prefer a semi-dry when conditions allow . Over the years these suits have become much more refined in terms of fit , comfort and feature . As an aficionado of the genre I was pleased to say that the Master Dry didn ’ t disappoint .
The key to a happy relationship with your semi-dry is to get a size that fits where it grips your skin to allow the least amount of water ingress . Indeed , while descending it was some time before I even felt the seawater next to my skin . Once the water made actual contact , it was such a miniscule film that the process of my body bringing it up to temperature was barely noticeable .
During a 45 minute dive to a maximum depth of 30m at 11 ° C , I remained warm and cosy and would have had no problem with a second dive , had circumstances allowed . On shore when I removed the suit , its inner was warm and felt damp – in some places almost dry - rather than dripping wet .
Complete with matching hood , which clips onto the handy right-sided thigh pocket when not in use , the Master Dry is available in a variety of sizes in both male and female tailored versions . Neil Hope
SCUBA SAYS
SEAC ’ s Master Dry is an excellent example of a semi-dry suit that will provide , warmth and comfort from spring to autumn in the UK and all-year-round protection in warmer climes .
Good honest dive light
Varilux 3500 Rechargeable Dive Torch
COMPANY : NORTHERN DIVER PRICE : £ 154 TEL : 01257 254444 WEB : WWW . NDIVER . COM
Manufactured from aircraft 6061 aluminium with a sleek matt black finish , Northern Diver ’ s Varilux 3500 is a lantern-style dive torch . Its four luminous SST40 LEDs are protected behind a coated glass lens and provide a maximum of 3500 lumens of light at full power .
The main feature of the torch is its ability to vary the output of those lumens via a magnetic sliding mechanism . This is located at just the right spot on the front of the handle to be operated effortlessly with the thumb . It ’ s a nice , robust and industrial-looking unit with a 60mm diameter light source . The just-over 40mm battery compartment has a good , solid handle on top .
The handle features an inner soft , grippy rubber insert with enough room to access a thick-gloved hand comfortably . While many of today ’ s gadgets have switched over to wireless or magnetic charging , this often means the internal power source is a sealed unit with no user-ability to change the battery when it eventually gives up the ghost .
The 3500 uses Northern Diver ’ s magnetic charging system with a port located on the rear of the head ; however the two 26650 3.7v 10,000mAh batteries can be accessed by unscrewing the torch ’ s end cap . Not only are you free to replace exhausted rechargeable at the end of their lifespan , but it also gives the option for a quick changeover if you carry a second set .
Weighing in at approximately 820g , the 217x81x130mm torch is deceptively lightweight and appears very sturdy . The LEDs have an estimated lifespan of up to 100,000 hours with around five hours to charge from zero . At full beam the Varilux will provide a couple of hours of constant use and potentially one hundred at its lowest setting .
The variable light beam makes the light very adaptable in use . Full power is great if you want to use it in daylight to highlight something on or in a reef , or to illuminate the entirety of a section of wreck in deeper , darker waters .
The bright central beam of light is surrounded by a much larger , more diffused aura and on night dives this allows highlighting a subject while also providing an overview of the surrounding area . Dimming the beam is a great way to easily allow the eyes to graduate from dark to light as you explore .
The slider is quite sensitive to touch , but once I became accustomed to using a gentle press down in addition to moving it back and forth it proved most responsive . Torch , charger , silicone grease and spare o-rings are supplied with a hard case . NH
SCUBA SAYS
High and low powered variable beam , rechargeable and replaceable batteries in a robust , compact unit – what is there not to like about Northern Diver ’ s Varilux 3500 torch ?
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