$800 for gear, need help

[Oceanus]

Okay, I read:
$800 budget for Regs, BC, and guages

First, I strongly urge you to work with/support a LDS if at all possible. Talk to them, don't just look at the price tags. Be honest and blunt, but not rude. Remember these are the people you'll like need to service the gear sooner or later.

The various classifieds/auctions/gear exchange are where you'll find the best deals, but you will need to be an educated buyer, patient, and a little trusting.

Regs - $400. really try/push the LDS, get something Scuba Diving Mag recommended (Apeks ATX50, ScubaPro MK17/S555 ...)
BCD - $250. A used BP&W or Zeagle (preferably a Ranger LTD or TEC)
Comp - $150. Used, NitrOx, preferably Air integrated (Oceanic DataMax Pro Plus)

consider a $40 'air horn'

Our gear is expensive, but don't settle for 'cheap' gear...

Reconsider renting tanks, do the math, then do wants right for you.

 

[ams511]

If you decide to consider used gear pm me. I upgraded most of my dive gear and have some extras. All is in excellent shape. I can probably get you what you want for about half of what you are looking at.

 

[Wildcard]

Buy used untill you know how much you will be diving and find out what you like and dont like.

 

[dmdoss]

Keep saving, 800 is not going to get you far.

 

[orangelion03]

I bought a Triple-L Pegasus back-inflate BC two years ago. 150 dives later it's still good as new. I lost a vent gasket during a cleaning and got a replacement in less than a week. I wanted to get an Orion, but they were back-ordered and I had to have it NOW.

http://www.scubal.com/content/index...id=160&Mysid=8ed19e4176854e3f46fb5b8d24786ab8
http://www.scubal.com/content/index.php?proid=1011&catid=198&procatid=159

And add spring straps to your fins ASAP...best $30 you'll ever spend on dive gear.

 

[ucrtwf]

Thanks Robert, Those BC's are cheap! Wow. Dmdoss, thanks for nuthin'. I've got a BC lined up (Scubapro X-tec with rek wing), I spoke with Scubatoys today about some regs, I'm still up in the air tying to decide which reg/gauge set-up to get. It seems that a new set of regs/gauges will offset the money saved on used stuff after a couple years due to the higher "yearly service" charge. Anybody think the same way? I've been looking at the Mares Rebel and the Aris sport, possibly pairing the regs up with a mared airlab. I know they are cheap, but that's all I have to spend right now. Any advice would be more than appreciated.
thanks
Tim