Gear list priority

[Rusty Roo]

don't buy weights, rent them. You'll likely end up in a backplate/wing where you either won't need any weight at all, or will need very little....

agree with everything you've said, however in the UK renting lead is extremely expensive and i personally found that doing 5 dives with my own weight was it all it took to be financially better off. also you can sell them very easily as lead is super expensive.

 

[tbone1004]

fair enough, never seen anywhere that separated lead from the BC rental as long as you came back with as much as you took. Either way, I'd purchase BC first and then buy the amount of lead, in the form that you actually need. I.e. for backplates this can be plates that bolt on in the case of DSS, combined with a weighted STA, or spine pouches etc for non-ditchable options.

 

[lamarpaulski]

I would switch computer with regulator on the list. You can easily dive without a computer and it might even be beneficial to learn and use dive tables in beginning, shallow diving experiences.

 

[Nasser]

Mask, fins, snorkel first. Then I would probably go with a computer. Yes you can and will learn tables but really diving with a computer is much more practical and enjoyable. It doesn't need to be anything over the top, you can get something decent for less than 200 pounds sterling.

For the rest you can rent and try out some options until have a better idea of what your needs and preferences are.

 

[dmaziuk]

...trusting a computer.... What happens if it fails?

Computer is your friend, trust the computer.


Come on, it's not like he'll be in a cave 150' deep and a mile from the exit. It fails you thumb the dive or finish on your buddy's readings depending. And yes, you do need to understand what you're doing to make that call, and learning tables does give you much better understanding, no argument there. But in reality if modern electronic devices fail due to mfg defect, they fail in the first few hours of operation. So make sure you take it on its first couple of dives in the pool and while it's still on warranty. After that you're looking at dead battery, flooded battery compartment after replacing it, possibly gunked up/burnt out IR eye, and if they're silly enough to put electrolythic capacitors in: dead caps in 3 to 15 years depending on the size and quality. They don't fail as in "the sky is falling".

 

[seeker242]

If you don't know how to plan your day of diving with tables, you have no business blindly trusting a computer.... What happens if it fails? Are you going to carry 2 computers? You can buy a full set of regs and a top end BP/W for about the same price as two computers. Which is more useful?

I don't think a computer is a replacement for knowing how to plan a dive! If it fails, which is rare, you just end the dive. I have heard of people having two computers for that very reason. A mares puck is only $189. That's cheap! A Suunto ZOOP is like $225.

Tables are essentially free, and there is no reason other than convenience to buy a computer before your other gear.

Alright, but if you can afford the convenience, then why not just get one? It's not supposed to be a substitute for the proper knowledge anyway. If one does not have much financial limitations, it seems like a no-brainer. If one is tight financially, then it might be a different story.

 

[tbone1004]

tell that to PADI who now have an option for computer only OW courses....

My point is, that both the mares puck and the zoop are irritating computers, and frankly a waste of money, when you can spend not much more in the grand scheme of things and get a much better computer.

Seeker, you're also not realizing the panic factor that many OW divers get when their computer dies, and/or they see mandatory decompression. With tables you can help to mitigate that.

Point still stands, computer should be one of the last things you buy if it is is going to be the difference between a computer and regs, or a computer and BC, those two should always come first.

 

[fjpatrum]

1) Exp Suit
2)Mask
2a)Snorkel
2b)Fins
3)Signal equipment (whistle/mirror)
3a)Accessories - knife/DSMB
4)Light
5)Buoyancy control device 5a)Weight - belt or harness
6)Regs
7)Computer
8)Cylinder

This is roughly the order I got things. I don't rent wetsuits (I don't like stewing in other peoples' pee and they never have a good size to fit me properly plus they're invariably worn out and heavily compressed). Most places don't allow you to rent dry suits unless you can prove you've taken a class. I bought a lot of accessories and "safety equipment" early but ended up buying my BC/regs/computer all used before I finished OW. Cylinders I got a month or two later.

All the "2a, 3b" etc numbers mean I simply consider them as part of the same purchase or the same level of importance.

As for size 12 shoes and new fins, I wear size 12 or 13 shoes and use the same neoprene booties over my drysuit socks as I use when diving wet. No problems at all.

 

[seeker242]

tell that to PADI who now have an option for computer only OW courses....

My point is, that both the mares puck and the zoop are irritating computers, and frankly a waste of money, when you can spend not much more in the grand scheme of things and get a much better computer.

Seeker, you're also not realizing the panic factor that many OW divers get when their computer dies, and/or they see mandatory decompression. With tables you can help to mitigate that.

Point still stands, computer should be one of the last things you buy if it is is going to be the difference between a computer and regs, or a computer and BC, those two should always come first.

Thanks. I didn't even know there were degrees of conservatism with regards to tables until you mentioned it. Also, I had to go lookup on google to see what "EAN32" even meant. But now I know! Thanks

 

[CptTightPants21]

fair enough, never seen anywhere that separated lead from the BC rental as long as you came back with as much as you took. Either way, I'd purchase BC first and then buy the amount of lead, in the form that you actually need. I.e. for backplates this can be plates that bolt on in the case of DSS, combined with a weighted STA, or spine pouches etc for non-ditchable options.

You must have a really unique situation because in NY and all the places I have seen in Florida weight is definitely extra and the BC is separate. From a cost and value perspective lead should actually be one of the first things you buy. Depending on how much weight a person needs to descend I would probably recommend 20lbs (1,2,3,4 lbers 2 of each). This would allow them to create basically any weight combo and be able to balance out the rig with weight in the pockets and cam band. The rental cost of lead is around 20% of ownership which means you are worse off after renting lead for more than 5 days.

Send this ebay seller a message. He is fantastic and will make any weight package you want for a good price. mrdelas | eBay

tell that to PADI who now have an option for computer only OW courses....

My point is, that both the mares puck and the zoop are irritating computers, and frankly a waste of money, when you can spend not much more in the grand scheme of things and get a much better computer.

Seeker, you're also not realizing the panic factor that many OW divers get when their computer dies, and/or they see mandatory decompression. With tables you can help to mitigate that.

Point still stands, computer should be one of the last things you buy if it is is going to be the difference between a computer and regs, or a computer and BC, those two should always come first.

I agree that a much better starter computer can be had for a little more than the zoop (zoop doesn't have gauge mode). You can pick up a Geo 2 or a Veo 3 for around $250-300. When you are looking for a basic computer you want it to have at least 2 gases, up to 100% O2, gauge mode, and wrist mounted at a minimum. A constant backlight is also nice, air integrated is expensive and a personal choice but those above features are paramount in getting a computer that will follow you for the rest of your diving career.

I disagree that a computer should be one of the last things bought. I have slowly come to the mind set that the computer should be one of the first pieces of gear bought. My computer is my depth gauge. While having the deco algorithms and not having to do tables is nice, 90% of its value is that it is an easy to read depth gauge that is a huge help in learning how to control buoyancy. It also helps that a computer retains its resale value.