The biggest power drain on the NiTek Q dive computer is the display…the bright, yellow  OLED display is power hungry. The computer has battery protection to keep it from going into deep discharge, but this protection is overridden when in dive mode. It will stay on as long as it can.

Of course, I test everything to failure so I had to see what would happen by diving the Q without charging it until it died. I finally got the battery indicator to drain completely on a dive and after the dive it went to sleep and wouldn’t wake up. I thought I had taken it too far. I put it on charge and pressed a button, nothing happen, oh sh!?t I drained it. After 5 minutes of charging it came back and all was good. I called the developers to confirm what happened and see if I did screw it up. All is good and this is what I learned : you can’t overcharge the computer, leave it on charge if it’s convenient. A full charge takes 4 hours.

Reducing the contrast (brightness) can give you up to 20% more battery life. The battery has a very low discharge rate so it can go six months in standby mode.  Since the display is the power drain, when you turn the computer on and let it stay on for ten minutes that’s ten minutes of battery life. So put the computer back to sleep when not in use by holding the B button for 3 seconds.

Lamar

I met Eric of Surface Interval Clothing at the Beneath the Sea dive show this past spring. I bought one of the cave diving t-shirts and he and I talked about creating a sidemount shirt. I am happy to say Eric put his talent to designing a Dive Rite Signature T-shirt for sidemount. The quality of the art and and shirt material are the best. We have listed a few SIC diving t-shirts on our website, but you need to order direct from Surface Interval.

Our largest internet dealer, Dive Gear Express, stepped up and ordered a large quantity of our Dive Rite Logo tee and Serious Diver tee so those are available as well through DGX. Show your colors at dive sites, you never know who will be there.

Lamar

I’m diving the latest Rev D firmware update for the HUD and I have to say it’s impressive. The new features include a buddy readout on the outside of the HUD, so whatever you see anyone looking at you will see as well. In addition to the DIVA (display integrated vibrating alarm) the reading light will strobe letting the world know you have a problem. The HUD also has a blue warning LED, any warnings on the controller are relayed to the HUD and the blue LED will flash every 7 seconds until the problem is dealt with so it gets your attention.

You can handle your decompression stops via the HUD as well with a combination of green and red LED to let know you are coming up on a stop and when to move to the next one. The reading/signal light is a multifunction light, it’s the strobe or quick reading light. I tested it in a cave with all my lights out I found the line with the reading light…good to know I have one more back up light. A few more test dives and firmware updates and we should be ready to release it.

Lamar

The NiTek Q is now available to order. Originally we intended the NiTek Q to be a strictly two gas Nitrox computer with Trimix, compass and CCR upgrades available online. However, based on diver feedback we will now also offer the NiTek Q unlocked for open circuit diving Trimix with compass and custom gradient factors included (CCR is still an upgrade).

The OLED display is easy to read under water in any light condition. In a cave it can actually be too bright so we added a contrast setting to tone it down. It’s rechargeable from any USB charging device so it’s travel friendly. The NiTek Q is smaller than most computers with similar features and so easy to use most people can figure it out in about five minutes with the Quick Start guide. We printed the Quick Start on waterproof paper so you can take it with you on the boat if you feel you need to, but I bet you won’t after 5 minutes of going through the menu.

Lamar

The Nomad JT for sidemount purists has gained immediate popularity. Some have asked if a dual bladder model is available. With this particular design, a dual bladder is not possible because the wing has five openings on the inside, plus the back is a skid plate. There is no way to add a second bladder without sacrificing lift on the primary bladder.

We’ve also been asked how to add the Nomad Weight Plate. Due to the positioning of the crotch strap on the back a weight plate isn’t feasible. Some weight can be put on the straps, but we can’t compromise the new crotch strap placement for the weight plate.

We have added a daisy chain on both sides of the webbing loops on the back to accommodate butt mounting of large canister lights. This allows the diver to run run quick links or bungee to secure the canister.

Let us know what you think. The Nomad JT was inspired by the input and feedback from local sidemount explorer, James Toland. We listen to every customer and incorporate your ideas whenever we can.

Lamar

The O2ptima in my opinion is one of the most advanced, yet straightforward closed circuit rebreathers on the market. The simplicity of the O2ptima is why I trust it. No scrubber to pack and it’s ready to dive in 15 minutes, provided your cylinders are full. The new Rev D electronics answer many questions to function and features. The added features of the new Rev D are a bonus but the real changes are the configuration. I have had many requests from divers to integrate their dive computer into the unit, 4th or 3 celll monitoring. The current Rev C configuration splits the solenoid control and the DIVA/HUD function; the primary handled the solenoid while the secondary handled the DIVA/HUD (diver integrated vibrating alarm/heads up display). To add another computer and cable turned the rebreather into an octopus.
The new configuration with Rev D electronics and sophisticated DIVA/HUD functions are on the primary and the secondary is strictly a 3rd cell PO2 monitor (optional deco if desired). If a diver has a dive computer with PO2 monitoring capability, the unit can be ordered with only the primary controller. If you want to upgrade an earlier unit, I recommend an upgrade to the secondary to get the new DIVA/HUD function if cost is a consideration, once you program a set point on the solenoid controller (primary) you can enjoy new PO2 display and DIVA/HUD via the secondary rather than the primary.

Lamar

The demand for Micropore ExtendAir rebreather cartridges is growing and Micropore has automated production to keep up with demand. The new EAC has a larger core for the new production process. The larger core represents approximately 5% reduction in surface area and a slight increase on work of breating, however neither affect the diver. I have already tested it in the O2ptima without any change in performance. The safety margins built into the EAC more than cover the 5% reduction in surface area so no change in usage for divers, but the computers say it is ever so slightly different. Micropore is going to release all the new test data shortly and we will have it. We have a new plug available for the premix rod so you are ready to use either style of EAC.

DRT-8-PLUG, MSRP $15.00

Rebreather Diving: O2ptima Large Bore ExtendAir Cartridge

Lamar

There are a number of ways to test lift capacity of a scuba wing: the force applied to submerge it; the force applied to pull it under; or the weight of the water it will hold. The first two can yield different numbers depending on location of dump valve and how the force is measured. We have decided to apply the more conservative measure: the weight of the water the wing will hold. This offers the value of the water it will displace. We do our measurements with freshwater 7.5 pounds per gallon, while seawater weighs approximately 8.5 per gallon. This means a 45 pound lift wing in freshwater displaces 51 pounds in seawater. You’ll see that all Dive Rite wings lift values have been re stated on our website. The wing design nor construction has not changed, only the list value as a result of our new lift test.

Lamar

Juergensen Marine is very close on the release of the Rev D electronics. I am testing the final product for bugs on the O2ptima. It’s very nice. Loaded with features and easy to use menu. If you are diving a Rev C this menu is very intuitive, I know because I didn’t have a manual. The added features and Bluetooth interface are very nice. The large readout PO2 display is always present and very responsive. The multi color display and constant on backlight option is sweet. The DIVA is very easy to read and the placement of the LEDs should address questions from color blind divers. The added decompression LED and reading light are bonus features that I had questions about until I actually tried them. I feel Kevin has raised the bar on rebreather electronics. We are only days away from taking delivery on our first shipment. I will keep you posted. We had to redesign the DIVA mount so it works on both the old and new DSV but this should be only 10 days. I will keep you posted on the final test dives.

Lamar

O2ptima Hammerhead Rev D Electronics Update

Every diver needs tools and the tech diver needs a few more. I took an idea from my motorcycle adventures and designed our new Tech Tool Bag roll bag for myself with the tools I have traveled around the world with. I have fixed regulators and replaced electronics in my O2ptima rebreather with this selection of tools.

A ½ wrench for getting in between cylinders to adjust bands or tighten the bands on doubles. A four way screwdriver, two double ended tips is the ultimate screwdriver. A must is two adjustable wrenches so you can hold the nut on a second stage while replacing a hose. Tie wraps are a must along with an o ring pic, if you can’t find an o ring pic a good substitute is a large safety pin. I usually keep DIN o rings on the safety pin for quick access. You need two hex key sets, a standard and metric set, look for a compact set, I stay away from the individual hex keys because the most used one tends to get lost. The extra hex key is a large 8 mm key for removing DIN inserts from tank valves and of course a pair of channel locks. The zipper pouch is for a selection of o rings and lubricant, 5 zip lock bags are included for o rings.

Lamar