New student "gear packages"

[a22shady]

Well we did our 1st 2 OW pool sesions in a traditional Jacket BC while we working out out the details. So we were actually able to compare differences. They have there own pool onsite which is onvienant and had the oppertunity to try out each of the BC's we only did one. In store we traid a couple of the BC's Jacket/Bp-w. Once My G/G tried on the Halcyon Eclipse before really knowing what it was she liked it. Said it was the most comfortable out of all of them, So we bought 2. During Or 1st conversations I told them We had interest in wrecks, diving local more then anywhere, and possibly cavern's so showed us gear in that range.

As for the Deciding on Reg's they highly recomended we actually try them out in a pool cause they stated each reg will have a different feel "Which it did" we spent around 2 hours in a pool. swapping through about 10-12 reg's before deciding which we liked best. As for the drysuit never got to try on the one we bought but was Confident in my researcha dn Have seen it in person. Choice came down to Dui/Bare and after all the research We bought Bare Hd-Tech Dry

Also I do believe most shops will make you purchase personal equipement (Mask/fins/hood/glove/boots) Knowing I was going drysuit I got the drysuit hood, thicker full boots that would work with my fins for Drysuit. For my fins I was able to try out a few different Pairs. Cressi fins/ Atomic Slipts/ Turtle. I did not want the turtles even after all recomendations about them as didn't look to fancy/nice but after trying them I was sold.

 

[Dyno Bill]

Cool , you couldn't ask for a better evaluation period. Sounds like you shop was a good one. What the heck is a Turtle fin

 

[a22shady]

A great fin. Usually it's that or Jet fin for tech divers. Some go with the OMS but they are similiar

XS Scuba FN305 Turtle Scuba Fin

 

[Dyno Bill]

Thats a great fin, if you ever get the chance kick a pair of original Jets. I ended up using the Mares line, started with a Power Plana and slowly worked down to a Plana Quatro as I got older...... the legs you know.. Those are like real fins, enjoy
Bill

 

[Jaksonbrown]

A great fin. Usually it's that or Jet fin for tech divers. Some go with the OMS but they are similiar

XS Scuba FN305 Turtle Scuba Fin

These are great fins, but you illustrate my point exactly. Students are told that this kind of fin is a "tech" fin when in fact it is not a tech fin, but just the fin that most all tech divers use. It is easily used by the newest of divers and IMO adds stability and an extreme amount of control that I was lacking by going with the splits that were so highly recomended. Same thing with the BPW set up. It sat in the corner and when students asked about it, it was just refered to as a very advanced rig just for Tech divers.

But like you all have said,.. it may have just been the shop I went to. All I am saying, is that I think this kind of equipment should be offered and available for demo by new divers instead of being labeled as "tech" gear.

 

[a22shady]

Absolutly true, I think it comes down to the LDS to really care about what your purchasing and take the time to sit and explain different components out to you. If more shops did as mine did probably would be a lot better off.

I tried the Jets out but one size was too small and other was way to Big. The turtle fins are in between the sizes of the Jets. My G/F dives the Jets. She had a Pair of pink ones she liked "Blade" fins used them for a year during a "Finning clinic" we signed up for again same person who recomended everything to us and gave us his/their honest opinon talked my G/F into trying out the Jet fins. She did and cool thing was this was video taped so we watched back what we were doing right/wrong. She instantly before seeing the video said how much more she liked those fins over others. and saw a difference in the video of when changing fins. She came home with a new pair.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

I tried the Jets out but one size was too small and other was way to Big. The turtle fins are in between the sizes of the Jets.

I read recently that Jet fins now come a size between XL and what used to be the XXL ... which now has some other designation. That would be good news. I could never understand how they could ignore such a large market of men with normal-sized feet.

Another great fin to try would be the Hollis F1 ... I tried them shortly after purchasing my OMS Slipstreams. They will definitely be the next pair I buy. Surprisingly comfortable, and producing a lot of power for such a soft fin ... plus you don't have to spend extra for spring straps ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[TSandM]

JB, I totally agree with you about the splits for students. One of the big problems I see students have is that they haven't learned how to balance the tank on their back. The minute they get a little off kilter, the tank wants to take them over. With splits, they have a hard time getting enough of a "bite" on the water to resist that. So far, I haven't had a single student who hasn't thanked me for taking off my Jets and trading for their splits.

It was the same way with the backplates. We had three AOW students here yesterday and put them in BPs in the pool (they had never dived them before). All three were asked whether they wanted to use more familiar gear for the OW dives. All three said the BPs were way more comfortable, and please could they use them instead?

 

[a22shady]

I do believe I have heard they did come out with an in between size, But when I purchased they did not and I am happy with the Turtles. I have been looking at the Hollis Fins they look cool and I am waiting to catch them a a demo to try them out. I have heard good things about them. But from reviews on most it say's they couldn; tell mucha difference between them. One thing I like about the turtles is they are more negative then the others.

I will admit I was one of those people that liked the Fancy Splits but choose to go with the recomendations. But even after that I still bought a pair from hearing how great they were bought the Atomic SMOTW. They are ok but used the 2x and now sit in a fin bag have not used them.

 

[Peter Guy]

I know of no shop that requires the purchase of anything more than M/F/S/gloves/booties here in the PNW. Any other purchase is made by the diver on his/her own motion. I'm sorry but you are responsible for making your own decisions. It is NOT the shop's fault you bought gear you decided wasn't right for what became your kind of diving.

Let's go in order:

a. "Traditional BC" rather than BP/W -- I'm willing to bet the BC works just fine for recreational diving (that is unless it actually doesn't fit you which can be a problem) but you've found something that works better FOR YOU. How is that the shop's fault? You got good stuff but Yes, Virginia, there sometimes IS better gear out there (just ask any photographer or purchaser of a new computer).

b. Fins -- Lots of people are very happy using split fins -- I don't like them but that doesn't mean they are junk. BTW, I sold my fins for a decent price -- more than the Turtles I now use.

c. Regulators -- didn't mention that but I'm convinced there are no bad regulators being sold -- just some may be better for a particular use than others.

d. Mask -- What? If the mask fits then it fits -- right? If it doesn't fit, why did you buy it in the first place?

People need to take responsibility for their actions -- even in buying Scuba gear!