For Apple Watch enthusiasts frequenting the Chain O’ Lakes, a piece of advice emerges – invest in a sturdier strap. Darick Langos, a 25-year-old diver from Port Barrington, has made a business out of retrieving lost items from the water, including approximately 200 Apple Watches, mostly with their original bands still intact.
Langos, the founder of Scuba Bear Diving Recovery Service, combines his love for scuba diving and metal detecting to offer a specialized service. His underwater pursuits have led him to recover not only smartwatches but also smartphones, jewelry, and various other items from lakes, including Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.
The vulnerability of Apple Watch’s sports bands in water is a recurrent observation for Langos, who recommends users get a more secure strap for their devices. He shared insights during a recent interview, highlighting his experiences and the challenges faced during his underwater endeavors.
The unique business, Scuba Bear Diving Recovery Service, is a niche but rewarding venture for Langos. While he charges a fee for his services, he is committed to a fair pricing strategy and does not bill clients if he is unable to recover the lost item. His rates vary based on factors such as the location and depth of the search.
Langos, who obtained his scuba certification at the age of 10, has been honing his skills since childhood, starting with his first metal detector at the age of 11. Over the years, he has upgraded his equipment, now capable of detecting metal under 50 feet of water.
His commitment to returning found items to their owners is evident, as he shared that he has never sold anything he recovered, including valuable items like a white gold Cartier ring. The challenge with Apple Watches lies in their locked state, making it difficult to return them without direct communication with the owner.
Beyond the business, Langos offers a piece of advice to aspiring metal detectors, suggesting they start with a less expensive model before investing in advanced equipment. He acknowledges the surge in interest in metal detecting during the pandemic and recommends a cautious approach for beginners.
Ron Shore, owner of Windy City Metal Detectors in Chicago, supports this advice, emphasizing that enthusiasts should not start with top-of-the-line detectors until they are sure of their commitment to the hobby. He also highlights the reality of metal detecting, noting that not every find is a valuable one, and beginners should expect to unearth a fair amount of ‘junk.’
As metal detecting remains a steady interest, individuals like Darick Langos carve out unique niches within the hobby, turning their passion into a thriving and specialized business.
