About gear (setup and order of purchase)

[Suunto Old]

Hello everyone!

First things first: I'm a relatively new diver (only 2 post OW cert dives on a quarry + several post OW dives in a pool), and I'm really into this sport, so now it isn't a question if I'm going to continue diving.

I'm thinking of buying my own gear, since I really would like to have stuff that fits my personal needs and somehow owning my own gear would feel safer. Almost all of my diving occurs in a pretty cold water, so now I'm thinking if I should go for a drysuit, and if so, what brand? I've been drooling over those DUI drysuits, but they cost A LOT of money . In fact, they cost far too much for my budget, unless I want to buy a suit now and all the other gear next year.. ut:

Also, yesterday I did some diving in a jacket style BC, and I must say that it was most uncomfortable piece of equipment I ever had on: when you inflate it, it squeezes your chests and lungs, and I didn't like the position it floats you: I want to dive "Heads down" or so horizontal as possible, and I felt that the jacket BC didn't float me the way I would have liked (hard to explain).
But, since I'm diving on a single steel tank, what are my options for a wings -style BC?

Now, if you could just give me opinions an suqqestions about the type of gear I should buy (preferrably one setup from the High end, and one setup for the budget style) I would be forever grateful.

I already know some of the gear I want, and the list includes an APEX regulator (If I remember correctly it was something like AX40 or something, correct me if I'm wrong), DiveRite or Turtle Fins with spring heels (or any other fins I can attach the springheels into), a SPG, a wrist mount Compass and a Wrist mount Depth Gauge (I'm not going to buy a Computer).

I'm also wondering if I should go for a 300bar or 200bar tank.

HUGE thanks for everyone who responded to this thread!

 

[raviepoo]

My sweetie has an Apex ATX40 and I have an Aqualung Cousteau first stage with a Micra Advustable second stage. On out last trip we swapped regulators. We both agreed that mine was MUCH easier breathing. Both regulators cost roughly the same amount.

I'm not saying you have to rush out and buy my reg, however. I suggest that you find an LDS that will allow you to try things before you buy them, preferably under the conditions in which you intend to dive. My LDS rents most of the scubapro line and applies the rental cost towards the purchase price if you end up buying from them.

See if you can try a bunch of different regulators before you buy. There are noticable, subjective differences that can have an impact on your air consumption and the enjoyment you get out of diving.

Why have you decided this early in your diving career that you are not going to buy a computer? Do you already know what kind of diving you are going to want to do over the course of the rest of your life?

My computer was my first, and best, major gear purchase. I can also use it in gauge mode if I choose.

About the BC, if your jacket BC is squeezing your body and floating you in an unfavorable position during your dive, you are almost certainly over-wieghted. That said, I don't use a jacket BC. I like the freedom of my Dive Rite Transpac. There are people on this board who will trash it, but it just might work out for you. Like the regulator, I suggest that you try one first before you make up your mind.

 

[Wendy]

I have an AL bp and the Halcyon 27# pioneer wing that I use with my steel tank. Keep in mind that its not a huge monester steel tank, so you may check out the 36# pioneer wing.

I like my Apeks regs. I have no problems with them thus far. And I dive with a bottom timer and not a computer.

How did you hear about bp/wings since you are such a new diver?

 

[Suunto Old]

Well, how I heard about BP? I've been lurking around this board for quite some time, and I also work as a summer trainee at my local Dive Store, so I get to see lots of different gear combos...

Why not to buy a computer? Why to buy one, when you have the RDP? I believe that if you plan your dive and dive your plan, I don't need computers, altough I must admit that they would provide much more extra safety, and would allow multilevel dives, but still I think that I find better use for that 200 euros than to buy a calculator (no offense, I really think that computers are a great piece of equipment, but I just don't see the need for one).

Why would I want an Apex over Aqualung? My friends working at the dive store told me that Apex regulators don't freeze open and freeflow so easily than Agualung and others do..


Keep 'em suggestions coming!

[edit] About backplate with single: Would a BP be suitable option for a newbie diver? Might sound like a dumb question, but I wouldn't want to pay 300euros for a jacket BC only to notice that I don't like it to end up buying a BP/wings combo (as I mentioned, I didn't like the jacket BC).


About over weightment: mmm, you're propably correct, because I had to remove weight from my belt prior diving, and I was diving with a 300 bar tank, 10kg on my belt with a 7mm wetsuit (14mm from the torso area) in a quarry..

 

[diverbrian]

One comment:

In the experience of the divers at our shop, ANY regulator can freeflow due to overbreathing in cold water. Some are more susceptible than others, but any regulator can freeze up. I am saying that you are probably choosing a good reg., but don't let someone else talk you out of another good regulator based on free-flow concerns. Just be prepared for it to happen. It may never happen, but if you are diving cold water, it most likely will at least once.

 

[Jetwrench]

Lets see,

First, you may not want a computer now. But if you decide to continue with diving, you WILL change your mind. Time and more dives will show you why. Don't forget to post and fess up when you figure it out. Consider also the price of a depth guage and subtract that from what a basic computer costs. It will probably be cheaper in the long run to get a computer right off.

I dove this morning with a relatively new diver who has a BP/wing setup(his first setup) and he says he likes it. So don't limit yourself just because of experience level. I use the DiveRite Transpac II and am very happy with it.

Try several regs(a good LDS will let you do this) and also check on which ones are good cold water performers. I use a Sherwood Maximus and it performs very well in 36f water with -10f at the surface.

Dry suits are great! I dove wet as much as I could until I could afford one, but it was not one of my higher priorities for equipment until I knew I would be in the sport for the long haul. Start a little savings box for the near future and get the rest of your gear first. Worked for me.

I also use Force Fins. The bungee system works well, and I have all the power I need. I like to frog kick and they are well-suited for that.

Lastly, remember that opinions, including mine, are just that...opinions. Find what works for YOU and not what someone else thinks you should use. Some will cringe at the gear I use, but it all works for ME! Gear selection is a personal thing.

Jetwrench

 

[chrpai]

Suunto ( the poster not the manufacturer ) seems to be heading in a very specific direction with the gear he mentions... actually a rather strange direction for a PADI OW with only a handful of dives. My first thought was I wonder if he's the first graduate of a not yet announced GUE OW course.

So since Suunto is so set in his ways already might I suggest:

http://www.gue.com/equipment/equip-anatomy.shtml

 

[Suunto Old]

ut: Hehe, sure, DIR OW... =-)

Nah, I was just thinking about it from my point of view; Why gauges separately and no comp? Well, maybe a computer, a small wrist mount computer, but I dislike those big, bulky consoles and would rather have all the gauges put into somewhere more "handy" location, to my wrist. :lol: Well, dunno, this is just my personal thought, don't know about it's practicality tho..

Why do I want fins with springheels? Because I almost didn't get to dive at all last saturday due to a fin strap breakdown, and I figured that maybe springheels would be more durable. And because I want springheels, then I need them jetfins, don't I (please correct me if I'm wrong)?

And, umm, do you suggest that I should go for a real cheap drysuit rather than go for a wetsuit first and save some money for a quality dry one, when water temperature where I'm diving will be somewhere around 5-18 celsius. I could dive only on this summer with wetsuit, but then again I would miss out all the autumn dives with clear water and all..
Put it simply: Do you recommend quality over price in dry suits?
and if I'm going to buy one, should I go for a trilam or neoprene?

Thanks for everyone, keep 'em coming!

 

[Phish-phood]

I am in the same position as you at the moment with regards to deciding what gear to buy and when. Currently I am borrowing different gear from different people and renting various different kit so I can try things out.

I know what you mean about jacket style BC not positioning you right in the water, so when I descend I descend horizontally and use my drysuit to get my bouyancy, the air distribution is much better and I can position myself in the water whatever way I like.

I don't know about diving in water 5 degrees but I know several people who dive in semi-drys in water of about 7 degrees so if you wanted to hold off on the drysuit then maybe a semi dry would be the middle ground option in that regard.

Of the regs I have used I like oceanic and apexs, still trying to decide which I prefer before I commit to one or the other.

As for a computer, well I have just ordered one today, although I plan my dive off the RDP the computer has some features that I think will be useful for me, alarms for when I am ascending to quickly which can sometimes be a problem for me, means I don't have to load myself up with seperate gauges, watches, timers etc as the computer does it all for me.

 

[raviepoo]

This is Mistress Zenobia (Raviepoo's evil twin) speaking. I am going to tell you what to do. You will do it without questioning my authority, and you will thank me eventually.

Buy a Suunto Vyper. Wear it on your wrist. Use it in gauge mode until you decide you want to try computer diving.

Don't fase your fin choce on the ability to use spring straps. What ever fins you choose, check them thouroughly before you dive to ensure that nothing is about to wear out. Carry an extra strap or two in your save a dive kit.

I use force fins with bungee straps and I love them. Ther are compact, easy to travel with, REALLY EASY to get on and off, great for frog kicking. Another bonus is that if your strap falls off or breaks, you can' still kick with the fin as long as you do it carefully. I always expect other diver on the boat to laugh at my fins, but that's OK. I have a big enough ego to take it.