Basic Dive Equiptment - Aqualung

[ystrout]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to buy my own equipment. I was content with renting before last weekend, as Ocean Enterprises in San Diego rents good gear and is very affordable. But I went to Catalina this past weekend and rented the gear there, and it was garbage. Wetsuits had holes, regulators didn't have a smooth pull, cracked dive computer screens, and every tank we were given leaked (3 dives) and the service stickers were scraped off! I had to exchange the tank every time I hooked it up to the reg. The BCD was fine though, wasn't anything special, but no problems.

So I'll never use that kind of gear again or will put myself in a situation like that again.... And I plan to do quite a few Catalina trips this summer, and we're heading to Belize in April. It would also be convenient to have my own stuff since I do a bunch of local SD dives.

I only have 30 or so dives under my belt. I got into it when I was 13, stopped for a while, but started again this past summer and go every weekend I'm not snowboarding.

So is the aqualung package a good deal? It's $1K for an Aqualung Pro BCD, Dive Computer/pressure gauge, and Titan Regulator. I don't want to spend $3K on top of the line gear as I'm only 24 and don't mind slightly heavier gear for such price savings.

Things that are important to me:
1. Easy to pull air from regulator. No sucking hard to make the reg dispense air like the Catalina gear.
2. Good quality BCD. I'll return if it doesn't fit. But I want reliable.
3. Reliable computer. Don't need tons of features. Just need the thing to tell me my depth, no deco limit (for consecutive dives), ascent rate, etc.

I have used tons of aqualung gear and it is all high quality. So I have a hard time believing that this would be any different.

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

 

[runsongas]

short answer is no. while there isn't anything wrong with that set, it is pretty much just entry level rental gear you see at a lot of dive shops. you can find better gear at roughly the same pricepoint or similar quality gear for less if you consider smaller brands. since you have a limited budget, keep an eye on the local craigslist in case something pops up. unfortunately, you missed the boat on thanksgiving deals.

 

[Cap335]

Aqualung package is a good buy although I personally prefer their travel package, it has a slightly better regulator.

 

[tbone1004]

what @runsongas said...

1. Deep6 Regulator package is where I would go. $570 for that, first service including kits is free, and if you take their $250? reg repair course, you get free parts kits for life. If you're committed, this is pretty much the lowest cost of ownership regulator out there and also incredibly high quality.
2. Support local business, Deep Sea Supply is down in Pasadena and builds some of the best rigs on the market. They're reasonably priced at around $500. You'll have higher quality, easier travel, and be able to take at least 8lbs of lead off of your weight belt.
3. grab a used Nitek Duo or similar type computer for around $200

Total for that is $1300 vs. the $1k for the aqualung package, but it is much higher quality gear that will last a lot longer and be able to actually grow with you.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to buy my own equipment. I was content with renting before last weekend, as Ocean Enterprises in San Diego rents good gear and is very affordable. But I went to Catalina this past weekend and rented the gear there, and it was garbage. Wetsuits had holes, regulators didn't have a smooth pull, cracked dive computer screens, and every tank we were given leaked (3 dives) and the service stickers were scraped off! I had to exchange the tank every time I hooked it up to the reg. The BCD was fine though, wasn't anything special, but no problems.

So I'll never use that kind of gear again or will put myself in a situation like that again.... And I plan to do quite a few Catalina trips this summer, and we're heading to Belize in April. It would also be convenient to have my own stuff since I do a bunch of local SD dives.

I only have 30 or so dives under my belt. I got into it when I was 13, stopped for a while, but started again this past summer and go every weekend I'm not snowboarding.

So is the aqualung package a good deal? It's $1K for an Aqualung Pro BCD, Dive Computer/pressure gauge, and Titan Regulator. I don't want to spend $3K on top of the line gear as I'm only 24 and don't mind slightly heavier gear for such price savings.

Things that are important to me:
1. Easy to pull air from regulator. No sucking hard to make the reg dispense air like the Catalina gear.
2. Good quality BCD. I'll return if it doesn't fit. But I want reliable.
3. Reliable computer. Don't need tons of features. Just need the thing to tell me my depth, no deco limit (for consecutive dives), ascent rate, etc.

I have used tons of aqualung gear and it is all high quality. So I have a hard time believing that this would be any different.

What do you guys think?

Thanks.

http://pacificwilderness.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/799-Aqualung-Elemental-Package-2016.pdf

http://pacificwilderness.com/wp/wp-.../999-AQUALUNG-Essential-plus-Package-2017.pdf

Package Specials

 

[runsongas]

there looks to be a guy selling a bunch of gear in mission viejo

Zeagle scuba regulator

Tons of SCUBA Equipment!!!

 

[jonhall]

My response is only in regards to the brand, AquaLung. My gear, opposite of what you're looking for in many ways, is the AquaLung Mikron, Zuma BC, and air source 3 - for traveling light and mostly in warmer waters. Purchased new in 2010 and have 100 dives with the gear. Have had a 1st stage and reg rebuild and power inflator replaced in last year. Had I had the gear checked annually, warranty may have covered repairs, but also, I may not have had the problems. Just saying I have been happy with the brand.

Can't speak as to the computer as I have a Suunto Cobra.

I have used tons of aqualung gear and it is all high quality. So I have a hard time believing that this would be any different.

Bought my gear without trying any AquaLung; don't remember it even being in rental gear I had used, but I never had any problems with rental. Based it only on reputation and that it was light for travel. You have tried it, like it, and obviously trust it. It is easy to 2nd guess after listening to others. I think most new gear out there is pretty good. Go with your gut and be happy.

 

[thbcthomas]

@lexvil has a set of deep 6 regs i believe @tbone1004 was referring to for $225.

 

[CT-Rich]

There is a lot of good used gear on the market through Craig's List. If you can find excellent equipment that someone used only a few times before being distracted by the next shiny object. This is a good strategy as long as you meet a couple caveats. First, calculate service into the cost of the gear. How much is it going to service equipment to make it fully usable? Are you willing to be patient? It might take a little bit of a wait for the right deal to show up.

 

[lowlysubaruguy]

Never say never. One day you may find your self in some crappy rental gear on a wooden boat held together with nails weed-eater line and wire and really some thick coats of paint miles off the coast of a Phillipines island having the most amazing trip in your life. Or accidentally in rental gear in the keys after flying into Tennessee and having everything you went there for go south so you drove another 12 hours in that rental car until you had more cheap rental gear on your back) jumping off a dive boat into the big blue sea.

Ive only been diving for about 6 years im about 125 dives in. I bought good gear day one. I dive with a guy whos gear is all the bargain stuff and hes always battling it. Myself my dive time is Ok parden the use of the word NEVER long enough. And again I NEVER want to miss a dive because of an equipment failure. I also NEVER plan on dying because of an equipment failure. So theres three examples Ok four when I might use never. But you can over pay for good equipment and never have any regrets and you may very wel find that tiny wad of cash you saved going with cheaper gear turned out to be less of a savings than you hoped for.

I cant tell you what gear is the best I can tell you that you can buy good gear its usually not the cheapest.