Two big recent launches in dive equipment land and both of them come in potentially as dive gear essentials for 2023. One to up your smartphone game, and one to really push the dive computer / lifestyle watch boundary.
SeaLife 15cm Wide Angle Dome Lens for SportDiver Housing
SeaLife has introduced a new Wide Angle Dome Lens for their popular SportDiver underwater smartphone housing that increases the phone’s camera lens field-of view by 43% and allows photographers to get closer to the subject while fitting everything into the image frame.
The new dome lens mounts directly to the SportDiver housing’s lens port without any lens adapter. The 0.65x dome lens requires no skill, training or adjustment; simply mount it and shoot. Split shots that split the topside view with the undersea view are especially easy.
The 15cm Wide Angle Dome Lens design uses high-grade acrylic optics arranged in a 2-element/2- group array that delivers crisp edge-to-edge sharpness.
The lens has a 15.6mm film-equivalent effective focal length when used, for example, with the Sea Life Sport Diver and the iPhone 15 Pro’s 24mm Ultrawide camera lens.
The lens is waterproof to 40m and is positively buoyant. The new 15cm Dome Lens fits all Sea Life Sport Diver housings.
The lens includes a rotatable sunshade built around the optics to help control stray sunlight. The new lens is a ‘wet lens’ and easily attaches and removes underwater, the inner lens chambers are air-filled, and the lens is therefore buoyant.
A lanyard is included and prevents the lens from accidentally detaching when bumped or in rougher water conditions.
SeaLife 15cm Wide Angle Dome Lens for SportDiver Housing
Garmin continues its crusade into the diving world with the launch of the third version of the well-regarded Descent wristwatch dive computer, the MK3/MK3i. The watch was unveiled at the DEMA show in New Orleans and is immediately one of the dive gear essentials for 2023.
The Descent Mk3 series comes in two sizes – 43mm and 51mm (so effectively the same rough sizes as the Descent MK2/MK2i and the MK2S) – with air integration options on both, and features a bright touchscreen AMOLED display, a 200m dive-rated case with metal leakproof buttons that are fully operational at that depth, and up to 48 hours of battery life in dive mode.
The 51mm Descent Mk3i also comes with a built-in LED flashlight for greater visibility in low-light conditions.
When paired with the Descent T2 transceiver, divers will be able to send out assistance alerts to other connected divers, and exchange preset messages with other divers up to 30 metres away on a soon-to-be-released software update.
Designed by divers for divers, the Descent Mk3 series is ready for the next excursion with dive modes for single and multiple gas dives (including nitrox and trimix), gauge, apnea, apnea hunt and closed-circuit rebreather. Divers can customise additional data screens for each dive mode, or choose a simplified dive screen with larger text to make it easier to see critical diving data.
Doubling as a premium multisport GPS smartwatch, the Descent Mk3 series includes dozens of preloaded activity profiles for trail running, swimming, hiking, golfing and more so users can track the ways they move.
Premium fitness features like VO2 max, daily suggested workouts for running and cycling, endurance score and hill score can help users stay fit for their next dive while wellness insights like sleep monitoring, sleep score and Jet Lag Adviser can help users understand their body better.
Packed with connected features, the Mk3 series lets divers receive smart notifications; download songs from Spotify, Deezer or Amazon Music (premium subscription required); workout with greater peace of mind with incident detection and assistance; breeze through checkout lines with Garmin Pay contactless payments; and more. Definitely a computer that should be for consideration for all levels of diver.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SeaLife 15cm Wide Angle Dome Lens used for?
It expands your smartphone housing’s field of view by 43%, making it ideal for wide reef scenes, split shots, and capturing more detail underwater.
Is the SeaLife Dome Lens easy to attach?
Yes, it mounts directly to the SportDiver housing port without adapters and can be removed or attached underwater.
What are the key features of the Garmin Descent Mk3?
It offers a bright AMOLED display, dive modes for nitrox, trimix, CCR, and apnea, plus air integration and smartwatch functionality.
Can the Garmin Descent Mk3 communicate with other divers?
When paired with the Descent T2, it allows preset messages and assistance alerts within 30 metres.
Who are these dive gear essentials for 2023 best for?
The SeaLife lens is great for underwater photographers, while the Garmin Mk3 is perfect for divers wanting a powerful all-in-one dive computer and smartwatch.
Subscribe today with promo code DIVE1 — enjoy 12 months for just £1!
