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
APEKS OCEA | SRP: £509
The Ocea is the first of its kind – an environmentallyconscious regulator made from recycled materials and bioplastics, manufactured in a solar-powered facility. Based on the trusty XL4+, every single material and process was reconsidered to create the most eco-sensitive scuba diving regulator in the world. For instance, the leadfree brass can be endlessly recycled and it is stronger than standard brass. The Ocea is a truly game-changing regulator that removes five times its own weight in plastic from the environment, as each purchase funds the collection of 5kg of up-stream plastic waste (in collaboration with Plastic Bank). The compact machined first stage is based on the expedition-tested Apeks DS4 platform and has a unique over-balanced diaphragm design – as the diver descends, the over-balancing feature allows the medium pressure gas in the hose to increase at a faster rate than ambient. This results in superior performance at depth. It has two highpressure ports and four low-pressure ports. The lightweight second stage improves comfort and helps reduce jaw fatigue on long duration dives, and features a igh performance pneumatically balanced lever operated poppet valve, large, over moulded self-flushing and controllable purge button, and ergonomic Venturi lever that is easy to use and locate. The flexible nylon braided hose has better cold water performance than a traditional rubber hose, and it has the standard metallic hose connection for interchangeability. The comfo-bite mouthpiece has a unique bridge that fits across the upper palate and does not require bite pressure to stay in place, while re-useable mouthpiece clips make it simple to change mouthpieces in the field. www.apeksdiving.com/uk
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OTTER WATERSPORTS CHANGING MAT SRP: £25 Getting changed in a muddy car park or on a rocky/sandy beach can be a real pain, as you don’t want to be getting dirty while trying to get into normal clothes apresdive. Otter Watersports have had divers covered on this front with their innovative drysuit bags, which open up fully to make a handy changing mat. However, they realised many people didn’t want to be standing all over their drysuit bag, and getting the outside dirty before it goes back in the car. Enter the Otter changing mat. Made from nice, thick neoprene, the changing mat rolls up and is secured with a Velcro tab. Once opened up, it makes a decentsized square on which to stand while you change. The thick neoprene is well padded against a stony surface, and once it does get a bit grubby, it can be given a good wash. www.otterwatersports.uk
TECLINE PEANUT 16 ASYMMETRIC WING SRP: £514.50-£941.43 Tecline boasts an impressive selection of backplate-and-wings, but here we are focusing on the Peanut 16 Asymmetric – the name relates to the 16kg lift provided by the uniquely shaped bladder. As with many Tecline products, there are a plethora of options available, from three different travel sets (Travel Set Comfort £633.74, Travel Set Light £514.50 and Travel Set Ultra Light £514.50) through Kevlar variants with DIR harnesses (£625.24) to femalespecific Comfort sets (£763.50) and full-on Kevlar Comfort rigs (£941.43). There is a mesmerizing range of colourways too, including grey, red, camouflage, pink, pink camouflage, blue, black, and orange. Peanut wings – they come in 11kg and 21kg variants as well - are made with an internal PU-240 bladder and an external Cordura nylon 1000D or Kevlar layer. The DIR harness is simple one-piece webbing, but the Comfort harness has padded shoulder straps, adjustable pinch clips, etc. www.teclinediving.eu
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