Gizmodo: Scuba

Sea Instrument a Dive Computer Add-On for Posh Divers

AddyDugdale — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:20:00 EDT

A dive computer by any other name, the Sea Instrument is a square and (sort of) attractive piece of kit for rich divers. Launched this month by Danish watch designers Linde Werdelin, it clips onto the Biformeter watch and gives you all the info you need while you're blowing bubbles a hundred feet below the surface. So, it may be nice-looking, but is there anything there that would persuade me to get rid of my Suunto Mosquito, a snip at $300?

• There's a full-color 220x176-pixel LCD screen—which I've got to admit is quite cool, but a bit redundant, given that the lower you go, the less colors you see. Good for impressing people in a bar though, as long as they're not divers, because they'll think you're a cretin.
• It weighs 150 grams—and that's before you've even strapped the slightly fug-esque Biformeter to your wrist.
• 128MB flash memory is useful if you have your dives computerized (surprise, mine are still on paper) and wireless-upgradeable software.
• Internal temperature sensor, in-water sensor, light sensor. Yeah, nice features, but they're standard on loads of dive computers already.
• Water-resistant to 1,000 meters. All very well, but do you honestly think I'm going to go down that far, given that I don't even use a wetsuit?
• Rechargeable Li-Ion battery gives you five days on standby, 28 hours' non-stop diving.
• USB charger.
• Price is $3,000 for the steel version, and $46,000 if you want one in gold. Don't forget the only way the Sea Instrument works is if you clip it to the Biformeter, which costs $5,000.

So, to answer my question, that's a no, then. [Lind Werdelin via Luxist]

Waterproof MP3 Player is iRiver, Dives to 200 Feet Under the Sea

AddyDugdale — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 10:55:35 EST

I wouldn't—well, I would just once, like to see what it's like to dive with The Hives singing along while I fin down to a reef —because I like to live out my Darth Vader fantasies, but this MP3 player could just persuade me otherwise. What is remarkable about this iRiver iFP-380T, with its waterproof case and headset, is that you can go down to 200 feet with it clipped onto your mask. The device runs on one 9-volt battery and one AA and it costs $199. [Frontgate via UberReview]

Liquid Image Camera-Mask Lets You Shoot Video, Take Pics Underwater

AddyDugdale — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 05:58:09 EST

Although only waterproof to 15 feet, and therefore not exactly serious underwater snapper gear, this Liquid Image digital camera-mask is not a bad idea for kids or snorkelers as it lets you take hands-free images of the Big Blue. Full details will be released at CES next month, but we've got a bit more info after the jump.

Available in 3.1-Megapixel and 5-Megapixel models, you shoot your subject by lining it up in the crosshairs on the mask. LED lights on the glass indicate whether you're in video or stills mode. A USB port allows you to download from its 16MB internal memory, and there's an SD card slot allowing you to bump that up so you can shoot your swimming-pool version of Jaws. Price of the Liquid Image Camera-Mask hasn't been finalized yet, but we think that the smaller version will cost $99. [Liquid Image via Krunker]

Fantasea FP-5000 Underwater Housing Keeps Nikon Coolpix P5000 Dry

Charlie White — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 12:37:35 EDT

If you've been lusting after that Nikon Coolpix P5000—but you have a hankering to take it deep underwater—now you can satisfy your jones with this Fantasea FP-5000 underwater housing. Sure, at $245, it costs almost as much as the camera, but you can still control every feature and nuance of Nikon's highly capable shooter, and keep it dry and protected at the same time.

Its makers are so sure of this housing's water tightness, it will replace your Coolpix camera if there's any water leakage. It's also accessory friendly, with a 46mm port ring thread that lets you hook up accessory lenses and filters, as well as a mounting base onto which you can attach LED flash units and other cool stuff for your Coolpix.

Press Release [Fantasea]

Oceanic SCUBA Mask with Integrated Head-Up Display

Charlie White — Thu, 28 Sep 2006 13:09:22 EDT

Here's a great idea for SCUBA divers: a mask with a tiny LCD panel that shows your depth, time you've been under the water and cylinder pressure. The transmitter gathers the data at the regulator and sends it to this mini display mounted right where you need it.

Sometimes if you're diving really deep it might be too dark or murky to see those vital statistics. It's probably just as useful as the excellent head-up display (HUD) on the Corvette, and if the concept works well enough at 180mph, it'll certainly suffice while loitering a few hundred feet under the sea, not far from Davy Jones Locker. Take it with you on your trip to the Bahamas this winter. – Charlie White

Product Page [Oceanic, via OhGizmo]

Psychedelic Panoramic Diving Mask

Noah R — Tue, 06 Sep 2005 10:40:04 EDT

I thought it was a Burning Man flashback, but then realized this SCUBA mask is more than just a trippy Playa costume. The Hydrooptix Mega 4.5DD has a Double-Dome lens designed by the same engineers that NASA hired to fix the Hubble telescope. The mask not only offers a panoramic view five times larger than you get with a flat mask, but is made from the same polycarbonate material used in bulletproof glass. Finally, a way to hunt those Kalashnikov sharks I saw on the Discovery Channel. $199.

Underwater mask offers five times the view of conventional masks [Gizmag]