HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.scuba,rec.boats
From: enenkel@cs.toronto.edu (Robert Frederick Enenkel)
Subject: Re: From Avon to Zodiac
Organization: Department of Computer Science, University of Toronto
Distribution: na
Date: 26 Jan 93 16:25:28 GMT

From:	mcrafts%core1@kssib.ksc.nasa.gov

Powerboat reports is a good consumer-reports type of publication (no
advertising, objective reviews etc.), however it's expensive and fairly
small (~32 pages/month, $40 yr) but it's the only objective source I
know of for boats.  They do everything from Lorans, GPS's, pumps, to
45' boats.  Unfortunately, I don't have a number on hand, and I'm not
sure if they have an 800 number (probably not, but you can check). 
They also have a fax service for certain past reports, but you pay for
it.  $5/page, averaging 4-5 pages per report, but that's probably worth
it when it comes to buying a boat, or something big.

				Mark Crafts
From: horne@pangea.Stanford.EDU (Roland Horne)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Help fix an Ikelite camera
Date: 27 Jan 1993 07:04:07 GMT
Organization: Stanford Univ. Earth Sciences
Distribution: world
NNTP-Posting-Host: pangea.stanford.edu

My son bought me one of those Ikelite cases that hold a disposable
Kodak flash camera (concisely described by others in this column as
"the Fisher-Price looking one").

The first time I used it was in cold water at Monterey, and with the
thick gloves/cold hands I could not feel the wind-on stop well enough
to know when the film was wound on to the next frame.  The consequence
of this was that I overwound the film several times.  Now the rubber
cylinder that engages the toothed winder wheel on the camera has a
groove cut into it by the sharp teeth on the wheel.  It winds on OK
still, but requires a gentle touch, even without gloves on!  I tried
wrapping a length of scotch tape around it, but without success - it
wouldn't stick.  I could see no discernable way to remove the rubber
cylinder to replace it.

This was such an easy way to screw up, it occurs to me that others
must have done it.  If so, how did you fix the damage afterwards?

For those with more delicate fingers than mine, take heed of my
mistake, and wind your Ikelites carefully.

-Roland Horne-
Stanford University
From: waldo@cybernet.cse.fau.edu (Todd J. Dicker)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Court TV and Club Med Diving
Date: 23 Jan 93 20:32:23 GMT
Organization: Cybernet BBS, Boca Raton, Florida

Has anybody else been watching Court TV (a cable channel that goes into 
courtrooms and reports on various trials) and the case of the woman dive 
instructor who is suing Club Med for a diving accident?

Apparantly, according to the testimony I watched, she was a dive 
instructor diving in St. Lucia.  She was given permission to enter the 
water from the stern, then the boat backed over her and she suffered 
serious lacerations and broken bones from the screws.  She then testified 
that they pulled her from the water and promised that a helicopter had 
been called, but took her by boat instead on a trip over half an hour to 
the nearest hospital.

Anybody else see this or know anything about it?
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: jamieson@alias.com (M Jamieson)
Subject: U/W Photo Equip. Sources
Keywords: U/W Photo
Organization: Alias Research Inc.
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 15:13:32 GMT

I'm interested in purchasing a used/new 15mm Nikon lens for use with
my Nikonos V/III. It doesnt matter if its the old or new style. Oh yeah,
and the appropriate finder to go with it.

Does anyone know of any good, reputable outlets that sell new/used
U/W photo gear in North America that I could call or fax?

Thanks in advance!

Mark
.
From: awright@gssec.bt.co.uk (Alan Wright)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: getting started
Date: 21 Jan 93 11:30:47 GMT
Organization: BT, Software Engineering Centre, Glasgow, UK

In article <1993Jan20.4232.10828@dosgate>,
andrew.comello@canrem.com (andrew comello) writes:
|> 
|> LD>        I have always been interested in learning how to scuba. I was wonder
|> LD>e was someone out there with the patience to inform a novice about what I sh
|> LD> do and get and how much it will cost me?Who should I contact and so forth s
|> LD>.  I would really appreciated it. Although I live in Boston it is not necess
|> LD>to tell me about SWF novice scuba divers; I just need a little know-how to g
|> LD>tarted effectively.
|> 
|> Call up a few places and get some prices for lessons...
|> When you call, ask what kind of certification you will be granted (NAUI,
|> PADI, ACUC, SSI, etc...)
|> 
|> BE sure that you certify under PADI or NAUI since they are the largest
|> in North America...

I thought the generally agreed principle was that getting a good instructor
with whom you feel comfortable was more important than the certifying agency,
as long as the agency is internationally recognised.

-- Alan
--------------------------------------------
awright@gssec.bt.co.uk (Alan Wright)
BT, Software Engineering Centre, Glasgow, UK
--------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: kam@doe.carleton.ca (Kim A. MacDonald)
Subject: Viking vs Brooks: dry suit question
Organization: Dept. of Electronics, Carleton University
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 18:21:25 GMT

I am about to start my PADI divemaster course and every 
divemaster or former divemaster I have talked to
here in Ottawa says that I should buy a
dry suit. The dive store I dive with, Discover Scuba has 
given me two (really, three) options:

		Viking Sport or Pro dry suits
		Brooks neoprene dry suit

I am 5'5'', 115lbs and am rather thin. My questions are
will the suits fit me (seals especially since I have
very thin wrists) and which one is best for the fresh
water diving around Ottawa. Insulation is another consideration
since I don't have very much myself.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanx in 
advance.
		Kim MacDonald

			kam@doe.carleton.ca
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: gregr@cs.su.oz.au  (Greg Ryan, g10b, xtn 4809)
Subject: Re: Rebreathing system
Organization: Basser Dept of Computer Science, University of Sydney, Australia
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 03:23:47 GMT

In article <1993Jan27.151012.24326@mailer.cc.fsu.edu>, mayne@pipe.cs.fsu.edu (William Mayne) writes:
> In article <YfNVz4600WB24JOydd@andrew.cmu.edu> "Rudolph R. Zung" <ru+@CMU.EDU> writes:
> >
> >In a recent issue of Outside magazine, they did this article about a guy
> >who wanted to do some diving in the world's deepest cave system. His
>
>But some details
> have been published, presumably with the approval of Dr. Stone and
> his company, which is called Cislunar

To Bill's references I would add an article that appeared in an edition of
"Mix" from Aquacorps last year.  Unfortunately I don't have a more exact 
reference as I only read a borrowed copy.  The article was either by Bill Stone,
or based on an interview with him.

					Greg Ryan	gregr@cs.su.oz.au
From: dpeders1@cc.swarthmore.edu (Daniel Pedersen)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: WANTED: info on diving in Israel
Date: 25 Jan 93 04:13:20 GMT
Reply-To: dpeders1@cc.swarthmore.edu (Daniel Pedersen)
Distribution: rec.scuba
Organization: Swarthmore College

mfarmer@pdx176.ichips.intel.com (Matt Farmer) writes:
> Hi,
> 
> I am planning on going to Israel and would love to get some more info on
> diving in Israel from anyone who's been there.  Specifically, I would like to
> know where people would recommend diving (I have ellat is great).  Also how
> easy is it to rent equipment there (I don't plan to bring more than mask,
> snorkel, and fins/booties)?  How reputable are the shops?  Anything else that
> might be useful.

I learned to dive in the RedSea in Eilat (8 years ago), but I haven't done
much diving since.  I can recommend Aqua Sport in Eilat (actually south of
the city) as reliable.  I have no comparison with other outfits in terms of
service or quality, but my brother, sister and mother just took a diving
course there and were satisfied.  My brother bought some gear there,a dn it
looked all right.  You can rent pretty much anything, including the stuff
you're bringing, so you should be set.

You would be cheating yourself if you didn't go diving in the Sinai, now in
Egypt.  This will entail passport and visa stuff.  I'm certain that there
are diving tours leaving from Israel to the Sinai, or else you can go to
Egypt and deal with it frm there on your own.

-->Daniel Pedersen  -  Keren's Daddy		(215)543-8961
	dpeders1@cc.swarthmore.edu	pedersen@engin.swarthmore.edu
======================================================================
Highway sign on I-10, AZ: "Federal Prison - Do Not Pick Up Hitch-Hikers"
	50 yards later: "Campground	Next Right"
"Why do you kill people?"   -   "I am a terminator."  [Terminator 2]
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: joseph@smos.com (Joseph Crunk)
Subject: U/W Photo Equip. Sources
Organization: S-MOS, Inc
Distribution: na
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 19:32:36 GMT




# By reputation, the local source for the best prices on Nikon/Nikonos
# gear in "Silicon Valley" is 

# San Jose Camera
# 1600 S. Winchester Avenue (corner of Hamilton)
# Campbell, CA 95008 USA
# (408) 374-1880

Some of us remember San Jose Camera as a little hole-n-the-wall
shop in downtown San Jose...many moons passed.

At that time you went in and purchased your equipment at near
mail order prices. Their employees were never known for their
*bright, cheery, outgoing personalities*. And they still aren't!
Today, their pricing reflects the the costs of their newer location.
While they still claim to be the lowest priced, we all know different.
And we don't need to be treated that poorly to give them our money.

But, times they are a changing.

Today, there is excellent service and prices from Whole Earth Access.
They have many stores around the Bay Area now. They have a policy of
not being under sold. But, shopping around will still save you money.
WEA doesn't always have the best price, so you may need to let them know
someone else sells the same stuff at a lower price. Their staff is helpful
and they know what they're doing. And their 30 day, no questions asked,
returned for any reason,  refund policy doesn't hurt. :-)
They sell Nikon/Nikonos.

Then there's LZ Premium (where did they get that name?) right
next to Any Water Sports on Saratoga. They sell Nikon (as well as
Maytag), but will not quote prices over the phone. In the past, they've
been more or less out of control. At times I've wondered if anyone was
really in charge, and if they knew what was going on. Not always a friendly
place, but the chance to save big bucks is there. LZ does have a large
selection of photographic supplies and darkroom equipment.


I'm looking at purchasing a Nikon N-90. Prices I've got are as follow:

	N-90 body	35-70 f2.8 "D" lens

	$739			$569		San Jose Camera & Video
	$725			?		Whole Earth Access
	$719			$527		LZ Premium

	$695			$595		Tri-State Camera (mail order)
	$770			$597		47th St Photo (mail order)
	$890			$199		Mibro (mail order)
	$899			$599		Genesis (mail order)

these prices are NOT for gray market items

Don't overlook out of state mail order to save on the purchase price
as well as avoiding state sales tax, if any.


-Joseph Crunk

Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: marcus@vestek.com (Mark Stephen)
Subject: ScubaPro Regulators
Organization: Vestek Systems, San Francisco
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 93 23:48:11 GMT

I was wondering if anyone owns, uses or knows anything about
the ScubaPro Balanced Adjustable Regulator. Do they have any
advantages/disadvantages, andany other comments would be appreciated.

Thanks, Marcus
From: awright@gssec.bt.co.uk (Alan Wright)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: getting started-selecting instructors
Date: 28 Jan 93 10:54:52 GMT
Organization: BT, Software Engineering Centre, Glasgow, UK

In article <15832@nntp.rand.org>,
Karl_Schutz@rand.ORG (Karl Schutz) writes:
|>
|> ...
|>
|> I agree wholeheartedly that the above is part of the equation in assessing
|> whether an instructor is right for you; however, even with proper qualifications,
|> how does a potential student know whether an instructor follows the teaching
|> standards outline by the certifying agency?  How does the student know the 3-step
|> procedure above is the proper course of action.
|> 
|> [Example deleted]
|> 
|> So where does that leave us?  Can ONLY an experienced diver assess a *good
|> instructor*?  No, for the reasons Mr. Wright states above.  Can a non-diver
|> assess a *good instructor*.  No (well maybe no), because of pitfalls akin to that
|> exemplified above. Both reputation/recommendations within/from the diving
|> community and the non-diver's personal assessment of an instructor's character
|> contribute to identifying *good instructors*.
|>
|> Karl F. Schutz

Agreed.

Obviously if an instructor (in any discipline, not just diving) has a good
reputation/been recommended then your confidence in them is immediately
increased.

However, I was not implying that a non-diver can assess a good instructor.
IMHO the student who has no knowledge of a subject and has not done any
background study can do no more than trust the instructor to do his job
properly (given the previous stuff about being comfortable). This is why
people should investigate a new subject before getting involved. I always
encourage people to do this - read a few books and magazines, and talk to
different people about it.

-- Alan
--------------------------------------------
awright@gssec.bt.co.uk (Alan Wright)
BT, Software Engineering Centre, Glasgow, UK
--------------------------------------------
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: Bruce_Dunn@mindlink.bc.ca (Bruce Dunn)
Subject: Re: Bad Back
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 23:44:25 GMT

        Aside from the problem of getting into the water, those diving in
cold water have a potential problem in that buoyancy is distributed over much
of the body (wet or dry suit) but weight is concentrated at the waist.  To
prevent backaches due to the "bending" this induces, consider carrying a
portion of your weights as ankle weights or in your BC pockets (where they
can be directly lifted by the BC at depth).  Be sure to maintain enough
weight on your releasable belt for safety (do our resident instructors have
any comments on exactly how much of a suited diver's weights must be readily
releasable?)


--
Bruce Dunn    Vancouver, Canada   Bruce_Dunn@mindlink.bc.ca
From: smithsh@sumax.seattleu.edu (Scott H. Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: Shell care
Date: 25 Jan 1993 00:04:47 -0800
Organization: Seattle University
NNTP-Posting-Host: sumax.seattleu.edu

You have several choices: either (as someone already suggested) let the
shell sit in water for a few days, gently boil the shell, soak the shell
in a short chain alcohol (ethanol, methanol, iso-propyl) for a day or so
then rinse with fresh, preferably distilled, water. Once the organism has
been removed you can apply a low luster lacquer to the shell which will
decrease the oxydation process and preserve the coloration. (Keeping the
shell out of direct sunlight will also help.)

Incidently, I agree that the shells should be left on the reef. They not
only aid the creatures that created them but creatures that will utilize
them later.
From: 0031b@pnet16.cts.com (Rmcs Falcone)
Subject: Re: Shell care
Organization: People-Net [pnet16], NCTAMS EASTPAC
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 00:16:12 GMT

  Berry, I'm shocked that someone would sell you a shell with a "live" sea
animal inside. Anyway, that's not your problem now.
  From time to time I pick up shells that I THINK are empty and later on find
out that it really was "someone's home".  I haven't had too good results in
removing the animal inside. What I have done was to place the shell in water
out in my shed (not in the house) for about a week and then rinse the shell.
Normally, by that time the animal has decayed enought that it just falls out.
  I have heard of using bleach. But I've never done that. Always afraid the
color would fade or it would harm the hardened shells outside coat. But it
might work for you (maybe if you use 1/3 cup to 1 gal water). 

                                                 George

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diving Hawaii waters and loving it   | To the victor goes the spoils
                                     | and I'm spoiled rotten !!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

UUCP: humu!nctams1!pnet16!0031b
ARPA: humu!nctams1!pnet16!0031b@nosc.mil
INET: 0031b@pnet16.cts.com
From: pcarlson@ncsa.uiuc.edu (Patti Carlson)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Re: Cozumel opinions
Date: 25 Jan 93 16:57:45 GMT
Organization: N.C.S.A.

All of my buddies have stayed at the Galapogos Inn, and they highly 
recommend it.  Their package includes room, dive gear, boat trips, and all 
of your meals for about $500 for 7 nights.
From: maierj@edmund.cs.andrews.edu (Joey Maier)
Subject: Re: Sound Direction Indicators
Organization: Andrews University
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 03:32:34 GMT

In article <1jk3eqINNhh6@gaia.ucs.orst.edu> dodd@OES.ORST.EDU (Stirling S. Dodd) writes:
>In article <1993Jan20.134636.4345@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> jwall@nyx.cs.du.edu (Jeff Wall) writes:
>>>
>
>I figured it was a simple memory error (my little bro calls em brain farts).
>
>It does present an interesting idea. Since the speed is only 5 or so times
>as fast, the wavelength would be scaled likewise. Since it is the shortness
>of the wavelength with respect to the ear to ear distance that destroys our
>perception of directivity, it seems that our ears would only require about
>5 times the separation. I don't have time to calculate the directivty
>of this dipole reciever with a big obstrction in the way (your head) but,
>consider this:
>
>My ear to ear gap is about 10 inches, or .254 m. So 5 * this is about 1.25 m.
>I'm 6'4" (~2 m) so if I took an earphone, connected it to a microphone, say
>near my knee, I might have enough separation to distinguish the direction!
>
>I haven't tried this, but it sure seems plausible. 

Karen Pryor, Dolphin Trainer at Sea Life Park, from her 1973 book _Lads
before the Wind_

Sound travels five times faster in water than in air.  To compensate for
this, Wayne made a pair of human pinnae out of steel and plastic, five
times bigger and five times farther apart than our ears on our heads.
These had hydrophones lowered into them and were lowered into  the water
while Gregory and his students, inside the Essex, listened through the
Ears via earphones.  I have heard physicists pish-tush this arrangement,
but in truth, Gregory felt that it gave him quite a bit of directional
hearing, with practice, and he discovered, among other things, that
sometimes what sounds like one  porpoise whistle to us is actually made
by two or more animals.............

BTW, that is on page 162 if anyone wants to check my typing skills :)

Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: 0031b@pnet16.cts.com (Rmcs Falcone)
Subject: Re: getting started
Organization: People-Net [pnet16], NCTAMS EASTPAC
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 23:56:13 GMT

  Can't sit still on this one.....I agree with Alan. It's more important that
you find a good instructor with whom you feel comfortable. That's the key !!
The agency isn't all that inportant as long as they are internationally
recognized. Looking for the "right" instructor is the smart thing. There are
many out there that are more intrested they you learn at your own pace then
pushing students. Find one of those. If you were here in Hawaii, I'd teach you
myself (instructor certified). That's what I try to do, made my students feel
comfortable first, learn the basics, and learn to trust me. If it takes "those
few extra steps" I'll gladly do so. You have to enjoy SCUBA not be afraid of
diving.

                                                 George.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Diving Hawaii...and loving it   | To the victor goes the spoils...
                                | and I'm spoiled rotten !!!!!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

UUCP: humu!nctams1!pnet16!0031b
ARPA: humu!nctams1!pnet16!0031b@nosc.mil
INET: 0031b@pnet16.cts.com
Newsgroups: rec.scuba,rec.boats
From: linda@wendy.net.com (Linda Hill)
Subject: Re: From Avon to Zodiac
Organization: Network Equipment Technologies
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 1993 16:30:30 GMT

In article <93Jan26.093520edt.315@smoke.cs.toronto.edu> enenkel@cs.toronto.edu (Robert Frederick Enenkel) writes:
>spady@bcstec.ca.boeing.com (Robyn Spady) writes:
>
>>The Seven Seas Crusing Association puts out a publication on cruising 
>>equipment . . . The most recent one (available for about $10) identifies Avon
>>inflatables as being one of the most highly rated inflatables and ranks the'
>>Zodiac as being one of the lowest rated.
>
>Do you remember why?  Also, what is the title of this publication?  Do you
>have an address from which it may be ordered?
>
>I would also be interested in hearing about any other "buyer's guide" type
>publications for inflatable boats.  Please post if you know of any.

Practical Sailor is rating inflatables.  General points to consider in the
most recent issue, and specific recommendations in, I think, the next issue.

-- 
Linda V. Hill                           "Nakia", Hans Christian 33
Network Equipment Technologies          Email: linda@net.com
800 Saginaw Drive, 23.2.3               Phone: (415) 780-5785
Redwood City, CA 94063 			Fax:   (415) 780-5001
From: gpn0@ns1.cc.lehigh.edu (GARY PHILIP NEWHART)
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
Subject: Medium Wet Suit for sale
Date: 25 Jan 93 21:34:24 GMT
Organization: Lehigh University

USED medium wet suit: Approximately 10 years old. 3/8"
Good for those who don't need the latest in fashion...Light blue suit..Very
stylish
Best offer...
Newsgroups: rec.scuba
From: pkap@panix.com (Peter Kapner)
Subject: St.Martin --> Saba?
Organization: Panix Public Access Internet & Unix, NYC
Distribution: na
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 23:34:39 GMT


According to the info in the archives at Ames, Saba has some great
diving.  I'm going to be in St. Martin next month and am wondering how
hard it is to get to Saba from there.  Is it possible to do maybe a
day trip on a boat, do a couple of dives and then come back?  Or is it
too far for something like that?  Are there dive operators on St.
Martin who do this kind of thing?

If anyone has the answer, or ANY answer, please let me know.

Thanks.



-- 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peter Kapner
pkap@panix.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Joe.Morlan@f20.n125.z1.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: rec.birds
Subject: Binoculars Question
X-Sender: newtout 0.07 Jan 18 1993
Date: 25 Jan 93  12:06:00

      ***** On 01-24-1993, Paul Mackenzie wrote to All *****

PM> I assume there must be some people in this group who know
PM> about binoculars - can anyone tell me what the numbers
PM> listed with a particular unit mean?  I've seen a few in
PM> stores that say 8 x 40mm or something like this, and I've
PM> also seen things like field of vision is 340' at 1000 ft.
PM> Can anyone tell me how to decipher the magnification out of
PM> these so I don't buy a cheap pair of field glasses?

8 x 40 means a magnification of 8 and the diameter of the
objective lens is 40mm.  For birding, the binoculars be a
minimum of 7 power and a maximum of 10x and the objective should
be at least 4 and preferably 5 times the power but no larger.

Make sure the binoculars are center focusing and have fully
coated optics.  They should not show rainbows or double images
when you look through them and the image should be in clear focus
from edge to edge.  Objects at the edge of the image should not
be distorted.

If you wear eyeglasses, make sure the binoculars have fold back
rubber eyecups.

Generally, when it comes to binoculars, you get what you pay for.

--Joe Morlan, Albany, CA
Joe.Morlan@f28.n125.z1.fidonet.org.

--- Maximus/2 2.01wb