Before my first beginner class...

[AC26XP]

I love forums, and every time I start a new hobby I usually join a relevant forum.
So, the Scuba bug has bit me and I will be starting a class soon at my local shop... and with it I have joined this forum to complement my learning experience.

With that being said I have a couple initial questions:
1) I am required to bring my own mask, snorkel, and fins. Not a problem. But since I have no clue yet as to my realistic expectations on how frequently I plan to dive or if ultimately I will even enjoy Scuba, I feel I should just be economical about the "unknown" and buy the $40 "U.S. Divers Icon mask, snorkel, and fins set" at my local Dick's Sporting Goods.
Of course the dive shop has a great selection of quality merchandise, but I feel I should just wait and see prior to taking out a mortgage to fund an endeavour which I may or may not enjoy.
So, is this US Divers set at Dick's "good enough" for my initial beginner Scuba class?

2) I have clicked throughout this forum and I can't seem to find a section that talks about "Destinations" and contributors specific recommendations or non-recommendations for spots throughout the United States and world. You know, something like "Check out this quarry in Anytown, Virginia". Does a section like this exist on this forum or is it just integrated within other topics?

Thank you very much, and (hopefully) I will be visiting this forum often and Scuba will become a lifestyle and more than just a passing fancy.

AC

 

[TSandM]

I would recommend against the boxed set, unless you are able to take the mask out and try it on. To be useful for scuba, a mask MUST fit; if it doesn't, and leaks constantly, it causes significant diver stress. To assess a mask for fit, place it on your face and gently press on it until a small vacuum occurs. When you release the mask, it should remain in place. Don't do this by sucking in through your nose, because with enough suction, even an ill-fitting mask may seal.

A simple J-tube snorkel is fine for your class, and is quite inexpensive. Many people discard their snorkels after class, or switch to a collapsible one that you can easily stow. If you intend to do a fair amount of snorkeling, a purge valve in the snorkel is a nice upgrade.

The most important thing about fins is that they must fit over whatever you are going to wear on your feet for your pool sessions and your open water dives. If you can't get them on, or can only do so with a great deal of struggle, it makes getting into the water a pain. If they're too loose and flop, or come off, they are a stressor.

There is no need to buy the most expensive equipment in the dive store, if you aren't sure of your attachment to the sport. But there is very functional equipment at fairly low cost. Most stores WILL try to guide you to the higher profit items, but if you insist that you want to begin as inexpensively as possible, most will have some lower cost options.

As far as site recommendations go, they're generally in the form of dive reports. If you go to the regional subforum for the area in which you are interested (whether that's your local area or somewhere else) you'll be likely to find a number of dive reports describing the characteristics of the sites and what people saw there. If you can't find what you're looking for, you can post a thread in that subforum, asking, "Where are good places to dive in the XXXX area?"

 

[fisheater]

1) No. Unless, of course, that cheap mask fits you perfectly. Fit is the supreme consideration and you won't know if you buy your mask in the hermetically sealed vacu-pac at the local Costco or sporting good "big box" retailer.

You won't enjoy your class and won't get a lot out of it, if your mask is leaking. So, I suggest that you visit as many local dive shops as possible and try out as many different types of masks as possible.

2) There are geographically based forums where you can ask about various dive sites, operators, shops, etc.

Welcome and enjoy.

 

[AC26XP]

Thanks for stressing the importance of finding a mask that fits, and I agree that it is a gamble to buy a "box set" mask untried.
I will purchase a mask that fits comfortably, which now rules-out those that are inaccessible prior to purchase.

Thanks again

 

[dwaters]

Welcome to the 'board!!!

Good call on trying out mask before purchase...you can get a good fit from $25 to $75.... as far as dive spots...start with your new local forum and check it out
NC Wreck Divers - ScubaBoard
Great place to start with any location that you are planning or wishing to dive..... dive on in and enjoy!