Just got certified ? about package deal

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Scuba$cott

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So I just got certified about 3 weeks ago and I am hooked. I go to Hawaii about 5 or 6 times a year and I would like to purchase my own equipment. I went to my LDS today and they have a package deal that I thought looked good. Here is the link

dolphinscuba.com/Scubapro_MK25_S600_ProPlus_2_Package_p/pkg_sp_mk25.s600.pp2c.htm

Do you think this is a good setup and price? Sorry about the link. It wouldn't let me post the url...


Thanks Scott
 
A lot of people do not think much of AIR2 setups. I am one of them but it is really personal preference. Do some searching around Scubaboard so you can see the issues with having that as your occy. To summarise, AIR2 is difficult to use in an OOA situation with a person you have not practiced this with as you will be breathing off it as well as managing your buoyancy. Get a longer primary hose if you get this as that will make it easier to manouver when you donate the primary (you will have to donate the one in your mouth, not the AIR2) to someone who is OOA. Practice sharing air with buddies too, so you can manage it with this setup if an OOA situation ever arises. Also servicing costs of AIR2 are higher (at least where I live) and if you have a problem with your inflator hose and have to disconnect, you lose your backup reg.

Regulator set up is the Scubapro high end reg. What type of diving will you be doing? You might be fine with a cheaper model. I have the MK11/S555 +R295 and find that perfectly adequate for all kinds of recreational diving. Also note with SP regs, you will need to have them serviced once a year at a SP authorised repairer. I find that a real PITA as the SP repairers seem to charge a lot more.

The computer - well it is air integrated. You can get away with a computer without this and they tend to be cheaper than the air integrated models. Also it is a console computer rather than a wrist computer. I used an air integrated console for a year and when the battery died I used a wrist computer. I never made another dive with a console computer again, the wrist model is far easier to work with, for me at least, as it is much easier to look at as you don't need to pull the console out each time you want to check things. Air integration is a "nice to have" but you can easily manage without it.

I had the Ladyhawk BC for a year and did 100+ dives with it. It was decent enough, better than the jacket styles I tried, but I switched it for a BP/W. The BP/W was vastly cheaper, and also more comfortable. Again there are many threads about BP/Ws versus jacket versus backinflate BCs, which will point out the pros and cons with each set up. Also with the Ladyhawk BC I had, one of the quick releases broke after about 60 dives. I take care of my gear and was not impressed. I might have had a dodgy model though...

No idea if the price is good. Compare the costs to online stores like Buy scuba gear, scuba diving and snorkeling equipment, and everything underwater from LeisurePro.com and Scubastore. Online Scuba gear and Scuba equipment shop. and see what you come up with.

Overall I really recommend trying out a bunch of different setups so you can see what you like. I bought a similar deal (mainly SP) to this almost straight out of OW (though with a Smartcom computer) and have replaced everything but the regs after just over a year of diving... And I will not buy SP regs again due to their stupid "no online sales" policy and also their servicing requirement to keep the warranty. On the plus side I have spares to loan friends now :D
 
If i where you, i would do some research into what type of gear you really want to dive with. Rather it be BC or BP/Wing. There are alot of options and alot of brands.. Don't rush into purchasing gear. Buy correct once unless you want alot of gear collecting dust within a yr or so...
 
Personally I would steer clear of the air 2 in favor of a dedicated alternate second stage. Here are more thoughts on this.

I don't have a lot of use for air integration. All of the integration you need should be between your ears. Avoiding it may save you some $$. Secondly both the direct air integration and the shape of the computer means it stays in the console. You will not be able to transplant it to a wrist boot should you decide to so so. Console may serve you just fine but you will be constrained by this compared to a hockey puck format computer.

As for the regulator and BC they are top drawer items and should serve you very nicely if you like them. Have you tried any of them in the water? That's where you should confirm it all before buying.

Pete
 
One thing to consider is asking your preferred LDS to put together a "package" of exactly what you want, not a compromise. The "packages" are a good way for the LDS to give you a competitive price on gear that the manufacturer may not allow them to otherwise discount. They can sell you the "fixed price" gear at full-price, and use discounts on the other gear to make up the difference.

The high-end toys are fun to have, but if you're working within a finite budget, try looking at each piece from the perspecive of "will this get me in the water or not?" In other words, don't go out and blow your budget on shiny gear if it means you can't get out and dive a much! The price difference between a fancy AI computer and a simple non-AI wrist computer + spg just might finance a nice weekend trip, or even a whole season of local quarry diving. Trust me, the dives will give you much more enjoyment than a fancy computer ever will!
 
Hi,

This is a bit off-topic, but I bought all of my gear through Leisure Pro ("LP" in this forum) and have never had a problem.

-me
 
Scuba$cott:
So I just got certified about 3 weeks ago and I am hooked. I go to Hawaii about 5 or 6 times a year and I would like to purchase my own equipment. I went to my LDS today and they have a package deal that I thought looked good. ... Do you think this is a good setup and price?
Click to expand...
Five thoughts:
1. I applaud your decision to pursue a gear purchase early! If you already think you are going to dive 5-6 times/year, having you own gear may allow / encourage you to dive even more, and that is where skill development really occurs. Likewise, I applaud your support of a / your LDS. Investing in a LDS relationship early on may allow you to reap additional benefits over time.
2. The gear items are generally very good - the BCD, and the reg in particular, are reliable, quality, gear.
3. It ($1600) is A LOT of money to invest right out of the certfication process. You could easily acquire a good BCD and reg, and even a computer, for a lot less, if you wish to look at used equipment, or at selected new items.
4. Like others, I am not wowed at all by the Air2, nor for that matter by an air-integrated computer. A wrist mounted, non-AI, nitrox-capable computer would be very good, as would a real octo.
5. I am generally underwhelmed by 'package' deals. You get what is in the package, not necessarily what you might prefer, or need.

Having said all this, if you go with the package you will get good equipment, and the price is not obscene. I would just spend my money a little differently.
 
Thanks for the responses everyone. Yeah I might just pass on that particular package deal and try and see if they can put together my own package. That was a good thought Colliam7. Hey do you think the Dive Rite Transpac is a good set up for a beginner? Or should I stick with a jacket style?


thanks, Scott
 
Congrats on the cert. and welcome to the Board.
The reg set up is good and also the bcd. I use the Air 2 and SSI on my other bcd and haven't had any use problems. As has been stated, there are lots of opinions on it, though.
Do some research before you buy anything. It will save you in the long run.
 
Scuba$cott:
So I just got certified about 3 weeks ago and I am hooked. I go to Hawaii about 5 or 6 times a year and I would like to purchase my own equipment. I went to my LDS today and they have a package deal that I thought looked good. Here is the link

dolphinscuba.com/Scubapro_MK25_S600_ProPlus_2_Package_p/pkg_sp_mk25.s600.pp2c.htm

Do you think this is a good setup and price? Sorry about the link. It wouldn't let me post the url...


Thanks Scott
Click to expand...

If it were me, I'd buy (most) things a la cart & USED.....There's a ton of stuff out there @ this time @ very good prices..........
 
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