out there, which could also seem confusing at times, and there are a lot of different things to think about when deciding exactly what equipment to get.  Magazines, reviews, online forums, local dive shop, online dive retailers, dive instructors and of course actually trying the equipment for yourself are all different sources that can help you find what you need-slash-want on every budget.  The big question is, how can you trust the reliability of some of those sources?  Have they actually tested the equipment beyond taking it out in the pool for a few laps?

Our sister blog, Dive Gear Review, is dedicated to providing such advice.  We are reviewing equipment that we use on a daily and regular basis, and giving honest feedback based on literally thousands of hours in the water.  The 700+ dives and confined water dives that we do in a year put our equipment through some serious use, so we are always looking for something that will last the distance.  Being on a remote tropical island with limited on-site retail options is also a factor; we also want equipment that can be serviced easily and at a reasonable cost.  So if you're thinking about it, check out Dive Gear Review.  And lastly, don't let anyone talk you into buying something that isn't right for YOU.

In other news: in addition to the standard lead blocks (lbs or kg) we provide you with for your weight belt/integrated BCD system, we now also offer weights in "puppy" increments (changes week to week).      

Chucky's new friend Boomer (currently interviewing for Rescue Victim)

In the many things that were brought around the birthday party, captains Carl and Fred are now sporting these awesome Captain's hats - thank you to Daniel Magine from Chicago.

CAPTAINS Carl and Fred

Half Moon Bay Weather Report:

Hot and bright.  Add more heat.

Recent Sightings:

Lettuce Sea Slugs @ The Bite

Free-Swimming Green Moray Eels @ Overheat Reef

Hawksbill Turtle with a hunchback@ Sea Quest