SCUBA Gear Review

COMING SOON ... Information on the new Suunto D6

Following the withdrawal of the Suunto Stinger dive watch and computer, Suunto & AquaLung will soon launch the Suunto D6. Similar to the popular Suunto D9 dive computer, the D6 will feature a stainless steel case, digital compass, dive profile graphic and two gas dive capabilities.

AQUALUNG LEGEND ACD FIRST STAGE WITH YOKE STYLE CONNECTOR

The best performing regulators just got even better, according to AquaLung. The Legend series of regulators are now equipped with their unique Auto-Closure Device (ACD).

	Auto-Closure Device (ACD) seals the regulator’s inlet fitting, both Yoke and DIN, as soon as the regulator is removed from the cylinder valve.
	º	This will keep water and contaminants out of the regulator’s first stage during rinsing and storage.
	º	It allows the first stage to maintain peak performance over time
	º	The first stage will retain its internal lubrication longer
	º	Makes the first stage safer for nitrox use
	The new ACD feature coupled with the environmental dry chamber, results in a first stage that is completely sealed off from the environment.

HOW TO CHOOSE FIRST STAGE REGULATORS:

Of all the scuba equipment you will purchase, the regulator will be the most important of all. You will want it to deliver life-sustaining air to you easily and smoothly without having to think about it. Selecting a regulator for purchase can be a rather daunting task especially if you are a new diver.

BALANCED FIRST STAGE - A balanced first stage means that as the air in the cylinder is depleted during the course of the dive, the intermediate pressure going through the hose remains constant. This results in consistent, easy breathing from the beginning of your dive until the end.

DIAPHRAGM FIRST STAGE - The first stage reduces high pressure air to approximately 135-140psi above ambient pressure. But how does a regulator know what ambient pressure is? On diaphragm model first stages, the water pressure acts on a main diaphragm, which transfers the pressure to the inner valve of the unit. The benefit is that the internal components do not come in contact with the water. Therefore, by the nature of its design, it is environmentally sealed. This results in reliability and easier servicing.

ENVIRONMENTAL DRY SEAL - Keeps water away from the exposed main spring of the first stage thereby reducing the likelihood of freezing on cold water dives. This feature, which comes standard on cold water models, may be added to other models for divers in harsh environments that have the need to keep silt or pollution out of the main spring chamber.

DIN FITTING AVAILABLE - This fitting can be installed on the regulator in place of the connection yoke so that the regulator may be threaded into a DIN valve, such as those often found on cylinders with working pressures above 3000 psi. Some regulators come with DIN fitting as standard; ask your regulator professional for advise.

FOUR LOW-PRESSURE PORTS - Enough ports to allow you to connect two second stages, a low pressure BC inflator hose and a dry suit inflator hose.

HOW TO CHOOSE SECOND STAGE REGULATORS:

USER ADJUSTMENT KNOB - This knob allows you to tune the regulator for your personal needs. For example, when the regulator is out of the mouth such as on a surface swim, the knob can be turned in to decrease sensitivity. When diving to deeper depths, the knob can be turned out all the way to compensate for the fact that the air is denser.

VENTURI ADJUSTMENT SWITCH (V.A.S.) - Air circulating in the second stage creates a strong venturi effect that assists you during the inhalation process. The addition of an external venturi adjustment switch allows our engineers to maximize the strength of the venturi for ease of breathing, while allowing you to control it to prevent air from escaping when the unit is out of your mouth, such as on a surface swim.

HEAT EXCHANGERS - These come standard on cold-water models. Heat exchangers on the second stage help the regulator to resist freezing while diving in colder waters. Using a radiator effect, the heat exchangers draw in the warmer temperature of the surrounding water and transfer it to the colder valve inside virtually eliminating second stage freezing.

COMFO-BITE MOUTHPIECE - The patented bridge on this mouthpiece fits across the roof of the mouth eliminating the need to clench your teeth. This results in less jaw fatigue and makes the dive much more comfortable.

THE AQUA LUNG RANGE :

The Aqua Lung regulator line is divided into three ranges based upon the model of first stage. The high end range which boasts the most features and benefits is the Cousteau range. Next, is the Titan range. The Titan is the most popular and is the workhorse of the fleet. Finally, we have the ever-popular Calypso range. The Cousteau and the Titan first stages are high performance, balanced diaphragm models.

The COUSTEAU is the top of the line first stage. It features 2 high pressure ports and four low pressure ports in a T-shaped configuration. The ports are positioned for optimal hose configuration. The Cousteau is for the avid diver who wants the best.

The TITAN is an in-line balanced diaphragm mechanism that is very compact and easy to use. It features one high pressure port and four low pressure ports. The ports are angled for optimum hose layout. Aqua Lung also offers a very popular in-line piston model, the Calypso. The in-line piston mechanism is simple and robust for greater reliability and strength. A large diameter piston guarantees a more stable intermediate pressure. It features one high pressure port and four low pressure ports. Aqua Lung offers several second stages that are sure to appeal to all types of divers.

The MICRA ADJ is a high performance regulator in an extremely small, lightweight size. At only 6 oz. and a comfo-bite mouthpiece, you can hardly tell that the regulator is in your mouth. It boasts a User  Adjustment Knob and a Venturi Adjustment Switch.

The XLC SECOND STAGE is a mid-size high performance second stage. It has a Venturi Adjustment Switch and comes standard with the comfo-bite mouthpiece. Reliability and durability are two of this model’s greatest assets.

The MICRA SECOND STAGE is one of the smallest regulators in the marketplace today. Though small in size (only 5.5 ounces!), this time-proven product is full of innovation and performance. It has a Venturi Adjustment Switch and comes standard with a comfo-bite mouthpiece.

The GLACIA SECOND STAGE performs in the coldest of waters. It is loaded with features that help it resist freezing. Besides having the heat exchangers mentioned earlier, its internal metal parts have a special coating on them to prevent droplets from forming which can lead to ice. The lever has been moved to the opposite side from where the air enters. Since this is where icing tends to occur, you don’t have to worry about a lever getting frozen in position. A thermal barrier in the center prevents the cold from migrating across to the lever.

http://www.aqualung.com/pdfs/AL_GUIDE_Regs.pdf

SUUNTO D9- A Deeper Understanding

Instead of monitoring information from several sources, Suunto D9 provides you with all the crucial information from a single source, conveniently mounted on your wrist.

Digital Compass
The integrated digital compass can be accessed from both DIVE and TIME modes, and provides a graphical compass rose display and numerically displayed bearings. Bearings can be locked, and visual aids are provided for navigating set courses or for pattern navigation. Headings can be stored in the memory for later analysis using the memory functions or the PC interface.

Wireless Transmitter
Suunto D9 can be used with the optional Suunto Wireless Transmitter. When enabled it provides the diver with tank pressure and air-time information, as well as a tank pressure bar graph. Real-time tank pressure data is stored in the memory, and can be later analyzed using the memory or PC interface functions.

Deep Stops
Suunto D9 provides the user with an option to use traditional safety-stops, or to use deep stops. The deep stops are calculated iteratively throughout the dive, and the deep stop time can be set to 1 or 2min. The decompression calculations are based on the Suunto RGBM (Reduced Gradient Bubble Model).

Matrix Display
The matrix display provides outstanding possibilities for post-dive analysis of the recorded information. In the memory mode the actual dive profile is graphically displayed, together with real time depth, time, tank pressure and temperature data. Locked compass bearings are also displayed in the profile.

Review courtesy of Aqualung: www.aqualung.com/products/d9_p2.html

AquaLung Mistral Regulator

The new Aqualung Mistral is a modern version of the original double hose regulator invented by Aqua Lung founder Jacques Cousteau and Emille Gagnan in 1943.

Modern single hose regulators release exhalation bubbles directly from the mouthpiece in front of the diver. These bubbles can obstruct the diver's view and have long been a complaint with underwater photographers. Double hose regulators have the unique advantage of releasing the diver's exhaust bubbles behind the diver's head and not obstructing the field of vision. Double hose regulators also perform very well in icy waters where single hose designs could freeze up and quit working. This is because the diver's humid exhalation doesn't pass over the moving parts of the regulator, which could cause ice crystals to form.

The Aqua Lung Mistral offers all the benefits of the original double hose regulators, combined with the developments and refinements of modern regulator technology. Incorporating a time proven dry sealed first stage, a unique completely sealed second stage, a high pressure port and multiple low pressure ports, the Mistral offers all the benefits and reliability of modern regulators. The Aqua Lung Mistral is also the first modern double hose regulator to pass the European EN 250 breathing performance tests.

The Mistral's unique double hose design will appeal to underwater photographers, videographers, ice divers, commercial divers, military divers, search and rescue divers, scientific divers, and anybody nostalgic for the 'good ol' diving days."

Review courtesy of Aqualung: www.aqualung.com/products/mistral.html

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