DIVEBOARD AT DEMA 2013 ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Shared by Kernsart on November 18, 2013 in News

  

  DEMA 2013, in Orlando, Florida seemed bigger this year, than last. The floor of the Orange County Convention Center, filled with gear, travel venues, accessories, and much more.The opening day air, was filled with the excitement of people in the diving industry from all over the world. Vendors readied and waiting for the crowd to enter, could hear "SCUBA RADIO" pumping up the crowd with music and giveaways. The veterans, talked among themselves, checked text messages, looking up on occas-ion for a familiar face, or distracted by the noise of the crowd. The newcomers, starry-eyed, searching for friends and perhaps a glimpse of one of the diving world's superstars. Then the doors opened on time, and the crowd flooded in.

  This year showed a greater presence of Rec/Tech gear, the re-breather world making its bid for a larger piece of the market. Showing off the latest in diver friendly re-breathers, like the Hollis Explorer. The Hollis Explorer, is a self testing, lightweight, semi-closed re-breather, with the option of  pre-filled and user packed canisters. The unit comes complete, ready to go, with computer and heads-up display, a nice detente on the BOV (Bail Out Valve) and boasts up to a two to two-and-a-half hour bottom time, to recreational depths. The semi-closed design allows almost bubble-less dives, making for a quieter dive and lets you get closer to sea-life. When interviewing the Hollis spokesperson, I was told that there will be upgrades to the unit to extend its abilities. The Explorer, looked to be the best in show for the dollars spent. This SCCR retails at about $4,500 USD with training included.

   Another notable addition, uses your Apple product phone with bluetooth 4.0. The Maxtec company, makers of gas sensors has made the iMAX Dive Buddy. This tiny recreational limits sensor, logs everything in your typical dive profile, including dive time, depth, water temp. and more. Attach the iMax dive buddy to your BCD, or put it in your pocket, then go diving. The iMax dive buddy works in the background, continuously mapping your dive profile and water temperature. When completed, your dive can be wirelessly retrieved to your phone. Edit the dive by adding your location, gear configuration, photos and more. This is sure to be upgraded to include other smart phones in the future. Retailing between $139 - $149 USD.

  A fun new product is the H2Odyssey  Torid Pulse. It is the underwater equivalent of the Airsoft guns. I have watched this product for years in development. The idea is simple, but the results are awesome! This bubble pistol, shoots a high-speed bubble, like a smoke-ring, very long distances underwater. For those of you that like the idea of paintball, but without the mess! The H2Odyssey Torid Pulse works off the low pressure side of your regulator, doesn't use very much air per blast, but you may get a little carried away at first. So be sure and check you air gauges regularly while having fun. Retail price about $140 USD for the gun, or about $170 with the hose.

  While on the subject of fun, for those people who have non-diving friends or family that go to the water with them, there was the Zayak Sea Sled. The base model, the A1 is a well designed and sturdily built floating platform, that doubles for a glass-bottom boat. It features a high visibility yellow polyethylene body, a replaceable neoprene shroud that blocks out light and allows for breathing, includes two molded rubber handles and a drain plug topped off with a thick polycarbonate lens that is large enough to see a wide area. The Zayak Sea Sled, comes in two models, so the A1- XL includes a cargo net for storage and five islets. I can see a use for these, for divers carrying extras on a surface swim, and spear fishers, just add a float-line or anchor-line and you're ready! Recommended weight limit for both the models is 220 lbs. Recommended  Accessories, include an adjustable ballistic nylon shoulder strap, that is one inch wide and has two stainless clips.(retail $14.95) The A1 model retails for $295 and the A1-XL for $325.The G-1 PRO Model (available DECEMBER 2014) has a recommended weight limit of 240 Lbs, (110 KG) and comes with a clear panoramic window molded directly into the Zayak™ Sea Sled body; provisions for an (optional) 'wrist leash' that always keeps your Zayak™ Sea Sled within reach; and a Cargo Net for securing underwater cameras, sun lotion, and/or a small 'dry bag' for personal belongings. Additionally, there are five molded securing points for hanging accessories from your Zayak™ Sea Sled or for securing it to your vehicle during transportation. This is the "Pro-sumer Model" for more serious photographers and marine enthusiasts.

  The DEMA Reaching Out Awards Party, had a 1960's Beatles theme of, "Come Together." attendees were encouraged to wear 60's themed costumes. The accomplishments and contributions of Stewart Cove and Dr. Lee Somers, were celebrated at the Hard Rock Live in Orlando. Followed by the entertainment of a Beatles cover band, Beatlebeat.    


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  • us Kernsart
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  • Dived in: Mexico, Cayman Islands, United States

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