BTS 2008 Report

Went to BTS 2008 this weekend. I wasn't at the exhibit hall much as I was in one of the hotels mostly
taking three different classes. I now have my PSI VIP inspector ticket (well, as soon as they mail
me my inspector #), as well as Eddy Current inspector and Valve Repair technician. A lot of neat
stuff. I got to use the Visual Plus 3 ECT machine that uses a software (Win XP) interface as opposed
to a big yellow/red box. Pretty neat, but extremely sensitive and expensive, requiring a lot of care
and feeding.

Met Al Wells and Art/Tina Greenberg there on Friday Night. That was the better night to attend as
the crowds were a lot smaller and easier to work with. The show was different this year. Not too
many people bring a lot of stuff to sell directly there. Only "demo" model stuff. I guess everyone is
feeling the effects of the increased airline fees for transporting cargo etc.

I met Patrick of Oxycheq and a few other of Al's friends. And just for you Dan, I talked for a bit with
Peter Hughes himself, who asssured me that I would be just fine on the Blue Hole with one of his
AL80's. We'll see. BTW, that's a done deal now. I'm totally paid in full for the Sun Dancer II, Belize
on the 05/24 departure, Master Suite with Single supplement. We'll see how it goes. If it goes well,
then I'm already contemplating my next liveaboard trip. More details later.

My favorite gear Mfgr. Oceanic (except for their regs), did not have a booth there this year. However
Bob Hollis' "Hollis, Inc." divsion (ie. the new "tech diving" division) was there in it's place. As far as
regs go, I'm now an Apeks man, having just recently purchased a set of DS4's/TX50's. But I still
like Oceanic's (Pelagic's) computers and Oceanic's wetsuits & other gear etc. Quite a few mfgrs
with CCR's there. Al showed me around. Not that I'm anywhere near thinking about one yet, but
it was interesting to see.

Anyway, Saturday I got a chance to go back into the exhibits after class but it was way too HOT in
the facility and too crowded to move around. I think Fri. evening was the better alternative and
what I'll most likely do in the future if I go. I'm thinking DEMA is the better show to attend, and I
will try to do so when it's back in Orlando in 2009.


____________________________________________
Regards,

Arnold
.