Advice on a reg setup for spearfishing

[enijjer]

Hi Everyone

I just got certified two weeks ago and I have been doing my research on this forum. I wanted to run this setup by you before I go out and buy. I will mostly be spearfishing in 100ft or less in the tampa bay area. Typically water temps dont go below 60 degrees here. So based on what I have read here i'm thinking of the following set up:

First stage: MK2 plus (New from LP)
Second stage: G250 (Used off of ebay)
Octo: R295 (New from LP)

I can buy the octo and first stage from leisurepro for around 215 bucks and I'm hoping I can get a used G250 off of ebay for under 100. This would put me at around 300 bucks and I think I will have a pretty decent set up.

Alternately I was thinking of buying an MK2, G250, and an R109 off ebay. Not sure what I would expect to pay for that setup off of ebay.

What do you think? Thanks for the advice.

E

 

[Atomic_Diver]

Your certified 2 weeks ago, and taking on tasks of Spearfishing, and going to 100'... Not the best idea...

 

[SkimFisher]

Buying used means you get none of the warranty benefits. There are good setups out there brand new for not much more than you're going to pay for a used reg that will in all likelihood need to be rebuilt/serviced right off that bat - that equals more money out of your pocket before you ever get it in the water.

Check out this setup - IMO you can't find a better reg for the price. I know a lot of guys that dive this reg and love it, including myself. I got my setup on sale for $250 but its gone back up apparently.

Oceanic GT3-CDX5 Regulator Package @ Divers-Supply.com

And like Atomic suggested (kind of) - baby steps. Make sure you're comfortable in the water first. OW is a license to practice. Rushing into 100' of water so early on is not advisable.

If you want to get in some water let me know. As you can see I am in the Tampa area and I dive pretty much every week.

 

[enijjer]

Thanks for the advice guys...What I meant to write was that eventually i'll be diving to those depths and spearfishing. I trying to look out long term and buy my equipment based on that.

E

 

[rstofer]

The other day we were discussing the HOG regulators. You can get a 1st stage (standard or cold water) and two 2d stages for $350. That doesn't include the hoses so you would have to add something but you would have a brand new, highly regarded, regulator set. Try Divers-Supply.com

Or, go to DiveRightInScuba.com and search for HOG. They have the same prices but they also have a short video on the second stage. Plus they offer a training class if you want to service your own regs.

Yes, you'll have to come up with a couple of hoses. But you will probably want to go to Miflex hoses anyway and they won't be included with any packaged regulator. And, if you buy used, you might still want to change out the hoses.

You might look back over the last week of so on this forum. There was a long thread where HOG was discussed and the owner (?) jumped in.

Richard

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Hi Everyone

I just got certified two weeks ago and I have been doing my research on this forum. I wanted to run this setup by you before I go out and buy. I will mostly be spearfishing in 100ft or less in the tampa bay area. Typically water temps dont go below 60 degrees here. So based on what I have read here i'm thinking of the following set up:

First stage: MK2 plus (New from LP)
Second stage: G250 (Used off of ebay)
Octo: R295 (New from LP)

I can buy the octo and first stage from leisurepro for around 215 bucks and I'm hoping I can get a used G250 off of ebay for under 100. This would put me at around 300 bucks and I think I will have a pretty decent set up.

Alternately I was thinking of buying an MK2, G250, and an R109 off ebay. Not sure what I would expect to pay for that setup off of ebay.

What do you think? Thanks for the advice.

E

That setup would be fine, but you need to consider where you will get it serviced (mail it off, or locally) and understand what is and what is not a good deal when buying on ebay.

I've bought a few regs on ebay, and got very great deals.... but I did my own servicing, so that saved about $75-100 off the top. I also knew what I was looking for, and was patient. I've seen regs sell for way too much on ebay as well.

Another alternative to buying a used G250 2nd stage on ebay would be to buy a NEW 2nd stage; perhaps the new HOG 2nd that several scubaboard members have written nice things about for around $99 - 110:

HOG Balanced Second Stage Regulator

or here:

HOG Gear D1 Second Stage - Dive Right In Scuba - Plainfield, IL

Remember, you'll also need an SPG, depth gauge & bottom timer, so consider what you plan to do there as well.

You can often find complete regulator setup's on ebay that include 1st, 2nd, octo, and gauges. You need to be patient, but you can sometimes find some really good sets (a level above what you are currently looking at) that don't get many bids, and sell for around $200. Again, be sure about what you are bidding on (be sure you can get it serviced).

Good luck, and best wishes.