Newbie Female Scuba Gear?..

[MissBubbles205]

Hello Fellow Divers!

I was just certified last year and hoping to get some of my first dives in this summer! )

I just purchased the ScubaPro LadyHawk BCD with an Air II.. and I'm wondering what is suggested for a regulator and a dive computer?.. I don't want to spend a ton of money, but I want good quality products that I will be able to enjoy while diving..

Any and all suggestions are welcomed. Thanks!

 

[Lucas Cordina]

Well, the Apeks DST 4 and Apeks ATX40 set is an excellent regulator set for beginners, it's relatively cheap, but has an excellent breathing rate, does well in cold water - if you look it up, you'll find nothing but praise for this set!

Happy diving!

---------- Post Merged at 06:43 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 06:41 PM ----------

Ah right, and as a dive computer, I personally use a Suunto Vyper, it was relatively cheap, but it works very well and it's real reliable, Suunto is one of the top dive computer brands, my diving instructor also swears by her Apeks Quantum, she's been using hers for years without a single failure!

 

[MissBubbles205]

Thanks for sharing!.. I'll go look those up right now! )

 

[nimoh]

One thing you will do with regs is to have them serviced every year (roughly). You may want to be sure that your local dive store can service any reg that you pick out, saving you some time and money.

I would start by talking to your local dive store.

 

[MissBubbles205]

One thing you will do with regs is to have them serviced every year (roughly). You may want to be sure that your local dive store can service any reg that you pick out, saving you some time and money.

I would start by talking to your local dive store.

Good idea!.. My future brother-in-law works at a dive shop and I hated to bumbard him with questions. I didn't want him to feel the "I'm your family help me out burdon." Maybe I should just break down and call him up or go visit and ask his opinions. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[weitodive]

I second the "talk to your lds". There are brands out there that are expensive because of the name. I like scubapro but they have the extra costs of being a big name. As far as computers go, I would say an oceanic geo or geo 2 are great wrist computers. No air integration but still affordable and will last.

 

[MissBubbles205]

I am actually looking for something that is not a wrist computer.. I tried one in the store and it looked massive on my small wrist. :-/

Do yall know anything about the Oceanic Pro Plus or a Mares Puck. These 2 were recommened by my BIL so I was watching some online, but I am soo liery about buying my underwater life support from a random person on the internet.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

The Pro Plus is a really nice unit. Been in the line for years and is very reliable. Nice big numbers and with the compass is a good unit for navigation as far as consoles go.
Oh and big computers make you look really cool if you do decide to go with a wrist unit.

As far as regs go before jumping into any one choice decide what type of diving you plan to do. Local or just warm water. Any chance of doing cold water or ice dives. I know you're in Alabama but hey some people get crazy and head north in the winter to dive under the ice.

 

[DukeAMO]

I have a Mares Puck (which I wear on my wrist). I bought it because it was cheap ($200). It works well, and has all of the features you'd want as a recreational diver (including a few extras like Nitrox, air temp, water temp, and dive planning). The menus are a little bit weird at first, but I got the hang of it after a 2-3 dives.

You will have to trust that you will not need warranty service on the Puck, because the Mares website makes it absolutely impossible to register the darned thing, and mine didn't come with a warranty card either. So roll the dice.

I'm actually thinking that I'd like to get rid of my console some day, so a computer that can go into a console, on your wrist, or in a holder that clips to your BCD is nice.

My husband has the Suunto Zoop and likes that. You can also put the Zoop into several different holders (console, wrist, standalone).

HTH!

 

[diversteve]

I am actually looking for something that is not a wrist computer.. I tried one in the store and it looked massive on my small wrist. :-/

Do yall know anything about the Oceanic Pro Plus or a Mares Puck. These 2 were recommened by my BIL so I was watching some online, but I am soo liery about buying my underwater life support from a random person on the internet.

If you buy either of them from ScubaToys in Dallas it will come with a full manufacturer's warranty. Scuba Diving Computers Console Units with reviews on sale They're totally legitimate as many here will attest to. I buy from them regularly - they ship fast also.

For regs you should really buy something you can have serviced locally. Otherwise you'll have to send it in somewhere annually. Atomic Aquatics is a good option if you have a nearby dealer - they have a 2 year service interval on all their regulator products. Like ScubaPro they're not inexpensive but every model in their line breathes excellent - and exactly the same - the difference is in the materials used. www.atomicaquatics.com

Another point to consider is that since you're going to need to have the AIR II serviced annually also, it might make sense to buy a ScubaPro reg also so both can be done at the same time/dealer.