About to tk certification cls . . .need purchasing advice

[tinainfl]

Hi: I need to purchase a decent mask, fins, & snorkel set for my certification class. Any advice on things to look for when buying . . . good brands, things to avoid, best online store, split or single lens masks, split or solid fins?????

Really appreciate any advice. Tina

 

[BrianS]

May want to check out the Equipment forums, may answer all your questions by reading a few of those threads.

 

[SCOOBA PHAN]

I would find a good lds in your area and spend an hour or so with them going over all the equipment and buy from them. Will you be able to use it all for 10 years, no, you will have to upgrade as you learn what you like, but you will be diving with your own equipment and will have back up equipment as you upgrade. you will have to buy what they sell but if you find a good shop they will treat you right and surely they have some good equipment at their shop. Tom

 

[Wayward Son]

Fit, fit & fit.

On the mask, try to avoid large volume designs. They take more air to clear, you'll appreciate a lower volume mask when you get to your mask clearing exercises

Pretty much any decent mask, fins & snorkel will work for you. Go to one or more local shops, ask questions & try things on.

Solid blade fins need to be kicked from the hip, splits from the knee. Hard to say which you'd like best without trying them. For someone starting out it prolly doesn't matter a lot bc it's all new to you, you can make a better judgement once you have some experience using fins.

 

[SHARKBAIT94]

Fit, fit & fit.

On the mask, try to avoid large volume designs. They take more air to clear, you'll appreciate a lower volume mask when you get to your mask clearing exercises

Pretty much any decent mask, fins & snorkel will work for you. Go to one or more local shops, ask questions & try things on.

Solid blade fins need to be kicked from the hip, splits from the knee. Hard to say which you'd like best without trying them. For someone starting out it prolly doesn't matter a lot bc it's all new to you, you can make a better judgement once you have some experience using fins.

Just what wayward said. Excpet IMHO don't spend a lot on a snorkel like i did once you get your cert boy will you be P O-ED about the snorkel, all that thing does is get in your way and twist up your mask strap. No one i see dives with them once they get cert. I went and bought a snorkel thats rolls up (aqualung snap fold I bought it a leisure pro for like 20 dollars) it has a little case and i put in my bc sooooooooo just incase i need to have one.
**** attention all members who are against online sales. This is not a major life support unit it's a snorkel one that I could not care if it was to get lost or brake its cheap and disposable and the best of all it’s a tube that works*****
Now i will add this It is not advisable to purchase any life support unit off line I.E regulators (first stage or second stage) Buoyancy controlled device also known as a BC as a green fin (rookie diver). Unless you are going to purchase from an AUTHORIZED DEALER. Larry at Scubatoys.com is an authorized dealer who sells online, also a great source of info that will take the time to talk to and make sure you are comfortable. Some of the LDS (local dive shops) tend to charge more. I will how ever buy none life support equipment from unauthorized online dealers such as Leisure pro for fins gloves hoods ext.ex. As green fin you will want to be able to talk and ask questions that you may have about all the new gear and gear you will need, with a lot of online dealers you will not be able to talk to and hold and feel the item until you have it, then it maybe to late to return it. There is a big thing called warranty repair and yearly servicing a lot of manufactures give incentives to buy their gear such as free parts replacements and others but if you buy from an unauthorized dealer you loose out. In my honest opinion it is very valuable to have the one on one experience with your LDS.

 

[tinainfl]

Hi all! Thank you so much for all of the advice. After posting, I found the equipment forum & that was a huge help. Really appreciate the advice about the low volume mask, snorkel, & fins in these posts. Just found out that I'll be visiting my brother who dives next week & will be able to try out the split versus full fin. I've no idea which I'll like best, especially after reading all the different opinions in the equipment forum.

Again, thanks for taking the time to post. It's hugely helpful to both my friend & me. Have a great wk, Tina