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Test Extra

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Each issue, the Scuba Diver test team bring you the latest product and equipment releases from the dive industry. Cannot wait for the next edition? Keep up-to-date with all the latest gear news and reviews by heading over to the Scuba Diver YouTube channel! www.youtube.com/ScubaDiverMagazine

SEALIFE MICRO 3.0 PRO DUO 5000 SET | SRP: £1,269

We lent the SeaLife Micro 3.0 camera and SeaDragon Duo 5000 lights to beginner photographer Jowen Spicer, from Dive Project Cornwall, who was heading out for his firstever foreign diving excursion, as he was exactly the sort of diver who would be in the market for a camera like the Micro 3.0.

Jowen Spicer: Being a complete novice to underwater photography, for my journey to the Red Sea, I was looking for a camera which had an emphasis on being compact, and user-friendly, while also not sacrificing image quality. SeaLife’s Micro 3.0 camera is a great all-rounder for those looking to get started in marine photography, without having to break the bank. Ergonomically designed and fully sealed, there is little to worry about in terms of maintenance, and the pocket-sized dimensions allow you to travel lightly while still allowing you to capture stunning still images, and highquality video.

Packing the camera for the trip was no stress at all - the Micro 3.0 weighs in just over 300 grams and takes up next to no room in my dive bag. Fully housed and waterproof up to 60m, I didn’t have to worry about bringing an extra housing or accessories, saving further space for other kit. The rugged, shockproof rubber armour gave me peace of mind in knowing that the camera would last in my hold luggage without the risk of any damage!

The initial setup of the Micro 3.0 was extremely easy. Right out of the box, the camera offers two ‘Easy Setup’ options - Land and Underwater. These are a fantastic inclusion for the likes of someone who has little prior knowledge surrounding the more-technical aspects of underwater photography. The Micro 3.0 intends to get the user into the water and snapping highquality photos/videos quickly, without needing to spend much time at the surface preparing. For those looking to have more control over the individual settings, the included manual is concise but informative and explains what each of the available options will change in terms of the captured image, all jargon-free.

The compact design of the Micro 3.0 makes the camera easy to hold and function with one hand, with an ergonomic thumb grip, and navigating the menus underwater is made even easier thanks to the camera’s three piano key controls. Paired with the clear and easy-to-read menu on the back of the camera, these features helped massively when changing depths on our dives throughout the reef. I could adjust the exposure and white balance on the fly, leading to an assortment of consistent shots, at varying depths. The small dimensions of the camera makes it easy to clip onto your BCD or simply hang off your wrist with the included lanyard. For the most part, I had the Micro 3.0 attached to the SeaDragon Duo 5000 lights, which provided a significant boost to stability while still being a very compact rig overall.

SEALIFE MICRO 3.0 PRO DUO 5000 SET | SRP: £1,269

However, the increased stability from the SeaDragon set was not essential for capturing stable, sharp images. The Micro 3.0 comes with integrated image stabilising technology. While I feel the stabilisation lacks slightly in the Micro 3.0 compared to some action cameras you can find on the market, it is a nice addition and allows for impressive shots while being able to fit the camera in the pocket of your BCD. Setting the white balance to ‘external light’ when using the SeaDragon lights gave the best resulting images, with the most true-to-life representation of the subjects in the footage.

The extremely fast shutter speed was perfect for capturing the moment. Shoals of fast-moving fish are easily visible and sharp, and with the inclusion of burst capture when holding down the shutter button, capturing fast-moving, action-filled scenes is even easier. The fixed lens focuses from 15 inches and so for subjects you are intending on getting closer to, I would recommend the optional SeaLife Close Up Lens. Switching from photo to video is done with great ease as well - with the press of one of the piano keys, the Micro 3.0 will begin recording video instantly, ensuring you don’t miss a second of the action.

Transferring images from the camera itself to another device was, as with the rest of the camera’s functionality, a breeze! The Micro 3.0 offers both WiFi transfer and an included physical USB connector. The USB connection suited me perfectly as the internet reception at the dive resort was spotty, allowing me to spend the evenings looking back through the photos on my laptop, without having to wait to return to the UK to do so. The battery life on the Micro 3.0 is also very impressive - after joining me on at least three dives per day and reviewing the shots on the surface between dives, I’d come back in the evenings with plenty of charge to spare.

If, like me, you’re new to underwater photography, the SeaLife Micro 3.0 is a fantastic introduction. I had great fun using this camera, and from fiddling with various settings I felt I came away a more fine-tuned and better photographer, and this showed when comparing images from my first day of use to my last. Even if you aren’t new to the hobby, the camera is compact, very low maintenance, and easy to travel with all the while boasting an extremely impressive image/ video quality considering the price point. www.sealife-cameras.com

SHEARWATER RESEARCH SWIFT | SRP: £355

Mark Evans: Shearwater Research have always been at the forefront of technological advances when it comes to dive computers, and with the Swift, they have unleashed the next generation smart AI transmitter. Let’s talk details first. The Swift features a 3V CR2 user-replaceable battery (which provides up to 300 dive hours, or up to five years storage time) and is very compact – it measures just 76mm by 34mm - but it is depth-rated to 200m. More than enough for most divers. It also benefits from ‘no tools’ installation and removal, and features an LED status indicator for signals.

So, what makes the Swift different to previous transmitters? Well, as Shearwater explain, it uses an advanced collision avoidance system, featuring randomized transmit intervals, to ensure reliability even when using multiple Swift transmitters simultaneously. Basically, the Swift ‘listens’ for other transmitters and only transmits when it dictates that the channel is clear. In tests, Shearwater ran 20 transmitters in close proximity, without any issues! The Swift connects to all of Shearwater’s current air-integrated computers, so that’s the Teric, Perdix AI and the Nerd 2, but it is also compatible with many other dive computers already on the market from other brands. The latest firmware update to all Shearwater AI computers allows the gas pressure of up to four cylinders to be viewed simultaneously. I have used the Swift transmitter with a Perdix AI and a Teric, and I can confirm that the signal is very reliable. Even using my computer on the opposite wrist to the side the transmitter is mounted on my first stage, it never dropped out.

If you have never used an air-integrated computer, they make things so simple – you just glance at your wrist and

you can check your depth, dive time, no-deco limit and your gas level all in one fell swoop. It means you can get rid of a hose off your regulator set-up if such things really matter to you – I have a small SPG on my rig as well as the transmitter so I can cover for all eventualities, but that more dates back to the early transmitters which were, shall we say, prone to losing signal, and I preferred having a back-up SPG fitted so I didn’t have to abort my dive. These days, transmitters are far more reliable – particularly this Swift – so the back-up SPG is really not needed.

The Swift transmitter comes in a neat padded and zippered case, along with a handy Karabiner, and a dinky tool for when you have to change the battery. www.shearwater.com