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Traditional foam buoys are sturdy and durable, but also cumbersome and not easily stowed for transport. Vinyl inflatable buoys offer convenient portability but are also easily damaged, and have poor visibility due to their low flag elevation.
The Pocket Buoy merges the benefits of rigid construction and collapsible portability into a new patented design. The secret lies with the hinged internal frame, which provides a continuous torsion arm between the flag assembly and lower counterweight. this allows the flag elevation to be more than twice as high as other inflatable buoys, providing substantially improved visibility.
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Aqua Pocket Buoy with Diver Down Flag:
This is a really clever buoy, super compact design and well built. I despise the other inflatables, this is 10x the quality for about the same price. I did have a pole break after I beat the daylights out of it on some hard high wind/seas dives, [...]...great product [...]
Comments about Aqua Pocket Buoy with Diver Down Flag:
Since I bought the Pocket Bouy I have the best diving experience. The convenience of space, weight in wounderful, traveling to the near islands has been good while not having a full size bouy to carry around, I carry mine in the BC until I reach the water and then it just takes a few minutes more to have a full size bouy in the water. I have reommendeed this product to other divers that ask me where did I bought mine.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
Comments about Aqua Pocket Buoy with Diver Down Flag:
I do alot of spring and Keys diving, I love that I can throw this in my gear bag and forget about it. It is an inflatable buoy, so you sacrifice some durability as compared to a regular foam ball and stick, but of course those are bulky and annoying. However as compared to the other inflatables this is hugely better.
I had some trouble with the flag lifting off the pole in a stiff wind, but I didnt lose it becasue of the internal line that holds the pole sections together. A lightweight lashing line from the flag corner to the towing strap solved that.
The soft weight pocket add-on is nice, since I mostly use bean bags for weight (3lbs for fresh water worked fine). Buy extra balloons, I used one per dive. Would reccomend, especially for travel and compactness.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Summerland Key, FL on 7/5/2010
Comments about Aqua Pocket Buoy with Diver Down Flag:
[...]After six uses, the product has fallen apart, like I thought it would. The flag had too much drag, was flimsy, and poorly constructed. I don't even recommend it for travel. It's cheaper to buy a flag at the dive destination and throw it away afterwards.
[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]
from Summerland Key, FL on 6/14/2010
Comments about Aqua Pocket Buoy with Diver Down Flag:
This dive flag buoy is recommended for travel purposes. The entire contraption can be stowed in a relatively small pouch. However, that being said, it does give up some sturdiness in exchange for its compactness. For example, the buoy is actually a balloon that can pop, so you should carry spare balloons (17"+) just in case. The dive flag pole is arranged in sections that fit into each other, but pull apart for travel. They are connected by a thin elastic band and I am uncertain as to how long these bands will last. The "nylon pull strap", which is connected to the diver, is attached (sewed) to the nylon case which houses the balloon. This strap is already stretching away from the case due to the excessive drag from the buoy (see below). I am uncertain as to how long it will be before it tears away from the case. Lastly, the buoy requires a counterweight of five pounds in salt water, which hangs somewhat deep. If you swim into shallower water, it is possible to drag the weight across the bottom, which brings us to the issue of drag. In my opinion, the buoy offered too much drag. The large round surface area of the buoy, coupled with the five pound counterweight can prove tiresome, especially in a current. In summary, I can recommend this product for travel purposes. However, I am hesitant to recommend this product for frequent use by less athletic individuals, especially in areas where stronger currents prevail.