Browse here to discover the dive gear featured on The Scuba Mermaid.
“Due to a steady and growing amount of comments and emails I receive asking where I bought my dive equipment, I’ve made a simple and easy guide for you to find out what dive gear I use on a regular basis. All dive gear featured here I use because I believe in the products, I don’t receive a commission for selling, and all reviews are my own personal opinions.” – Chi Felton, The Scuba Mermaid.
Shearwater is the leading manufacturer of technical dive computers, and they outdid themselves with the Teric. With 5 modes including OC tech, OC rec, CC, gauge and freediving, the Teric keeps to true Shearwater tradition with its Buhlmann GF algorithm, but that seems to be the only tradition it carries forward. The Teric has a bright AMOLED screen with completely customisable settings, and due to its watch face and sleek design can also be worn above the surface.
The xDeep frameless mask is a single lens mask made with a soft silicone skirting – perfect for the wide angle diving experience, and also comes in a clear skirting option.
The Sipadan wetsuit was newly released in May 2020 and exclusive to Fourth Element Asia. A 3mm two-piece neoprene suit, it’s perfect for warm water and dive professionals who have limited time to suit up. The PU seals at the wrists and ankles keep water out whilst the smooth lining makes this suit a dream not only to wear but to don and doff.
The Apeks RK3 fins are no secret, their short and wide design made from durable thermoplastic rubber and spring straps are what every tech diver looks for in a pair of fins. But their vented design and high performance is surprising considering how lightweight they are – 1kg for a pair of size mediums. The most attractive feature for female divers, however, is not that they come in pink, but that Apeks have released all colours in a size small – uncommon for technical diving fins.
A Shearwater classic, the Perdix, gives all the best features of a Shearwater dive computer in a smooth and solid design, utilising two wet-touch buttons to make an easy-use performance and a scratch-resistant colour LCD display. It can store up to 5 gases and boasts 4 modes including CC mode for rebreather divers. The Perdix also takes an AA battery, which makes this dive computer one you won’t need to replace for years to come.
Fourth Element, well-known for their high quality neoprene wetsuits, beats every other manufacturer with this simple yet perfectly crafted 3mm neoprene hood. Lined with glideskin for a smooth don and doff, it also comes in different thicknesses with skirting for cold water divers.
Apeks are the leaders of the market in regulators for technical diving, and it’s not only due to their rugged and classic design and affordable yet reliable product line. The XTX50 DIN regulator with fifth port and swivel turret is an all-in-one, suitable for any situation – single tank diving, sidemount diving, deco tanks and backmount twins. Whether it’s for shallow warm water or deep cold water, you will notice the environmentally sealed system has a high performance and ease of breathing owed to the balanced first stage and the silicone exhaust valve on the second stage.
Fourth Element did it again, with their 3mm neoprene gloves – a comfortable and warm essential accessory, even in warmer climates. The grip and ease of movement will make technical diving skills especially a more pleasant and secure experience. The high wrists will keep water out and prevent rubbing from your dive computer, and the quality and design is so good that if you want you can cut out the fingertips and the fabric won’t fray.
A Shearwater classic, the Perdix gives all the best features of a Shearwater dive computer in a smooth and solid design, utilising two wet-touch buttons to make an easy-use performance and a scratch-resistant colour LCD display. It can store up to 5 gases and boasts 4 modes including CC mode for rebreather divers. The Perdix also takes an AA battery, which makes this dive computer one you won’t need to replace for years to come.
Bonex, a German underwater scooter manufacturer, have blown us away with their Ecos S DPV. With a depth rating of 200m/656ft and a maximum speed of 70m/min, it’s every technical diver’s dream scooter. At 15kg, it’s lighter than most high performing technical DPVs, and at a runtime of 90 minutes on full speed and a maximum runtime of 200 minutes, it outperforms its competitors of the same size and specs.
xDeep, best known for their sidemount bladders and harnesses, have redesigned their sidemount range with the Stealth collection. The Stealth 2.0 Rec has a built-in adjustable harness and a lift of 27lbs. Perfect for sidemount recreational diving, it can also accommodate for an extra deco cylinder or two, if diving with aluminium tanks, and comes in a larger size – the Stealth 2.0 Tec – with a lift of 42lbs for deeper technical dives.
The Apeks RK3 fins are no secret, their short and wide design made from durable thermoplastic rubber and spring straps are what every tech diver looks for in a pair of fins. But their vented design and high performance is surprising considering how lightweight they are – 1kg for a size medium. The most attractive feature for female divers, however, is not that they come in pink, but that Apeks have released all colours in a size small – uncommon for technical diving fins.
Shearwater is the leading manufacturer of technical dive computers, and they outdid themselves with the Teric. With 5 modes including OC tech, OC rec, CC, gauge and freediving, the Teric keeps to true Shearwater tradition with its Buhlmann GF algorithm, but that seems to be the only tradition it carries forward. The Teric has a bright AMOLED screen with completely customisable settings, and due to its watch face and sleek design can also be worn above the surface.
Ocean Mimic is an independent brand based in Bali, Indonesia that uses Carvico Vita – a fabric made from recycled plastic and fishing nets – to make their sunscreen and chlorine-resistant eco range of swimwear. Stitched by local Indonesian women on fair wages, Ocean Mimic is an all-round ethical brand that boasts some beautiful marine life-inspired designs, and the company also manages a local plastic recycling project in Bali – picking up 1kg of ocean plastic for every $10 of sales. Use the discount code THESCUBAMERMAID20 for 20% off on oceanmimic.com.
Mares is a solid and reliable fin manufacturer, and don’t disappoint with the Razor Pro freediving fins – affordable and durable, they can easily be separated into fin pockets and blades for ease of travel, and will add a great deal of power to your kick.
–
Subscribe here for more Shop the Dive posts in the near future.
