Advice / criticism for 1st reg setup

[H2ODoc]

Thinking of this setup for my wife (if we go through ScubaToys):

Oceanic Delta 3 TDX5 regulator $399
Oceanic Swivel 180 octo
Analog gauge setup

My reasoning is this:
- great price on the Delta 3 reg
- light weight reg
- good quality reg (I think?)
- slim octo won't get in the way
- octo/reg same brand for ease of service

I'd probably continue to rent gear for myself. By buying the wife equipment, she'd be familiar and more comfortable knowing her equipment and not have to deal with the learning curve of a new reg/BCD, etc.

LDS encouraged me into thinking about a ScubaPro setup for big $$$ instead of the $300 Oceanic Alpha 8 they had. I don't recall the ScubaPro reg pricing, but I think it was >$600 easy. Balanced 2nd stage, annual service includes free parts, etc.

So much to think about. As for a computer, I think we'll hold off for now. I know it's not the best idea, but I think I'll rent or buy a computer for myself and make sure we stay close. She's not the type to really read up and study a manual for a dive computer, and I'd rather be the one to keep track of that detail. Sure - I'll take advice on this idea!

I will be checking out other LDSs, but it seems like the LDS I went to is almost too high end and we'd end up spending $1000 for a reg/gauge/octo setup!

 

[MichiganDiver]

I have some similar questions. I won't hijack your thread, but I'm going to see what I can find on price here in the forum. It feels like my LDS is trying to take me for a ride, but the brands they carry aren't available mail order. (I'll enter my own thread on this.)

Hope you get some good answers to your questions.

 

[H2Andy]

Scubapros are good regs ... rather inexpensive in their class (when compared to Apeks, Atomic, Poseidon, etc.)

here's the Zeagle Envoy, in the class with the Scubapros, but less expensive:

http://www.scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=ZeagleEnvoy

and you can pick up an Envoy octo:

http://scubatoys.com/store/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=EnvoyOcto

both for $380, minus ScubaBoard discount, $342

a very nice reg, in my view, superior to the Oceanic (titanium is, for me, a gimmicky thing ... you don't really gain anything from it ... also, weight is a bit overated ... underwater, it's not much of an issue)

 

[spectrum]

I hear good things about Oceanic and you point out some solid logic behind your selections. Has she been involved with this and bought into it? You make it sound like she defers to you (like my wife) as the family gear steward but it's good to sit her down and walk her through the thought process.

I would seriously reconsider sharing the computer. Rent two if the purchase is not in the cards. If you only plan a light schedule of shore dives it's not a big deal since square profile table plans will probably suffice. If you are counting on the computer to maximize bottom time that's a little riskier. There are threads that beat this to death. Make an informed decision. Some dive boats will not let you dive without a clear computer so watch out.

Pete

 

[H2ODoc]

Has she been involved with this and bought into it? You make it sound like she defers to you (like my wife) as the family gear steward but it's good to sit her down and walk her through the thought process.

Good question. Yes - she enjoys diving, but she does defer most equipment related things to me. I definitely need her to buy into her reg/computer purchase. Its just like anything, I guess, if you are part of the decision, then you are more likely to buy into the whole thing (learning about it, testing it out, etc.).

I think I'll bite the bullet and we'll pick out a computer with the reg setup. I'll read up on them and pick one that's not too complicated, but straightforward!

Thanks!

 

[tstonedvr]

Not to bump you off of Scubatoys...but check out www.divesports.com before you buy.

 

[ams511]

My picks for low price:

http://www.golemgear.com/pc-283-11-oxycheq-regulator-kit.aspx

and

http://www.samishdivers.com/cart.php?mode=prod&cat=68&width=1280&height=800

You have an Oxycheq for $260.00 ($190 1st & 2nd + 70 for the octo)

 

[halocline]

Actually, if you're trying to budget carefully, I'd go for 2 inexpensive computers. The thing that set off a few bells was your statement "she's not the type to read the manual....." Computer diving is much simpler than using tables, so if she intends to dive safely, she's going to have to either have a computer, understand it's basic features and functions, or get pretty familiar with tables and how they work during a dive, preferably both! A huge advantage of using a computer over tables and a watch for new divers is the ascent rate indicator and alarm. It's much more likely for new divers using single tanks to suffer DCS as a result of poorly executed profiles and/or runaway ascents than as a result of excess bottom time; the computer alarm can really help with this. You can still find some air-only computers for $100 each or so if you really hunt, or you could get a couple of gekkos for around $500 total.

Using rental regs is not ideal, but it's almost never a safety issue. In this case it sounds like the computer is.