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How do you do it?
I'm really not fond of wrist slates. A notebook with graphite pencil seems to work okay until the pencil disintegrates, and the ones I've looked at are all just a tiny bit too large for my liking.
I was wondering if anyone had ever tried shrink-wrapping the graphite pencils, and if so, did it add to the life of the pencil?
Excluding the examples above, I'd really like to see what everyone is using.
A cheap mechanical pencil. Just chunk it after a weekend of diving.
Rite in the rain paper, the plasticized kind, and any mechanical pencil works for me. The really cheap bic ones are what I usually buy because their cheap and I tend to lose them.
-Jon
I have been logging data for years, and my preferred means is using Rite in the Rain paper, with templates I print from a laser printer. I hate mechanical pencils because the sharp point will have a tendency to puncture the paper and cause microtears. I like the graphite pencils, and will usually use wire shrink wrap around the pencil to give if stiffness to reduce breakage. The graphite pencil does a great job of writing without damaging the paper.
These are amazing: https://www.amazon.com/Field-Notes-F.../dp/B00AQO8Q88
https://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-...3EXBAQWAZBGZQT
Magna-doodle works great underwater. The toy is in a plastic frame that can be broken away, leaving just the sealed plastic writing surface. Cannot make a LOT of notes, the magnet "pen" writes more like a broad tip felt marker than a pencil.
But for passing notes, or having short conversations, just great.
Some local dive shops used to sell the magna-doodle built for wrist mounting, but don't know if it's still being sold in dive shops anymore. Still being made and sold in toy stores.
Check out push point mechanical pencils....An example, but the link is silly
http://www.carnivalsource.com/store/...FQiqaQodrnUHew
http://www.jetpens.com/Pilot-Croquis...-mm-6B/pd/3352. You can run a piece of thin bungee through the top cap.
Pilot croquis pencil is pretty sweet.
4mm, I really like that. Much easier to see. Good compromise between mechanical, and graphite pencils.Quote:
Originally Posted by rongoodman
Could you post a photo of yours with bungee for reference?Quote:
Originally Posted by rongoodman
I buy a drafting vellum paper that's excellent. I pay about $3 to $4 for a 30"x40" sheet that I cut down to 8"x10"s or what ever size I need. They come in single side mark able or both sides mark able. Since I tape the sheets to a slate I usually only buy single sided. For pencils I use woodless grafite drawing pencils I order from Dick Blicks. These come in various hardness but would recommend HB. While the water don't effect these they are brittle and snap easily. I keep mine on a bungi tied to my Shearwater's strap. When I dive dry I slip it under the Shearwater, when diving wet I slip it under my wetsuit sleeve.
I thought everybody was just taking a few dozen arrows and cookies, scribbling whatever nonsense on them, and leaving them in the cave. Me, I just put "Trey" on all of mine.
In the Gear Configuration gallery, under Croquis Pilot.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sh0use
Found it. Looks pretty good. I just ordered one off Amazon to play with. They have them for $4.33 free shipping but say that it wont get to me till August. Hopefully it doesn't take that long. Thanks for sharing!Quote:
Originally Posted by rongoodman
croquis is the answer
i have some pop a point pencils as backup
As a "professional", I've used everything from rite in the rain laserjet printer (the non-plastic kind) to bulk-roll mylar. Mylar works great, if you need a lot, and can be had for a decent price if you shop around (I bought a 12ft 40 inch wide roll for $35 from Amazon, and didn't even get the best price). For writing, we buy cases of the yellow Sharpwriter twist-point pencils. The lead is moved by a plastic bit, so even when the spring rusts, you can still advance the lead. I've also had success with pop-a-points, at least until you drop one of the points in the muck trying to replace it. Graphite pencils are great until they get dull, then it looks like you're writing with a crayon. Ditto with china markers.
Cut the sheets to size, tape them to a plastic clipboard (or smooth cutting board if you're cheap) with electrical or duct tape, and you're good to go. It's worth noting that sharpwriters float, so must be tethered or they'll get away from you.
If you've got pre-made forms, you can either print them on the rite--in-the-rain paper, or print them on normal paper and tape it under mylar.
Also, if you go the plasticy rite-in-the-rain or mylar route, be careful not to rub the sheet when it's wet. We've had whole dives' worth of data erased that way. After it dries, spray it with artist's fixative (expensive) or Aquanet/hairspray (cheap).
Jim
I have one of these, while i haven't used it on a cave dive yet (the video shoot was interrupted) you can write anything you want on the screen or just pull up canned text segments (e.g., I am out of air, please let me have your long hose). I have used it mainly for fish id. You have to be careful with battery life. http://idivehousing.com/
:rollguyQuote:
Originally Posted by wingman
I just looked at the link, and it looks like it might be great for surveying.Quote:
Originally Posted by wingman
Invest, invest, invest!Quote:
Originally Posted by FW
http://www.cavediver.net/forum/galle...nder_thumb.jpgQuote:
Originally Posted by rongoodman
I saw the picture in the gallery, but how do you get the cap off? I just got some in, but I don't want to risk breaking one to find out there is an easier way.
It just pulls straight off. It's stiff, though.
OK, I just didn't want to pull too hard, without knowing if that would work.Quote:
Originally Posted by rongoodman
OK, it works fine, but the knot keeps the lead from retracting all the way. Thinner line helps.
My pen that I ordered is taking its precious time to get here. The cost of $5 was nice but coming from Norway is definitely a downside.
I ordered some SiTech valves from England the same day as I ordered the pens from a US supplier, and they arrived the same day as the pens.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sh0use