California Diving News

Triple-L Altair IV BCD
The new Altair buoyancy compensator is simple and durable, excellent for those new to the sport, yet has many features that the serious experienced diver would appreciate. Most important feature of this BC is its surprisingly affordable price. It’s simple yet durable functioning also makes this a favorite among resorts and tour operators worldwide.

The Altair IV is CE Certified for quality. It is constructed of heavy duty 840 denier TPU nylon material and is accented with reflective tape for better visibility. A hard backpack with carrying handle is standard. For attaching accessories and organizing hoses, there are six hard plastic and three stainless steel d-rings. Air control is through a soft touch power inflator and two dump valves, one upper and one lower back. Big pockets are on each side for accessories. For tank attachment, two straps hold the assembly steady and solid. A chest strap further secures the BC to the body.

The Altair IV is easily adjustable for many sizes of divers and comes in a variety of sizes including XXL.

For more information, call 808-235-2537 or visit http://www.triple-l.net on the web.

Camera Shield
Camera Shield is a new and unique waterproof camera protection system that is low priced, easy to use and provides quality photos both around and under the water. The system includes the revolutionary Camera Shield underwater camera housing which has been tested to a depth of 145 feet and is certified to 100 feet and now comes with its own focus free removable camera with auto flash and auto film advance.

In hundreds of water sports activities, including diving, snorkeling, surfing and boating, Camera Shield will help bring home those special memories by providing the ability to shoot quality photos without spending hundreds of dollars on expensive underwater cameras. And it’s easy enough for a child to operate. Simply turn on the camera, lock the lid, point and shoot away. The 35mm Vivitar camera included with the system has been proven to last for years and is durable enough to take the punishment that outdoor enthusiasts dish out.

In addition, you can remove the camera, and, due to a unique adjustable shutter button, use Camera Shield in many of today’s digital and 35mm point and shoot, auto winding cameras. This means that you can use your own camera, even digital cameras, on and under the water.

Camera Shield is ideal for shooting photos in the snow, sand and dust as well. Camera Shield’s housing is made from clear polycarbonate plastic which makes it possible to see the “O” ring seal from the outside after the camera housing is closed, ensuring that it is sealed tight and the housing will not leak. The same material is used in making bulletproof glass, which makes Camera Shield strong enough to withstand the impact, if accidentally dropped. Foam inserts also absorb any unintentional shock to your camera and it floats.

Suggested retail price is $55 (without camera). With a price this low, Camera Shield opens the field of underwater photography to all, including the enthusiast on even the tightest of budgets.

For more information on the Camera Shield waterproof camera system, or to find a local retailer, visit their website at http://www.camerashield.biz.

Honest Phil™
When a scuba tank is filled too quickly, the rapidly moving air molecules heat up the tank. The increased temperature causes the pressure to be higher than it would be normally so your tank appears to be full. When it cools to room (or water) temperature, you may see a drop in pressure. This means that your tank was not filled to its rated capacity.

Until now, there was no simple way to know what pressure drop your tank might experience from a “hot” air fill as it cools. Honest Phil™ can tell ahead of time.

Honest Phil™ is an inexpensive, simple yet sophisticated “sticker” that affixes to the outside of your tank. Honest Phil™ has thermal-active ovals that turn clear as specific temperatures are approached or exceeded. This has two functions to promote proper filling techniques by alerting the filler to slow down the rate of airflow and if you did receive a hot air fill, the highest clear oval at time of filling is the approximate pressure drop to expect when tank cools to room temperature (70 degrees F). Please note that all indications are only valid at the time of, or immediately after filling a scuba tank. If the tank is filled too quickly and reaches its maximum rated pressure, it must not be overfilled. Never ask a fill station operator to overfill a scuba cylinder. A full tank of air often requires time.

Honest Phil™ uses thermal-active pigments that are safe, can be used over and over, and will not be damaged in saltwater (prolonged exposure to sunlight, however, will cause damage). The size of the tank that you put Honest Phil™ does not make a difference.

Models are available for tanks with different pressure ratings from 2250 p.s.i. through 3500 p.s.i. For more information and a list of dealers carrying the device, visit http://www.honestphil.net on the web.

BONICA — Underwater Cameras: excellence taken to great depth