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Swes Technology Dive Light
Aqua Lung Outlaw BC
Easy Dive Nomad
ProShot Case
Paralenz Dive Camera
Shearwater Perdix AI
Buddy Watcher
Our New 40-page book – Eight Great Dive Resorts – and One Dog – is yours, at no charge

News from Undercurrent, the private guide for serious divers, published since 1975

The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association Show Report, by Senior Editor John Bantin.

I have just returned from the American annual diving trade show held last week in at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Every aspect of diving was catered for and there were many interesting new products as well as some quirky ones exhibited. Here are just a few:

Swes Technology Dive Light  November 25, 2016

Probably the most portentous product in the DEMA show, the European-made SDL-600 dive light has no battery but is powered by seawater! Its patented energy cell using graphite and magnesium rods is said to last for 2190 hours and the lamp itself is rated to 325 feet (100m) deep. Electrolysis powers the 1pc CREE XM-L2 U2 producing a maximum of 1140 lumens. No price was available at the time of writing but Undercurrent has been reliably informed it will be less than $500. www.swesholdings.com

Aqua Lung Outlaw BC,  November 25, 2016

the brain-child of Don Rockwell, is completely modular, allowing the buyer to tailor a perfect fit. It’s four four main parts include a choice of two different buoyancy cells, different length shoulder straps, and waistband, all of which easily snap together. One can attach different size integrated weight pockets and the whole can be conveniently transported broken down into its constituent parts. With soft D-rings and a daisy chain loop feature for multiple ways to attach gear, it weighs only 4 pounds (1.8kg) and is expected to cost $389. www.aqualung.com

Easy Dive Nomad  November 25, 2016

combines a snorkel with a compressed air cylinder that can easily be switched to when the user is underwater. But it seems as if a snorkeler might too easily hold a breath taken at depth and then ascend unwittingly with a great chance of inducing an air embolism. This hazardous item, complete with Spare Air cylinder, is available at $380. www.easydive.us

ProShot Case  November 25, 2016

Among numerous offerings of underwater housings for iPhone 6/6S and iPhone 7 at DEMA, this one interfaces with the majority of GoPro mounting accessories and for less than $100 includes a wide-angle lens. Another $40 will get you a 151° fisheye lens to increase the angle-of-view of your iPhone camera. www.proshotcase.com

Paralenz Dive Camera  November 25, 2016

With a target price of $599, this precision little Danish unit starts recording as soon as it goes underwater. Watertight to 650 feet (200m), it uses clever programing to adjust the white balance for color-corrected pictures according to depth. But it’s more than just a camera. The Paralenz app generates a time, temperature and depth graph linked to the recordings (either still pictures or live action) and this information can be embedded as an overlay. Combined with an iPhone, footage is shared at the click of a button and its rechargeable battery is said to be good for more than two hours use. More than 200 divers in 35 different countries have tested it. www.paralenz.com

We will describe many more products in the January issue of Undercurrent. Our 20-page monthly newsletter accept no advertising, contains travel reviews by our undercover writers, and no holds barred look at all facets of diving. A non-profit organization, we have been publishing since 1975. www.undercurrent.org

Shearwater Perdix AI  November 25, 2016

There was a reduced accent on technical diving at this year’s DEMA show, typified by the fact that Shearwater Research has come up with a computer equally intended for leisure divers. With a high-resolution colourful display and two-button interface it allows air integration by means of a radio transmitter attached to the regulator first-stage. The Perdix AI functions equally well whether you are a single-tank leisure diver or use a closed circuit rebreather. Not only that, but it can be linked to the Shearwater Cloud for easy sharing and viewing/editing of dive logs on either phone or tablet. It costs $1525 bundled with the transmitter. www.shearwater.com

Buddy Watcher  November 25, 2016

Using ultrasound frequencies, this is wrist mounted unit can draw the attention of another diver, or even a group of divers if so equipped, by vibrating and flashing an LED. Its calling distance is 262 feet (80m) and it represents a discreet method of keeping divers in touch with each other. A pair of units costs around $280. www.divealert.com

Our New 40-page book – Eight Great Dive Resorts – and One Dog – is yours, at no charge,  November 25, 2016

with your trial subscription to Undercurrent. I’ve pulled together eight complete first-hand reviews of great resorts – and one dog -- from our best travel reviewers who pay their own way and never disclose their purpose. They tell you the truth about the diving, the fish, the reefs, the food, the beds, and much, much more, so you can pick your next dive destination without worry. Click HERE for details.

Ben Davison, editor/publisher
Contact Ben

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Note: Undercurrent is a registered 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization donating funds to help preserve coral reefs. Our travel writers never announce their purpose, are unknown to the destination, and receive no complimentary services or compensation from the dive operators or resort.

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