Hey all,
I'm new to scuba, just finished my open water this past weekend. I am mostly just looking for brand advice (recommended brands, ones to avoid, etc.) for BCD/Regulator/Tank/Computer selection. My open water was conducted with a Zeagle back-style BCD, a Mares Regulator (and then Scubapro when the Mares started free-flowing during my first actual non-pool dive), and (I think) a Mares 3 gauge SPG. Any thoughts on what brands stand out? I intend to stay recreational and have already planned enough use to argue for buying my own equipment.
(Side question, eardrums being sore is normal or at least not a concern right? I unfortunately had an instructor that didn't really explain equalizing well in the classroom, and as a result I didn't get it right at the pool. I figured out a backup method in Toynbee, but this only worked as long as I was able to swallow "something" whether it be a tidbit of water or my own saliva. At 40ft on my open water checkout my ears were feeling the pressure (no pain, just mild discomfort), but I was able to keep ascending 5ft and getting Toynbee to work. But I also brought a lot of water back up on-deck in my ears. XD)
I'm new to scuba, just finished my open water this past weekend. I am mostly just looking for brand advice (recommended brands, ones to avoid, etc.) for BCD/Regulator/Tank/Computer selection. My open water was conducted with a Zeagle back-style BCD, a Mares Regulator (and then Scubapro when the Mares started free-flowing during my first actual non-pool dive), and (I think) a Mares 3 gauge SPG. Any thoughts on what brands stand out? I intend to stay recreational and have already planned enough use to argue for buying my own equipment.
(Side question, eardrums being sore is normal or at least not a concern right? I unfortunately had an instructor that didn't really explain equalizing well in the classroom, and as a result I didn't get it right at the pool. I figured out a backup method in Toynbee, but this only worked as long as I was able to swallow "something" whether it be a tidbit of water or my own saliva. At 40ft on my open water checkout my ears were feeling the pressure (no pain, just mild discomfort), but I was able to keep ascending 5ft and getting Toynbee to work. But I also brought a lot of water back up on-deck in my ears. XD)