Buying scuba gear to last

[ERP]

You should figure out how much it costs to fill doubles with trimix, plus the associated deco bottles. Tech diving is expensive, the certs are expensive, the gear is expensive and the dives are expensive, $300 for a dedicated doubles wing later is a drop in the bucket.

There is certainly gear you can buy today that will follow you through to cave/tech, I would still buy a singles wing today and a doubles wing when you go that way. A lot of tech divers don't use computers at all, there are issues with matching computer deco profiles to ones cut in desktop software. $1300 is a lot of money to spend on something, you'll get minimal use out of now and might not use later.

I also wouldn't rush into it, I can only speak to my personal experience here, but I stopped diving for a couple of years, primarilly because the constant training for the next course with my buddy sucked the fun out of it. That coupled with long drives to dive sites at the time and I just stopped.

There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting more training, or wanting to be a better diver, but enjoy the diving you're doing now.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

.....
I am a PADI OW at the moment, I will have my PADI AOW in a few days, and I don't own anything other than fins, mask, snorkel and a wetsuit.

Hi Dante31,

Your enthusiasm is terrific, and if you want something enough, you'll get it.

Please read TSandM's post again. She has "been there and done that" for some of the techincal diving you are talking about, and gives amazingly good advice in nearly every post she's written....

I'm go to repeat what she said: "I would recommend picking up a standard backplate and single tank wing setup to begin with."

A backplate and basic Hogarthian harness will follow you into techincal training and doubles. Possibly your mask, and fins (if you choose carefully).

Beyond that, I really recommend gearing up for singles diving first, get a lot of single tank recreational dives under your belt, then move towards technical diving when you're ready.

Best wishes.

Edit 1: Since you are interested in techincal diving, one idea would be to search out the techinical instructor you will eventually train with, and get gear recommendations that are acceptable for his/her classes; regulators, hose lengths, backplate, harness type, number and positioning of D-rings, bottom timer, compass, cutting device, etc., etc.

Edit 2: You may want to browse the DIR and Hogarthian sections of this board, and start asking questions there....

Again, good luck and best wishes.

 

[SangP]

As for the dive computer, I chose X1 since it works with trimix and is said to be very reliable. Suunto computers that work with trimix cost about the same as X1 ($1300).

Well, here I have no good retort. Taking your time as far as diving goes is truly wise. But do you think it is ok to at least take the course to see what it is all about? I still want to find gear that I can use and not worry that it will be obsolete tomorrow. I got some very good advice at this point so I am starting to see better the kind of gear I should get. I still feel that putting in a little extra to last me into tech diving is worth it, though I will not be going as crazy with it. The gear you posted looks good, I will look it over is detail.

I'm not sure about getting the X1 now as when I stated diving bout 5 yrs ago it was VR3 as the best for tech but looks what's available today. I suggest not getting a trimix cpu as it it's going to take at least a year or 2 before you do trimix n there'll be be some better comps then & the bottom timer can always serve as backup. You can also consider the uwatec tech 2g which is a very good comp, has a great bottom timer mode and a really good cpu interface/log program.

The gear I mention is what I'm using for my rec/tech dives, I'm just starting sm & I can easily just port over the mach v for that and rec diving. I have a spare bp for dedicated back mount doubles and the recon wing will do nicely for that and heavy sm diving.

As for taking up some courses... OF COURSE it would be a great idea, but if you're talking about cave or trimix, you do need a quite a bit more dives as safety is paramount. They are called technical dives for a reason n you need at least a hundred or more dives or demonstrate the ability to handle the stress of the training.

SangP

 

[Dante31]

I would like to thank everyone who posted for their input. Thank you very much! You all saved a beginner from making a big gear buying mistake. From all the posts here, I see that even in scuba diving, more expensive doesn't mean 'the best choice'.



@ERP

Can't argue that, trimix is expensive, and so is tech diving it would seem. Looks like a few hundred dollars more now won't make it much cheaper.



@LeadTurn_SD

You summed it all up very clearly in your post. I have revised my gear list to:

-Hollis S38 Backplate with OMS Single Tank Adapter and a DIR Harness with a Hollis Crotch Strap

-Hollis S38Wing

-Uwatech 330m

-Atomic B2 Sealed Reg or Scubapro Mk 17/G250V ?

-Atomic B2 Octo or Scubapro G250V 2nd Stage ?

@SangP

Special thanks to SangP You posted gear that helped me revise my own gear list. The regs you posted are very nice but the local dive shops only have Scubapro Mk17/G250V out of all of them.

And a special thanks to TSandM and LeadTurn_SD for setting me on the righteous path of: 'standard backplate and single tank wing setup'

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Hi again Dante31,

As far as regulators, I'd recommend making sure that they can accept "standard" hoses, and do not require proprietary hoses or fittings..... it can be a major pain if your wonderful new regulator requires a non-standard hose or fitting (don't ask me how I know ). Most regs are just fine, but a few do have "oddball" fittings that will make life miserable for you when you decide to change hose lengths... so be sure to ask about these types of issues before spending money on a new regulator.

Best wishes.

 

[ScubaFeenD]

You are scaring

First I want to address the issue of a new diver getting advanced gear. I looked into requirements for cave diving at the location that I am planning to take it, and they are: a minimum of 75 logged dives, Nitrox diver and advanced open water. Now for the cavern diving course (which I plan to start with) I only need 25 dives and advanced open water. At first I though similarly, that it will take me a while to get 75 dives, but then I looked into dive trips, I found that I can get 25 dives per week at a reasonable cost! The Nitrox dive course only takes 2 days! So with this in mind I felt that getting entry level gear was a waste of money. (**Correct me if I am wrong.**)

First, you are approaching this all wrong. Getting dive experience to prepare you for advanced diving (tech or cave) is not like collecting baseball cards. You shouldnt be looking for a tropical tour to give you the experience necessary to go into this diving. Nor should you look at all these dives as some stupid barrier to the training you want. There is a good reason a large number of dives is required.

Second, if you are trying to go into advanced diving and worried about money and having to change gear later on you will soon find that this is not what you expect. Diving at that level is not cheap. The training is expensive and so is the gear. I wish you luck, but I fear your intentions are dangerous.

 

[KytNut]

Dante 31,

What are you diving now?

Although I took a much slower pace than you outline, I was faced with some of the same issues when I started buying gear and getting certs. I think you are making a good decision by moving straight into tech oriented gear. I completed my OW in a Backplate & Wing (40 lb) & STA. It is important to get a wing that will work for a single tank. I still use my original wing and it works singles and for banded alum. 80s while cave diving in Mexico. Buy something that is modular enough to adapt to what ever diving you are doing at the time. Whatever you buy is not going to be the perfect for everything (i.e. my old wing doesn't work well with my sidemount rig). Don't close any doors with your gear choices but, spend your money on what you think you will be doing most frequently and in the near future. Gear changes and so will you thoughts about what you want or need. Buy it, use it, enjoy it, add to it and keep diving.

 

[Dante31]

Hi again Dante31,

As far as regulators, I'd recommend making sure that they can accept "standard" hoses, and do not require proprietary hoses or fittings..... it can be a major pain if your wonderful new regulator requires a non-standard hose or fitting (don't ask me how I know ). Most regs are just fine, but a few do have "oddball" fittings that will make life miserable for you when you decide to change hose lengths... so be sure to ask about these types of issues before spending money on a new regulator.

Best wishes.

And there goes the Atomic B2 with its uncommonly long 'hose fitting'. Zeagle Flathead 7 it is (it is 'standard' and on sale).

Dante 31,

What are you diving now?

Although I took a much slower pace than you outline, I was faced with some of the same issues when I started buying gear and getting certs. I think you are making a good decision by moving straight into tech oriented gear. I completed my OW in a Backplate & Wing (40 lb) & STA. It is important to get a wing that will work for a single tank. I still use my original wing and it works singles and for banded alum. 80s while cave diving in Mexico. Buy something that is modular enough to adapt to what ever diving you are doing at the time. Whatever you buy is not going to be the perfect for everything (i.e. my old wing doesn't work well with my sidemount rig). Don't close any doors with your gear choices but, spend your money on what you think you will be doing most frequently and in the near future. Gear changes and so will you thoughts about what you want or need. Buy it, use it, enjoy it, add to it and keep diving.

Thanks for the support Tech diving feels like a more mindful way to dive.

I am diving rental gear at the moment.

You are scaring


First, you are approaching this all wrong. Getting dive experience to prepare you for advanced diving (tech or cave) is not like collecting baseball cards. You shouldnt be looking for a tropical tour to give you the experience necessary to go into this diving. Nor should you look at all these dives as some stupid barrier to the training you want. There is a good reason a large number of dives is required.

Second, if you are trying to go into advanced diving and worried about money and having to change gear later on you will soon find that this is not what you expect. Diving at that level is not cheap. The training is expensive and so is the gear. I wish you luck, but I fear your intentions are dangerous.

Well, I doubt that I am the first person to want to get into cave diving in a hurry, so that is probably the reason they have these requirements. My understanding is: if you can clear the requirements, you can attend the cave course. I understand what you mean, but I am not trying to get 75 dives and just go solo a cave. An experienced instructor will easily be able to tell if I have the need experience and skill. Cave diving certification isn't like PADI open water, I doubt they hand it out to anyone as long as you don't try to eat the regulator.

The bit about 'tech diving is expensive' I am starting to realize right about now. It looks like I will have to get use to the idea, and research more on exactly how expensive. Well, got to start somewhere.

 

[HenrikBP]

While I'm not completely bent on Tech or Cave diving, I kinda approached my first gear purchases like you are doing now: What will still work years down the line. With that in mind:

- don't spend big $$ on a computer. When time comes your Tech instructor will have an opinion on what you do or do not need. I bought a Suunto Vyper (would probably get a Vytec or a Tec 2G today) which works fine for recreational nitrox diving, and can be put into gauge mode for diving tables. I found that a bit more versatile than a "pure" bottom timer at about the same price (well, the Vytec is a bit more costly).

- backplate with a simple HOG style harness will certainly grow with you. There is no way around getting a single tank wing for singles and a doubles wing for doubles.

- The instructors I knew I'd want to train with all use Apeks regs, so that's what I went with. I've read really nice things about the MK17/G250 package and own a set of old MK10 regs with 2 x G250 (old style) second stages that I sometimes use with doubles.

- speaking of instructors; if you choose to do your training with GUE or UTD you may want to speak to one of their instructors before buying, as they have fairly specific requirements for gear.

- if you're a gadget freak ( ... I am ...) then this will become a *very* expensive hobby

Have fun and dive safe,

Henrik

 

[SangP]

Dante31,

Don't thank me yet, you might be cursing me and the rest of the guys when you realize just how expensive tech diving can get :cussing:!

The scubapro Mk17/G250V is about as good as it gets so there's nothing to worry about there but ask if you can get another g250v as an octo.

Just take your time choosing your gear and call good reliable shops like Edd at caveadventurers or Randy at piranhadivemfg.com.

SangP