First new gear purchases thoughts? Xdeep BCD, acqalung legend reg, shearwater dive computer

[Deep Diver Scott]

Hello all,

This is my first post here. I’m a new rec diver that’s really caught the dive bug. I’m OW with 8 dives total. I’m going to get my advanced in November/December at Beaches Turks and Caicos. I know it’s a controversial thing to get AOW before 25 dives, but I’m just looking to improve under the guidance of an instructor and work towards getting a deep diver in the future so I can explore some cool shipwrecks off the NC coast in the future.

I was wondering/looking for some thoughts and feedback on the gear I am looking to purchase as this is a first time thing for me and I don’t want to mess it up. I don’t mind paying a premium for really good gear. I am mostly going to be a warm water diver, although maybe in the future if I can convince my fiancé I might do some local diving in NJ (this won’t be for a very long time if ever).

Computer: I’m a little torn between the shearwater peregrine TX or the shearwater perdix 2. I want air integration. I don’t know if it makes sense to get the more advanced one (with different air mixes/ trimix) that has AA batteries to replace vs. the peregrine non AA battery replacement and heaven help you if you forget the charger. Tech diving/ wreck diving in particular (I will not get caught dead in a cave) could maybe be something in my future but that’s so far away and also dependent on my fiancé wanting to be my dive buddy and join me who knows…

She’s 25-30 dives in and is obviously more experienced and much better on her air consumption than me. I’m 6’2 with a muscular build, no matter what I’ve done and I’ve improved a good bit air wise, I will never have her SAC rate.

Regulator: I’m looking at aqualung legend either elite or MBS. I’m slightly leaning towards the elite one. Thoughts on this? I really like the ACV on aqualung and while not a super premium brand and having some financial difficulties I feel like these are so tried and true. Open to suggestions. I don’t have and won’t have my own air tanks in one bedroom apartment so a protected first stage in terms of cleaning post dive is important to me.

Lastly, this is the one I’m struggling on the most. I’m thinking of doing a backplate and wing from X deep. I’m torn between doing the Nx ghost, Zen or ultralight zen. Am I nuts here to do this? The reviews all seem so good and after my last sandals visit where apparently a medium bcd was too big for me from scubapro… again im 6’2 230 ibs with a slightly longer torso than average (what in the world) I want my own. I’ve been in touch with Sebastian and he’s been great. I’m a little afraid i won’t be able to adjust it right and man that person on here with that blue color harnessing from Acqi in Florida was absolutely gorgeous. Anyways my hope is to have an amazing quality bcd that I hope to be able to pack in a carry on and stay carry on only without having to check a bag. Which of the three makes the most sense for this while also being durable? The ghost just seems vulnerable and the high waist strap was interesting on it. It could work, I got to try one at local store, but in all honesty it was butchered with how the webbing was setup. How do you pack this to protect when traveling? Do you take the back plate off?

Any other thoughts or suggestions are more than welcome! Thank you!

 

[rongoodman]

I would avoid the Aqualung regulators in favor of favor of something like Deep 6 or Hog with 5 LP ports on a rotating turret for the much nicer hose routing. Get two of the same second stages and avoid the cheap octopus secondary. I have a Teric and leaving the charger at home isn't something I worry about. It lives in the case with the computer. As for BP/Wing, mine are Halcyon but any SS plate and 30# wing should work. I don't see how you plan on getting BP/Wing, fins, exposure protection, and everything else in reasonable size carryon anyways.

 

[Deep Diver Scott]

I would avoid the Aqualung regulators in favor of favor of something like Deep 6 or Hog with 5 LP ports on a rotating turret for the much nicer hose routing. Get two of the same second stages and avoid the cheap octopus secondary. I have a Teric and leaving the charger at home isn't something I worry about. It lives in the case with the computer. As for BP/Wing, mine are Halcyon but any SS plate and 30# wing should work. I don't see how you plan on getting BP/Wing, fins, exposure protection, and everything else in reasonable size carryon anyways.

Hey Ron,

Thanks for the response. As for your last comment I don’t need exposure protection as I’m either willing to rent it or I don’t need it and just use a rash guard. Also my fins break apart. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m hoping these two decisions let me get away with being carry on only. It’s probably inevitable I’ll get forced into checking bags at some point… hopefully future kids give me a little extra packing room in the future lol

 

[KenE]

My best advice is to slow down on purchases and take some real time to review and contemplate each piece of kit. This equipment will last a lifetime if well maintained. So, buy once, cry once is the best option. Do some searches here on SB and you will find many threads on equipment. The more you rent the more you learn what you like and don't like, what works for you and what doesn't work for you. What works for her may not work well for you and vice versa. I am partial to Scuba Pro regulators, but I would only stray away from Aqualung as I have heard of delays getting parts for servicing. Brand loyalty is not your friend in this business, all the brands do something great, few/none do everything great.

Again, the biggest mistake I made when starting is buying too fast. Now I am replacing equipment that is still in great condition but not the best for me and the diving that I enjoy. Remember, we do this for enjoyment, so take some time and make sure what you buy will provide that enjoyment as long as possible.

And, always, keep diving!

 

[lexvil]

Any flat QI charger will work with the Peregrine, tern or Teric. A scubapro mk11 evo c370 would serve you well, look at DGX (dive gear express) for a backplate/wing set up. Staying carry on only is becoming harder with airlines shrinking allowable bag sizes, life is easier if you check a bag but carry the important stuff like regs and computer.

 

[FreqFlier]

Get a mask that fits well, a computer and a regulator (in that order). Rent the rest for another 30-40 dives. You can even rent regs for a while until you figure out what you do and don't like about particular one.
Most of our life experiences are different from yours, so don't rely too much on suggestions of others.

 

[Deep Diver Scott]

Get a mask that fits well, a computer and a regulator (in that order). Rent the rest for another 30-40 dives. You can even rent regs for a while until you figure out what you do and don't like about particular one.
Most of our life experiences are different from yours, so don't rely too much on suggestions of others.

Got the mask, computer is a toss up between peregrine tx or perdix. Regulator is on my mind too on my list. I could probably get a back up mask too. I have the oceanic dive housing for my iPhone so for whatever that’s worth it can more or less be a backup computer with a a monthly subscription for the actual month I dive…

 

[Eanxbr]

Another vote to slow down the equipment acquisition.

I know it is super tempting, but take some time to try different gear. As mentioned above, a great fitting mask is a must. Finding one may be tricky, so try as many as you can.

As far as computers are concerned, a thought: buy a $150-ish computer for now while you are testing out gear. This computer will serve you well all the way through AOW. After that, look into the Perdix 2, it gives you the flexibility in going into tech (decompression dives, nitrox over 50%, etc.). But what about the $150 computer? That will be your backup computer.

BCDs and BP/W... Are you thinking about a steel plate? Because there is also aluminum and composite materials out there, which are lighter in the luggage, but may require the addition of weight at the dive site. Then, are you using integrated weights, or a simple weight belt?

Do you have a number of dive shops around? When looking at regulators, in addition to how comfortable they feel, and how cool they look, remember, you will need to get them serviced on a regular basis. Are you going standard configuration with a primary and an octo, or are you considering long hose config?

The point is... there is a lot out there. Take your time to see what works best for YOU.

And have a ton of fun doing it!

 

[Deep Diver Scott]

Another vote to slow down the equipment acquisition.

I know it is super tempting, but take some time to try different gear. As mentioned above, a great fitting mask is a must. Finding one may be tricky, so try as many as you can.

As far as computers are concerned, a thought: buy a $150-ish computer for now while you are testing out gear. This computer will serve you well all the way through AOW. After that, look into the Perdix 2, it gives you the flexibility in going into tech (decompression dives, nitrox over 50%, etc.). But what about the $150 computer? That will be your backup computer.

BCDs and BP/W... Are you thinking about a steel plate? Because there is also aluminum and composite materials out there, which are lighter in the luggage, but may require the addition of weight at the dive site. Then, are you using integrated weights, or a simple weight belt?

Do you have a number of dive shops around? When looking at regulators, in addition to how comfortable they feel, and how cool they look, remember, you will need to get them serviced on a regular basis. Are you going standard configuration with a primary and an octo, or are you considering long hose config?

The point is... there is a lot out there. Take your time to see what works best for YOU.

And have a ton of fun doing it!

I have 4 dive shops within an hour of me. I’ve been to all 4, some of them multiple times. What’s the thought process on the 150 dollar computer? Would a good 150 dollar computer at least be able to handle nitrox? Is the thought for the backup computer to set it to air only and that’s your buffer if and when (maybe never if I’m lucky) the perdix dies on me mid dive?

I feel like with regulators acqalung, apeks, scubapro, etc are all solid especially with thought given to ease of servicing. Please do correct me if I’m wrong. I like the ACV on acqalung so that way I never have to fret about destroying my first stage when I clean it. I don’t have and won’t buy tanks, so I can’t pressurize them to prevent this when cleaning.

I don’t care about brand, but as it stands right now I have a scubapro mask, scubapro seawing supernovas and acqalung boots. I swear I’m not brand loyal- the mask just fit, the fins are able to detach (easier packing) and the boots were just the most comfortable ones I tried on with the fins. I thought about a hydros pro bcd, but I’m not crazy enough to spend 1200 dollars for a bunch of plastic with an S on it.

I hate the bcds that get rented/given to you on vacation. My fiancé likes sandals/beaches. They all have the same ones, and without buying your own I’m destined to encounter them again and again. However there is a common consensus here to wait, so I get that.

 

[lexvil]

I have 4 dive shops within an hour of me. I’ve been to all 4, some of them multiple times. What’s the thought process on the 150 dollar computer? Would a good 150 dollar computer at least be able to handle nitrox? Is the thought for the backup computer to set it to air only and that’s your buffer if and when (maybe never if I’m lucky) the perdix dies on me mid dive?

I feel like with regulators acqalung, apeks, scubapro, etc are all solid especially with thought given to ease of servicing. Please do correct me if I’m wrong. I like the ACV on acqalung so that way I never have to fret about destroying my first stage when I clean it. I don’t have and won’t buy tanks, so I can’t pressurize them to prevent this when cleaning.

I don’t care about brand, but as it stands right now I have a scubapro mask, scubapro seawing supernovas and acqalung boots. I swear I’m not brand loyal- the mask just fit, the fins are able to detach (easier packing) and the boots were just the most comfortable ones I tried on with the fins. I thought about a hydros pro bcd, but I’m not crazy enough to spend 1200 dollars for a bunch of plastic with an S on it.

I hate the bcds that get rented/given to you on vacation. My fiancé likes sandals/beaches. They all have the same ones, and without buying your own I’m destined to encounter them again and again. However there is a common consensus here to wait, so I get that.

The thought process for a $150 computer is you use it for a bit until you realize there are better options, you keep it as a back up even though it doesn’t run the same program as the better computer at which point you try to sell it, you maybe get $50 for it and you only lost $100 or you throw it in the ocean and you’re only out $150 but if you buy the Peregrine tx with a swift transmitter it lists for $1000 (you should be able to get 10% off so $900) and you don’t like it you sell it for $600 (I did recently) and you’ve lost $400! But you (I) still have the swift, hmmm.

Good regulators will lose 1/2 of what you can get them for new, if you use it once or 1000 times they sell for about the same 1/2 if in reasonable condition (unless it’s a weird brand or discontinued)

If you start out with a backplate and wing once you get it adjusted to you you’ll rarely give it a second thought, if a part or piece gets damaged you only need to replace that one part/piece.

Life is to short to dive with junk, keep renting and you’ll never get to try good stuff, if you decide diving isn’t for you, you may never know if that decision was based you or the junk you’ve rented…