scuba equipment

It might not be the sexiest piece of gear, but the mask just might be the most important. Check out our review of 12 new masks to find the one that’s perfect for you.

Buying scuba gear isn’t easy, but for fins it’s doubly difficult with the perceived performance difference between split and paddle fins.

The T-120 Mini torch may be small in size, but it delivers quite a punch when it comes to illumination. Measuring only five-and-a-half inches in length, the T-120’s lens is made of tempered glass, the body is machined from a solid block of marine-grade aluminum and then anodized, and the battery compartment is double-O-ring-sealed. To activate the T-120, simply twist the end cap and 750 lumens of white-hot light burst from the 10-watt LED bulb. The torch is powered by a custom-made lithium ion battery that delivers about 70 minutes of burn time between charges.

Divers have an intimate connection to our equipment. But the history, evolution and hidden inner workings of many integral pieces of our collective kit might be a mystery to many of us. Check out these 13 curious details, historical head-scratchers and surprising facts, including why dive watches glow and what the heck is the “Bends-O-Matic?”