GEAR BAG - advice !

[Hi-Soft]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a new gear bag...since after my last dive, all my gear
( incl. dry clothes etc. ) got soaked..

My current gear bag (Mares), whilst convenient in size, and compartments, in
a vented bottom type.... so no good if leaving the bag on the floor at "Dive
Vic", or on the boat...

Just wondering what most of you use..and are happy or not happy with..

Was thinking og getting a "Dry Bag" type...but so far I haven't been able to
find one that has anythingother than one main compartment.. I really want a
bag that has at least a few separate sections, so as to be able to keep
things organized..

My current bag is about 800mm long and has to separate end sections, great
for gloves, booties, Divelog, knifes etc..and main section large enough for
BCD, fins, mask etc...though a bit tight for a 7mm suit...

Also, wouln't mind the convenience of rollers too...

So ultimately, waterproof, with a few separate sections, large enough for a
full set of gear, and on rollers too..

Any advice appreciated..

bc

[Hoges in WA]

Post by Hi-Soft
Hey guys,
I'm in the market for a new gear bag...since after my last dive, all my
gear ( incl. dry clothes etc. ) got soaked..
My current gear bag (Mares), whilst convenient in size, and compartments,
in a vented bottom type.... so no good if leaving the bag on the floor at
"Dive Vic", or on the boat...
Just wondering what most of you use..and are happy or not happy with..
Was thinking og getting a "Dry Bag" type...but so far I haven't been able
to find one that has anythingother than one main compartment.. I really
want a bag that has at least a few separate sections, so as to be able to
keep things organized..
My current bag is about 800mm long and has to separate end sections, great
for gloves, booties, Divelog, knifes etc..and main section large enough
for BCD, fins, mask etc...though a bit tight for a 7mm suit...
Also, wouln't mind the convenience of rollers too...
So ultimately, waterproof, with a few separate sections, large enough for
a full set of gear, and on rollers too..
Any advice appreciated..
bc

I had an Oceanic with rollers. Lasted August 07 to May 08 then ripped all
around the top zipper - once it started, no stopping it. Not happy. No joy
from vendor, either re sympathy or replacement.

I've been researching a lot for a replacement. Looking at the Mares Cruise
Backpack Pro - apparently comes with inside mirror which is useful for me
for putting my contacts in. However, none in Oz at the moment according to
CBI who bring them in.

Been told, but not certain of this fact, that the Cressi Mobys are a bit
smallish. These are what I've been considering:

TUSA roller duffel, US divers, Scubapro Atlas, Aqualung Destination and the
Mares.

My wife got one at:

http://www.diveimports.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=305

which was super cheap (about $65) and looks ok so far but hasn't been thrown
about yet.

If you get one first, let us know. I'm most interested in external fin
pockets for my V-12s, then the same as you with regard to poking in my
wettie. Of course, not being Victorian, I don't need a 7mm.
Hoges

[Hi-Soft]

Post by Hoges in WA

Post by Hi-Soft
Hey guys,
I'm in the market for a new gear bag...since after my last dive, all my
gear ( incl. dry clothes etc. ) got soaked..
My current gear bag (Mares), whilst convenient in size, and compartments,
in a vented bottom type.... so no good if leaving the bag on the floor at
"Dive Vic", or on the boat...
Just wondering what most of you use..and are happy or not happy with..
Was thinking og getting a "Dry Bag" type...but so far I haven't been able
to find one that has anythingother than one main compartment.. I really
want a bag that has at least a few separate sections, so as to be able to
keep things organized..
My current bag is about 800mm long and has to separate end sections,
great for gloves, booties, Divelog, knifes etc..and main section large
enough for BCD, fins, mask etc...though a bit tight for a 7mm suit...
Also, wouln't mind the convenience of rollers too...
So ultimately, waterproof, with a few separate sections, large enough for
a full set of gear, and on rollers too..
Any advice appreciated..
bc

I had an Oceanic with rollers. Lasted August 07 to May 08 then ripped all
around the top zipper - once it started, no stopping it. Not happy. No
joy from vendor, either re sympathy or replacement.
I've been researching a lot for a replacement. Looking at the Mares
Cruise Backpack Pro - apparently comes with inside mirror which is useful
for me for putting my contacts in. However, none in Oz at the moment
according to CBI who bring them in.
Been told, but not certain of this fact, that the Cressi Mobys are a bit
TUSA roller duffel, US divers, Scubapro Atlas, Aqualung Destination and
the Mares.
http://www.diveimports.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=305
which was super cheap (about $65) and looks ok so far but hasn't been
thrown about yet.
If you get one first, let us know. I'm most interested in external fin
pockets for my V-12s, then the same as you with regard to poking in my
wettie. Of course, not being Victorian, I don't need a 7mm.
Hoges

Cool, yeah I've been looking at that same bag from Dive Imports too... and
for the style conscious, they told me it will also be available in black in
a week or so too..

How is the water resistance of it anyway ??
I wouldn't expect it to be totally waterproof, but I think some are made of
a more water resistant material.

There's a nice Caribee ("Expedition") that pops ups regularly on ebay for a
good price
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270250831670
but it's pretty much just one main compartment, though would be totally
dry...

bc

[Hoges in WA]

Post by Hi-Soft

Post by Hoges in WA

Post by Hi-Soft
Hey guys,
I'm in the market for a new gear bag...since after my last dive, all my
gear ( incl. dry clothes etc. ) got soaked..
My current gear bag (Mares), whilst convenient in size, and
compartments, in a vented bottom type.... so no good if leaving the bag
on the floor at "Dive Vic", or on the boat...
Just wondering what most of you use..and are happy or not happy with..
Was thinking og getting a "Dry Bag" type...but so far I haven't been
able to find one that has anythingother than one main compartment.. I
really want a bag that has at least a few separate sections, so as to be
able to keep things organized..
My current bag is about 800mm long and has to separate end sections,
great for gloves, booties, Divelog, knifes etc..and main section large
enough for BCD, fins, mask etc...though a bit tight for a 7mm suit...
Also, wouln't mind the convenience of rollers too...
So ultimately, waterproof, with a few separate sections, large enough
for a full set of gear, and on rollers too..
Any advice appreciated..
bc

I had an Oceanic with rollers. Lasted August 07 to May 08 then ripped
all around the top zipper - once it started, no stopping it. Not happy.
No joy from vendor, either re sympathy or replacement.
I've been researching a lot for a replacement. Looking at the Mares
Cruise Backpack Pro - apparently comes with inside mirror which is useful
for me for putting my contacts in. However, none in Oz at the moment
according to CBI who bring them in.
Been told, but not certain of this fact, that the Cressi Mobys are a bit
TUSA roller duffel, US divers, Scubapro Atlas, Aqualung Destination and
the Mares.
http://www.diveimports.com.au/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=305
which was super cheap (about $65) and looks ok so far but hasn't been
thrown about yet.
If you get one first, let us know. I'm most interested in external fin
pockets for my V-12s, then the same as you with regard to poking in my
wettie. Of course, not being Victorian, I don't need a 7mm.
Hoges

Cool, yeah I've been looking at that same bag from Dive Imports too... and
for the style conscious, they told me it will also be available in black
in a week or so too..
How is the water resistance of it anyway ??
I wouldn't expect it to be totally waterproof, but I think some are made
of a more water resistant material.
There's a nice Caribee ("Expedition") that pops ups regularly on ebay for
a good price
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270250831670
but it's pretty much just one main compartment, though would be totally
dry...
bc

Too early to tell re whether it will stand up to salt but they have another
version that they wouldn't let us have because it's not rated for water
resistance - they know what they're selling well enough to recommend
accurately. Apart from selling online, they are also an open-to-all dive
supply shop.

On point two, I don't think that Caribee has rollers - very similar to the
Cressi, but looks like it costs a lot less.
Hoges

[Hi-Soft]

Post by Hoges in WA

Post by Hi-Soft
There's a nice Caribee ("Expedition") that pops ups regularly on ebay for
a good price
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270250831670
but it's pretty much just one main compartment, though would be totally
dry...
bc

Too early to tell re whether it will stand up to salt but they have
another version that they wouldn't let us have because it's not rated for
water resistance - they know what they're selling well enough to recommend
accurately. Apart from selling online, they are also an open-to-all dive
supply shop.
On point two, I don't think that Caribee has rollers - very similar to the
Cressi, but looks like it costs a lot less.
Hoges

Yeah true, no roller on that Caribee...so that..a downfall for me
really...damn it's hard to get a descent bag... other than ordering from the
U.S...I've considered www.leisurepro.com as they have the undisputed
bestest prices ever...but you'll always be hit with a minimum of around $50
for shipping the first item... so only makes sense if you need a bunch of
things...and also don't need the LDS support, andpersonal touch etc.....

BC

[Douglas W. "Popeye" Frederick]

Post by Hi-Soft
Hey guys,
I'm in the market for a new gear bag...since after my last dive, all my
gear ( incl. dry clothes etc. ) got soaked..
My current gear bag (Mares), whilst convenient in size, and compartments,
in a vented bottom type.... so no good if leaving the bag on the floor at
"Dive Vic", or on the boat...

Is Akona an option?

Mine has "airport" rollers and handle (never use 'em), pack straps.

It's crammed full, -full- and takes a mighty beating.

http://www.finalprotectivefire.com/pix/index.php?dir=Gear%20Flicks/

Fits under the dive bench in the average boat.

If you go through the pics by number, you can see how I do my dry stuff.

Post by Hi-Soft
Just wondering what most of you use..and are happy or not happy with..
Was thinking og getting a "Dry Bag" type...but so far I haven't been able
to find one that has anythingother than one main compartment.. I really
want a bag that has at least a few separate sections, so as to be able to
keep things organized..
My current bag is about 800mm long and has to separate end sections, great
for gloves, booties, Divelog, knifes etc..and main section large enough
for BCD, fins, mask etc...though a bit tight for a 7mm suit...
Also, wouln't mind the convenience of rollers too...
So ultimately, waterproof, with a few separate sections, large enough for
a full set of gear, and on rollers too..
Any advice appreciated..
bc