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Satellite phones are still very expensive to own and use, but if all you want to do is send a quick "I'm alive and kicking" message to your friends, family or better half, this is the device to have. The SPOT Connect turns your smartphone into a satellite based communication device out in the total wilderness, and still works as an emergency beacon when your phone's battery is dead.

The Suunto D4 is a fully capable dive computer in the size of a regular watch. Its specialty is the very advanced freedive mode with rapid updating and precise measurements to tenths of a meter, making it ideal for those interested in both freedivign and scuba diving. 

The Suunto Vytec DS is a wrist-worn unit, but a much larger display than the watch-type models. Thanks to Wireless Air Integration, it is a very capable device at a reasonable price.

We used the Suunto Cobra 2 for almost 50 dives, and it always performed without any issues. This page is just for the record and to include a few pictures of the Suunto Cobra 2 for those divers looking at buying it used. We think it's a great console computer, the air integration is a great feature, especially for less experienced divers, and the compass a nice bonus. It also handles Nitrox and Gauge mode, and has a very user-replaceable battery. 

Acid-proof stainless steel that's been both sand-blasted and glass-blasted. Made in Sweden. Tough gear that's probably good enough to outlast the diver. Take a look at the AGIR-Brokk backplate and Blackbird wing in this little review.

Excellent low-cost gear marking and safety stickers (SOLAS material) that don't come off (unless you want to). Increase your chance of rescue and survival and prevent confusion about gear by marking it with your initials or name.

Increase your chances of quickly locating your dive buddy or getting seen by a boat at dusk or night time with a Personal Strobe Light. Stay away from skimpy LED flashers, and get a real thing that works. Check out the Jotron AQ-4.

Is this the simplest ever rescue device?

We take a closer look at the Rescue Streamer from... Rescue Streamer Technologies. Right then.

They are simple to deploy using the DIR/GUE way (using your exhaled air at depth) or by roughly pointing your second stage regulator purge exhaust into the lower part. Nearly indestructible, good value for money.

A very nicely balanced knife with some issues in saltwater. 

Arguably one of the most controversial piece of dive equipment out there. People either love them or hate them. We take a closer look at the most expensive fins around, the Force Fin Excellerating TAN Delta, and copare it to the standard Force Fin as well as the Force Fin Extra.

Looking for a folding dive knife that cuts through almost anything like it was butter and does not rust? You may have found it. 

A classic. A work horse. Indestructible. Great for your trim. No ankle weights required. Cheapo. The best fin around? 

Bob Evans of Force Fin was kind enough to send me a pair of SD-1's in time for the ice diving course. Unfortunately I did not get any video clips of the fins in action or anything decent photographed underwater due to the truly bad visibility (see gallery). We do look forward to testing them in our next dive adventures in more detail, but are already convinced we'd like to keep a pair permanently. Consider this a teaser review. Update: Link to underwater shots!

Surely diving hoses can not be warranted a review - what's cool or interesting or safer about a specific brand of hose? Welcome to Miflex Xstreme diving hoses - these beat your old hoses in weight, flexibility, strength, versatility and looks. Need we say more to entice you to read the review? :-)

The Contour Roam camera arrived in time for our iceland dive trip, including the Contour underwater case. 1080p feature film coming soon? Not sure, but this little build could make it more likely :-)

Hardly a "dive item", but still something which came in handy on our dive trip to Iceland and other events.

This little fellow gets top marks without even going into the water: A streamlined design to go perfectly on the harness shoulder band. Runs on three standard AA (Mignon) batteries. Outputs a beam of light that rivals my car headlights (halogen), and costs 160 Euro. So far there are only two "issues": Former "backup lamps" are feeling sad, and you might have a harder time convincing yourself you need a "main torch" after seeing this torch in action...

An incredible upgrade to your compact underwater camera - and it's "wet-mountable"!

Revolutionary OLED display dive computer with solar cell charging battery. Will the battery really last? How good is the readability? Does it beat another newcomer like the MARES Icon HD or an established pro device like the Suunto Vytec DS? Oh wait, that's moot. The company went bust...