The DeeperBlue.net Reporting Team are here on location at DEMA 2007 to report on all the latest happenings.
The final day is here and the team bring you the final update from DEMA 2007.
Gates
Gates Underwater Products this week at the DEMA Show unveiled its new Seal Check vacuum testing product that allows customers to confirm their camera housing’s integrity prior to submerging it in the water. Housing leaks can occur with damaged or compromised o-rings or a rushed setup upon arrival at a dive destination. Until now, moisture alarms were the only line of defense against water intrusion, often sounding the warning too late. With Seal Check, “It’s like a water detector that goes off before you get into the water,” Gates President John Ellerbrock tells DeeperBlue.net. Seal Check comes as a complete kit in a small, transportable Pelican 1150 case. Customers would need to request factory installation of a test fitting either at time of order or as a retrofit to any Gates housing, according to a company statement. For more information, check out the Gates Web site at www.GatesHousings.com.
Body Bagz
Body Bagz is introducing a new rashguard specifically designed for the sport diver. The rashguard features the internationally recognized, red-and-white "diver down" design across the chest, as well as a longer torso to keep the shirt from riding up during use. It also has a "semi mock neck" design that helps keep the wetsuit from rubbing against the neck. For more info, go to www.bodybagz.net.
MIFLEX XTREME High Performance Regulator Hoses
A team of MIFLEX engineers analyzed the weak points of traditional low-pressure diving hoses. The fruit of their research is the XTREME high performance range. XTREME hoses feature an external nylon safety braiding designed to resist the snags and abrasions that divers often encounter. The patent-pending XTREME double braiding also resists UV rays out of the water, thus extending the life span of the hose. Unlike traditional hoses, the XTREME nylon safety braiding is not simply pushed over the hose fittings. Instead of the braiding is tightly bound and fixed to the hose core by stainless steel or brass sleeves.
eDiving Virtual Check Out Dives
eDiving™ is a diving simulator that integrates a custom designed next generation 3D Engine, optimized for rendering underwater scenery, with extremely high resolution bathymetry models, satellite images, terrain maps, habitat data, and animated 3D models of marine life. Additionally eDiving™ includes a fully featured heads up display computer, a customized and easy to use graphical interface and an accurate behavioral model of a diver. Using eDiving™ students will be able to review and "virtually practice", from the comfort of their home, and the concepts and theory learned in class; as an example they could exercise with buoyancy control, select proper weight or see first hand how air consumption changes with depth. Additionally by loading the appropriate eDive site from the eDiving™ server, a student could familiarize with a specific area before the check-out dives. This service however is not meant to replace actual check-out dives, but to compliment actual training.
SCUBA STIK
This Wisconson based company has developed a method for divers to harvest fish underwater without using a speargun. Two models are currently available, both featuring fiberglass construction and stainless steel hardware. Casting the line is preformed by way of a piston section on the handle that uses water pressure to shoot out the line. More information at www.scubastik.com
SALVO DIVING EQUIPMENT
New this year is a 35watt HID canister light. the Havoc 35 features a unique design that relocates the ballast to the battery canister, rather then on the light head. Also new from Salvo is thir 10watt handheld HID light. Small and compact, and built of highly impact resistant delrin, this light features a rechargable battery pack and weighs in at under a pound
DEMA "Be a Diver Campaign"
DEMA’s “Be A Diver” national advertising campaign debuts at DEMA Show 2007 with the unveiling of its new 30 second television spot. The TV spot is but one component of the multi-faceted consumer campaign aimed at growing the industry, and includes television, radio, newspapers, magazines, on-line advertising and a marketing guide comprised of professionally prepared promotional materials for use by members.
“The Be A Diver campaign is a result of a multi-year effort to research the attributes of the actively participating diving customer and develop a comprehensive program to raise the awareness of diving and acquire new divers.” said Tom Ingram, Executive Director of DEMA.
Partner Coverage of DEMA
Fellow members of the Underwater Network have been reporting from the show floor as well. Head over to our following friends to find out even more coverage from the show.
– Wetpixel
That wraps up our coverage of onsite DEMA 2007 from here in Orlando. We’ll provide some more wrap up over the coming days and of course will see you at DEMA 2008 in Las Vegas.
