HID canister lights were once expensive pieces of equipment that only cave and technical divers would use. They produce a gigantic beam of intense light and offer burn times that can’t be equaled with standard hand-held dive lights. In the past three or four years, many serious recreational divers have been adding these powerful lights to their wish lists. Unfortunately, the prices for these light was just beyond what most wanted to invest. Now, that is changing!

Dive Rite has always been a very strong player in the HID light market. They have lead the industry with economical performance upgrades, and a large variety of battery and light head combinations ranging from 10 watts to the super-powerful 50 watt HID lights. That being said, the Dive Rite 10 watt HID canister lights have remained the most popular among serious divers who need to watch the pocket book.

We have just received notice from Dive Rite that we can offer a pretty nice sale on the Dive Rite 10 watt HID canister lights from now until the end of April. This sale includes both the LT6250MR11-SS Sunspot fixed focus light and the LT625H10 10 watt variable focus light. Both of these lights come with the Slimline canister and NiMH battery combination, the smallest canister available today. Even then, these light offer an amazing 4 hours of burn time, more than enough for short cave exploration, deep technical ocean dives, and multi-tank recreational dives. Both lights come complete with canister, light head and cord, NiMH battery, battery charger, and the protective STORM rigid storage box. Take a look at the links below and move NOW to get your own Dive Rite 10 watt HID canister light.

LT6250MR11-SS Sunspot HID Canister Light - Only $499!

LT6250H10 Variable Focus HID Canister Light - Only $599!

If you have been waiting for the right time to add a Dive Rite canister light to your arsenal of dive equipment, now is the time. To sweeten the deal a little more, all order placed from now until the end of April will also include a rigid Goodman handle, a $75 vale, absolutely FREE! Don’t wait. Sales like this don’t come along often. Get your Dive Rite HID 10 watt canister light now from DiveSports.com.

Phil Ellis

Dive Rite 10 Watt HID Lights on Sale at DiveSports.com

We certainly have a lot of different mask models in our inventory. Many of them are much alike, with the exception of slight styling and color differences. Recently, we added a mask that certainly seems to be a little different. The Tilos Excel frameless mask follows the late market trend of masks with the glass lenses molded directly into the skirt. These frameless masks result in a much lower profile than is possible with standard frame masks and the direct connection of the strap anchor to the mask skirt improves comfort and fit. The Tilos Excel features the tear-drop lens shape so popular with masks released in the past several years. The wider bottom on the lens makes it much easier to see down when diving. Tilos has also taken the same concept to the area of the lens just above the eyebrows…expansion in size that results in a wider field of vision when glancing up. In a recent issue of their diving industry publication, Scuba Diving magazine said this about the Tilos Excel frameless mask…..

Quoting Scuba Diving Magazine: “The Tilos Excel was the big surprise of this review. It had one of the widest fields of view and a budget-friendly price. With a wide bottom and teardrop shapes below the eyes, the lens favors downward viewing, great for finding belts and buckles on a BC. The top narrows at the temples but has high eyebrows that help when looking up. It all adds up to a combined vertical range of 75 degrees, the same vertical field of view as the two Atomic masks in this review. Bonus: The upper and lower corners of the mask have a tread-like texture that helps wet hands grip the mask when donning and doffing.”

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/masks/10_frameless_masks

Since adding this mask to our online offerings, the sales have been brisk. Reports back from customers say that this mask is more comfortable than other models, offers a much wider range of view in all directions, and that the skirt is much more comfortable and seals “like it is glued on to my face”, to quote a recent caller. At our low price of only $37.77, the Tilos Excel mask is an unusual value for such a high-quality piece of equipment. Use the links provided in this post and give the Tilos Excel frameless dive mask a try. This new Tilos Excel gives DiveSports.com, once again, an opportunity to provide you with the latest equipment, at the best prices. Remember, we want to be your local scuba store, no matter where you live!

Phil Ellis

Tilos Excel Frameless Mask at DiveSports.com

We got our shipment of the XS Scuba MiFlex braided hoses in today. This is a nice looking product. We had dozens of order for these from our online store, so we spent most of the day boxing and shipping hoses. While we were checking them into our inventory, two customers walked and got their first look at them. They just had to have MiFlex.

We will know much more after several people have used these hoses. I can tell you…they look great, they are very flexible, and the look way cool. Thanks for your business and don’t forget to get YOUR XS Scuba MiFlex hoses.

Phil Ellis

MiFlex Braided Hoses - In Stock at DiveSports.com

We have been seeing several new products each month from Highland Millworks. For those not familiar with this company, it was started by Joe McGrath to manufacture dual cylinder tank bands and hardware for technical diving applications. Joe quickly established his company as THE company for dual cylinder diving accessories. When Joe decided to retire and close his company, XS Scuba contacted him about taking over his operation and continuing the supply of dual cylinder bands and other products. This stainless steel backplate is one of several new products have have released in the past several months.

It is difficult to establish a particular backplate as a unique product, but this one has some features of interest to typical users. Highland Millworks has combined the best features found on the best backplates into a single solution for rigid-backplate diving with single cylinder or dual sets. Made completely from 316 stainless steel and featuring a beautiful #4 brushed finish, the Highland Millworks backplate is designed to serve the needs of the very demanding diver. With a slightly flatter bend than many plates, the Highland Millworks stainless steel plate is extremely comfortable and places the cylinders much closer to your center of gravity. All holes and slots are cleanly cut and Highland has also provided cam band slots to allow the use of a single cylinder without the necessity of using a single cylinder adapter. At 6 pounds, this plate provides more than adequate negative buoyancy for diving in heavy wetsuits or dry suits. Take a look at the Highland Millworks stainless steel backplate. We think you will like what you see.

Phil Ellis

Highland Millworks Stainless Steel Backpates at DiveSports.com

Back in November, we made an announcement (November Art to Media Post) about the Art to Media waterproof dive map cards. We began our inventory with waterproof cards for the Oriskany and the Spiegel Grove. These card have been a very big success with our walk-in customers and our Internet audience. The concept of having a full 3D view of the site you are about to dive is a great one and the detail, planning, and measurement effort that went into these cards is clearly reflected in the final product.

We have recently added several more of these Art to Media waterproof cards to our inventory. In addition to the two Oriskany cards and the Spiegel Grove, we now have the shipwreck of the Duane, the Bibb, and the Eagle in south Florida. In addition, we have an Art to Media card for the reef site at the Christ of the Abyss in Key Largo.

For your next shipwreck dive, go with a detailed waterproof wreck site map card from Art to Media. We have them all in stock and ready for immediate delivery at DiveSports.com.

Phil Ellis

3D Dive Map Cards at DiveSports.com

On February 27, I made a post on this blog announcing the selection of XS Scuba as the North American distributor for MiFlex double braided regulator hoses. As an XS Scuba dealer, we are naturally excited about the introduction of any new product, so we were glad to see this agreement that would allow us to offer this hose. As is my practice with new and unique products, I made a post on www.scubaboard.com offering these hoses as a Hot Deals offering to anyone that might be interested. This is a common method we use to get a little sales boost on new products and we continue it with new products because it works. The ScubaBoard users are our good friends and customers and we always want to give them a shout when we get something new. You can use the link below to see that thread on ScubaBoard.

Dive Sports Hot Deals Thread - XS Scuba MiFlex Hoses - ScubaBoard Chat Board

I am absolutely astounded at the response we have had to this to this product. Even though we were promoting this as a pre-delivery offering, we got orders for over 25 hoses on the first day of the post! And the orders continue to roll in. The interest and discussion of this product is actually shocking and surely indicates that this is a hit. As the days since the introduction have passed, we noticed another unique thing….we had over 675 DIFFERENT users enter the term “miflex” in our internal search engine on www.divesports.com. Honestly, I can’t remember any single product getting that much search action in such a short period of time. And remember, this is a brand new product not being seen by US customers in their local scuba store. So, the question is….why is this hose so hot?

Well, there is no doubt about it…the XS Scuba MiFlex hose offers some attributes that would be a considerable improvement over the standard scuba hose. They are very flexible. Standard hoses often pull at the diver’s regulator due to high rigidity. The XS Scuba MiFlex does not. They are light. Standard hoses, especially in the longer lengths can be heavy. The XS Scuba MiFlex is not. They are durable. Standard hoses have a realistic life of about 5 years with an active diver. The testing by the manufacturer suggests that the XS Scuba MiFlex hose might by 3 times more durable than a standard hose. Best of all, the XS Scuba MiFlex hose really looks cool! It gives a regulator set an upscale look and feel. We have a sample here in our store and everyone that sees it remarks on the great looks.

Apparently, the interest in the XS Scuba MiFlex hose indicates that there has been dissatisfaction with old standard rubber scuba hose. For years, we thought we would just need to live with it. Now, with the introduction of the XS Scuba MiFlex double braided regulator hose, maybe we don’t. You see, ANYTHING can be improved. This is a great example of improvement.

Phil Ellis

XS Scuba MiFlex Regulator Hoses - Buy Them Now at Divesports.com

We have just completed our March newsletter and scheduled it for delivery at 6AM on Monday. For this month, we are offering a new discount code to allow our customers to continue with the savings at www.divesports.com. This new coupon code is MARCH15 and it gives an immediate, online discount of $15 OFF of any online order totaling $150 or more, not including shipping and sales tax. Like all discount codes, this one is applied at the shopping cart and the discount is shown on your electronic invoice. This discount code cannot be used with any other discount. If you apply the MARCH15 code and then attempt to apply another discount code, the last code applied will be the active one. Additional information about using discount codes can be found at www.divesports.com. Simply click the Promotions Link on the gray menu bar in the header of the website.  Note:  This discount code can ONLY be used for online, electronic purchases.  It cannot be used for purchase in our brick and mortar store.

DiveSports.com was the first scuba diving retail site to provide our users with a link that explains ALL of our discount codes. We will continue to offer you THE BEST PRICES POSSIBLE on all of your scuba diving equipment and accessories. Remember, at Dive Sports, we want to be your local scuba store, no matter where you live!

Phil Ellis

Save More with Discount Codes at DiveSports.com

We just added a neat product to our online offerings….the HitchSafe trailer hitch receiver safety vault. This cool product has been around for a few years, but we have just become aware of it and it is perfect for scuba divers. Divers always have a tough decision to make when driving to a shore-diving location. They can’t lock their cars without finding a safe hiding place for the car keys. The HitchSafe completely solves this problem. The HitchSafe installs in a standard 2″ trailer hitch receiver and provides you with a secure place to put your car key, a couple of credit cards, and maybe a little cash. This solid steel vault is secured inside your 2″ hitch receiver by strong, steel bolt pins that can only be removed when the HitchSafe is properly removed using the combination. A simple user-chosen three digit combination allows you to easily remove the HitchSafe and access your contents. The included dust cover cap hides the whole works from trouble makers and the security of the combination entry prevents unwanted intrusion. Take a look at the link below for more details on the HitchSafe security vault for divers.

HitchSafe Trailer Hitch Security Vault - Available at DiveSports.com

This is also a great place to store that second car key so you can easily rescue yourself if you lock your keys in your car. No need to worry with those magnetic boxes that often fall off and are the FIRST place a potential thief checks. Put that spare in the HitchSafe and it will always be there when you need it.

Phil Ellis

Buy a HitchSafe Trailer Hitch Security Vault at DiveSports.com

Save on Many Other Scuba Diving Items at DiveSports.com

We have been internally discussing this new innovation in regulator hoses for several months now, and we are finally able to make it public. Today, XS Scuba announced an agreement to distribute the MiFlex (pronounced ME flex) double braided regulator and inflator hoses. Dive Sports is proud to be one of the first dealers selected by XS Scuba to offer this line of regulator hoses. Mike Piantoni from XS Scuba feels that divers will quickly realize the benefits of using the MiFlex hose to improve durability, comfort, and safety in regulator performance. The following press release was distributed by DiveNewsWire:

XS Scuba To Begin Distribution of Miflex Hoses

Versatile and unique, the new Miflex hoses to begin shipping by April 1, 2008.

Miflex Hoses, the manufacturer of the range of Xtreme high performance diving hoses are pleased to confirm the launch of their products in America, working with the established and successful company XS Scuba.

Developed in cooperation with expert divers, the Xtreme range of diving hoses have been developed by a team of Miflex engineers, analyzing the weak points of traditional rubber diving hoses.

The fruit of their research is the Miflex Xtreme range of high-performance hoses.

Available in a wide range of lengths, for regulators and BCD quick-disconnect applications and in three colors:

Black, Blue and hi-viz Yellow.

Miflex Xtreme hoses feature a patent-pending,double nylon safety braiding designed tooutperform and outlive traditional rubber hoses.

Miflex Xtreme hoses are 30% lighter than anequivalent length rubber hose and haveunmatched flexibility.

You can tie a Miflex Xtreme hose in a knot andstill be assured of continuous, uninterrupted airflow.

XS Scuba is a worldwide supplier of a full-line of recreational and technical diving equipment. Miflex hoses will be available for delivery by April 1st.

For further information:

www.miflexhoses.com

XS Scuba

4021 W. Chandler Avenue

Santa Ana, CA 92704

tel: 866.977.2822

info: info@xsscuba.com

DiveSports.com will be proud to be one of the first dealers authorized by XS Scuba to resale the amazing MiFlex hose. In fact, we have already begun taking pre-delivery order for this product and have seen online sales of over a dozen hoses in the first morning since promotion began. Follow the link below to learn more about the XS Scuba MiFlex double braided hose……

XS Scuba MiFlex Braided Regulator Hoses - Available from DiveSports.com

Initial inventory of this hose will be limited, but you can place a pre-delivery order now on www.divesports.com. Be one of the first to realize true innovation in regulator hose performance and comfort.

Phil Ellis

MiFlex Regulator Hoses at DiveSports.com

Every now and then, a product comes along that is just simply cool. Such is the case with the IST Flip Knife. More and more divers like to carry folding knives. They are compact, convenient, and don’t get in the way when stored. Some like the idea of a webbing pouch, but the possibility of losing the knife is very strong. Most just prefer to attach a stainless steel clip and hand the knife on a d-ring or some other out-of-the-way place for storage. IST clearly had the right idea….build the knife with the clip already there! The blade of the neat, stainless steel knife has a loop-lock clip built right into the end of the blade. When the knife is stowed, the clip is easily attached to a d-ring. When the blade is deployed, the clip hides neatly in the handle. This IST Flip Knife is very nice quality and is simply a cool accessory. Take a look at the link below for more details about this cool and affordable dive knife.

IST Flip Knife - Only $28.88 - Available from DiveSports.com

We have several of these in stock and available for immediate shipment or easy pickup in our store. Don’t miss this chance to get the coolest of accessories, the IST Flip Knife!

Phil Ellis

Buy the IST Flip Knife from DiveSports.com