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Diving Bonaire: Water proof containers
Bonaire Talk: Diving Bonaire: Archives: Archives 2008-2009: Archives 04-01-2009 to 07-31-2009: Water proof containers
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By S Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:03 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Good morning, all.

Now that I've got Antigua over, I can pick up with planning my first trip to Bonaire in November.

I want to purchase a water tight/proof container to use while snorkeling. I figure the divers out there may have some good suggestions.

I only need a size big enough for prescription sunglasses, driver's license, car keys, apartment keys, and a bit of cash. I am thinking of something that I can either strap to my waist or hang around my neck and tuck in my shirt. Does anyone have suggestions on good, reliable brands?

Many thanks,
WT

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Leo Irakliotis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #328) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:09 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Otter box, either their 2000 or 3000 series ought to do it. Price =~ series#/200. You can find them at LeisurePro.com or at your local dive store (or even at destination; I bought mine at Bonaire Dive and Adventure for less than I could find it at the shops near Chicago). Good to 100 ft.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ChicagoRandy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #922) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 9:22 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

+1 on the Otter boxes and LeisurePro. I've used them without negative issues for years. I actually use two boxes, one "flat" rectangular one for the keys and cash and one shaped better for my eyewear.

I scuba, but they would fit under a diveskin just as well. Out of the way and your stuff stays dry and protected.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Leo Irakliotis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #331) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 9:28 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Randy, ditto on the leisurepro.com rating. Outstanding service, good prices, even better prices when you negotiate package deals.

Question about your Otter box: do you tolerate its positive buoyancy while diving or have you found a way to keep it neutral or negative? Or do you just stick it in a BCD pocket? Look at this picture to understand my problem :-)

(Message edited by lgreco on July 9, 2009)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *Freddie* (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #12388) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 9:35 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Please remember to buy at your local dive shops..they stand behind their products, if something goes wrong they more than likely will replace the item. Your dollars are needed in this economy, If you don't buy from them you will see the LDS closing and then where would you go for air?? You can't buy air for your tanks online..

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *****Patrick with sharks on Bonaire***** (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #4163) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 9:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

THANK YOU FREDDIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU ARE CERTAINLY RIGHT ABOUT THAT.......

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Leo Irakliotis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #333) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 9:42 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Freddie, I am very much in favor of LDS but at the same time I am just as fond of my checking account balance.

Case in point: I just bought two MK25/S600's, two BCDs from ScubaPro's Hawk series, and two Atom 2's, for my wife and myself. LeisurePro's quote came at about $800 less than what the LDS quoted me. When factoring in sales tax we got closer to $850.

Give me a good reason as to why I should have invested that $800-$850 in the LDS, i.e., someone else's checking account, than mine.

I try to buy small stuff from the LDS but for serious purchases I'll take the best deal. Having said that, I should recognize that the Otter box is an item that I would have bought from the LDS if they had any. They didn't, so I got mine from BDA's retail shop at Bonaire (for a lovely price too).


(Message edited by lgreco on July 9, 2009)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By S Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #17) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 10:06 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone. I will check out LeisurePro as well as my LDS (surprisingly there is one here in this mountain town). I'll be looking for a new skin as well. My old wetsuit top seems to have shrunk since I wore it last in Galapagos many years ago.

WT

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *Tink* (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #253) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 10:45 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Leo, often you can talk the price down at your LDS. When I bought my new BC a year ago, I went online, went to the manufacturer's website to see what retail was supposed to be. Generally, the local LDS will give you 10% off big ticket items, it's an uspoken rule sort of. When I started bargaining, they wanted the price on the tag. I told them I'd go online and get it for x price (which was actually 10% off their tag price). They finally came down and gave me the best price.

The other reason to buy big ticket items from your LDS is servicing in case of failure, problems, and annual maintenance. Some online stores don't offer these things.

S. Collins, an empty large night light will do the same as well. Just take out the batteries and you have a nice "purse" for underwater:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Leo Irakliotis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #334) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 10:56 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Tink, I tried (with two stores; one in the west'burbs but not as west and where you are and with one in the city). The $800 difference was after the LDS store gave me a break. The LDS store's discounted prices were still higher than the listed prices on LeisurePro's website.
Service is an issue but there are so many independent and good specialists in Chicago, qualified and certified to service our regulators and computers that I wouldn't worry about it. Good service is also available on Bonaire. I would have no hesitation to trust our equipment for maintenance service in the hands of BDA or Bruce Bowker while we are spending our last day off-gasing.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brenda boates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #109) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 12:18 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

here's a thought Leo, a small weight in the box, like the counter weights for camera housings.

Now, lets see what this brings! On other boards, divers are regularly complaining of the way they're treated by their local LDS. Perhaps we should take a look at how we treat them. I always buy local, and from only 1 outta the 5 here, and appreciate the care and knowledge provided by them. This year Tim even replaced a 2yr old mask for me that was compromised by a "rouge" scuba tank. Granted the store here has a healthy commercial dive business, marine and salvage, so, little risk of them doing a fly by night move. He's had his business 16+ yrs. I'm lucky, I know.

Lets face it the more volume a business can move the stronger their buying power. The LDS has a much higher bottom line than the massive web-based ones. And, once a purchase is made (big ticket), it's ofter years before we make another 1.

Anyway..........

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *Freddie* (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #12389) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 12:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

I hope you bought the insurance/guarantee/warantee package on all that equipment from the online store.. What no insurance package?? too bad My LDS offers all of that and gives me loaners while my equipment is out for service, even years after I purchase it.. not sure what online ordering place does that......

Oh and did I mention free air for the year with a purchase of a whole setup?? BCD,regs,tank...

(Message edited by scubahb on July 9, 2009)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Leo Irakliotis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #335) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 12:29 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Thanks Brenda. I hoped that the weight of the sunglasses and car key would bring the buoyancy to neutral but apparently it's not enough. Perhaps a few coins might help but I don't want them scratching the prescription lenses of the sunglasses.

Regarding the LDS. As I said, I support local business as much as I can. I haven't shopped at Amazon, B&N or Borders, ever since the BookTable opened in my town. They are local, they are smart, and their prices are 10% or more below any of the aforementioned retailers.

At the same time I am not prepared to subsidize someone's store when the price differential is so gross (over $800 on a $3000 purchase). What would you do if you had the same dilemma: $3000 from online or $4000 (incl taxes etc) from local?

The internet has changed the way retail works and many LDS (as well as other local retailers) are caught in the painful transition. I feel for them but I also feel for my checking account's balance.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Leo Irakliotis (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #336) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 12:30 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Freddie, LP does. LDS does not provide free air, period. This is Illinois :-)

(Message edited by lgreco on July 9, 2009)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brenda boates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #110) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 12:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

S. Collins 1 more thing ........ Pleeeease don't hang it around your neck!!! You just never know where danger lurks. Rough entries and exits for 1 example. Belted around your waist, or another good place would be to belt it to the side of your tank (like how some divers, particularly around here (30+ lbs lead to be distributed) belt some to the bottom 1/3 of their tank). Whoops......I forgot, no tank.......happy snorkeling!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brenda boates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #111) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 12:54 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Leo, the camera weights have a smooth, softish, plastic-ish coating on them. I was thinking you could glue 1 into place in the box.

My LDS thought was an open thought, not directed to anyone. If I hadn't found my LDS, I guarantee that I would be purchasing on line (not the other 4 LDS here), the integrity of the LDS is crucial, like insurance, don't want to pay it, but......

Great to have so many wonderful choices for our sports purchases, that's what makes the world go round!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By S Collins (BonaireTalker - Post #18) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 2:09 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

That is good advice regarding not hanging a container around my neck, Brenda. While I consider myself a coordinated person, I have been known to mentally enter another world from time to time, leading to the occasional bump or bruise. I'll look into a belted container.

Thanks again to everyone for responding so quickly.

WT

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3044) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 6:20 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

One option is to use a fanny pack to hold a waterproof container (or two); the compartment zipper can be left open just a bit so the pack can flood, or not. Most fanny packs I have seen would not be harmed by a bit of time in salt water and can be used on the surface also.

With a two-compartment pack you can carry a small near-surface-waterproof camera also. :–)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *Tink* (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #256) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 8:57 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glen, they still sell fanny packs? <chuckle>

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By *Tink* (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #258) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 9:13 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Glen, were you thinking of something along these lines?
mans fanny pack
men with fanny packs

I know I know...you are going to start reading my posts very closely to find spelling and grammatical errors....sigh...

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3045) on Thursday, July 9, 2009 - 10:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Never, Tink!!!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By ChicagoRandy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #923) on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 9:41 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Hi Leo,

I just tolerate the bouyancy. For my keys/money little Otter box, I wear the lanyard around my neck and tuck the box under my diveskin and zip it up. Never been an issue.

I clip the eyeglass case to my BC on a D-ring that I can watch.

Off resort diving I'm talking about.

My U/W camera has a housing small enough to fit into a neoprene case I have also clipped to the bottom of my BC where it is out of the way for general diving, but quickly available in case a mermaid or sumthin' comes by.-lol

Diving the house reef (my FAVORITE kind of diving)I have some minor stuff (towel, hat, t-shirt, bottle of water, glass case)in my dive bag that I leave on the dock under the bench. Also, never have had a problem.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brenda boates (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #113) on Friday, July 10, 2009 - 5:39 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

True, zipped beneath a dive skin is more secure than stuck under a wet t-shirt, still don't think it's worth the risk. JMHO

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #289) on Saturday, July 11, 2009 - 10:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

here's my solution forsomething to use as a water tight container.......i have a old underwater flash lite......still water tight......keeps keys, glassesetc....just right size

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By splash (BonaireTalker - Post #12) on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 7:05 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We use a Ewa-marine pouch under our wetsuits for flat items

http://www.ewa-marine.de/index.php?id=61
Can buy here:http://www.bhphotovideo.com/ or http://www.adorama.com/

And an OMS tube for glasses & keys--prob more $ than u need as these are rated for depth:

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/OMSC.html
http://www.scuba.com/scuba-gear-5/004133/OMS-EDS-Canister.html

 


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