cuyler
Contributor
My LDS is focused on the colder gear (if I need commercial drysuits I'm set). As such, I'm forced to buy from away. I'd love to be in the US and able to pop into a dive show to play with all the different brands but it's not going to happen.
I'm heading away for 16 days and really, the cost of renting equipment, of one vacation (~$400) puts a big dent in the cost of just buying gear myself A few vacations and renting will be significantly more.
So, I've been browsing around LeisurePro and looking at some gear and I've love opinions. Money isn't unlimited of course so that $1400 octopus just isn't going to happen.
Here's what I'm looking at so far:
Cressi XS Octopus ($75) - Seems to be well reviewed and lightweight
Zeagle Express Tech Deluxe BCD with Ripcord ($400) - I like the back inflation (as a larger guy the jacket style is constricting) and it has some devoted followers as well as light for travel.
Aeris AT 400 ION DVT Regulator ($325) - Balanced, diaphragm, dry valve, nitrox (40%) and second stage adjustable
Genesis React Pro Dive Computer in Metric Console, CG3909M ($320). I considered just a straight gauge but that starts around $150 anyways. Gauge metric and nitrox compatible with 110 dive log.
Bare Elastek 3mm Full Suit ($240)
(Mask, fins & snorkel done)
So, out of that what would you change? Any bad experience with what I've put there.
Of course, with anything the best is to try the stuff out first but I' started with just getting a wetsuit before I leave - if I'm spending two weeks in a wetsuit I'd like to have been the only one to pee in it. Then I was thinking a properly fitted BCD would be nice... I know, new divers are horrible with just going out and buying things (just like new golfers) but I'm looking at 13 days of renting a wetsuit at $6/day is $78 which at the end of the day is a significant portion of just buying a nice one (in fact I could even get one from TommyD for that), then the BCD works out to $100 to rent a likely ill fitting BCD follow by $140 for a dive computer I wouldn't be familiar with.
I'm heading away for 16 days and really, the cost of renting equipment, of one vacation (~$400) puts a big dent in the cost of just buying gear myself A few vacations and renting will be significantly more.
So, I've been browsing around LeisurePro and looking at some gear and I've love opinions. Money isn't unlimited of course so that $1400 octopus just isn't going to happen.
Here's what I'm looking at so far:
Cressi XS Octopus ($75) - Seems to be well reviewed and lightweight
Zeagle Express Tech Deluxe BCD with Ripcord ($400) - I like the back inflation (as a larger guy the jacket style is constricting) and it has some devoted followers as well as light for travel.
Aeris AT 400 ION DVT Regulator ($325) - Balanced, diaphragm, dry valve, nitrox (40%) and second stage adjustable
Genesis React Pro Dive Computer in Metric Console, CG3909M ($320). I considered just a straight gauge but that starts around $150 anyways. Gauge metric and nitrox compatible with 110 dive log.
Bare Elastek 3mm Full Suit ($240)
(Mask, fins & snorkel done)
So, out of that what would you change? Any bad experience with what I've put there.
Of course, with anything the best is to try the stuff out first but I' started with just getting a wetsuit before I leave - if I'm spending two weeks in a wetsuit I'd like to have been the only one to pee in it. Then I was thinking a properly fitted BCD would be nice... I know, new divers are horrible with just going out and buying things (just like new golfers) but I'm looking at 13 days of renting a wetsuit at $6/day is $78 which at the end of the day is a significant portion of just buying a nice one (in fact I could even get one from TommyD for that), then the BCD works out to $100 to rent a likely ill fitting BCD follow by $140 for a dive computer I wouldn't be familiar with.