Which Diver Magazine Subscription Offer?

[Matt Cook]

Hello All,

I'm new to diving, just starting my BSAC training and enjoying every minute of it. I know this seems an odd question to ask in my first post here, but here goes ...

I've read a few copies of Diver magazine and found it to be a good read (even for a novice) and was wondering what people thought about this publication? ... or if there are better mags out there.

I am tempted by their subscription offers and am interested to hear what people thought was the best offer, in terms of value and/or usefullness. The current offers are;
- 12 months of digital issues + back catalog for £18.00
- 12 issues for £29.95
- 12 issues + watch for £36.80
- 12 issues + Lenser Frogman LED Torch for £44.95
- 24 issues + rucksack + Drybag for £59.95

So the options are Watch, Torch or Bags. Or not to be tempted by freebies and go for the cheap digital option. What do you think?

[Roz]

Matt

Diver Magazine is an UK established magazine (of 30 years plus standing) that has a marmite reputation. http://www.divernet.com/ You either love it or hate it. As a new diver, I'd certainly recommend subscribing to it because you will get something useful from it. You know what your budget is, so I am not going to suggest which subscription offer you could take up.

You might like to know that if you are a member of BSAC, one of the benefits of membership is a free annual subscription to DIVE. http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/ This is also a monthly UK diving magazine and has been going (I think) about 10 years. If you're not yet a member of a dive club, why not toddle along to your local BSAC club and find out more.

The third serious player in the UK is Sport Diver which is affliated to PADI. http://www.sportdiver.co.uk/ They have a helpful article each month which is called "above 18 metres", which tells you about pretty UK sites that as a new qualified diver you might wish to dive, so it's also worth subscribing to.

I read all of these magazines plus the following;

Freebie wise, watch out in your local dive shop for Tanked Up. http://tankedupmagazine.co.uk/ This is produced by the London and Midlands Diving Chamber and tends to be quite light hearted and comes out about once a quarter.

For a more serious read log onto http://www.xray-mag.com/Issuearchive X-Ray is the first digital diving magazine and covers diving from around the World. I think it comes out 8 times year and is a heavy weight diving magazine.

As a new diver devour everything and anything you can get your sticky paws on. You'll find that some stuff contradicts what you will read elsewhere. But in the main the same messages keep on being printed. You'll learn a ton of stuff and find out the more you learn, the less you know.

HTH.

[Matt Cook]

Roz,

Thanks very much for the info on magazines ... I'll check them out some more (only just joined BSAC so not sure when my copy of Dive will arrive).

So, if I had to push you on the subscription thing. Say you were buying it for me (a novice) as a Xmas present (I know we've only just met, but I can hope :) ) and, as a diver, money was no object :rolleyes: ... would you go watch, torch or bags?

In the era of dive computers, does anyone still use a watch other than to tell the time? Is a torch really nesseccary? Or can any old bags do the job?

[PeteM]

In the era of dive computers, does anyone still use a watch other than to tell the time?

Watch is good for posing down the pub, Almost everyone uses a Dive Timer or Computer for diving.

Is a torch really nesseccary?

If it is dark yes. In the UK it is often dark. Typically I carry three

Or can any old bags do the job?

Dive bags advertise lots of expensive dive kit inside, other kit bags don't

[Matt Cook]

Thanks PeteM ... 1 vote for the torch then ... that make sense.

[MattV]

I'd say you need a good torch, regardelss where you dive. I struggled with a tiny one (1 led) that I got as a freebie. But is better than nothing :) A torch is also useful in clear(er) water (tropical for example) with very good vis, since it allows you to peer into small caves, under the coral, etc.

As for subscriptions.. it is really a question of taste, they're pretty similar IMHO.

[Alex Liddon]

The Led Lenser frogman is a good primary torch for blue water holiday diving and an acceptable back up for uk diving.

[northern_diver]

torch any day-lenser is a good one, long and good bur time with good switch. much more useful than a watch which is basically just a back up dive timer... vote for the torch as actually use that.

get the watch next year.

john

[Matt Cook]

Thanks everyone. The torch is the clear winner so far. Seems a decent deal too. Cheers for the comments ... Matt

[Matt Cook]

Just to let you know ... I went with the torch offer.

[John Bantin]

This February in Diver Magazine:
Exclusive interview with John Garvin, script writer and diving co-ordinatoretc of James' Cameron's Sanctum.
Michael Aw in collision with a Brides Whale.
John Liddiard in Swanage.
Jan Reyniers with blue sharks in the Azores.
London International Dive Show preview.
American DEMA report.
Gavin Parsons with Greenpeace in the Mediterranean.
Cave diving beneath Budapest.
Our Man on the French Riviera.
Plus all the regulars...and loads of opinion.

[Dave White]

I went for the torch offer too Matt...thanks for the heads up, talked me into it. Oh and thank you too Roz....also trialing the sport diver magazine.

Thanks both...hadn't even thought about it until now :D