GEAR BUYER'S GUIDEWhen it comes to selecting scuba diving equipment, you know better than than to trust ads or so-called independent evaluations conducted by monthly scuba rags dependent on ad revenue from gear manufacturers. Our scuba diving equipment tests and those conducted by the US Navy are the only fully independent and unbiased dive gear reviews and scuba equipment evaluations available to the general diving public. ABOUT SCUBA SAFETY LAB EVALUATIONS Only SSL dive gear tests are 100% independent and objective. We are also the world's first, and still only, testing facility that conducts "blind" evaluations according to specific testing criteria. Blind evaluations prevent members of our test team from knowing which models they are testing. This ensures that results of CYBER DIVER scuba diving equipment evaluations are not tainted by individual bias for specific models and manufacturers. Scoring is based on a scale from 0 to 10 with 10 the best possible score. 2007 Top 10 Scuba Regulators | How We Test Scuba Regulators At Scuba Safety Lab, we start with industry standard ANSTI machine bench tests primarily to compare results with manufacturer marketing hype. Then the real testing begins when our expert team of 10 test divers takes over with a series of 25 dives designed to test units at various depths (5 to 65 meters) and in a wide range of real-world conditions such as drift diving, cold water diving and deep diving. While conditons and depth vary, each regulator is blind-tested according to predetermined testing criteria aimed at evaluating ease of breathing in various positions, wet/dry breathing again in various positions, purge function and second stage comfort. Final scores are compiled from diver test results, machine test results and value. | Rank | Regulator | Rating | 1 | Mares Proton Ice | 9.79 | 2 | Poseidon Xstream | 9.74 | 3 | Zeagle Flathead 6 | 9.62 | 4 | Apeks ATX-200 | 9.35 | 5 | Mares MR-22 Abyss | 9.21 | 6 | Sherwood Maximus | 9.13 | 7 | Poseidon Jetstream | 9.04 | 8 | Oceanic DX4 Delta 3 | 8.46 | 9 | Scubapro MK25T/S600T | 7.84 | 10 | Atomic B1-T2 7.93 | 7.23 |
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2007 Top 10 Dive Computers | How We Test Dive Computers We start with the manual. If it's well-organized and clearly written, it's a fairly safe bet the dive computer is also well thought out and user-friendly. Then our expert team of 10 test divers takes over with a series of 25 test dives designed to put dive computers through a wide range of dive profiles typical of recreational divers. We push the limits and on several dives, put the computer into decompression mode. Final scores are based on comparing features (nitrox compatiblity, dive planning, PC interface, etc.), algorithms, performance, reliability, user-friendliness (easy to read, switches easy to use, batteries easy to change, etc.) and of course, value. | Rank | Dive Computer | Rating | 1 | Cochran Gemini | 9.81 | 2 | Suunto D9 | 9.70 | 3 | Aeris Elite | 9.64 | 4 | Suunto Vytec | 9.45 | 5 | Aeris Epic | 9.42 | 6 | Suunto Vyper | 8.69 | 7 | Mares Nemo | 8.52 | 8 | Oceanic Atom 2.0 | 7.38 | 9 | Uwatec SmartPro | 7.02 | 10 | Uwatec Aladin Air Z Nitrox | 6.93 |
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2007 Top 10 BCDs | How We Test BCs We start by counting stitches and carefully examining other details to assess how well each BC is constructed. Then our expert team of 10 test divers takes over with a series of 25 test dives designed to evaluate each BC under various real-world conditions such as drift diving and deep diving. Each unit is blind-tested according to a strict testing protocol aimed at evaluating fit, comfort (surface and underwater), adjustments, releases, valve operation, lift, attitude, stability, ascent control, integrated weight systems and such features as D-rings and pockets. Final scores are compiled from diver test results and as always, value. | Rank | BCD | Rating | 1 | Dive Rite Trans Pac | 9.82 | 2 | Zeagle Ranger | 9.80 | 3 | DUI Delta Wings | 9.78 | 4 | Mares Icon | 9.57 | 5 | Mares Dragon Airtrim | 9.44 | 6 | Poseidon Besea | 9.36 | 7 | TUSA Pro-Cubic | 9.29 | 8 | Dacor Rig Pro | 9.17 | 9 | Scubapro Knighthawk | 8.25 | 10 | Scubapro T-Black | 7.53 |
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