Beginner set-up

[boulderjohn]

That is to be commended. My spoken French is very poor. Funny - at work I am taught how to greet people and to be able to address the Assistant Deputy Minister of Defence, but not how to conjugate verbs - I call it being "functionally illiterate."

Recent research on learning foreign languages is quite interesting, and it really attacks how my generation was taught. In fact, modern theorists pretty much call for a reversal of the order of how we were taught. People can learn a language very quickly if they aren't forced through a traditional process. I went through a horrific, traditional process that approached torture. I might be pretty good otherwise.

 

[Bubbletrubble]

François, trouve-toi un club de plongée et parle-leur. C'est la meilleure façon de commencer. Aussi, En commençant, le premier équipement que tu devrais te procurer est un bon wetsuit. C'est l'item le plus personnel. On sait jamais qui a pissé dans ton wetsuit de location.

Après, tu y vas pour la "quincaillerie". Avec les coûts d'entretiens annuels, si tu plonges pas souvent, ca revient cher la plongée. En louant le détendeur, la veste et les bouteilles, ca te permet d'essayer plusieurs modèles avant de te décider.

En été, le fleuve en Ontario peut monter jusqu'à 75F facilement, 5 ou 7 mm fait la job. Si c'est pour les Escoumins ou du dessous de thermocline dans un lac, ça va te prendre un bon 14 mm.

Et aussi, acheter sur Internet pour avoir du stock moins cher peut être une bonne idée pour des petits gugus, mais pour de l'équipement qui doit recevoir un service, tu es mieux de faire affaire avec une boutique pour pouvoir parler à des gens. Oui, c'est souvent un peu plus cher, mais tu as du service et des gens qui peuvent t'aider à régler tes petits problèmes d'équipement. En plus ça te permet de "flâner" dans la boutique et de connaître plus de monde, de poser des questions et d,être en contact avec d,autres types d'équipement.

L'important c'est de continuer à plonger et d'apprendre.

English Translation:

Francois, join a dive club and speak to them. This is the best way to start. Also, to begin with, the first equipment you ought to buy is a good wetsuit. It is an intimate, personal item. You never know who peed in your rental wetsuit.

Afterwards, you address the "hardware." With the annual maintenance costs, if you don't dive often, then diving can be expensive. By renting the regulator, BCD and tanks, it lets you try several models before you decide what you want to buy.

In the summer, the river in Ontario can easily get up to 75°F, so a 5 or 7 mm does the job. If that's the Escoumins or below the thermocline in a lake, it'll take a good 14 mm.

And also, buying the best-priced items over the Internet may be a good idea for small stuff, but for equipment that requires servicing, you are better off dealing with a shop in person. Yes, it is often a bit more expensive, but you get the maintenance servicing and people who can help you solve any problems with your equipment. In addition, it lets you "stroll" into the shop, get to know people, ask questions and get exposed to other types of equipment.

The important thing is to continue to dive and learn.

Google Translate is a wonderful tool, isn't it?

 

[Crush]

English Translation:


Google Translate is a wonderful tool, isn't it?

But it looses so much of the feel in English.

 

[MBD0607]

Congrats on begining your Diving Career. I would agree with the majority of people who stated to rent different brands/set-ups before buying your own.
Too many people will buy the cheapest or best deal, without either really searching for the appropriate equipment for the type of diving they will be doing; or without at least renting that particular set-up and trying it before hand.
I can't comment on Mares, as I have never used that line. However, there are several good companies out there who make regulators, BC's, etc, which would more than meet your requirements, and be affordable.
A good deal is a good deal, but always remember it's your life, and what is a good deal now, can be a disaster later. Spend what you can afford, but look for quality first; what you are going to use it for second; and price third.
If money is an issue, buy one piece at a time. Sure, it will take you longer, but you will get what you need, and get it as you can afford it.
I would also suggest checking the Forums here for suggestions on equipment, and also reading the Authorized Navy Use List (ANU list for short). Both will point you in the right direction.
Also, please continue your training. Once your feel you know it all, you will end up a statistic that we read about later.
Good luck, and enjoy the Dives.