Need waterproof cigarette case...

[Draq]

Thank you all for the input. I may consider using an old flashlight for some money and a photocopy of my dl and let it go at that. I can do without the cell phone and credit card and the OMS tube is larger than I want to carry.

Or, I'll continue doing what I have in the past and put the cash in a ziplock and stash it under the back seat or floor mat of the truck and just take the truck key with me on the dive.

I gather it sounds weird that I want to carry this stuff, but we often will head out and do a dive and then find a restaurant for lunch during the surface interval, and then go do another dive before heading back to the room, or we may get dinner or a beer someplace after a night dive, so money or a credit card comes in handy. Twice while driving a rented jeep on the east side of Cozumel I've had a cop ask me for ID, for no apparent reason. I know a guy who had a small fender-bender in San Miguel. He had to go the police station and they would not let him leave until he came up with cash or credit card for the deductible amount on his rental insurance.

Cell phones are useful for linking up with buddies, getting directions someplace or when your truck gets a flat somewhere on the north end of Bonaire, not to mention getting emergency help quickly if someone needs it. No, I don't need a cellphone, driver's license or credit card while diving, but if they aren't safe in the truck then you have to either take them diving or leave them behind. I was looking for a convenient way to take them with me. If I am not fairly sure it will stay dry, then I would rather not take anything that I'm not willing to get wet, and even more so, I don't want anything popping open and the potential loss of contents.

[MxDiver]

I have used a small otter case for sometime now and never had a problem, I usually only use it for keys, money and ID. as for the ziploc baggies I don´t think they would provide any protection, when using them in camping trips they flood just by sitting in the ice water, so I don´t think they would help even wit a small leak.
On a lighter side you could get one of these and use it as a regulator case durign the trip.

[acamato]

Why is everyone set on using a waterprood box (ie Pelican, Otterbox)? I posted these in a earlier post. I haven't used these but I may get them to try out: aLOKSAK, Resealable Element Proof Storage Bags

They have been tested by SSI (200' in pressure chamber) and US Navy (to 4', but the thrashed, pulled & squeezed the bag) Performance Test & Certifications

Who know's how they would hold up at depth? I think they will do well. At depth they are being compressed, it shouldn't pop open or split a seam.

I think they would work for a wallet, money, ID's, etc. I don't know if I would use it for a cell phone or electronics.

[CompuDude]

Originally Posted by acamato

Why is everyone set on using a waterprood box (ie Pelican, Otterbox)? I posted these in a earlier post. I haven't used these but I may get them to try out: aLOKSAK, Resealable Element Proof Storage Bags

They have been tested by SSI (200' in pressure chamber) and US Navy (to 4', but the thrashed, pulled & squeezed the bag) Performance Test & Certifications

Who know's how they would hold up at depth? I think they will do well. At depth they are being compressed, it shouldn't pop open or split a seam.

I think they would work for a wallet, money, ID's, etc. I don't know if I would use it for a cell phone or electronics.

Similar products have been around for a long time. They're notoriously bad for things like cameras and electronics, but you're right, they'd most likely be fine for a credit card and some folding money. Plus a CC is unlikely to be completely ruined if a little water gets in... god knows mine have gone through the laundry once or twice and been fine.

[Straegen]

I would put my stuff inside a double zip ziplock (not a big fan of the Aloksak) then inside the OMS. After years of kayaking and backpacking, I have never had a double zip freezer bag fail on me.

A company in New Zealand made a product that looks promising: Dive Containers New Zealand Ltd

You could also DIY with some heavy PVC and quality O-Rings.

[CODMAN]

Thanks for starting this post and to everyone for their input as I was asking myself the same questions for a future bonaire trip!
I'll be wanting to carry the same stuff, minus the cell phone, under the same conditions: not wanting to always head back to the room before lunch, diner, etc...
I think I'm going to go with one of those scubatoys boxes. And anything in it (credit card, cash, drivers licence) won't be ruined if it leaks. Just wet, which isn't he end of the world. It should work for me.

Cheers!!!

[Straegen]

I would encourage you to at least try the Ziplock Double Zip Freezer bags inside your selected waterproof case. They are very cheap, reusable, can be purchased from most super markets and in my experience are incredibly durable. Tons of uses and sizes as well. We use them for packing and just about any time I need to group crap together in a bag.

[acamato]

Originally Posted by Straegen

(not a big fan of the Aloksak)

A company in New Zealand made a product that looks promising: Dive Containers New Zealand Ltd

Have you used a aLoksak? I am asking because I dont't want to purchased them if they won't work for diving.

My concerns are: why you have to place the items in a splash proof bag prior to placing the items in the Dive Container. Also, How buoyant are these?

[MxDiver]

Originally Posted by acamato

Why is everyone set on using a waterprood box (ie Pelican, Otterbox)?

I can´t speak for the rest, but for me is availability. I can find waterproof boxes readily available at my LDS, but not the other products you guys are mentioning, also the fact that the US dollar has gone up 50% vs. the peso over the past few months doesn´t help ordering from the us specially when I add the shipping charges.

[Draq]

I have never used those Aloksaks, and was thinking of trying them. Somewhere I read a complaint though, about them not staying sealed and saying they were essentially a ziplock.

They are pretty cheap, I may get one and try it. Like several of you have said, it probably isn't a big deal if a credit card gets wet and I have had soaked cash before so that isn't a major worry, although I did once have someone refuse to accept wet money. I am always looking out for better ways of doing things, though.

The Dive Buddy thing looks nice, but too big. If I can't fit it in a BC pocket or clip it unobtrusively to a strap, I am not going to bother.

I am going to scrap the cell phone idea. I can see it is going to be way too much hassle.