(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best diving & snorkeling equipment

Ebay and craigslist are both good points to start.

Scuba gear is pretty rugged. So if people just look out a little bit for it, it will last for years without failing.

Honestly the wetsuit I'd buy new in a shop. Those things really need to fit and even with a size chart nothing beats just trying them on preferably with someone more knowledgeable looking over your shoulder.

SPGs are usually sold with the regulator. Tanks and weights are the very last thing you'll need. Computers are probably the easiest things to buy. I'll paste an old comment of mine below.

BCD is a different risk since you don't really know what you'll like so the chances are not bad you'll buy at least twice. If you ask on this subreddit here everyone and their dog will tell you to go "bp/w". Which is honestly a good recommendation but it can be a bit overwhelming to get into that topic.

Here's how I would (and did ) aproach this: Just check ebay every now and then. If you see something that might look like something do your homework. Google that shit. Read reviews. Look at the images of the listing and compare to the images that you'll find when googling it. Youtube is actually a pretty good source of gear reviews. So is scubaboard.

Happy hunting!

​

Regarding computers:

The good, first dive computers that are generally thrown around for little money are

• Cressi Leonardo or Giotto
  
• Mares Puck Pro+
  
• AquaLung i300
  
• Suunto Zoop Novo
  
  The differences are VERY small. You can't really go wrong with any of those. Just look for a good offer or buy one used.

I prefer a pointy knife, I use it when spearfishing. I've had one of these for about a year and a half now. It's been great, the finish is still perfect, it's strong, and the sheath/straps work great.

I'd also recommend carrying some shears in addition to the knife if you don't already (the EMT type). They're great for cutting line, much safer and easier than a knife.

I have this, the sheath is great, I have it strapped to my BC. The shears have held up fine and are cheap to replace if they get messed up.

You can get diver's belt weights from Amazon or any dive supply shop. They are plastic-encased lead weights that are designed to slip over a belt to weigh you down, so you sink faster. They also fit perfectly on guitar straps. Put one on the heel end of your strap and it balances the weight of the guitar perfectly. The 1lb ones are the right weight and the vinyl coating won't scratch your guitar:

https://www.amazon.com/Sea-Pearls-Vinyl-Coated-Weights/dp/B00355GKYW/

Alternatively, a wireless guitar unit with a strap pouch accomplishes the same thing AND gives you freedom of movement:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BeltpackHold

I like these kits from cressi. Cressi Scuba Diving Snorkeling Freediving Mask Snorkel Set, Clear Transparent https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CILSU78/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_RdL4AbYNDM2VK

There’s better but those are good enough to dive so very much good enough to snorkel.

Advice: use a lighter and burn the glass deep black then clean before your first day on the water to prevent fogging

I've taken 4 drives on a flight once. basically yes, this is your best option if you trust yourself more than strangers. buy a pelican case, get anti static bags, make sure it has foam padding inside, and fits in the carry-on dimensions

https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1450-001-110-1450-Carrying-Multipurpose/dp/B0090XXY92

This case looks pretty nice also

I'm in South Florida, near Lauderdale. Here it's an 8 month season from August 6 through March 31. Regs here are 6 per person per day, except mini season (the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday in July) which lets you get up to 12 per person per day for those two days....unless you're in Monroe County or Biscayne National Park and then it's till 6 per person per day there too.

The Current FWC Rules:

1. Unless exempt, a recreational saltwater fishing license and a lobster permit are required to harvest spiny lobster
   
   
2. Lobster must be landed in whole condition. Separating the tail from the body is prohibited in state waters.
   
   
3. The harvest or possession of eggbearing spiny lobster, or any other eggbearing species of lobster belonging to the families Palinuridae (spiny lobsters), Scyllaridae (slipper lobsters) or Synaxidae (furry lobsters) is prohibited
   
   
4. No person shall harvest or attempt to harvest spiny lobster using any device which will or could puncture, penetrate or crush the exoskeleton (shell) or the flesh of the lobster
   Recreational trapping prohibited
   
   
5. Regardless of what species you are fishing for, bag limits are only for properly licensed individuals and those people exempt from license requirements who are actively harvesting. People harvesting may not exceed their individual bag limit and take someone else's bag limit. That is, people (including children) who are not actively harvesting or are not properly licensed (if a license is required) may NOT be counted for purposes of bag limits.
   
   
   
   As for catching them, I generally use the green lobster snare....works better than anything I've used before and it locks in place when you pull it tight so it's easy to grab the lobster without having it escape.
   
   Cooking them....I like grilling them up the best; the leftovers are amazing chopped up and used in pasta.

Stop. Never force anything with a fountain pen.

Sounds like you need some silicone grease, available from pretty much every fountain pen retailer. I use this and it's pretty much enough for a whole lifetime. Be careful with hardware store silicone greases and stuff because it might not be the right thing--if you don't know what to get, order it from a fountain pen retailer.

Anyways, get the grease first. Then you can unscrew the 618 piston mechanism from the pen by not pulling out the clutch knob. Lubricate the piston and put it back together.

Edit: wait a second--your Wing Sung might have come with a little tube/converter full of a clear grease. That's silicone grease and you can use that if you still have it.

Globetrotter by Akona https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M32S1J5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XePHAb9C1PSVW

Akona PRO Regulator Bag https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I14IOKA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_egPHAbWR9V1XK

I use these. I can fit:
-2.5mm wetsuit
-27lbs Lift, plate and wing style BC
-reg bag fits in there, I put mine at the bottom and it was fine.
-I but my comp in a DGX comp bag in the reg bag
-3mm? Neoprene shorts
-2 lights(check airlines battery policy)
-booties
-2 or 3 wrist gauges
-fins attach to the side
-mask

I think there might have been a couple other small things as well. I was able to carry this onto the plane easily. I had to take a couple things out at security, but they didn’t have a problem with it.

I’d highly recommend both of these products.

As for camera, I’m a rookie and use a Gopro, so I’m not sure about that.

Ahh yeah I know what ya mean. It’s been an issue for me too, but I manage to get around that issue by using anti-fog products. I’ve linked one of the products I use below. It helps a TON. I don’t get any fog after applying it and is usually good for an entire day.

500 PSI Mask Defogger with... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JPJIH4?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Buying new:

Zoop = 200

SPG = 60

Compass = 25

Total = 285

-

AI comp = 370

-

I got my SPG second hand for about 30 USD, don't think there's a second hand market for computers or compasses though. Maybe the AI console could be had cheaper second hand. I'd need to refresh myself on what components degrade in what ways.

I always get a chuckle when I see Macs with cases like these. I also like protection, but I have one of these and also one of these. I like both, but for you of course, I recommend the latter. Pelican also has thinner laptop cases as well like this guy. You could forget the crazy cover, and actually get something crushproof and waterproof for your Mac, and it will still fit in a backpack (my 1470 case fits in a standard Army assault pack)

I bought an Xterra mens Large Volt wetsuit on Amazon for a good price. I'm 6'4" and 182lbs and it fits great on me - used it at a HIM and Full IM

I've seen many ideas suggested when I was looking this up for my own solo beach trip. Here are some of the common ideas:

• Burry it, then put your towel on top to mark the spot, not helpful if people see you do this though. Here is a product that isn't yet on the market but made headlines this week: http://mashable.com/2016/06/16/beach-vault-keep-valuables-safe-summer/#Auf0yOGvt5qs
  
• Ask other people to watch...again not that helpful.
  
• Hide it in trees, rocks, etc again YMMV.
  
• Get a dry bag, although this isn't 100% and it floats behind you, so if you like to swim under water not helpful. I got this one but have yet to use it. I do recommend getting one with a shoulder strap. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XK8HCRS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• Get a waterproof case or dry box. I got this one but haven't used it yet either: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BJAPMSK/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
  
• Go low tech and put your things in what appears to be a dirty diaper or trash. Doesn't work if people try to help clean the beach and put your things in the trash.

Pocket knives are a lot like watches, people don't notice them and if they do they're usually fans. In the past seven-ish years of carrying a pocket knife I've had maybe two people say something: one was a security guard telling me "no" and the other was a girl who noticed my grass green Paramilitary 2 against my dark blue jeans pocket. In my experience, if you don't look like a tacticool 2a guy wearing a "Protected by Glock" tee, people won't be squeamish about you carrying a knife.

Also, there are different knives. People are going to react differently to this knife than that knife.

This product allows for easier breathing underwater while snorkeling

---

This product is the Tribord Easybreath Full Face snorkeling mask, but there are many other companies that make similar products for different price points

Tribord: Amazon, $49-$110

Decathlon Subea: Website, £24.99

Seaview 180° Snorkel Mask: Amazon, $79.99

EpicGadget Snorkel Mask: Walmart, $38.99

MIDRY Pro Snorkeling Mask: Amazon, $39.97

Hugehard Snorkel Mask: Amazon, $29.99

Ocean Reef Divers Full Face Mask: Amazon, $585.00 - $643.00

Copy pasted for sticky comment from /u/liamkr Thank you!

I usually pack all my stuff in a carryon, though my kit is optimized for that kind of silliness, and I don't pack a drysuit.

That being said, I'd say you could check the suits, fins, masks, BCDs etc with very little fear of damage, but do carry-on your regulators, computers and underwater cameras if you can. I use an Akona Pro regulator bag for my regs, console and computers - it's well worth the $40 (even if the velcro straps inside are pretty much useless).

I have a Cressi snorkel set I got on Amazon for ~$40 that I've been very happy with.

​

Edit: this is the one I have: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CILSU78/ref=twister_B07CHZMHL7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Do you need to be able to use the phone while out there? There are some relatively inexpensive dive boxes that'd work great. I use one myself out on the ocean.

Scuba Choice Scuba Diving Dive Waterproof Orange Dry Box Case Container with Lanyard https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJAPMSK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Nu3DzbK043GM2

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

amazon

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^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

I don't know much about airsoft, but I am a scuba diver. Have you tried using defog on your goggles? You can buy it at any local dive shop for like $5 and it lasts forever.

EDIT: Here's some on Amazon for $10. You can get it on scuba.com for a bit less.

Check this out:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00PDE1TO4/ref=pd_aw_sbs_468_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=51Rt8ABKbhL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL100_SR100%2C100_&refRID=146QJ921VVX8BMJR2MGE

Its an anti-fog spray that works pretty well.

Spyderco Domino/Dice is a good choice if you want a fliper. The Domino does come in CTS-204P, but just over your price range by 15 bucks or so.

I hear good things about the Boker Plus Vox F3.

Or wait for some of the upcoming Zero Tolerance knives - http://zt.kaiusaltd.com/knives?newF=746

I play on vga monitors. Prefer it much more than to big tvs where you're feet away. I use this converter and have never noticed input lag and I mostly play pvp games. Sitting on a 1.5kd in Destiny 2's trials.

I use jaws quick spit, it's made for scuba divers. works perfectly

Edit: Link

I got these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00374FAUQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

​

As mentioned elsewhere, the best thing to do is to warm the headset up first - the fog is caused by the lenses being cold vs your face being hot which causes any moisture like from your eyes to condense on the lenses. Try putting the headset on your head but over your forehead instread of your eyes for 5 minutes then wipe with the wipes I linked and see how you get on.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B01IFXYV08/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1494513438&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=xterra+wetsuit&dpPl=1&dpID=51nlQN40AeL&ref=plSrch

This is a pretty goo deal on an xterra volt I just invested in, shipped 4 days before it said it would too.

I'm not sure about the differences between triathlon and surfing wetsuits. The first thing that comes to mind is how hard it would be to take off quickly, which is accounted for in tri wetsuits. It looks like the Patagonia has a front-zip though, so I'm sure it wouldn't be hard.

Maybe a dive knife? More than you want to spend, but I use this with a blunt tip in blue. In hindsight, I would recommend a different color.

I've found Jaws Quick Spit to be the best option i've evr tried. It works consistently, and for 3-4 practices and if it stops working you just reapply. One bottle typically lasts me a single season, going from August to March.
https://www.amazon.com/Jaws-Quick-Spit-Antifog-Spray/dp/B00PDE1TO4

I bought some anti-fog dewalt goggles that immediately fogged up when I work them. The next step is to try those anti-fog sprays. Has anyone here tried those yet? Apparently, they are used for diving/snorkeling. If it's anything like Rain-X anti-fog for windshields, then I would expect it to work for a few weeks and then become completely unusable and blurry until you clean it off and reapply it.

https://www.amazon.com/Pelican-1470-Laptop-Case-Foam/dp/B000VZKEWS

That's the one I ordered many years ago. However, there are a bunch of different sizes for different collections. It comes with the locking key mechanism on either side. I used to have 8 separated decks in there, but I recently took out the separations to make it 10 decks.

It works well for my uses. I have never had to worry about my collection when it's in this thing. Yes it's likely more expensive than anything that this reviewer has looked at, but it's payed for itself many times over by the protection and identification it has supplied to my most expensive cards. I wouldn't go with any other method.

Update: I ordered this adapter and it seems to be working!
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B016HL49OS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks!

So I used my first wipe. I tried out these earlier - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00374FAUQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Last night I rubbed it on my Visor and my Glasses. Before the game (using the same wipe from the previous night, I kept it in a ziplock sandwich baggie that sealed) I applied it again. I had very minor fogging in the 3rd period but that was when I was off the ice and on the bench, probably due to my heavy mouth breathing. A quick squirt from my water bottle, restored it. My glasses didn't fog once, just some very minor fogging by the lower part of the visor near my mouth area. I'm gonna apply every game and bring extra wipes in my bag and bring one or two to the bench. i keep my cage in my bag with a screwdriver as well, just in case.

> the actual cost is about $120 per year per cop to store the videos.

Even if it was double the cost of what I had pointed out, your statement still proves that it's easily affordable to do. Compared to the costs of a multi-million dollar lawsuit pay out that may happen every few years or so, it's costs are negligible in comparison.

You don't need an ISP to move data, there are data transport / secure storage / secure destruction companies such as Iron Mountain and that is their bread and butter. There is competition in that sector which also drives the price down too.

Let's use /r/ioncloud9's figures of 12TB every 60 days. At that level, you don't use an ISP, you use rack mounted removable hard drives OR a removable network attached storage (NAS) device and transport that in a rotation schedule.

Pull the drives that are mounted in their drive sleds and put that into an anti-static bag, that goes into a waterproof Pelican hardened travel case designed for hard drives which has high density foam slots sized for the drive and sled, it's locked and sealed.

On a schedule, the Iron Mountain van / truck shows up, signs for the case and then they take it to their data center and offload the data on the drives to their secure data storage pods. The drives are returned and the police IT department wipes the drives and sets them back in to the rotation for further use.

Professional IT people do this all the time, its a common industry accepted practice.



"Never underestimate the bandwidth of a station wagon full of tapes hurtling down the highway.".

--Andrew S. Tanenbaum, (1989). Computer Networks 4th ed., p. 91




"Imagine a company with two offices in different cities, perhaps even in different countries. Each office has a 100 megabit internet connection. If the company needs to send a large amount of data from one office to the other, theoretically a 100 megabit connection can muster about 45 gigabyte in one hour if there are no bottlenecks on the way. This ends up being just over one terabyte of data in 24 hours.

In other words, for anything larger than one terabyte, it would be faster for this company to just send the data on disks for over-night delivery."

--Royal Pingdom, April 11, 2007




In 2015 Amazon Web Services launched Amazon Snowball, a 50 lb (23 kg), 50 TB device for transporting data to the AWS cloud.

Amazon's turn key solution is so simple.

"Sneakernet will never die."

--ComputerSavvy, September 11, 2016.

No ISP needed, cheap, secure and efficient. With today's technology and services that are available which I linked to above, there is absolutely no excuse that holds up to the scrutiny of an informed public.

I still stand by my original statement that the police are using perceived costs as a smoke screen to hide the fact from people who don't know how cheap it is to store and transport data at the professional level.

The police don't want 100% accountability which the cameras and microphones deliver, the camera never blinks and does not lie in court and the last thing you want is legal proof that you just violated a citizen's rights in full HD up on a big screen TV in front of a jury.

Use this product at your own risk, but some have said that this will help with anti-fog. Im not sure if that includes moisture from your face, and not only breath etc.

I say "use at your own risk", because Oculus advises not to use chemicals on the lenses. However, I asked on a few outlets, and no one has truly bet against the product. Im still debating it myself, especially before I test it on my inevitable Quest purchase.

Edit: Forgot the link: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Add-Water-Quick-Antifog/dp/B00PDE1TO4
(This is not an affiliate link...and im sure other products may work just as well)

This product allows for easier breathing underwater while snorkeling

---

This product is the Tribord Easybreath Full Face snorkeling mask, but there are many other companies that make similar products for different price points

Tribord: Amazon, $49-$110

Decathlon Subea: Website, £24.99

Seaview 180° Snorkel Mask: Amazon, $79.99

EpicGadget Snorkel Mask: Walmart, $38.99

MIDRY Pro Snorkeling Mask: Amazon, $39.97

Hugehard Snorkel Mask: Amazon, $29.99

Ocean Reef Divers Full Face Mask: Amazon, $585.00 - $643.00

Kinda looks like this Lobster Snare

I can't keep my glasses properly on my face when I'm just sitting at my desk, so no. I wear contacts when running. Why not get a pair of sports sunglasses that you can switch out the lenses (clear for night/low light) and wear those with your contact to protect your eyes? They tend to be built with holes in the frame to reduce chance of fogging. There's also some anti-fog spray out there that might work on your glasses. This is one brand. I've only used it in snorkeling masks, though, and I don't know if it might mess up your lenses if you have any kind of anti-glare on them.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00HW72PV6/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1481212882&sr=1-1&m=A3AWEBCRE0XC7T&refinements=p_4%3ASuunto&pi=SY200_QL40&dpPl=1&dpID=51NzobxvmCL&ref=plSrch

Sorry for the link quality, but that's what my LDS has going on. Can also get the download kit for not too bad either.

Yes, there will be some long term degradation of the rubber if you use petroleum jelly. Try and find some silicone grease instead. Something like this should work: https://www.amazon.com/Trident-Silicone-Grease-Jar/dp/B00V2G2BWQ

Loop a 1lb diving weight through the bridge end of your strap. Your guitar is neck-heavy, so adding weight to the bridge end will correct the problem.

If you want a more permanent solution, talk to a luthier about moving the strap buttons. Attaching the strap in a different place will shift the centre of gravity without adding weight.

The new protester mask: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K3Q18YC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_dycyzb3XMVVED

Maybe some Antifog Spray?

http://www.amazon.com/Jaws-Quick-Spit-Antifog-Spray/dp/B00PDE1TO4

or:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rain-X-Anti-Fog-3.5oz-Bottle/16889024

Jaws Quick Spit, https://www.amazon.com/Just-Add-Water-Quick-Antifog/dp/B00PDE1TO4

I swim 5-7x a week and use Speedo Vanquisher 2s - they last about a year, give or take 6 months. I started using Jaws No-fog and that helped immensely.

or you can spit on it. I'm not kidding.

You can use the old divers trick. My goggles used to fog up when I went snorkeling so you just rub some spit on it and it stops it from fogging. You can even buy "spit" if you think this is disgusting http://www.amazon.com/Jaws-Quick-Spit-Antifog-Spray/dp/B00PDE1TO4

Different strokes for different folks. I've needed eyewear almost my entire life and generally find contacts too fussy and annoying. The last thing I want to do after hiking all day is mess with contacts, I'd rather just put my glasses in a case and be done with it. Basically the only thing I used contacts for was swimming.

For what it's worth, anti-fog spray is a thing and works pretty well. I use croakies to keep my glasses from slipping off my face when sweaty. Zenni Optical sells cheap prescription glasses so you don't have to feel too bad if a pair breaks on you. I usually wear a pair with a backup and a pair of prescription sunglasses.

Is this for business or for personal? If money is no object and the drives themselves contain unreplaceable data I'd ship them in a Pelican case.

Amazon

This is the one I use, you can actually keep the glasses on while wearing a dust mask or respirator without having the wipe them off every minute.

It smells a bit, but isn't as strong as PVC glue. Just put a little drop onto the glasses, I think one spray is meant for a large ski goggle or motorcycle visor.