Test Extra

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

TECLINE TECLIGHT | SRP: £688.57

Mark Evans: I have dived with and used many different types of dive light over the past couple of decades, and they’ve all had their pros and cons, but I have to say that the Tecline TecLight is one of the best all-round I have seen in a long time.

What I particularly liked was the practicality and ease of use of the head unit. Rather than being a lamp head plonked on top of a separate Goodman handle, the TecLight has a sleek unit which incorporates the light head itself and the Goodman handle. This sits comfortably on the back of your hand, and the handle can be adjusted quickly and easily for a good fit regardless of whether you are diving bare-handed, in neoprene gloves, or even in drygloves. There is also a circular hole titled DPV, which on questioning Tecline is designed so that you can slip the lamp head off your left hand and slot your right thumb into this hole to securely hold the light while your left hand is occupied – say you are checking your gas supply.

Turning on the light, and cycling through the different modes, is simplicity itself – there is a large push button on the back of the lamp head which is easy to operate whatever exposure protection

you have on your hands. One push turns it on, and then each push cycles to the next mode. Press and hold and the light goes off. The different modes are also a stand out from the crowd. Rather than just having low, medium and high settings from the same LED(s), the TecLight has what Tecline call three operating modes – communication, video, and combined (communication and video).

What this means is that when in communication mode, the central XML2 CREE spotlight is on, which has a beam angle of 6 degrees and pumps out 1,300 lumen. This has a burn time of seven hours, and it penetrated into the gloom of a typical

British quarry with ease. Obviously, a bright, narrow beam such as this is ideal for attracting your buddy’s attention, hence the mode title. In video mode, the seven XPG2 CREE LEDs that are arrayed around the outside of the main lens come into play, and pump out 2,600 lumens with a 120 degree spread. This effectively gives a soft halo with a light temperature of 6,500K, which is perfect for lighting up video and still photography subjects without any hotspots. The burn time in this mode is two hours and 30 minutes.

Finally, there is the combined mode, which as the name suggests, brings both the communication and videos modes into play at the same time. So you have the 120 degree halo beam of 2,600 lumens from the seven outside LEDs, as well as the 6 degree spotlight at 1,300 lumens from the central XML2 LED. This mode has a burn time of one hour and fifty minutes. Recharging time for the Tecline battery pack is two hours and thirty minutes. However, it is worth noting that the TecLight is fully compatible with the

Ammonite System batteries if you decided you need extended burn time across all three modes, or wanting to combine using the light with a heated undersuit.

Rather than just having low, medium and high settings from the same LED(s), the TecLight has what Tecline call three operating modes – communication, video, and combined

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

TECLINE TECLIGHT | SRP: £688.57

The Tecline TecLight is made from anodised aluminium and Delrin, and has a durable, quality feel to it. It is depth-rated to 150m, but has been tested to 200m, which is more than enough for the vasy majority of tech divers.

The TecLight is also travel-friendly. It weighs in at only 1kg for both the lamp head and the battery, and as 75Wh Li-Ion batteries are commonly accepted by commercial airlines as hand luggage, it can venture off on your next foreign jaunt without taking too much valuable luggage space.

There is also a dedicated sidemount set-up for the TekLight, which has a 1.5-metre cable instead of the stand 1.2-metre cable, which is £734.86. However, while this may be the ideal rig for sidemount diving, fellow tester Richard was diving in sidemount and was using a standard TecLight without any major issues caused by the slightly shorter cable, so it is feasible to use the ‘normal’ model for all kinds of diving. www.teclinediving.eu

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

OTTER PONCHO | SRP: £95

Mark Evans: Never let it be said that dive manufacturers don’t listen to their customers… well, ok, perhaps not always, but in the case of Otter Watersports, a definite ‘yes’. Otter supremo John Womack had been asked many times for an Otter ‘poncho’ – you know the sort of thing made insanely popular by all these open-water swimmers and surf types – and now he has delivered just that.

The Otter poncho is the perfect garment to chuck on to keep your core temperature up pre-dive and post-dive. Pop it on over your drysuit or wetsuit, or even over your swimsuit if you are very brave. The hand warmer pockets are deep and toasty, and the zippered pocket on the chest is the ideal size to slot your phone in and keep safe.

The oversized hood, complete with drawstrings to keep it snug, further helps to retain your warmth on a chilly day.

It might be designed with divers in mind, but it is also great for putting on over your muddy clothes at the end of a winter’s day of mountain biking, so you don’t get the interior of your car clogged with grunge. I have also taken to keeping it on the RIB when we head out to sea, as it is great to throw on if the temperature drops a bit. The Otter poncho comes in at around 2kg, and can be packed up quite small, so it doesn’t take up a huge amount of space in your bag.

It isn’t a DryRobe – these have an immensely fluffy inner lining and are much, much bulkier (as well as being more expensive) – and is more in line with the Fourth Element Storm poncho and their new Tidal robe. The Otter poncho comes in a selection of colours – black, grey, navy blue and red – in three sizes: medium, large and extra-large. You can then choose a short zip version, or a full zip. www.otterwatersports.uk

DORSET

DORSET DIVING SERVICES

t: 01202 122006 e: info@dorsetdiving.co.uk a: 25A Ringwood Road, Poole, Dorset, BH14 0RF 5 Star PADI Dive Centre offering PADI Courses, Kit Sales, Servicing, Air Nitrox and Trimix Fills. In house IDEST test station and workshop for on site repairs. www.dorsetdiving.co.uk

UNDERWATER EXPLORERS

t: 01305 824555 e: info@underwaterexplorers.co.uk a: Unit 1, Maritime Business Centre, Mereside, Portland, Dorset, DT5 1FD Leading Dorset dive centre stocking all major brands, air, nitrox, trimix fills, rentals and servicing beside Portland Marina and across from Chesil Beach. www.underwaterexplorers.co.uk

ESSEX

BESPOKE SCUBA DIVING LIMITED

t: 01708 837032 e: contact@bespokescubadiving.co.uk a: Becontree Heath Leisure Centre, Althorne Way, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 7FH Our mission is to provide quality & professional scuba training in a relaxed friendly environment. www.bespokescubadiving.co.uk

BLACK WATER DIVING

t: 07841 561680 e: info@blackwaterdiving.co.uk a: 18 Lower Park Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 4NA PADI Dive training focussed on beginners. Try Scuba Diving for £20. Private swimming pools. Learn to scuba dive with 1:1 instruction at Blackwater Diving. www.blackwaterdiving.co.uk

DIVERSE SCUBA

t: 01375 892444 e: info@diverse-scuba.co.uk a: Ye Old Plough House Motel, Brentwood Road, Bulphan, Essex, RM14 3SR Diverse Scuba are one of the leading 5 STAR PADI IDC dive centres in the UK providing scuba diving courses and services to the Essex region. www.diverse-scuba.co.uk

ORCA SCUBA DIVING ACADEMY

t: 01268 520111 e: info@orcascubadivingacademy.co.uk a: 17 Repton Close, Burnt Mills Estate, Basildon, Essex, SS13 1LN Established in 2007 the Academy a vision of Gary to deliver the very best Scuba Diving School in Essex. www.orcascubadivingacademy.co.uk

KENT

BLUE OCEAN DIVING

t: 01622 212022 e: scuba@blueoceandiving.co.uk a: West Park Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME15 7AF 5* PADI scuba diving courses and training, organised diving trips and events, scuba equipment and friendly advice based in Maidstone. www.blueoceandiving.co.uk

KENT

KENT TOOLING DIVING PRODUCTS

t: 01227 700374 e: sales@divingproducts.co.uk a: Windgates, Church Lane, Waltham, Near Canterbury, Kent, CT4 5SS Kent Tooling Diving Products produce the widest range of rebreather and diving supplies and accessories in Kent and the UK. www.divingproducts.co.uk

HARROGATE

DIVESHACK UK

t: 07779 605863 | e: tim@diveshack.uk.com a: 17 Station Parade, Harrogate, HG1 1UF Harrogates number 1 dive store. www.diveshack.uk.com

LANCASHIRE

CAPERNWRAY DIVING AND LEISURE LTD

e: info@dive-site.co.uk a: Jackdaw Quarry, Capernwray Road, Over Kellet, Lancashire, LA6 1AD The UK’s finest inland dive site... Welcome to Capernwray, the beautiful diving venue on the edge of the Lake District. www.dive-site.co.uk

EAST LANCS DIVING

e: info@eastlancsdiving.co.uk a: Daisyfield Pool, Daisy Ln, Blackburn, BB1 5HB East Lancashire’s only PADI approved Dive Centre - Undertaking all PADI courses and Specialities from Try Dive to Professional. www.eastlancsdiving.co.uk

LEICESTERSHIRE

SCUBA 2000 (LEICESTER)

t: 07724 412161 | e: info@scuba2000.org.uk a: Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre, 50 Duns Lane, Leicester, LE3 5LX Learn to dive or build confidence, experience and skills. Family-friendly, small groups (2:1) and a ‘no-rush’ approach. 1:1 coaching available. www.scuba2000.co.uk

MILTON KEYNES

MK SCUBA DIVING

t: 07957 710334 e: contact@mkscubadiving.co.uk a: Unit 50A, I-Centre, Howard Way, Newport Pagnell, Milton Keynes, MK16 9PY Friendly, professional and patient PADI, SDI and TDI scuba instructors, we proudly offer you high quality service, equipment and facilities. www.mkscubadiving.co.uk

NORWICH

CHRISTAL SEAS SCUBA LTD

t: 01603 485000 e: info@scuba4me.co.uk a: 62 Whiffler Road, Norwich, NR3 2AY We are Norfolk’s Premier dive centre with our own on-site swimming pool and well stocked shop with the latest equipment. www.scuba4me.co.uk

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

GO DIVE

t: 01332 665353 e: sales@godive.net a: Nottingham Road, Spondon, Derby, DE21 7NP Take your diving to the next level with GoDive, the UK’s first fourth element concept store. Start shopping with us today! www.godive.net

PLYMOUTH

AQUANAUTS

t: 01752 228825 e: info@aquanauts.co.uk a: 88 Vauxhall Street, The Barbican, Plymouth, PL4 0EY Waterfront full service centre with direct access to the best wreck and reef diving the UK has to offer. www.aquanauts.co.uk

ROTHERHAM

DREAM DIVERS LTD

t: 07976 526050 e: info@dreamdiversltd.co.uk a: 18-20 Greasbrough Rd, Parkgate, Rotherham, S62 6HN PADI 5 Star Instructor Development Centre based in Parkgate, Rotherham. Our instructional team has been teaching PADI courses together in the Rotherham, Barnsley, Doncaster, Sheffield and surrounding areas of South Yorkshire since 2005. www.dreamdivers.co.uk

SHROPSHIRE

SEVERN TEC DIVING

t: 01939 291303 e: severntecdiving@gmail.com a: Seventec Diving, Unit 1J, Leaton Industrial Estate, Shrewsbury SY4 3AP We are a Scuba Diving Training Center with over 20 years experience with a multi-agency approach to scuba diving. www.severntecdiving.com

SOMERSET

DIVE ACADEMY

t: 01935 353525 e: info@dive.academy a: Unit 7-8 Boundary Avenue, Commerce Park, Yeovil, Somerset, BA22 8UU Somerset’s Premier. Scuba Diving Centre. Book a lesson. www.dive.academy

SUSSEX

OYSTER DIVING

t: 0800 699 0243 e: info@oysterdiving.com a: Maritime House, Basin Road North, Portslade, E. Sussex, BN41 1WR PADI 5-star IDC centre in London and S.E. Holidays around the world, active club and local dives. Exclusive lake in Surrey. www.oysterdiving.com

SUSSEX

PLANET DIVERS

t: 07889 883232 e: info@planetdivers.co.uk a: Planet Divers, The Angling Club, Royal Parade, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 7AA A Friendly Crew, Great Diving all year round. Excellent, Fun trips UK & Abroad for all levels, non-divers welcomed. www.planetdivers.co.uk

WEST MIDLANDS

AQUASPORT INTERNATIONAL

t: 0121 706 6628 e: info@aquasportonline.com a: The Dive Centre, 50 Lincoln Road, Olton, Solihull, West Midlands, B27 6PA The only purpose built diver training centre and dive shop in the West Midlands and the only PADI Dive Centre in the whole of Greater Birmingham and Solihull. www.aquasportonline.com

WILTSHIRE

DM SCUBA TRAINING

t: 07920 556116 e: instructor@hotmail.co.uk a: Filton leisure Centre, Elm Park, Fiton BS34 7PS DM Scuba hold pool training sessions in Bristol, Swindon and Bath giving you plenty of choice. www.dm-scuba.co.uk

YORKSHIRE

BELOW THE SURFACE

t: 07967 733764 e: info@belowthesurface.co.uk a: 26 Albert Street, Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX7 8AH A PADI 5 star centre with over 30 years’ experience, we teach in small groups & at your pace. www.belowthesurface.co.uk

DIVEWORLD

t: 01142 332995 e: info@learn2dive.co.uk a: 185 Holme Lane, Hillsborough, Sheffield, Yorkshire, S6 4JR Welcome to Diveworld, dive school, dive club, dive retail and servicing, dive travel and more, the complete scuba package. www.learn2dive.co.uk

Your diving memories deserve the best home

www.divelogs.com

Recreational, Instructor, and Technical Dive Logs Custom Dive Logs Log Book Stamps Gear ScubaTags Compact Lightweight Binders Custom Dive Slates Dive Maps Fish Identification Certification C Card Holders

SUBLIME SOUTH COAST

We take a tour around some of the very best dive sites along the South Coast with Saeed Rashid.

Q&A: CRISTINA ZENATO

We chat to the ‘shark whisperer’, about the men in grey suits, as well as her mastery of cave diving.

FREEDIVING GRENADA

Lexi Fisher waxes lyrical about the underwater delights of Grenada, but explains how she now spends most of her time on breath-hold.

ON SAFARI IN THE RED SEA

Stuart Philpott is treated like a star during his week on board the VIP One liveaboard in Egypt.

TECH: GERMAN MINE DIVING

Kurt Storms ventures into the impressive Nuttlar slate mine in Germany.

GEAR GUIDE: TEST EXTRA

Editorial Director Mark Evans dives the Tecline Peanut wing and SDC Great White watch.