LATEST UPDATE:
Blu3 have recently released the Nomad Mini Hookah Dive System, which has superseded the Nemo. For deeper diving, greater battery capacity and more, check out the Nomad Mini HERE!
Heavy and bulky apparatuses, license costs, finding a convenient dive shop to top up your air, tank servicing and high initial set up costs...these are just some of the realities of traditional scuba diving that BLU3 Dive Systems overcome. Read on to find out more and if it’s right for you!
Latest Update: The Nemo is no longer in production. However, BLU3 is forging ahead, introducing two remarkable successors: the NOMAD and NOMAD Mini. This demonstrates their unwavering dedication to advancing underwater technology.
Introducing the world's most compact Dive System
The Nemo Tankless Dive System from Blu3 is a very exciting addition for the world of recreational diving and scuba. This ultra-portable, lightweight hookah dive system weighs less than 5kg (One third the weight of a single small scuba tank. Yes, really!), is less than 30cm on all sides and features a rechargeable battery that allows for a depth of up to 3 meters for 60-90 minutes or more. Even better, the Smart Reg™ monitors your breathing to ensure you get the most out of each dive by extending the life of your batteries.
What all this adds up to is an easy to carry, travel friendly diving solution that is perfectly suited to activities and recreation such as underwater metal detecting, shallow water exploration, treasure hunting, underwater photography and even boat maintenance.
While it certainly doesn’t make traditional scuba or snorkelling gear completely obsolete, it provides a very convenient and attractive option in a variety of situations and our team has logged a number of hours quite quickly with the Nemo.
Blu3 NEMO Dive System VS. Traditional Scuba Diving
Here are a few scenarios to help compare and contrast these two setups:
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New to Scuba
Are you new to the world of scuba diving? Maybe you’re just looking for a convenient piece of equipment for important jobs such as boat maintenance?
It’s easy for us to recommend the NEMO to anyone starting out. With the high start-up costs and licencing, more maintenance to keep on top of (and more) associated with more traditional complex setups, this can be daunting or prohibitive for some people or applications.
What Blu3 is offering does away with all that. All that is required is a comparatively small start up cost (purchase of the unit), and a helpful online course + waiver. Yep, that’s literally it.
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Remote and/or difficult to access locations.
There are many “hidden gem” type locations all over the world that might require hiking to access and/or be a considerable distance away from Civilization and Dive Shops.
Now just imagine the prospect of having to bring all your heavy and bulky equipment all the way to the water (A single small dive tank can weigh 15kgs!), plus you might also need to find a shop that can refill or top up your air. If you want to go really deep, the NEMOs depth of up to 3 meters won’t cut it. However, if you’re imagining a situation that doesn’t require more depth such as a secluded beach, swimming hole or river/creek…
This is where we see Blu3 shine with this Tankless Dive System, the Nemo. The Nemo + Backpack + Battery weighs just 6.5kg! And if the unit's 60-90+ minute battery life and optional spare battery isn’t enough you only need to find a power point to recharge. The entire unit stows away easily and conveniently. Slip on the small and lightweight unit in the provided backpack and away you go.
This is probably where we see the biggest impact. Situations where accessibility and convenience are a big deal.
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Busier and/or more accessible locations
We’re sure many of you can think of a few swimming areas, rock pools and other waterfront locations that you’ve wanted to explore, take photos of underwater or metal detect, etc. These areas are where the differences might be less important to you. However it’s worth considering a few important things.
Portability, convenience and depth still apply, but also in some areas the prospect of being run over by a boat or otherwise entangled in someone's gear that doesn’t know you’re there may be a consideration to you. The NEMO unit floats on the surface, complete with a colourful ring and Blue/White or Red/White flag and anyone near enough will hear the compressor noise. If you’re looking to be discrete, then with traditional scuba gear you will be virtually invisible to anyone above the surface.
Underwater Metal Detecting with NEMO
We’d be remiss if we didn’t comment further on the detecting applications. As avid Detectorists ourselves, we can easily and confidently say the NEMO Dive System has proven to be a kind of force multiplier out in the water. When you combine this hookah dive system with a portable underwater metal detector such as the Pulse Dive from Nokta Makro you’ve just created an extremely effective combination of gear for treasure hunting just below the surface. See our Review on the Pulse Dive here.
With this incredible new dive system out and receiving praise all over the world, we’re very excited to see what Blu3 does next!
If you'd like to learn more about the BLU3 Dive Systems or order your very own, click here. Thanks for joining us for this review, as always let us know if you have any questions. Happy diving!