tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4961986629945631946.post-47183171981547109992008-02-20T01:04:00.000-08:002008-02-20T01:06:04.654-08:00DAVID BURNOR: Like their computer counterparts, scuba diving publications tend to carry a heavy advertising load: scuba is an equipment-oriented sport, most of it expensive, and manufacturers abound. Resort owners all claim that their patch of sea-bottom has the clearest water; each dive shop has the best prices. What you don't get from the ads, or the editors in most cases, is a no-holds-barred, critical review of the diving marketplace. Undercurrent fills the gap. With no paid ads, the're not beholden to anyone. Like restaurant reviewers, their critics visit diving resorts anonymously -- getting the same treatment that you will -- and present a full report, warts and all. Unbiased equipment evaluations, practical consumer advice, and sound safety tips round out each issue.<br /> Design of wet suits has also changed. The results of our '76 survey indicated strongly that an attached hood was warmer. Today you have to look long and hard to find someone who orders his suit with the hood attached. There are also fewer Skin-in and Skin-out suits reported. There is also a marked decrease in ankle, waist, wrist and side zippers used in suits; we suspect that a statistual correlation could be found -- the fewer the zippers the warmer the suit.<br /><br />When the San Francisco 49'ers take to the gridiron in sub-freezing weather the equipment manager makes sure they're wearing the appropriate scuba gear ... they've discovered that neoprene wet suit gloves can keep their hands warm while giving them enough flexibility to hold a football.<br /><br />The AMF-Voit mouthpiece leaves something to be desired. The thickness of the bite-block is 10mm, by far one of the worst. It is placed too far forward, causing the jaw to come forward and placing added strain on the muscles. At nine mm the bite-block's width is fine, but we cannot explain why holes have been placed in the bite-blocks themselves.... The best mouthpiece to date is produced by Dacor. Made of silicone rubber, it can be easily formed to any mouth size. The bite-block thickness is an ideal four mm. The mouthpiece flange is thin and soft enough not to impinge on the gum tissues.... The Dacor model has proven to be the most confortable mouthpiece we have tried. We congratulate them, they must know a good dentist.Gameshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14861068317417793607noreply@blogger.com