JPowerSnorkelThe PowerSnorkel from PowerDive (who else?) is a free-floating, snorkelling pump that lets you dive to 12 metres without scuba gear, or 6 metres if two of you are attached, for about an hour without resurfacing.
It's a family-fun version of an old-fashioned diving suit, where the air is fed from a boat above. You just dont need a team of lackeys pumping furiously to keep you going. Air is fed from a floating unit the size of a swimming ring that has a motor, air reservoir and a 25psi compressor, powered by rechargeable batteries. It has a flag on top so landlubbers can keep an eye on where you are in Jaws- style. Let's hope that is where the comparison would end.No training is required other than an ability to breathe, oh and swim of course. Although the price could knock the puff out of you. Apparently you will start to see them for rent at beaches. The contraption comes with two regulators.
Cost$2,495 from powerdive.com.
XGPS150 Universal GPS Receiver
Here’s a way to add sat-nav functionality to a smartphone, tablet or even a laptop. Dual’s Universal GPS receiver does all the multi satellite locking-in bit, and then connects to any Bluetooth-enabled device wirelessly for proper GPS positioning (ie within about three metres or so).
The XGPS150 – just trips off the tongue, doesnt it? – is pretty easy to set-up, even if you are a bit of Luddite. Simply pair your non-GPS smartphone or iPad for instance with the receiver, download any of the dozens of mapping apps that are available for all the phone operating systems and you’ll be a flashing dot on your screen in moments. It comes with a non-slip pad for use in a car or on a boat and an armband is also included for jogging or hiking. The rechargeable battery lasts up to 8.5 hours and it comes with a car kit too.
Cost €179 from expansys.ie.
FishEyes Rod and Reel
This can really broaden the scope of the one that got away. It’s a fishing rod with a video camera at the end of the line for a hook’s eye view underwater. So now you can see all the ones you won’t catch, as well the ones you might. The FishEye’s camera is mounted in a waterproof casing with the hook or bait basket just below it illuminated by a built-in LED.
It’s the bait basket option that really makes this a gadget worth considering as the kids just love the idea of getting a peek into fishville. There’s effectively no real benefit for keen fishermen.
Indeed, it's only got 8 metres of line so you would hardly be plunging the cinematic depths. Though apparently some fisherfolk use the FishEye as a secondary rod just to look at the general activity around their main rod CCTV-style and to get to know their slippery opponents a bit better. It takes 4 AA batteries.
Cost$80 from amazon.com, currently awaiting more stock.