What brands do you recommend/not recommend?

[hyoctane]

I'm newly NAUI certified and am looking to slowly accumulate my gear. I posted a thread that was discussing new vs. used gear and learned quite a bit from more seasoned divers. Now I have a question regarding brands...

What brands have you had great luck with and who would you recommend that I should stay away from? (ie: inferior material, poor customer service, etc.)

I just picked up a new Atomic B2, and have a Sherwood Magnum that was given to me as my secondary... I'm still in the market for my BC/computer. What are your experiences?

 

[Roko]

Eagle Z1

 

[DevonDiver]

Stay away from:
OMS - Bad customer service
Eagle Z1 - Outright fraud, terrible kit

Above average quality and customer service
Force Fins
DSS

Regulators
Apeks
Scubapro
Poseidon (issues with getting spares/service in some worldwide locations)

Fins
Mares Quattro
Force Fin Pro
Scubapro Jet Fin
OMS Slipstream

BCD - BP&W
Halcyon Eclipse 30/40
Oxycheq Mach V Extreme 30/40
DSS Torus 17/26/35

BCD - JACKET (not my preference/recommendation)
Zeagle Express Tech
AP Valves Buddy Commando

DIVE COMPUTER
Liquivision X1
Suunto D4/D6/D9/Vytec/Vyper/Gekko

 

[Codyjp]

I'd look into some of the treads regarding oxycheq before going there. It is a good product (most o fit) but the service is less than stellar. I've also very unimpressed with my Oceanic computers.

I'd imagine this thread will be a pissing match in 10 more posts though.

 

[DevonDiver]

I'd look into some of the treads regarding oxycheq before going there. It is a good product (most o fit) but the service is less than stellar.

To be fair, I don't have any experience of Oxycheq customer service. I do recommend their Mach V Extreme wing though, as it seems to be the most robust wing/BCD on the market.

I just wish they did the 'Extreme' in a volume smaller than 30lb.

 

[Hammerhead]

To be fair, I don't have any experience of Oxycheq customer service. I do recommend their Mach V Extreme wing though, as it seems to be the most robust wing/BCD on the market.

I just wish they did the 'Extreme' in a volume smaller than 30lb.

But they do, I've got it...

18# MACH V Extreme : OxyCheq - DiveOps, Analyzers and Scuba Diving Equipment

Another vote for Apeks regs here. 10 years and counting with no problems, easy maintenance and damn good quality.

Edit. This looks nice, too...

18# MACH V Chroma Series *Pink* : OxyCheq - DiveOps, Analyzers and Scuba Diving Equipment
:blinking:

 

[DevonDiver]

But they do, I've got it...

18# MACH V Extreme : OxyCheq - DiveOps, Analyzers and Scuba Diving Equipment

Oh....Happy Days! That's the perfect wing for me. I....just.....came.....

Now I just need to figure a way to have it shipped to Manila for less than the cost of the wing itself :depressed:

18# MACH V Chroma Series *Pink* : OxyCheq - DiveOps, Analyzers and Scuba Diving Equipment

That's just........wrong. So terribly, unspeakably wrong.....

 

[Hammerhead]

You want wrong?

This is wrong...

Yes, it's mine...

 

[matts1w]

This is tough as there are many companies where I love some of their products and don't care for others. Examples:

Scuba Pro- Love everything, but I hate their fins.
Mares- Love Quattro fins, as for the rest....not so much.
Bare- Love their wetsuits, as for the rest...not so much.
Akona- Love their low cut hard soled boots; but their wetsuits...not so much.

Find what works/feels best to you and go with it. Honestly, if you stay with the big names you really won't go wrong. There is a reason why names such as Scuba Pro have been around so many years and continue to get great reviews.

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

Stealing from DevonD, inserting my votes:

Regulators
Apeks
Scubapro


Fins
Force Fin Pro
Scubapro Jet Fin


BCD - BP&W
Halcyon Eclipse 30/40
Oxycheq Mach V Extreme 30/40


BCD - JACKET (not my preference/recommendation)
Zeagle Express Tech
Zeagle Stilleto
Just Zeagle......

DIVE COMPUTER
Zeagle N2ition
Suunto D4/D6/Vyper/Gekko

New divers may not really need a d9, unless you have money to burn..

You want wrong?

This is wrong...

Yes, it's mine...

Dear God. Do NOT show that to Jax.