Epinions Recent Reviews for blawler1

Buddy's makes 24/7 diving a reality on Bonaire

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 22:03:59 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview On our last two trips to Bonaire, we have used Buddy's to dive with based upon their location (close to the Yachtclub Apartments where we stay), reputation for providing tanks 24/7 and competitive prices. Buddy's has recently expanded their...

Lahaina Divers offers reasonable service for a big operation

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 01:12:48 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview Lahaina Divers (LD)is a large operation and is the only dive operator to run regular trips to Molokini Crater out of the Lahaina/Kaanapali area. Operating their large boats from the downtown Lahaina harbor, LDs main business location is...

A Simple Rugged Nitrox Computer

Tue, 7 Oct 2003 17:50:43 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Background Having finally worn out my old Zenix, Mares America offered to upgrade me to a Surveyor Nitrox for a nominal charge, as they had just introduced the M1 and were trying to clear out their remaining stock of Surveyors. I had previously seen t...

PADI Underwater Naturalist: Learn to Dive Hawaiian

Thu, 24 Jul 2003 01:29:10 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview Not too long ago, while on a trip to Maui, I decided to take the PADI Underwater Naturalist Specialty course to help me round out my specialties and complete my PADI Master Diver rating. Lahaina Divers offered this course as a $39 add on to t...

Days Inn Cozumel Mexico: Cozumel on the Cheap

Fri, 12 Jul 2002 16:37:23 GMT

rating: 3/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Background

On a recent dive trip to Cozumel with some of my friends, we booked the Days Inn as this was the most economical property offered as a package. Since this was a "guys only" trip, we were willing trade beachside location and...

PADI Peak Performance Bouyancy: Learn to Fly Underwater

Wed, 3 Jul 2002 11:14:14 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview

The PADI peak performance bouyancy diver course is a specialty course designed to help divers fine tune their bouyancy skills through using advanced techniques to find the optimum weighting necessary to be as close to true neutral...

Dive Palancar and The Allegro are a nice combination for diving in Cozumel

Sat, 8 Dec 2001 14:38:26 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Introduction

On a recent trip to Cozumel, we stayed at the Allegro resort and dove with Dive Palancar, which has a small dive shop on property. As the Allegro is located on the south end of Cozumel, it is one of the closest properties to the...

PADI Rescue Diver: PADI Rescue Diver is the first step toward becoming a dive professional

Sun, 28 Oct 2001 21:24:59 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Introduction

Rescue diver is designed to prepare divers to respond to situations that may arise when diving. It is also a requirement for anyone seeking to be trained as a Divemaster, (the first level of dive professional) or recognized as a...

PADI Medic First Aid: PADI Medic First Aid teaches skills for life

Sun, 28 Oct 2001 18:06:58 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Introduction

The PADI Medic First Aid or its equivalent is required to take the PADI Rescue Diver course which in turn is required to move up to Divemaster and Instructor training or for certification as a Master Diver. This course is...

Don Foster's offers good option in Grand Cayman

Sun, 28 Oct 2001 17:19:44 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Introduction

I decided to dive with Don Foster's on a recent trip to Grand Cayman. As they offered a 15% discount through the condo where we stayed as well as multiple dive packages (including t-shirt) they were very reasonable compared to...

Where the Bugs Are

Sun, 23 Sep 2001 14:39:10 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview

The Florida Keys offer a unique diving opportunity with its shallow tropical reef system only a short drive from the gateway airports of South Florida. From Key Largo's colorful reefs all the way down to Key West with its infamous...

Simple is Good

Sun, 26 Aug 2001 20:17:29 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - In looking for a cheap backup regulator, I chose a Mares Nikos R2. Having a Nikos octopus, I was familiar with the Nikos second stage and figured it would work with my other equipment. I was also confident in the overall quality of Mares equipment...

Onepass is a what a frequent flyer program should be

Mon, 13 Aug 2001 14:51:14 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview Onepass, Continental's frequent flyer program has been recognized by industry experts as among the best programs for long distance carriers for the past several years. With the wide range of destinations, relative ease of use and numerous per...

Hilton British Colonial Nassau: This is James Bond's Nassau

Thu, 9 Aug 2001 03:04:53 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview

The British Colonial Hilton, the oldest hotel in central Nassau and the only down town hotel with its own private beach stands positioned at the head of Bay St. and strategically situated near the straw market, the water taxi to...

America's Gateway to the Caribbean

Wed, 8 Aug 2001 02:39:18 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview

Discovered by Ponce Deleon in the early 1500's and named for the many turtles he spotted there, the Dry Tortuga's form the western tip of the Florida Key's and the gateway to the Caribbean. It was identified as the "Dry" Tortugas in...

Sand Dollar's Service Survives Lenny

Fri, 3 Aug 2001 16:52:33 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Overview

The Sand Dollar Dive & Photo's dive operations were significantly impacted by the waves from hurricane Lenny in November 1999 as the dive shop was washed away. This did not affect the high level of service they provide and may have...

A really inexpensive, full featured air computer

Sat, 28 Jul 2001 17:47:27 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - After having take my last computer in to the dive shop get the battery changed, I decided to look for a low maintenance computer that I could change the batteries myself (and not have to pay out the nose to get the battery changed as well as run the risk...

PADI Enriched Air Diver: Nitrox is a Gas, Gas, Gas

Sat, 28 Jul 2001 16:36:14 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - On a recent trip to Grand Bahama, I decided to take a Nitrox certification course to explore the possibilities of Enriched Air Nitrox (EAN). Having heard the anecdotal information regarding the advantages of Nitrox, especially for mature divers (being a...

PADI Advanced Open Water: Advanced Open Water, Let the Adventure Begin

Sat, 28 Jul 2001 15:13:56 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - Why I did it, what it was like and what I gained from it.

I decided to take the PADI advanced open water course to try a new adventure and also leverage some outstanding dives in the cost of the course. As a recently certified diver, I wanted...

The Jewel of the Dutch Caribbean

Sat, 28 Jul 2001 13:15:10 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - About Bonaire

Bonaire along with Aruba and Curacao, Bonaire form the ABC islands of the Dutch Caribbean. With Curacao as the state capital Bonaire has remained part of the Netherland Antilles while Aruba has since become its own state in the...

Bio fins are for real

Fri, 8 Jun 2001 11:18:57 GMT

rating: 5/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - After trying a number of different fins over the last few years, I decided to take the big leap and get a pair of bio fins last year and have not regretted it for a moment. The difference is truly amazing. The first time I got to use these fins was...

A really inexpensive, reliable, travel friendly BC

Thu, 7 Jun 2001 20:30:57 GMT

rating: 4/5 by: Epinions Author blawler1 - In looking to get a cheap, but reliable BC for traveling to warm water sites (Caribbean, Florida and Bahamas), I decided on the Sporasub Inca. With a package purchase, I was able to get a deal on it (about $120), a price I could not touch with any of...