As the title says. Start OW November 9th and new to the forum. I've been reading everything everybody has to say but wanted to get your opinions on the gear I want to buy. Looking at DSS bp/w, atomic z2, z2 octo, oceanic pro plus 2.1. Don't know what size wing I should get as I'm 5-8 170 lbs. Once I get the experience I want to get into spearfishing so I know a lot of people recommend bp/w. Any help would be appreciated.
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- Thread starter Robo813
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Welcome to SB and have fun in the OW course. My recommendation would be hold off on major gear purchases for now and just buy the minimal gear that students are typically asked to bring to the course, typically mask/snorkel and fins. Rent the rest for the course, if it isn't included in the course price. After the course, do some diving in rented or borrowed gear of different types to try to get a feel for what you like and what you don't like. Scubaboard tends to have lots of devotees of the BP/W configuration, but in the real world the traditional BC is far more common. Try both! And then there are things like the Zeagle Express, which is an interesting sort of hybrid. And if you can, try different regulators. No need to rush into the big-ticket gear purchases only to possibly have regrets later. My two cents.
I'll second what Lorenzoid has said, spend some time diving and trying out different equipment configurations. I've found that newer divers over time will move away from what they initially planned on for equipment once they have experienced some different dive conditions and equipment. Diving is a journey and not a destination. I applaud you on your decision to spend some time becoming a proficient diver before taking on activities like spear fishing as these tend to task load newer divers and lead to a negative experience. In conclusion, welcome and learn as much as you can!
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Ill be the 3rd to say it...dont buy any gear besides fins, mask and snorkel just yet...use rental gear and see how it feels...try all the different gear you possibly can before you buy anything ....or trust me, you will be buying gear again in 6 months to a year.
kerrycorcoran
Contributor
I'm all for buying the gear you like, now. You skill level will get better over time, but why waste the money renting when you can re-sell your used gear. No, you will not get top dollar, however you get 'real' exposure to what you like and dislike. From my perspective, simply renting gear for a dive doesn't give you all you need to determine if you really like the gear or not. I was nearly certified May 2013 and purchase all new gear. Since I have upgraded my computer, mask and BCD. For those items that I changed out I was able to sell and still come out ahead, in my opinion.
CptTightPants21
Contributor
I agree with the recommendation to try gear out before you buy it.
Wing Size: are you going to do any cold water diving, I am in the NE so I would use between a 30-38 lb wing for single tank which would give me more than enough lift for whatever I might need it for. If you are only going to dive in FL, than something in a 27lb wing would be fine. I am the type of person that always tries to buy gear that is versatile and can be used in a wide array of conditions so I would go the larger wing regardless.
Computers: I hate console computers and think the proplus is not the best bang for the buck and borderline waste (no gas switching, large price tag for what it does). I dive a Geo 2 and love it (you can get it online for $225 used, $280 on sale). For a first computer, I recommend a simple wrist dive computer that has gauge mode so you can use it as a backup should you go into tech. So are so many threads that cover the first computer I will let you do the searching.
Try out plenty of gear. I was recently looking for new regs and I borrowed a whole bunch from different friends. I was actually seriously looking at Atomic M1 or a Z2. I breathed a friends Z2 and while it was ok, it was nothing special in my book. The best regulators I have breathed have been Apeks XTX 200, 100, and 50's. So I got the Apeks XTX100s from Leisure pro. Don't get me wrong Z2s are excellent regulators and I am sure that some people will disagree with me, but I personally tried both regulators and ​I think the Apeks were better breathers.
If you take your time with gear purchases, you won't find yourself re-buying the same items.
Wing Size: are you going to do any cold water diving, I am in the NE so I would use between a 30-38 lb wing for single tank which would give me more than enough lift for whatever I might need it for. If you are only going to dive in FL, than something in a 27lb wing would be fine. I am the type of person that always tries to buy gear that is versatile and can be used in a wide array of conditions so I would go the larger wing regardless.
Computers: I hate console computers and think the proplus is not the best bang for the buck and borderline waste (no gas switching, large price tag for what it does). I dive a Geo 2 and love it (you can get it online for $225 used, $280 on sale). For a first computer, I recommend a simple wrist dive computer that has gauge mode so you can use it as a backup should you go into tech. So are so many threads that cover the first computer I will let you do the searching.
Try out plenty of gear. I was recently looking for new regs and I borrowed a whole bunch from different friends. I was actually seriously looking at Atomic M1 or a Z2. I breathed a friends Z2 and while it was ok, it was nothing special in my book. The best regulators I have breathed have been Apeks XTX 200, 100, and 50's. So I got the Apeks XTX100s from Leisure pro. Don't get me wrong Z2s are excellent regulators and I am sure that some people will disagree with me, but I personally tried both regulators and ​I think the Apeks were better breathers.
If you take your time with gear purchases, you won't find yourself re-buying the same items.
I would say take your time and hold off buying gear that's not required for the class. I bought my gear after from recommendations from other divers and seeing it in use and asking questions. The question I asked myself when I bought mine was will I be happy with in in a year or two. Remember always buying the most expensive equipment doesn't mean it suited to the application you intend to use it for. I'm a newbie too and already am eying a new bcd that can hold doubles. Things change.
amtaguirre
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I will repeat what the others have said about waiting and trying things out. As for buying and reselling I dont agree because not only will you not get top dollar for your used equipment you might not even get 50% of its value. Take it from someone who has a lot of barely used equipment sitting around that I refuse to let go for 25-30% of its purchase price. I hope you enjoy diving as much as I do. I've been actively diving for 40 years and I've never gotten tired of it.
Mustard Dave
Contributor
I'd leave the fins for now. Mask choice is simple - buy one that fits without leaking. Fins can be a personal thing, and what looks nice in the shop may not work well for somebody in the water. Hire or borrow fins for the course and try to borrow a few different types to see what works.
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I'll go with the buy now side. I guess if you are looking to buy all new, possibly top of the line stuff it does make sense to rent for a few dives first. I bought mostly used stuff during or just after the OW course. I made sure the BC fit, and wetsuit of course (still have these 9 years later). Boots, gloves (various kinds), hood-- all must be comfortable. Type of tank-- give that some thought. Renting tanks is usually only a couple of bucks more than an air fill, so check out what kind/size you may want to buy. Weight system?-Standard belt, suspenders or harness are things to consider. Enjoy the course.
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