Advice from tech divers equip

[xwhitesmokex]

Thank you again for details. greatly appreciate it.
Sorry about the lack of profile, still have not gotten to that part yet.
i'm new to diving, but looking ahead towards technical details of diving. been reading researching for a few months and barely got into the class.doing SDI with the possible transition to TDI ... eventually. (SDI does their classes with dive comps off the gate)

I'm in southern cal. and would be diving in a 6.5 semi-dry suit, jets w/springs. 5'9 180. hammerhead SS hog rig. for sheer cost. otherwise still considering the OMS rig.
if anyone could mention if i should go with the oxycheq mach V 40# or go for something different more in the 30 to 35# range. for my diving.. again i would like to be able to use this rig in warm waters.

I have taken into account that all you need is a depth gauge and watch.. the head instructors said.. sure you can but that was 20 years ago diver thinking. and still although several disadvantages they do have perks.

and if anyone with good knowledge of regs can research this reg www.dynamodiving.com from what i read an environmentally sealed 1st (like APEKS)and 2nd .... please forgive for mentioning the name so much.. i'm not endorsing it at all. just gathering info on anyone that can comment on the design and possible capabilities of it. and i do like the look of it and side exhaust... but would rather have deep diving performance and long lasting capabilities than looks ..as well as cost

i thought about the vyper, even the mosquito, but no deep stop indicator and no gas switching.

can anyone else comment on the cochran and oceanic VT3?

thanks

 

[Diver0001]

I'm in southern cal. and would be diving in a 6.5 semi-dry suit,

No you won't

Trust me. After 100 dives in that thing you're going to be shopping for a drysuit.

R..

 

[xwhitesmokex]

Thanks KGdiver, was wondering is there an advantage to using a 2 piece STA over a single 1 piece.
and i agree silva with the getting 2 of the same reg... and i was initially leaning towards the apeks. for costs, reputation, and proof of the DS4.

Thanks again for your taking the time to answer.

 

[xwhitesmokex]

Thanks for the vote of confidence R. not that it means anything but it's a mares isotherm... either way i'm going to have to deal with it for some time... funny though..

 

[Rainer]

if anyone could mention if i should go with the oxycheq mach V 40# or go for something different more in the 30 to 35# range. for my diving.. again i would like to be able to use this rig in warm waters.

Dude, "weight check". Don't take advice from people on the internet about what lift you need. Just go to the pool and find out. No one here knows. If you need help, contact Tobin (from DSS), he's always willing to offer advice (he also sells very nice gear).

 

[Rainer]

Thanks for the vote of confidence R. not that it means anything but it's a mares isotherm... either way i'm going to have to deal with it for some time... funny though..

Not so funny when you're freezing. My gf has about that many dives now in SoCal, and guess what, she's shopping for a dry suit! While it's warm enough in the summer, it cools off significantly this time of year.

 

[PerroneFord]

I'm in southern cal. and would be diving in a 6.5 semi-dry suit, jets w/springs. 5'9 180. hammerhead SS hog rig. for sheer cost. otherwise still considering the OMS rig.
if anyone could mention if i should go with the oxycheq mach V 40# or go for something different more in the 30 to 35# range. for my diving.. again i would like to be able to use this rig in warm waters.

Stick with the Hog rig. It's a more flexible platform to build with. The Mach V 40# will probably be fine. Before you find your way to tech diving, chances are you'll have several wings. I know I've got 4 already.

I have taken into account that all you need is a depth gauge and watch.. the head instructors said.. sure you can but that was 20 years ago diver thinking. and still although several disadvantages they do have perks.

No, actually that is not 20 year old thinking. It's actually more forward thinking. The most modern decompressions algorithms are not (easily) available in dive computers, so with only a couple of exceptions, the dive computers you are talking about are built with decompression models that are decades old. Those of us diving with depth guages and watches, are cutting custom tables on modern software loaded on home PCs or laptops. Since we control the software, we can dial in the conservatism we want, and any other factors we like. Relying on it inside the dive computer, we are forced to accept whatever the manufacturer decides on.

i thought about the vyper, even the mosquito, but no deep stop indicator and no gas switching.

By the time you are doing deep stops, you'll now what depths they should occur at before you get in the water. You don't need a dive computer to tell you. If you absolutely believe you are going to need a computer to do all this with, I suggest you buy a VR3 by DeltaP. At least it can do everything you are asking and can grow with you. There are a couple of other options in computers as well, but the VR3 is extremely popular with good reason. I've used them a few times.

can anyone else comment on the cochran and oceanic VT3?

I know nothing of the VT3. I've used 2 Cochran products and will say it was the worst customer service experience I have ever experienced with any product I have ever owned. I would not own another if it was given to me for free. Others have had better experiences and seem to like them fine. Your experiences may be better than mine.

Best of luck.

 

[Captain12Pk]

Hello everyone,
After considerable reading throughout the posts, i've gained plenty knowledge and headaches at the same time. Although plenty to search i have several questions if i may gain your wisdom. I barely started my O/W class but i want to start out right without biased opinions from LDS because i want to move forward to tech diving or at least diving with doubles!!

Like most i don't want to spend my money twice so if i can gain your advice on the following;

#1 question
I'm going with the backplate and wing BC from hammerhead for the cost, i'd figure steel is steel to a certain degree and a mach v wing as most people praise it in the boards. my question is i'll be using a 6.5 mil "semi-dry" wetsuit. i'm 5'9 180, what wing should i get the 30 # or the 40 #. most of my diving will be in southern california waters relatively cold from what i hear. but if i go away for vacation to warm waters i'd like it to do me justice as well.

now my lds tried to get me into a 50# Black fusion from deep outdoorswith oms backplate and comfort harness for an insame amount of money and stated i could use it for both single and doubles. from reading posts, having a multi wing is not a good idea.

i'm also sticking to weight integration for safety factors, but i've considered attaching weight to backplate as well.. any thoughts on this.

#2 question
i was relatively conviced about getting an Apeks TX50/DS4 regulator, but my LDS of course not carrying it first directed me to the Atomic, which i read is a good EXPENSIVE REG, after seeing my eyes pop out. he said for me to look into the DYNAMO regulators (compared it to Atomics) after reading (not really knowing 100%) thought this seems like a great reg for having Both 1st and 2nd stage environmentally sealed and be able to work on it without tools underwater. but i'm not sure if they have an octopus that i know of to complete the gear.

so the question is related to future service and better reg.. if i should get the apeks , spend about $100 less or make the lds happy at least buy the DYNAMO reg from them and have someone to service it?

if it's the environmental seal that makes the apeks a better buy on the 1st stage why not get both sealed?

the funny part about this is that i looked at his rebreather KISS rig and noticed he had an APEKS 1st stage attached to it... go figure!!! he washed it off when i questioned him.

Question # 3
I have not read much about TRIMIX, but from reading tech posts, it is relatively essential to DEEP diving or is it?

I've been looking into three computers. SUUNTO VYTEC DS, the COCHRAN EMC-16, and the oceanic VT3.

I like the suunto for the RGBMS safety, but i'd like advanced features, although i don't know why yet i would need to switch nitrox gas mixes underwater. it has 3 options with 21 to 99% along with dive planner , P02 capabilities ( can someone briefly tell me what P02 really means ). but of course my LDS does not support.

i like the cochran as it is recognized , but think its more for people using rebreathers which i'm not doing anytime soon. i know there have been issues in the past on past models but the new emcs deem to be solid? and i like their program upgrades..

the VT3 by post recommendation is my other alternative.. but not sure of its features. i like the fact that it has the same options as the suunto but has the capability of making it more or less conservative for ascend.

if you could please give some guidance.. i'd greatly appreciate it .

thanks to all in advance.

I haven't read every reply to your original post, so forgive me if I give info to any previously answered questions. I too live in So. Cal. Orange to be precise. As well, I too am an Apeks fan / user. Although I use the ATX 200's. Pacific Wilderness in Orange does in fact retail Apeks. I doubt you'll be disappointed.
As for the Cochran, in my opinion hands down the best you'll find. Of course, they're also quite pricey, but I heard somewhere that "you get what you pay for". And no, they're not limited use with rebreathers. If you're looking for a Cochran retailer, the only one I know of in the area is Openwater Habitat in Santa Ana.
If you need directions or phone #'s, just msg. me

Good luck & happy diving.

 

[MSilvia]

I have taken into account that all you need is a depth gauge and watch.. the head instructors said.. sure you can but that was 20 years ago diver thinking.

I think you'll find that the vast majority of technical divers are using a bottom timer/depth indicator, and not a dive computer. I won't get into all the reasons why, but a big part of it is that at that level of diving, most prudent folks are planning their dive so they can know what gasses to use, how long and where to make deco stops, etc, and those are things you need to know ahead of time, not have calculated for you while you're already doing the dive. Computers are great for recreational diving, but 20 years of technology advancement doesn't mean they're a better solution than having a plan and sticking to it. They're great for maximizing bottom time on multi-level dives, but it's arguable that they enable you to let fundamental planning skills get rusty.

 

[xwhitesmokex]

Thank PFord. appreciate the details.
Thanks for the link. good stuff, i had found it earlier, but have not gone through it thoroughly.

If i may ask. can you provide me more info on your what software you are relating to here;

"Those of us diving with depth guages and watches, are cutting custom tables on modern software loaded on home PCs or laptops"

Are you in south cal by any chance?

thanks again to everyone who has answered. all comments are welcomed. good , bad , and the ugly....