Need advice on light warm water equipment

[akulamd]

Hi folks!
My wife and I are experienced scuba divers who have been diving for several decades. Herein lies the problem - we have not updated most of our gear for about 25 years!
We both have old Zeagle regulators, I still have my old Zeagle Ranger BC.
We live and dive in SoCal and it works for us. However we also travel to the warmer water and would like to get lighter setups. Any recommendations for light setup would be welcome.
Parameters I consider when buying setup are:
1. Lightweight
2. Reliable
3. Easy to fix, with spare parts available worldwide.
4. Comfort is somewhat less important. We are easy.
5. Price is also not a major consideration since we keep our equipment forever and the cost is amortized over decades and thousands of dives.

We are heading to Australia and will be going on live aboard as well as crisscrossing the country. That is why the weight is of paramount importance.
Thank you in advance for recommendations.

 

[BoltSnap]

Regulator:

1. Scubapro: MK17 EVO2 with C370 second Stage. Alternate Second.: C370 (https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/regulators?sort_by=price_highest)
2. Zeagle: F8 Regulator and alternate second F8. (F8 Regulator - Zeagle)

BC:

1. Scubapro Hydros BC (https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/bcds/hydros-pro-bcd-men)
2. Zeagle Fury BC (Fury BCD - Zeagle)

What else do you need? Fins, computers, etc.?

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

As long as your regulators are still doing the job, there is no need to replace them, just get them serviced. I have been diving my Mares MR22 Abyss for over 20 years.
Look at the Dive Rite Hydro Lite BCD. Dive Rite have dealers world wide. Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite | Equipment for Serious Divers

 

[BoltSnap]

What's the matter with the stuff you've already got?

Quality dive gear can last longer than you will.

When you're underwater it doesn't really matter how much the stuff weighs, if you get lighter gear you'll need more weight.

He appears to be experienced enough to know and understand that.

 

[akulamd]

Regulator:

1. Scubapro: MK17 EVO2 with C370 second Stage. Alternate Second.: C370 (https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/regulators?sort_by=price_highest)
2. Zeagle: F8 Regulator and alternate second F8. (F8 Regulator - Zeagle)

BC:

1. Scubapro Hydros BC (https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/bcds/hydros-pro-bcd-men)
2. Zeagle Fury BC (Fury BCD - Zeagle)

What else do you need? Fins, computers, etc.?

Thank you! I’ll look into Scubapro stuff. Zeagle is great but I had issues servicing/repairing it during g travels. Even my store in San Diego has problem with getting parts for it.

 

[BoltSnap]

Thank you! I’ll look into Scubapro stuff. Zeagle is great but I had issues servicing/repairing it during g travels. Even my store in San Diego has problem with getting parts for it.

SP probably has the widest world distribution, dealer, and support network in addition to making some of the best equipment out there.

Zeagle is high quality but not as big of worldwide network as SP.

 

[akulamd]

G

I've dragged my gear all over the world too, including a 19cf pony bottle, it's regulator and a fill whip so I don't have to deal with it being out of hydro.

But sometimes I leave most of it home and just bring my mask, computers, torch and camera.

One of those times was a liveaboard out of Cairns, Australia, one reason being the gear was included in the cost of the trip at no extra charge.

Great point! I have considered it and have done it on occasion. It might still be the way I go. I got to liking my hose less computer and find that some of the outfits are funny about letting people change rental setups…

 

[akulamd]

Fully agree. I think I am switching to SP

SP probably has the widest world distribution, dealer, and support network in addition to making some of the best equipment out there.

Zeagle is high quality but not as big of worldwide network as SP.

 

[akulamd]

As long as your regulators are still doing the job, there is no need to replace them, just get them serviced. I have been diving my Mares MR22 Abyss for over 20 years.
Look at the Dive Rite Hydro Lite BCD. Dive Rite have dealers world wide. Hydro Lite BCD - Dive Rite | Equipment for Serious Divers

They do the job but maintenance is an issue. And repairs were tough in Solomon Islands on the liveaboard away from the land. I want something easily serviceable with widely available spare parts. scubapro seems to fit the bill

 

[akulamd]

What's the matter with the stuff you've already got?

Quality dive gear can last longer than you will.

When you're underwater it doesn't really matter how much the stuff weighs, if you get lighter gear you'll need more weight.

Ok, first of all - thank you for responding.
I get the point that weight is not important under water.
I agree with the fact that quality gear will last lifetime. However there are some specific demands placed on gear in different situations. I am not using my
7mm suit when I travel and don’t need extra lift BCD, for example.
With regard to weight constraints, I was referring to traveling with the equipment especially if diving trip is only part of the vacation.
We will be crisscrossing Australia for two weeks after being on the boat for 10 days…