GEAR TEST EXTRA

Mark Evans: There has often been talk about fighter-pilot-style head’s-up displays for divers, but for a long time, it was just that - talk. Then Oceanic launched the Datamask, which was marketed as a HUD mask, but was more an ‘eyes-down-to-theright’ mask, with a small screen mounted into the bottom righthand side of the mask, so you needed to angle your eyes down to the right to look at it.

Things went quiet in the world of HUD, until the launch of the innovative NERD by Shearwater Research. Originally designed for use with CCRs, a second-gen model was released that could be mounted on a second stage regulator. Thanks to clever technology and design, a small screen that was located in front of the right lens of the mask appeared as a much-larger display a couple of feet away when you focused on it, but when you looked ‘past it’, as it were, it all but disappeared. The NERD II was essentially the company’s Perdix AI in a smaller form, so it was a well-specced computer in its own right, but with the advantage of being a genuine head’s up display computer. The only downside was being mounted on the regulator - fine when you are shore-diving or off a hardboat, but if you are in a RIB and need to de-kit for reboarding, you didn’t really want to see your computer disappearing beneath a pile of cylinders.

Now mainstream manufacturer Scubapro has got in on the act, with the Galileo HUD dive computer. The Galileo series of computers was well received when they first came on the scene, and later generations - such as the G2, currently in our longterm test stable - were equally welcomed with open arms by the diving fraternity. So the functionality was there, Scubapro just decided to engineer that into a head’s-up display product.

Like the Shearwater Research NERD, the Galileo HUD features a small OLED screen suspended in front of your right eye, which when you focus on it, essentially becomes a larger screen in front of you because of the precision near-eye optics. When you look ‘past it’, it all but disappears from your line of sight. However, the big different here is that the Galileo HUD mounts directly on to the mask itself, not the regulator. Because of the way it attachs to the central section of the mask, it can literally be swung up and completely out of sight, if so desired. A series of spacers lets you align it from side to side in front of your eye easily.

The Galileo series were among the most-simple computers to navigate around the menus, thanks to the screen displaying what the buttons did at any given time, and with a push-wheel knob, the HUD is almost as straightforward. A short push takes you to the next stage in the menu while a long push takes you back a step (and it tells you this at the bottom of the display),

and by dialling the knob you can scroll up and down the menu. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of it and, because of a neat design, it is easy to operate even wearing thick neoprene gloves. It is not only easy to use, it is also very well-specced. It has four modes - scuba, gauge (for tech diving - it is depth-rated to over 390ft), apnea and CCR - and it has two algorithms to select from. You can go for the Predictive Multi-Gas Buhlmann ZH-L16 ADT MB PMG, or the ZH-L16 GF. The predictive algorithm programmes up to eight selectable gases, including nitrox and trimix, in scuba mode, plus two set points for CCR diving. To further personalise its functionality, you can incorporate microbubble levels and Profile Dependent Intermediate Stops (PDIS) into the algorithm. Via hoseless air integration with a transmitter, the HUD can monitor your tank pressure, and also show your true remaining bottom time (RBT).

The Galileo HUD also features a 3D full-tilt digital compass, which allows you to store three pre-programmed headings, and the 2GB memory means it can store 10,000 hours of dive profiles, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of space! When you do want to download your logbook, you can do this either using a USB cable or wirelessly via Bluetooth.

You never have to worry about running out of battery, either, as the HUD has a rechargeable battery, and fully charged, this will give you some 20 hours of dive time.

A compatible mask mount is included in the box, and several existing Scubapro masks can be retro-fitted to hold the Galileo HUD, such as the Zoom Evo that came for the test. The brand-new D Mask has been designed from the outset to work with the HUD. However, the HUD will also work on many other brands of mask, so you might not have to dump your ‘oldfaithful’ to be able to wear the computer.

So what is it like in use? Well, first off, it is very lightweight, and while visually it might look quite large sat on top of the mask, in reality you hardly notice it is there, especially once you are in the water. There is no real drag or heavy feeling.

It was quite handy being able to swing the HUD completely up and out of the way. When it is in place, it isn’t too noticeable, until you want to read your computer, but when I was taking photographs, I sometimes found it was easier to do this with the HUD flipped up out of the way .

I had no trouble using the control knob to dial through the menu. It is a decent size, and I had zero issues finding and using it wearing 3mm gloves, 5mm gloves and even drygloves with a thick under-glove. As stated before, it is relatively simple to get to grips with the HUD, and the screen display is very clear - all I had to do was raise my view point slightly and then the computer screen came into sight. This was literally a slight tilt of my eyes upwards.

All of the prominent information is well displayed in the default setting. You can tweak the layout but I actually found the default setting was perfect for me. The green digits appeared nice and bright underwater and on the surface, and I liked how warnings came in orange and red - for instance, as you ascend, a green line extends up the side, but if you go too quickly, it goes orange, and if you continue to accelerate towards the surface, it goes red. No way you will miss that! I think that the NERD II had the edge in terms of sharpness of screen display, but the HUD is still very easy to see, and easy to control/use, and I like how it is actually mounted on your mask rather than on your reg. You can detach it quickly and easily from the mask, and it comes in a neat case along with the charging cable, transmitter (if you opt for the full set) and mask mount. n

Mark Evans: xDeep is a Polish brand which has cemented a reputation in the diving world - especially among technical divers - for producing some of the most-robust, well-built diving equipment out there. The company’s range of wings - for single cylinder, doubles and sidemount - have constantly garnered rave reviews, as have the xDeep mask and fins, and the soon-to-be-released regulators are set to do the same. The NX Zen backplate-and-wing has some

design details that sets it apart from the competition, not to mention the undoubtedly solid build quality and superior materials.

For instance, that eye-catching backplate is not just a work of art in itself, it is that shape and design for a reason - xDeep have sought to achieve better weight distribution, removing some of the load from the lumbar region. A 3D-mesh pad on the upper part of the

backplate ensures it is comfortable even if you are just wearing a rash guard.

That backplate design also comes into play when you are putting the rig on and off. xDeep reckon that when the harness is unfastened, the shoulder straps are some 20 per cent longer than they would be on a classic harness. When you tighten up the waist strap, it pulls the shoulder straps snugly down, bringing the whole BCD close to your body. Another advantage of this is that there is no need to faff with your harness when swapping from wetsuit to drysuit. The NX series is also equipped with an innovative V-shaped crotch-strap. xDeep say the V-shape is more comfortable than the single-strap design, and with dual cargo D-rings mounted on either side, it is easier to attach and detach clipped-off gear.

The double-shell Cordura wing has been designed with a narrow shape, so it nestles either side of your cylinder. This not only reduces drag, but aids the user’s buoyancy control. Despite its compact dimensions, it still generates nearly 42lb of lift. Then there is the location of the power inflator hose. Instead of being mounted over the left shoulder as is

the norm, this one comes out from the top centre of the bladder. This means that it can be routed over either shoulder if you so wish, but more importantly is ultrastreamlined to reduce resistance as you glide through the water. This central location also aids with trim position, as when gas is injected, it is distributed evenly to both side of the wing.

I had been looking forward to getting this unit after briefly trying one in the Bahamas last year, and it did not disappoint. It is very comfortable and performs well, but perhaps most importantly, it looks the business. Look at the construction of that backplate, for instance - it is like a piece of modern art. You could hang that on your wall as a discussion piece. The workmanship is simply second to none.

The xDeep NX Zen has some nice accessories that can be fitted if you so desire. We got the integrated weight system, which neatly attaches to the backplate for security and slots over the waist webbing strap. I hate wearing weightbelts, and only need a couple of pounds when in warmer waters anyway, so compact pockets like these are perfect. They come in various sizes, and you can get non-dumpable trim pockets too, so this would cover you for temperate water diving in a drysuit as well.

If down the line you venture into the world of technical diving, just swap out the wing for a larger unit and you can use your NX Zen backplate and harness with doubles.

You will see the ‘European made’ slogan several times on the NX Zen, and the team at xDeep are justifiably proud that their robust and well-constructed products are made in their native Poland and not farmed out to some cheap factory in the Far East. The feeling of high quality is hard to ignore or mistake.

The NX Zen is named for a reason - that feeling of being ‘at one’ with the world that diving brings. I have to say it is one of the most-comfortable backplateand-wings I have dived, and I was truly impressed by the almost over-engineered construction of the harness, backplate and bladder. It effortlessly holds you in a solid trim position while diving, yet once on the surface it maintains a stable upright position. Take my advice and put a little ‘Zen’ into your dive life . n

NEW GALILEO ® HUD ™ HANDS-FREE COMPUTER

Introducing the revolutionary mask-mounted, hands-free dive computer with a virtual, fl oating heads-up display, giving you more freedom to experience your dive.

scubapro.com