News
UWP News from DEMA: Aquatica
Aquatica have been going since 1987, when the company started out as Aquavision Systems, but It was re-vamped and rebranded as Aquatica/Amphibico in 2000. Aquatica cover the underwater photography side of things, while Amphibico is the videography arm of the company. They are based in Montreal so we met up with Blake Stoughton, who heads up the company, at DEMA to see what was new.
The Aquatica housings look great, with their final coating of powder-coat paint, designed to make them really tough and scratch resistant, and making them very desirable. New at DEMA was their housing for the Canon 5D MKIV. There are plenty of new features to shout about on this housing, with the ability to put in the unique Ikelite TTL feature during the factory build. They also have a circuit board that will fire LEDs for fibre optic strobe connections. The team have worked on ergonomics, including a new function where ISO can be easily operated by your right thumb, without having to move your hands away from the comfortable grip position. The housings have a leak alarm, and the ability to add vacuum system too. What has not changed is the bayonette port system, meaning that all models from the 90s onwards can use the same ports, and you do not have to buy adapters or new ports when upgrading an Aquatica system. If you have a MKIII version of this housing – and want to upgrade to the MKIV – no problem, you can get an upgrade rather than buying a whole new housing. Also on show was the housing for the Nikon D500, again with all these new features being integrated into this new housing. Aquatica housings come in around $1000 less expensive than many rivals.
Also new on the market are Aquatica’s re-designed arms and clamps. The arms are hard anodized and Teflon coated. They are light and look great. The clamps have a finer thread, making them easier to adjust to get the best grip, but what really makes them stand out is their shape and design. These will certainly be the clamps we will be looking for when we need some new ones. They are much easier to grip and adjust than the others on the market.
At the pro end of the market, the Canon 1DX MK11 and the Nikon D5 housings were on show; however, it was the Sony A6300 that really caught our eye. This is brand new and first shipping will start just after DEMA. It has a magnetic tray, a “power cradle” that provides an additional 2 batteries worth of power and has an LED board on its way. It comes with a tray and handles as well as a soft hand strap for those that prefer this setup. It is also very well priced.
The most impressive housing on the stand had to be the Amphibico video housing for Red cameras. This will also soon be able to take the Sony FS7 II. It is an amazing piece of kit (although I would not want to have to travel with it!)
Distributed in the UK by www.camerasunderwater.co.uk.
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EXCLUSIVE: Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of New Scuba Diving Training Agency NovoScuba
In a video recorded exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman interviews Mark Spiers, CEO of new scuba diving training agency NovoScuba.
Find out more about NovoScuba at www.novoscuba.com.
News
Charting New Waters; NovoScuba Goes Global with the Launch of their Revolutionary Dive Training Agency!
Discover a New Era of Dive Education: NovoScuba Brings Innovation to the Surface! Fully ISO Certified and Equipped with Cutting-Edge Technology.
With a combined experience spanning over a century in the diving industry, a team of accomplished dive store owners, managers, and professionals unveils NovoScuba, a ground-breaking dive training agency poised to redefine the benchmarks of underwater education. Launching in May 2024, NovoScuba promises a revolutionary approach to dive training. Their vision is to make diving accessible to everyone, share success within the dive community and emphasise positive interactions with the planet.
NovoScuba’s global debut marks a significant milestone in the dive industry. Driven by a vision to challenge convention and harness the power of technology, NovoScuba aims to revolutionise the dive training landscape through its innovative business model, which is digitally native, making it the most technologically advanced dive training agency to date.
“We recognised the need for change in the dive training industry and saw an opportunity to leverage technology, and redefine existing business models to create something truly innovative,” said Mark Spiers, CEO of NovoScuba.
NovoScuba’s platform offers state of the art training programmes ranging from introductory up to professional diving, including various specialties. All programmes meet international standards and ISO certifications are in place. This commitment to shared success, accessibility and positive results for the planet, all at a cost effective and affordable level, is what will make NovoScuba stand out.
“Our deep understanding of traditional pain points for the industry, combined with our digitally native approach positions NovoScuba as a game-changer in dive education. Offering unparalleled initiatives such as student subscription, open access to all course materials, pay as you certify, no stock required, monthly membership payments, payment in local currencies, one-click certifications, and membership freezing, NovoScuba is set to redefine the industry. Available in 13 languages, at launch, the NovoScuba courses are written for the modern divers, with a focus on up-to-date content, interactive learning, and an engaging platform,” Mark Spiers concluded.
NovoScuba is challenging a change in the industry, redefining established traditional systems, and ushering in a new standard of excellence, support, and partnership. Their collaborations with dive stores, pros and underwater enthusiasts won’t demand exclusivity, prioritising earned loyalty, and an understanding that their Member’s success is key to their own.
NovoScuba
Diving Redefined.
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