DirDirect Weblog

Nitrox diving offers many benefits, but it also requires heightened awareness of gas content. The adage "trust but verify" has never been more relevant than when it comes to the gas in your cylinder. Miscalculating your oxygen content and partial pressure at depths can lead to serious risks. This post will explain the key reasons why we believe every nitrox diver would benefit from owning, carrying, and using their personal oxygen analyser. We will then showcase two excellent, reliable analysers from Divesoft, helping you make an informed choice for your personal safety.

In this post, we compare the SANTI "Flex" series undersuits that, as the name suggests, offer maximum flexibility while keeping you warm in varying water temperatures. From the most flexible Flex 80 made for warmer climates or to be used as a baselayer, to the versatile Flex 190 and the Heated Flex 2.0, SANTI 's innovative range of undersuits are made to reduce bulk and maximise your mobility.

A regular in-store question we encounter. For those of you who have known us since the late 1990s, we’ve always focused on quality equipment, and drysuits are no exception. For many years, we were the UK’s leading outlet for reputable and robust front-entry DUI and Ursuit drysuits. When SANTI entered the market, renowned for its top-quality undersuits praised by many technical divers, we adopted it as the cutting-edge brand in the field, quickly becoming a SANTI Premium Dealer and Test Centre.

We are often asked what our favourite handheld dive light is and what we would recommend to recreational divers who do not require umbilical canister torches. Now that the 2025 dive season is underway, we are summarising the advice we offer in-store to visiting divers for those who cannot visit us for a hands-on demonstration. These days, with LED technology and batteries where they are, a decent, reliable dive torch does not need to break the bank. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Apeks EVX regulators are for divers who demand higher performance - in any environment. New for 2025 and replacing the XTX200 series with innovative improvements, the EVX200 and Tungsten regulators with excellent thermal performance and incredibly effortless breathing are ideal for any environment, even in extreme conditions. If you're looking for unparalleled performance, the EVX is here.

Scubapro introduces the Navigator Lite BCD in 2025, a decade after the now-discontinued popular Lighthawk model. This innovative, lightweight, and durable wing-type BCD is designed for travel and folds compactly for easy storage. Marketed for recreational divers, its reliability suits casual and experienced divers alike. The Navigator Lite offers a streamlined design and easy adjustment that appeals to many divers.

In this 2025 review we're diving into into the Shearwater Peregrine, Peregrine TX and Perdix 2 Ti dive computers to help those new to Shearwater models make the right choice. It's up to you to decide which best suits your needs and diving style, whether one is worth twice the price of the other, but we're hoping to raise the right questions for an informed choice.

Introducing the Halcyon Vector Pro fins: A revolutionary advancement in underwater propulsion meticulously engineered for exceptional performance and versatility. Designed to meet all of your diving needs, these fins are built to excel in any environment, eliminate the need for multiple sets of fins, and save valuable space in your dive luggage. But they don't come cheap...

Today, we're diving deep (pun intended) to compare two feature-packed handheld primary dive lights: the newly released (2025) Orcatorch D920 and the tried-and-tested Shark Artemis. Whether you're a serious recreational diver or a seasoned technical diver, having a reliable light source underwater (especially in UK conditions) is crucial. A powerful and reliable dive torch will make such a difference to what you see and how you feel.

The new Orcatorch D920 promises to be popular with serious recreational and technical divers as an alternative to corded canister torches. With runtimes ranging from 1.5 to 35 hours and a brilliant 5000-lumen turbo output, this 6500K light incorporates magnetic charging, 4 light modes, LED power monitor, low power protection and mode memory function.

Suex defines its NEW VR SERIES Underwater Scooters as a testament to its past, a reflection of its passion, and a promise for the future. As a global leader in Diver Propulsion Vehicle (DPV) manufacturing, SUEX has been pushing beyond limits in this field since the 1990s. This year, it has developed 3 models based on the same body with interchangeable battery cones. We review all three of these.

Smart Seals are a game-changing innovation in dry suit technology, offering unrivalled flexibility and convenience. This wrist seal system allows for effortless interchangeability between standard latex or silicone wrist seals and dry gloves. Smartseals enable you to adapt to changing conditions within minutes without compromising your diving experience. Whether you're a seasoned diver or just starting out, the pre-installed Smartseal system provides a practical and user-friendly solution for a comfortable and enjoyable dive.

Imagine a comfortable, lightweight, reliable dry diving suit that allows you to dive for as long as you like in tropical or Arctic waters. Explore the underwater world without thermal limitations. Make the 102 AIRON your new Avatar in the underwater world and experience unparalleled innovation.

Introducing the ultimate Cold Water Undersuit. The SANTI BZ420X promises to be the pinnacle of technical diving undersuits for extreme conditions and long-duration dives. Built upon the legacy of the legendary BZ400, this new undersuit offers unparalleled warmth and comfort. With enhanced insulation and durability, the BZ420X ensures you stay cosy and protected, even in the most frigid waters.

Your Feedback Matters to Us If you've shopped from us in-store or online, we'd love to get your feedback. A quick review on Facebook, or Trustpilot (DirDirect), or Google, would go a long way and would be greatly appreciated. It helps others as much as us, both to learn how we're doing and how we can improve to serve you and others better in the future.

Starting off in 1998 with a love of diving, today's Underwater Explorers | DirDirect has blossomed from a local dive shop to a global outlet of cutting-edge equipment and sound advice. Through teamwork, creativity, and a thirst for adventure, we've built a supportive community and a globally renowned online store. Now, with over 25 years of experience, we're still passionate about sharing the wonders of the underwater world and helping divers of all levels explore safely and confidently.

Xdeep Stealth 2.0 Classic, Tec or Rec? Which suits you best and what's future-proof for all-around sidemount diving, whether on wrecks and reefs in open water or the depths of caverns and caves? We take a look at what Xdeep offers, what's similar and what's different between them.

Following their debut at DEMA 2023, the Shearwater Tern and Tern-TX dive computers have garnered attention for their compact design and versatile functionality. While both models share a sleek, lightweight profile reminiscent of the Teric, their feature set aligns more closely with the recreational Shearwater Peregrine. The Tern-TX, however, takes the capabilities a step further by introducing transmitter-enabled gas consumption monitoring, allowing divers to track their gas usage precisely. It also boasts a digital compass, enhancing underwater navigation.