Posts by Dan

  • Questions about Speardiver carbon fins

    Quote from hank

    Thanks Dan. Out of curiosity, why doesn't 5200 work? It can't take all the movement?


    It will not work because unlike Cyanoacrylate glue, 5200 is essentially a sealer and doesn't "bond". This is an area where you can't take a chance because the blade popping out of the foot pocket can make for a dangerous situation. If for some strange reason you had nothing to use but 5200 (crazy glue is cheaper and available everywhere) the time and effort involved in positioning, repositioning, clamping and waiting for the 5200 to dry and take effect are not reasonable. Instant glue is well.. instant, your fins will be ready to go immediately.

  • Questions about Speardiver carbon fins

    For gluing water channeling/footpocket rails:


    Do not use 5200.


    Use any Cyanoacrylate/Instant glue (thin viscosity, NO GEL)


    Use a box cutter to clean off rail residue. Old filet knife :S of course you're dreading the moment of having to do it again. Like anything else use the right tool for the right job and it becomes easier.


    Avoid pushing off the bottom with the fins (I use the gun/spear point), and hitting the bottom with the fins in general, the rails will last through a couple of years of good use. There are no "better" rails, and no better way to glue on rails. Every carbon fiber fin available is using this system and it's a proven system. You can try using foot pocket rails in place of the water channeling rails, just to protect the blade edges, these will last longer under heavy use, but will negatively affect the stability of the fin as it's pushed through the water.

  • Trying something different this summer

    Minimal gear spearfishing is very cool. It's pretty much the way I started, speedos, no weight belt, 2 liter soda bottle for a buoy etc. But I did have a pneumatic speargun.


    Keep in mind 30 - 40 years ago there wasn't as much competition/pressure as there is today. If you head out like this in Miami you're likely to come back empty handed, and possibly frustrated having seen one nice fish all day that you could've taken with a speargun. All other gear is negotiable, as we've all forgotten one thing or another in the past and had to make do with other than our preferred gear. In the Bahamas you can go without a speargun and do well, except having to deal with sharks..

  • Aeris F11 freediving computer

    The Aeris F11 is now available. The F11 is not replacing the Aeris F10, Aeris will continue offering the F10.


    EDIT (2015) - The Aeris F11 is discontinued. Aeris is now Oceanic.


    F.11 features:

    • 2 color variations - black with olive green accent and polished stainless / olive green with black and matte stainless
    • Stainless steel keeper and case back
    • Depth to 660ft (200m)
    • Firmware update compatible - download firmware revisions and new features as available
    • Improved user interface with "Step Back"
    • Wet Activation - reinstate On/Off, allows auto dive mode entry while in Watch Mode
    • Log - step through same type data screens
    • CDT - CD, alarm, auto reset and repeat (countdown timer)
    • Dual Time - allow interchange with date on main
    • Record Temperature, every second, throughout dive for desktop interface
    • PC & MAC (in beta now) interface compatible
    • Watch >> dual time interchange with day on main
    • Glo by Dive >> set backlight for full ON upon descent
    • Increased battery life CR2450
    • Day Log, Full log, Day History, Full History
    • PC Sample Rate - user setting (.25, .5, 1, 2 sec)


    aeris-f11-black.jpgaeris-f11-green.jpg

  • Wet suit trial questions

    I used to let people try on open cell suits inside out with no lube. I will never do it again. It's inevitable to put a nick in the open cell material. So if a customer wants to try.. lube up. If they don't want to get wet, they can't try on the suit. In any case putting on the suit inside out doesn't give a good idea of how it will fit. It just doesn't settle the same on the body.


    My suggestion to you is to get a 3mm. The reason is you'll always use a 3mm. If it gets too cold you'll have a point of reference, and can then get a 5mm.


    Speardiver open cell wetsuits are an excellent choice. Shipping to Australia with priority service is $54. I'm sure that even with the higher shipping the suit will end up costing much less than the ones you are considering. I've fit many guys, and regularly send suits to Australia. If you let me know your height and weight I can tell you for sure which size will fit you.

  • 19mm band stretch ratio

    First it's questionable what the gun length measurement actually refers to. And they have it in millimeters? why. In any case if 900 is 90cm, then a 20mm band at 60cm is right where I started (30cm x 2). I have to call BS, there's no way an average person is loading the 90cm stretch speargun I have here with 60cm of 19mm rubber. And then there's the short measurement LOL. Well maybe with a 1' wishbone..

  • 19mm band stretch ratio

    Interesting take. But I don't think you'll achieve the same power as this 19mm band at %250, with a 16mm band even at %400, irrespective of the 19mm pulling over a shorter distance. I could be wrong, lets hear more opinions.