Speedplate Coming

I am now working on a variation of the Pterodactyl backplate that will be much smaller. This variation, called The Speedplate, will be designed to be bolted-onto any other backplate. Shown here in this (hastilly-taken) picture is approximately what The Speedplate will look like. This design will duplicate the lower "wing" section of the original Pterodactyl to include the patented harness rollers and welded-on "D" rings. The "longitudinal recess" area of the plate will be very shallow, perhaps flat, to fit all other plates. The Speedplate will be bolted-onto the lower part of a "conventional" backplate (Dive Rite, Halcyon, Deep Outdoors, OMS, Zeagal, etc.)...instantly transforming that plate into a Pterodactyl with the most-noteworthy addition of the harness rollers. This new design is already covered by existing patents...but additional patents are being sought. The advantages of this scaled-down design...less expensive than the original Pterodactyl plate, the diver can use his/her existing backplate, lighter for travel and also lighter for fresh water diving than the original plate when bolted-onto an aluminum plate. The diver could rent a backplate and tanks when traveling and simply bolt the Speedplate onto the rented plate. This new product will be sold with and without the Pterodacyl harness and harness "D" rings. I will have a prototype on display at the upcoming DEMA dive show.

DEMA 2008

Hello everyone! Just a quick note to announce that Critical Aspect Inc. will be exhibiting this year at DEMA. We will be at Booth #3003. The dive show will be from October 22nd. through the 25th. in Las Vegas. This year promisses to be terrific because my product, The Pterodactyl Backplate/Harness System, is even better than last year. First of all, I have moved the manufacturing to an excellent machine shop in Italy and they are doing a great job with the workmanship...all the edges are nicely rounded-over and they are using a beautiful "bead-blasted" finish. This finishing technique involves bombarding the backplates with thousands of tiny glass beads at high velocity...which imparts a dazzling finish. Secondly, I have designed the two-inch crotch strap and also The Mega Buckle and these new additions are now included and standard with the product. Thirdly, I now have wholesale pricing for dive shops. All these additions and improvements to the product have occured since last year's DEMA show. So come check us out! As will all other shows...I will be conducting a raffle at the booth to win a Pterodactyl. SEE YOU IN LAS VEGAS!

John Chatterton and the Mega Buckle

A couple of months ago when I first took delivery of the new inventory from Italy, I sent some of the new Mega Buckles to a few select divers for their thoughts. One of these lucky divers was John Chatterton. Today John sent me this e-mail about the Mega..."Gary: Actually, I have been meaning to email you. I have been working with Billy Gambril on a sidemount rebreather. It is very "strappy", and I used your Mega Buckle for the waist strap for the first time last week. To my surprise, I absolutely love it! I mean, how much can you change the same old weight belt buckle?? My diving philosophy is that detail is of primary importance, especially when it comes to my dive equipment. That means that I want everything to fit me properly, like fins, gloves, drysuit, mask, hood, and harness. The Mega Buckle enables me to perfectly adjust my harness, regardless of how it was last set up. You have re-invented the weight belt buckle!! Nice job." What an excellent e-mail! And yes, I did re-invent the belt buckle. The Mega Buckle solves the problem of having to wrestle the waist belt through those annoyingly-narrow slots in the buckle in order to re-position the buckle after making changes in the "bulkyness" of your dry suit. ANOTHER CRITICAL ASPECT FIRST!

Authorized Dealers Growing

Divers who are interested in seeing The Pterodactyl Backplate/Harness System (before purchasing) now have more options. Currently, there are five dive shops that are carrying my products. In Massachusetts...DIVER'S MARKET, 319 Court St., Plymouth, (508) 746-3483, Wayne Gomer owner, SOUTH SHORE DIVERS, 147 Bridge St., Weymouth, (781) 331-1144, Al Anzuoni owner, NORTHEAST SCUBA, 120 Chelmsford St., Chelmsford, (978) 256-2300, Tom Huff owner. In New Hampshire...Aqua Nuts Scuba, 163 Manchester St., Suite #5, Concord, (603) 228-9981, Rob Ainsworth owner. In Pennsylvania...Indian Valley Scuba, 310 Broad St., Harleysville, (215) 256-6000, David Valaika owner. Recently, a diver who purchased the Pterodactyl wrote me with some feedback after his first dive with it. This was Craig Baumann from Oregon. Craig is a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and a TDI technical diver and has been diving since 1989. He is affiliated with Sea Star Scuba of Portland, Oregon. Craig writes, " Yesturday I dove open circuit with twin LP 108's and a 40 cf stage bottle for Deco. A dive buddy and I were diving a high mountain lake, very large, in the Central Oregon Cascade Mountains at 5,000 foot elevation. I'm pleased to say your Pterodactyl made the trip with me and performed beautifully. The most notable thing about your backplate is how comfortable it is. "D" rings seem to be in the correct place and the waist belt tightens the shoulder straps nicely. Out of the water walking is where a backplate can feel a bit uncomfortable but the Pterodactyl made it feel as though I was molded to my tanks. Thanks for turning me on to a wonderful product...really enjoyed the ride!" Not bad...eh? Another happy customer! And it was John Chatterton who suggested to Craig that he try the Pterodactyl.