But not for another 4 days :(
SeaLife have been dragging it out for sometime now but it's finally arrived in the UK. The DC500 and related kits will be available from the last week in August, after the UK bank holiday.
Unfortunately the DC500 Elite kit is delayed until October while they make a 'special bag' for it. It would need to be special with an extra two months to wait on top of the already one month late arrival of the camera!
Staying on the 'delayed by the manufacturer' front, Fuji are yet to even announce a release date on their strobe despite a launch date of July/August. At the moment it's looking more and more like late September but the demand is high so we're keeping our fingers crossed.
On happier notes, Fantasea are shipping their new Coolpix 8800 and 7900 housings plus the FD70 has had a slighty upgrade with an improved hot shoe interface.
Previously teamed up with Epoque, Fantasea are switching to SunPak flashes, currently under going tests in the Red Sea. The results will be reviewed next week with production beginning immediately afterwards. Hopefully these will be ready by Christmas creating a stunning new FD70 packge or add-on option to give users iTTL.
Epoque are not replying to e-mails regarding UK distribution and are not supplying strobes of any kind at the moment. In light of this we are bringing in additional Sea & Sea strobes to ensure demand is matched with an appropriate range of alternative options.
Dive Ireland 2006 is looking particularly good (not just because we have a stand there) but because a full range of speakers are now confirmed including diving and watersports photographers, technical divers and underwater explorers!
Full details are on the Dive Ireland website: www.diveirelandshow.com
Finally for Big Blue Squid, I've got new Sony housings. The latest cameras and housings are now available plus our new Sony page layout makes it easier than ever to see and choose the camera you're looking for.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Monday, July 25, 2005
Big Blue Squid Upgrade Complete
The new SuperShops are now in place on Big Blue Squid with SeaLife, Pelican (Peli cases) and Fantasea getting a new page layout designed to show the whole range in a single, easy to view page.
The new SuperShops also include stock levels so you know what we have available and what's on order.
Additional upgrades include European shipping. For the Euro equivalent of just £5.00 you can have your item shipped to anywhere in Europe.
Finally, the new SeaLife DC500 5 MegaPixel camera will be available shortly but you cna pre-order it right now on the website. There's also a Big Blue Squid exclusive offer including extra lenses and memory with £30 off.
The new SuperShops also include stock levels so you know what we have available and what's on order.
Additional upgrades include European shipping. For the Euro equivalent of just £5.00 you can have your item shipped to anywhere in Europe.
Finally, the new SeaLife DC500 5 MegaPixel camera will be available shortly but you cna pre-order it right now on the website. There's also a Big Blue Squid exclusive offer including extra lenses and memory with £30 off.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
Summer Success
Well I survived another Summer Madness and had a fantastic time. I even managed to make it to no less than three worship services which were excellent. Check out the speakers on the Summer Madness website, they are well worth hearing.
As a member of the security team the event went very well but we were definitely stretched to the limit on numbers. If you're over 21 and can spare the first weekend in July don't hesitate to apply to join the security team for 2006. No experience is necessary and you don't have to be a great hulking martial arts expert - actually we could use a few normal men and women! ;p If you've confidence, a sense of humour (a really big sense of humour!) and don't mind missing your sleep then you're definitely in with a chance of joining us next year!
Weekend aside it's parade season here again so things will be a bit chaotic for the next week or so.
On the Big Blue Squid front, the site is looking good with a whole host of new goodies soon appearing. From new product lines to massive price cuts we're aiming to make Big Blue Squid bigger, easier to use and cheaper than ever! VAT exclusive prices will also be available for qualifying BFPO addresses plus stock levels and new detailed product information will also be available.
International postage options and a customer gallery will also be appearing shortly so keep checking back for all the latest updates!
As a member of the security team the event went very well but we were definitely stretched to the limit on numbers. If you're over 21 and can spare the first weekend in July don't hesitate to apply to join the security team for 2006. No experience is necessary and you don't have to be a great hulking martial arts expert - actually we could use a few normal men and women! ;p If you've confidence, a sense of humour (a really big sense of humour!) and don't mind missing your sleep then you're definitely in with a chance of joining us next year!
Weekend aside it's parade season here again so things will be a bit chaotic for the next week or so.
On the Big Blue Squid front, the site is looking good with a whole host of new goodies soon appearing. From new product lines to massive price cuts we're aiming to make Big Blue Squid bigger, easier to use and cheaper than ever! VAT exclusive prices will also be available for qualifying BFPO addresses plus stock levels and new detailed product information will also be available.
International postage options and a customer gallery will also be appearing shortly so keep checking back for all the latest updates!
Friday, June 03, 2005
Squid Upgrade
After 9 months of adding products and features I'm finally getting BigBlueSquid.com upgraded. We're dumping PayPal as payment processor and switching to online processing via a corporate bank. This will enable us to take orders via the telephone and process online orders with the need to sign-up to PayPal.
I'll also be adding stock levels to the site so you'll be able to see exactly how long it will take to receive your order.
A number of other upgrades will also be taking place in the background which will make the site faster and easier to navigate. The whole upgrade will take around 4 weeks. Most of this will be dedicated to switching payment processors.
More details will be posted on the site and in the bi-monthly newsletter.
I'll also be adding stock levels to the site so you'll be able to see exactly how long it will take to receive your order.
A number of other upgrades will also be taking place in the background which will make the site faster and easier to navigate. The whole upgrade will take around 4 weeks. Most of this will be dedicated to switching payment processors.
More details will be posted on the site and in the bi-monthly newsletter.
Monday, May 23, 2005
Back to Building
Well it's that time of the year again.
I finally got hold of my treadmill (ordered around New Year) and ran hard about 3 times per week for 20 mins each time to give myself a strong cardio workout.
This lasted about 2 months then I hurt my foot diving and missed running for 4 weeks.
OK, so one week was pure laziness but you can't rush these things!
I also noticed if I don't run then my healthy food ideals go out the window so I've gone back to full time training. It's the only way to keep focused when your will power is as lame as mine.
So it's back to 30mins light jogging everyday and lifting on splits alternate days with dedicated ab work every 4 days (part of lower body split workout).
Working on this programme with higher protein, lower carbs and a healthy mix of one day off for feasting I should be a 12lbs lighter without losing muscle mass within 6 weeks. Great for healthy diving and all things summer related.
If you're looking for great articles, photos, forum, products etc. check out the link. There's a lot of exceptionally useful info if you're into building your own workouts but there's also sample programmes and guidelines for healthy eating.
Most of the products offered are available in the UK if you hunt around the web but personally I stick to a multi-vitamin from Centrum, Milk Thistle Extract from Solgar when I want a detox and plenty of natural egg whites for pure protein.
I've tried Xenadrine EFX (the one WITHOUT ephadrine in it) but this was too high in caffeine for me (I drink decaf diet coke, no coffee, tea or anything else with caffeine so I'm not used to it!)
It does get good reviews though but I'd recommend building up the dosage slowly to see how your system reacts to it.
If you're looking at fat loss or mass building products using herbal extracts check these links out:
http://www.physiciansselect.com/herbal-supplement-dictionary.htm
http://www.health4youonline.com/
http://www.onlinefit.com/health/
http://www.bodybuilding-supplements-for-you.com/
http://www.slimhelp-uk.com/product_list.asp
And these are handy:
http://topendsports.com/testing/bodycomp.htm
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/index.html
http://www.mrtrainer.com/exercise.html
I finally got hold of my treadmill (ordered around New Year) and ran hard about 3 times per week for 20 mins each time to give myself a strong cardio workout.
This lasted about 2 months then I hurt my foot diving and missed running for 4 weeks.
OK, so one week was pure laziness but you can't rush these things!
I also noticed if I don't run then my healthy food ideals go out the window so I've gone back to full time training. It's the only way to keep focused when your will power is as lame as mine.
So it's back to 30mins light jogging everyday and lifting on splits alternate days with dedicated ab work every 4 days (part of lower body split workout).
Working on this programme with higher protein, lower carbs and a healthy mix of one day off for feasting I should be a 12lbs lighter without losing muscle mass within 6 weeks. Great for healthy diving and all things summer related.
If you're looking for great articles, photos, forum, products etc. check out the link. There's a lot of exceptionally useful info if you're into building your own workouts but there's also sample programmes and guidelines for healthy eating.
Most of the products offered are available in the UK if you hunt around the web but personally I stick to a multi-vitamin from Centrum, Milk Thistle Extract from Solgar when I want a detox and plenty of natural egg whites for pure protein.
I've tried Xenadrine EFX (the one WITHOUT ephadrine in it) but this was too high in caffeine for me (I drink decaf diet coke, no coffee, tea or anything else with caffeine so I'm not used to it!)
It does get good reviews though but I'd recommend building up the dosage slowly to see how your system reacts to it.
If you're looking at fat loss or mass building products using herbal extracts check these links out:
http://www.physiciansselect.com/herbal-supplement-dictionary.htm
http://www.health4youonline.com/
http://www.onlinefit.com/health/
http://www.bodybuilding-supplements-for-you.com/
http://www.slimhelp-uk.com/product_list.asp
And these are handy:
http://topendsports.com/testing/bodycomp.htm
http://www.jeffgalloway.com/index.html
http://www.mrtrainer.com/exercise.html
Monday, May 16, 2005
Summer Madness Youth Festival
Summer Madness, the Christian youth festival will be on from July 5th - July 10th in the Kings Hall, Belfast. As Ireland's largest Christian festival it promises to be another year of great fun and stunning work as speakers and campers from around the world converge to hear and share God's word.
As a volunteer for over ten years now I will be back on the security team and can't wait for another 6 days hard work in the service of the Lord. To help us out this year I'll be installing wireless CCTV to assist with crowd management and emergency control making it safer than ever!
If you're interested in joining us as a volunteer on the security team, you don't mind applying for the PECS check and you're over 21, contact myself at mike@bigbluesquid.com or go www.summermadness.co.uk for the all the details!
If you do apply through the Summer Madness website, drop me an e-mail anyway and let me know!
As a volunteer for over ten years now I will be back on the security team and can't wait for another 6 days hard work in the service of the Lord. To help us out this year I'll be installing wireless CCTV to assist with crowd management and emergency control making it safer than ever!
If you're interested in joining us as a volunteer on the security team, you don't mind applying for the PECS check and you're over 21, contact myself at mike@bigbluesquid.com or go www.summermadness.co.uk for the all the details!
If you do apply through the Summer Madness website, drop me an e-mail anyway and let me know!
Catalogue Launch
The Big Blue Squid catalogue has appeared in the June edition of Dive magazine one week early. First copies arrived on Friday 13th May with the majority appearing on BSAC members doorsteps on Saturday 14th May.
There are still some copies due to be delivered throughout this week but so far the response has been stunning.
A number of Fantasea housings have been delayed due to production and high volume ordering issues but the first items will be in stock by early next week.
They will be appearing on the website on Thursday 19th May.
There are still some copies due to be delivered throughout this week but so far the response has been stunning.
A number of Fantasea housings have been delayed due to production and high volume ordering issues but the first items will be in stock by early next week.
They will be appearing on the website on Thursday 19th May.
Prototypes are Complete
Woohoo!! (That's a technical term btw).
The Blue Reef project prototypes are now ready. Six models have been produced and will be presented to potential licensees within three weeks.
Results of that meeting will be posted here!
The Blue Reef project prototypes are now ready. Six models have been produced and will be presented to potential licensees within three weeks.
Results of that meeting will be posted here!
Monday, May 09, 2005
Life in the Tank Returns
'Life in the Tank' will return!
Life in the Tank was a computer drawn comic strip I designed many years ago and was very popular among the very few who knew about it.
Now, I finally have time to resurrect 'Life in the Tank' and will be adding it to the Big Blue Squid website.
It will of course have it's own website but in the mean time look out for it on www.bigbluesquid.com.
Life in the Tank was a computer drawn comic strip I designed many years ago and was very popular among the very few who knew about it.
Now, I finally have time to resurrect 'Life in the Tank' and will be adding it to the Big Blue Squid website.
It will of course have it's own website but in the mean time look out for it on www.bigbluesquid.com.
New personal website development
After half a dozen personal sites from diving info to travel photos I've finally dumped them all in favour of one 'super-site'.
From this week on I'll be working on a new database driven site comprising all my photography work from travel to combat, wildlife to diving plus new info on my other interests and hobbies including weather tracking, gadget building and other travel related info which hopefully will be of use to others.
It should take no more than about two weeks to design the site and a further week to build it followed by an ongoing 'deposit' of images into the database to finally catalogue them all.
While it's not designed to be a commercial site, the wildlife photos will be available for sale again for anyone interested in purchasing them.
From this week on I'll be working on a new database driven site comprising all my photography work from travel to combat, wildlife to diving plus new info on my other interests and hobbies including weather tracking, gadget building and other travel related info which hopefully will be of use to others.
It should take no more than about two weeks to design the site and a further week to build it followed by an ongoing 'deposit' of images into the database to finally catalogue them all.
While it's not designed to be a commercial site, the wildlife photos will be available for sale again for anyone interested in purchasing them.
Thursday, May 05, 2005
Blue Reef Prototype Production Underway
The first Blue Reef prototypes have gone into production. The five SLA models will be cast and dyed by early next week with final units being ready for the following weekend. (14th approx.)
Licensing talks will then be planned for the third or fourth week in May.
Licensing talks will then be planned for the third or fourth week in May.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Big Blue Squid Catalogue Launch
Following several weeks of round the clock work I have completed the new Big Blue Squid mail order catalogue. With around 200 products, the 12 page A4 catalogue will be printed this weekend and most of next week.
32,000 copies will be printed with 30,000 going into the June edition of Dive magazine. The magazine is sent out to all BSAC members polywrapped so I can be sure it will reach the most people.
The remaining 2000 will be available upon request (for free) from the website.
The catalogue includes the complete new range of Fantasea products and our new line in digital memory cards, O Rings, batteries and other spare parts.
If you would like a catalogue, there will be an opportunity to request one late next week once it is printed from the Big Blue Squid website.
32,000 copies will be printed with 30,000 going into the June edition of Dive magazine. The magazine is sent out to all BSAC members polywrapped so I can be sure it will reach the most people.
The remaining 2000 will be available upon request (for free) from the website.
The catalogue includes the complete new range of Fantasea products and our new line in digital memory cards, O Rings, batteries and other spare parts.
If you would like a catalogue, there will be an opportunity to request one late next week once it is printed from the Big Blue Squid website.
'Blue Reef' Prototype Nears Completion
The 'Blue Reef' project is nearing completion as the prototype will be ready in the next three weeks. Under development for nearly five months now, final CAD drawings were completed just last week.
Pending talks in Wales late in May I hope to be in a position to publicly announce the completion of the product. Depending on how licensing issues pan out I'm hoping to have the product ready for market within the year.
For those who may not have seen recent news about 'Blue Reef', it will bring a new dimension of 'peace of mind' and safety while at sea for all open water users including divers, leisure cruisers and commercial offshore workers.
Pending talks in Wales late in May I hope to be in a position to publicly announce the completion of the product. Depending on how licensing issues pan out I'm hoping to have the product ready for market within the year.
For those who may not have seen recent news about 'Blue Reef', it will bring a new dimension of 'peace of mind' and safety while at sea for all open water users including divers, leisure cruisers and commercial offshore workers.
Cold Water Battery Insulation
Our new insulation packs for cold water photographers will also be ready by the end of May. These are designed to fit between your camera and the housing without causing additional pressure but will drastically reduce the cold convection between the seawater and the camera body. Any heat from the camera will also be reflected back into the body of the camera, thereby increasing battery life dramatically.
Available in various sizes and shapes the insulation packs will be around £10 each.
Available in various sizes and shapes the insulation packs will be around £10 each.
Fuji Filters
I'm currently working on a new filter attachment for Fuji housings so if you're interested get in touch.
It will be easily removable in the same style as Sony Marine Filter kits except it will be available for both blue and green water filters. We're currently completing the prototype and should it have ready for the end of May but do get in touch if you're interested so we can gauge the response for getting them manufactured.
The estimated retail cost will be around 70 UK Pounds. While we're making the filter sleeves ourselves, the filter lenses are made by UR Pro so they're the highest quality.
It will be easily removable in the same style as Sony Marine Filter kits except it will be available for both blue and green water filters. We're currently completing the prototype and should it have ready for the end of May but do get in touch if you're interested so we can gauge the response for getting them manufactured.
The estimated retail cost will be around 70 UK Pounds. While we're making the filter sleeves ourselves, the filter lenses are made by UR Pro so they're the highest quality.
Fantasea Distributorship
Fantasea Line products from Israel are some of the worlds most popular underwater housings. Sold worldwide they are (as yet) not widely available in the UK or Ireland. Following our successful application to take on the distributorship of Fantasea Line products, the entire range will shortly be available from bigbluesquid.com.
The newest housing is the FD-70 for Nikon's D70 plus they have a great new range of CP Housings for the Coolpix range plus a full range of compatible lighting.
The newest housing is the FD-70 for Nikon's D70 plus they have a great new range of CP Housings for the Coolpix range plus a full range of compatible lighting.
New Blog Development
For all those interested in underwater photography and the development of equipment and it's availability in the UK or Ireland, then this Blog is for you.
It's written by me, Mike Thompson, owner of BigBlueSquid.com, the only dedicated underwater camera store in Ireland.
Opened in October 2004 this is our first dive season and we're genuinely looking forward to supplying the UK and Ireland with not just new equipment, but lower prices, faster (and free) delivery and advice on getting those underwater shots.
We also devote a large amount of time to our own product development. So far we have one patent, another applied for and four more prototypes under construction for both underwater photographic equipment and diving safety equipment.
This blog should keep you up-to-date with all the latest from new product lines to website development and our occasional appearance at conservation days, dive shows and conferences.
You'll also find some of my own dive photos when I think they're worthy enough for broadcast.
If you're interested in receiving product news and free articles on underwater photography, check out our home page for the free bi-monthly newsletter.
Good diving!
Mike (:)-@
It's written by me, Mike Thompson, owner of BigBlueSquid.com, the only dedicated underwater camera store in Ireland.
Opened in October 2004 this is our first dive season and we're genuinely looking forward to supplying the UK and Ireland with not just new equipment, but lower prices, faster (and free) delivery and advice on getting those underwater shots.
We also devote a large amount of time to our own product development. So far we have one patent, another applied for and four more prototypes under construction for both underwater photographic equipment and diving safety equipment.
This blog should keep you up-to-date with all the latest from new product lines to website development and our occasional appearance at conservation days, dive shows and conferences.
You'll also find some of my own dive photos when I think they're worthy enough for broadcast.
If you're interested in receiving product news and free articles on underwater photography, check out our home page for the free bi-monthly newsletter.
Good diving!
Mike (:)-@
Thursday, March 10, 2005
'Spiny Urchin' Patent Approved
The 'Spiny Urchin' design has now passed the patent opinion and has gone forward for application. I have recently found a potential company for the prototyping of 'Spiny Urchin' and hope to begin CAD work and initial build research by mid-summer.
In the meantime I have been offered funding to begin work on the project but due to time-constraints with Big Blue Squid and the 'Blue Reef' project, 'Spiny Urchin' will not be appearing until much later in the year.
In the meantime I have been offered funding to begin work on the project but due to time-constraints with Big Blue Squid and the 'Blue Reef' project, 'Spiny Urchin' will not be appearing until much later in the year.
Saturday, February 26, 2005
'Blue Reef' Launch
'Blue Reef' is my new product for open water users with preliminary designs nearing completion. After some shopping around, The Design Factor in Belfast will be taking on the 3D CAD work for Blue Reef and Euro Prototypes, Belfast will be casting the models.
The original idea was for the manufacture of a single SLS model but I've opted for 5 SLA castings to be made instead as these are more economic and provide a finish closer to the final product.
The original idea was for the manufacture of a single SLS model but I've opted for 5 SLA castings to be made instead as these are more economic and provide a finish closer to the final product.
Friday, February 04, 2005
Spiny Urchin Project Launch
Spiny Urchin is the name given to my new product design on a specialised unit for diver safety. While the designs are copyrighted, the finished design has gone forward for patenting. This will take up to six weeks pending a patent search.
Following the search I'm hoping to begin CAD work.
Following the search I'm hoping to begin CAD work.
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