Traveling fins and torch - another newbie

[bazmattaz]

Hi,

I'm a holiday diver. If the water drops below 21 degrees and I have to wear rubber to dive then TBH, I'd rather sit in the bar :-) I have an AOW and about 25 dives in my log. Rather than trust the rental kit in Egypt etc I have put together my own traveling set:
Aqualung Core Supreme regs
Cressi Travelight BCD
Scuba pro Spectra mask and snorkel
Cressi Frog Plus fins
I don't wear a suit

That lot comes to about 8kg, but of that the fins alone are about 2.5kg.

Can anyone give advice about a decent set of not too over priced fins that are lightweight? I would like open heel as I like to put them on easily in the water and wear neoprene shoes with them.

Also, I think I should get myself a torch - for finding those critters under rocks etc. As I will only use the thing a maximum of about ten days a year it is hard to justify the cost of even a mid range unit. Any thoughts on a good buy?

Thanks for any input you cam give me.


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[Paul Evans]

Mares WAVE fins come in about 1.6KG and you can get them cheap.

How much do you want to spend on a torch? You get what you pay for at the end of the day...........

If you can go to £128 or even better £160 for the Li Ion then a Diamond from green force is excellent for blue water diving, I fact I was staggered in daylight let alone at night.
If you cant then at the other end of the spectrum you can get a frogman Lenser for about 35 sobs.......



What gauge have you got on your reg's? Triple consul? double? change it for a simple pressure gauge... I assume you have a computer though.

HTH's

[bazmattaz]

Thanks Paul. Good advice on the fins I will look into those.

Regarding the torch I should have mentioned that I use a GoPro so something with a very wide or adjustable beam would be ideal. I take your point about you get what you pay for (though high price does not always mean high quality). I bought a couple of cheapo "dive" torches on FleaBay. One flooded on the first dive at 25m (got my money back from PayPal) and the other one turns its self on at depth or leaks if you back the screw cap off enough so it turns off.


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[bazmattaz]

PS - I have a fairly light/small double gauge. I'm not too worried about the weight of that.


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[Paul Evans]

Thanks Paul. Good advice on the fins I will look into those.

Regarding the torch I should have mentioned that I use a GoPro so something with a very wide or adjustable beam would be ideal. I take your point about you get what you pay for (though high price does not always mean high quality). I bought a couple of cheapo "dive" torches on FleaBay. One flooded on the first dive at 25m (got my money back from PayPal) and the other one turns its self on at depth or leaks if you back the screw cap off enough so it turns off.


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This will help. but don't expect miracles, especially blue water diving.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00PK53AX4/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B00N7FL3RY&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=01DJR9770E7CJTE7WWPC

Makes a reasonable night dive light as well

You'd be better of with a red filter for the Go Pro in the day time unless you spend silly money.

[ziggi]

hat about this for a cheapish but known quality blue water torch:

http://www.dirdirect.com/Light-For-Me-Backup-3XPG.html

[londonsean69]

I have been more than happy with the Seac Sub propulsion fins I bought . They are open heel (so use with boots) and weigh around 1kg, yet propel my not inconsiderable bulk through the water well. SWMBO has some as well.
Rather than spring straps, I just use a bit of bungee, much lighter.
They were only £50 or so
I found them fine in Egypt, even in big currents.

Old Boy Bantin seemed to think that Seac had paid enough advertising to give them the thumbs up - http://www.divernet.com/Diving_Gear/...ropulsion.html

For when the weight limits are REALLY tight, I have some Mares full foot. No boot = less weight, but you need to be sure you are not going in over rocks as I was

I got down to 7kg with the following;
3mm full suit
Apeks regs (not even the flights, just my trusty old DS4/ATX40 combo)
Cressi flex BCD
Empty weight belt
Seac fins
Boots
SMB and Spool
100 litre dry bag to store it all.

Can't help on the torch, but if it is for looking under rocks for critters, then anything small and bright will do - if it's too bright, they have a habit of retreating.

[matt]

Fins, 1.97kg: http://www.mad-divers.co.uk/typhoon-...ne-strap-fins/

I have the MB-SUB for my travel light, takes normal batteries. N@90 sell them. No idea on weight. I have the 3C but there is a smaller 3AA version too: http://www.narkedat90.com/MB_SUB_LED...mbledx13aa.htm

Matt.

[greatwhite]

Light foot fins are fine in the right conditions, but when I went to Thailand they were pretty uselss!!! Since, then I have always travelled with my boot fins to make life a lot easier when fighting currents!

[jturner]

Tusa Imprex Tri-ex or Oceanic Vipers are nice light fins and for reasonable money. If you fancy splashing out, Mares Volo Power fins are very light too but disgracefully expensive IMHO - don't get them confused with their much cheaper FF versions though.

[smileydiver]

Tusa Imprex Tri-ex or Oceanic Vipers are nice light fins and for reasonable money. If you fancy splashing out, Mares Volo Power fins are very light too but disgracefully expensive IMHO - don't get them confused with their much cheaper FF versions though.

The tri-ex model is being 'retired' the new version is the Solla which is a tiny bit heavier. I have bought the sollas but haven't had a chance to try them out yet! I am hoping they are as good as my old tri-ex fins