Diver Tests

DIVER TEST: Oceanic Excursion

The Oceanic Excursion is a very good, workmanlike BC, aimed at the serious diver. Its ruggedness inspires confidence that it will survive a lot of hard diving. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Oceanic Alpha 10 SPX

There’s a great deal to commend in the Oceanic Alpha 10 SPX. It’s a very easy breathe – not “for the price” but by any standard, including of course EN250A. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Red Original Micro Fibre towel

I’m very happy to recommend this towel. And not just for people – underwater photographers often like to use a towel as a clean work surface. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Scubapro Mk25 EVO/ S620 Ti

Given the specifications and its heritage, it’s no surprise that the Mk25/S620Ti has received the top EN250A rating. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Nautilus Oxygen Administration Set

The Nautilus Oxygen Supply System is a robust, well-made, easy-to-use piece of kit designed for emergency use. Read more...

DIVER TEST: AP Diving 45m Ratcheted Pocket

I’d be happy to use it as my primary DSMB reel and I liked its utility for searches. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Scubapro Hydros Pro

Scubapro makes a lot of claims for the Hydros Pro and these are borne out by my experience of using it. Performance above and below the water can’t be faulted. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Christopher Ward C60 Elite 1000 Titanium

If you want a dive-watch, the C60 Elite is beautifully made, solid and desirable. I can’t imagine buyer’s remorse occurring post-purchase. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Oceanic Veo 4.0 1460

The Oceanic Veo 4.0 is a very capable computer for advanced recreational and entry-level rec-tech diving. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Mares Dual Adjustable 52X

Although an inexpensive addition to its range, the Dual Adjustable 52X delivers all the features and benefits a serious advanced diver is likely to ask of any regulator. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Hollis HD200

The Hollis HD200 delivers superb surface flotation and perfect underwater buoyancy control. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Mares Mission 1 SPG 357

I found the Mission 1 very easy to read under water, even though I should (but don’t) have reading lenses in my mask, and light levels were low. Read more...

My only problem with it is the price. I can’t even find it in my fiscally motivated heart to describe it as “expensive but reasonably priced bearing in mind the performance and quality of build”. But I really wish I could. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Nautilus LifeLine GPS Personal Locator Beacon

“Even the best divers make mistakes, but the most safety-conscious divers have a Nautilus LifeLine to help keep those mistakes from turning into a tragedy.” Read more...

GoPro Hero 8

If I wanted a use-it-anywhere action camera, I’d go for the Hero 8 – just making darn sure that I housed it before taking it diving. Read more...

DIVER TEST: TUSA SP-170 Platina II Hyperdry

You can get a deep, smooth inhalation easily through the TUSA. It’s not a snorkel for the freediving purist, but for the typical recreational diver it satisfies faultlessly. Read more...

DIVER TEST: LOMO Marlin BC knife

It’s a simple, decently made piece of kit at a fair price. What more do you want? Read more...

DIVER TEST: Red Original Waterproof Pouch

The Red Original Waterproof Pouch is a very practical solution for those who like to kit up and walk straight into the water without risking leaving valuables on shore or locked in a car some distance away. Read more...

DIVER TEST: O’Three Full Flex Gloves

O’Three Full Flex Gloves are just 2mm thick, so are really designed for warmish to temperate conditions. There are no straps to do up. Just slide your hand in through the cuff and you’re done. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Sea & Sea DX-6G

The DX-6G handles very well, feels well-made, oozes longevity and turns out good images. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Lomo Mesh Bag

It’s a bag, made of mesh, in which you can carry your dive-gear to and from the boat and store it between dives. It does exactly what you would expect it to do, and it doesn’t cost a fortune. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Oceanic ProPlus 4.0

It’s hard to fault the ProPlus. It’s bulky, but that’s the trade-off for those big and well-spaced out easy-reading displays. Clip it to your BC with a retractor and you really won’t notice the size. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Exposure Lights Action 1-100

The Exposure Action 1-100s do what they’re supposed to do. Their size and weight make them particularly appealing as the lights for an action-camera set-up, but they wouldn’t be out of place in the kit of any travelling diver. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Sherwood SR2

This is a nice regulator. It’s workmanlike and comfortable, and you can’t fault the ease of breathing. Recommended. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Suunto D5 & Tank POD

The D5 is a very capable and user-friendly dive-computer for beginner recreational diving through to entry-level tech and deco-diving on nitrox. Adding the POD increases the D5’s abilities considerably. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Exposure Lights Capture

These Capture lights look and feel well-made, are incredibly tiny and, if you want an action-camera outfit that you can literally carry in your pocket but still get decent footage, they’re a no-brainer. Read more...

DIVER TEST: Divepro S11

The DivePro S11 is a very versatile and practical dive-light that works well as a general day and back-up torch, but also excels as a valuable addition to the underwater photographer’s equipment. Read more...