Of all the additional features,

1) Barometer (altitude) - No high altitude lake dive for me

2) GPS - Entry point to make log prettier? Maybe

3) Compass - Kinda important, only time i wish i hav compass with me is when i did unlimited no-guide shore dive where the vis is so bad that i need abort dive, go surface and look for my way back to dive center. Also can buy the traditional dive compass as cheaper option.

Anyone have list of Air Asia direct flights to dive destinations? Thanks

Try Flightconnections or flightradar24

I read from a facebook diving group, starting from Oct 1, sipadan day limited to 2 dives at Sipadan.. to me is a loss to divers.

Sharing the video from my latest LOB trip.
https://youtu.be/rXXkbhBrP_E

yeah.. but increase permit and increase number of dive operators.

It's not to preserve the environment, but to earn more $$$

they increase the number of permits to 200 per day also.

Am looking for a torch light, got any recommendation ?

Is 1200 lumens bright enough ? What is best lumens should I get ?

Sharing my latest trip videos

Ambon, September 2022
https://youtu.be/ryI3aQolSQE

Banda Sept/Oct 2022
https://youtu.be/LpEiZpSGHcc

Anyone can recommend good dive centre in Palawan ? I'm heading there in December and would love to know more... Thanks in advance

Hi, I am looking to join a Discovery Scuba course near KL. Does anyone know any good dive shops? Reasonable priced and not too far from Bukit Jalil

Sharing my video from my November 2022 trip to Socorro.
https://youtu.be/TcPWH5wA1Ow

Video of skipjack tuna from my November 2022 trip. Video is at 50% of actual speed.
https://youtu.be/cucJxiRH3Po

This post has been edited by GrumpyDiver: Nov 20 2022, 03:25 PM

For day dives I like at least 1500 lm for signalling, especially in milky water. For night time ~800 is ok since you don't want to blind fish and other divers.

I use Divepro S40 which I think puts out 4000 / 2000 / 400 (high / mid / low) and a DGX600 as my backup. DGX makes great lights but have to buy from the US.

Another thing to note is if you use crappy batteries that will affect the output as well, so get good batteries from a reputable shop.

Video from my December 2022 trip to The Maldives.
https://youtu.be/x-1p4q1sedc

how is Tioman during end of March
will it be suitable for beginners due to change of monsoon just begin, worry for the waves

helo, i have been to tioman during end march 2018, waves is ok, but visibility was not good.

i think its hard to say, maybe better to book from the dive centre and ask them to advise closer to the dates.

April is the best... Vis gets better and it's much more calmer, March is like tikam tikam period

Dear sifu,

Asking for advice:

If I have budget for 1 LOB trip in near future, will you pick Raja Ampat or Komodo?

1) I am aware there are day trip frm Komodo

Experience wise, I've done 1 LOB in Similan, and I would like to ask where to get more experience in terms of dealing with current before I go to R4 / Komodo.

I will suggest Raja Ampat for LOB. It is easier to do day trip at Komodo as you have mentioned, manta that is frequently seen in both Komodo and Raja Ampat, and Raja Ampat have the added Wobbegong Shark as an attraction.

I think the best way to pick up experience diving in current is to actually do it. I think most dive operator play "safer", meaning to say they time the dive properly so that customers get to experience some current but they are manageable, compared to other dive operator that actively seek to dive at the most exciting (strongest current) condition.

Maybe you can consider day diving Komodo for experience