BP/W and wrist computer from dive shop or Online?

[Torisen]

I'm just getting set to throw down a couple grand on my first "real" dive gear, and I'm buying my regs from the local dive shop, no question, warranties, maintenance deals, etc. make that a no-brainer.

But when I've asked any of the local shops about warranties on the BP/W setups I'm looking at (Probably all OMS, maybe a AquaLung Apeks harness with an OMS wing) they just kind of stare blankly at me and say something to the effect of "well, it's covered until you walk out of the shop with it"

I love to support my local shops and all, but looking at the dreaded LeisurePro I can save almost 300$ (not quite half) if I but the BP/W hardware there. I figure I can assemble and fit it to myself easy enough, and there's no particular maintenance or adjustments I'll need to rely on them for...

Anyone have any good reasons why ordering the BP/W online is bad? Something I'm missing?

Also, I haven't much into it yet, but most dive computers seem to be similar in that there's not really any warranty or service deals, but as a more complex device I'm more hesitant to trust the unknown online stores.

Also, for the kind of hardware I'm looking at, it'd be a two week mail order from my LDS for the gear anyway, actually longer than an online store.

 

[616fun]

Going online for a BP/Wing isn't a bad thing. You may sped a bit more going to Tobin at Deep Sea Supply, but you won't get better customer service or any more of a top quality product. I own a few of Tobin's wings and a Stainless BP. It's a great set up.
https://www.deepseasupply.com/

If the DSS is more than you are looking to spend, check out what John has at North East Scuba Supply. He has a ton of Dive Rite gear at very reasonable prices. North East Scuba Supply - Northeast Scuba Supply

I can't speak to the set up you are looking at as I don't have experience with the OMS/APEKS gear.

In terms of a wrist computer, I'd say that same - online is fine. Be sure you get one that's allowed to be sold thru the net so you are under warranty. My recommendation would be to look at the Dive Rite Nitek Duo, Zeagle N2tion brand. They are a branded Seiko computer that several (including myself) are fans of. Very reasonable price for the functionality as well.

Good luck.

 

[bdrannik]

Have you researched the threads here regarding the Deep Sea Supply (DSS) BP/W setups? The company is located in Pasadena, CA and has excellent support of it's products. I went with one of their BP/W's after reading info here and couldn't be happier.
(I also own a Halcyon BP/W, which is a Florida company, and I will purchase DSS products in the future even though I live only 2 hours from Halcyon)

The owner, Tobin, is also a regular here on ScubaBoard (cool_hardware52).

Brent

 

[mts0628]

Hey Torisen:

The BP/W that I use has really nothing that can go wrong with it. Think about it, the harness, the backplate, the hardware, the wing (bladder) with dump(s), the inflator hose and the inflator. The thing that might give you any problems would be the inflator and after excessive use without proper gear maintenance- then which company would you expect to service it without question? Well, I say that loosely, because I know of one person who could walk you through inflator repair and wait- he has a video to help!

The bladder either works or doesn't, and the biggest threat is not overinflation, but a pinch flat- pinching the bladder between two solid surfaces with some force as in dropping your setup on the deck and your wing getting pinched in between the tank and deck. Who's fault would that be?

So, my recommendation, as always, will be check out Tobin at DSS. He has great products at great prices, and what more could you want with customer service- he's right here on the SB! cool_hardware52 addresses any and all concerns pertaining to his products and other areas of expertise. If you have a problem, but this goes with any company, don't put him on blast here as in starting a bitch session thread. PM him or give him a call he will work with you.

Computers are the same way, they either work or don't. I'd look around on the SB and see what the favorite is amongst divers is. The flavors may vary a lot though. I have owned 2 Suunto Vypers without issues, it has a user replaceable battery, backlight, three modes (air, nitrox, GAUGE!) and it can be mounted several ways, console, OEM strap, or DSS boot. I do not use the computer part nor do I do a lot of dives back to back, so conservatism is not an issue for me. I also use a bottom timer, cheap throw away from Uwatec. If my Suunto pooped the bed, I might see if Aqualung could help me, if not, meh, next. If my BT dies, well, I have another one and they aren't supposed to last forever anyway. If it was a factory type issue that pertained to programming (inaccurate depth or something) or it leaked, then I'd expect the company to help. I hope this helps.

With kindest regards,
Thomas

 

[bdrannik]

Brian, Thomas, and I must have been typing simultaneously with our DSS/Tobin recommendations..

 

[mts0628]

I'm just getting set to throw down a couple grand on my first "real" dive gear, and I'm buying my regs from the local dive shop, no question, warranties, maintenance deals, etc. make that a no-brainer.

But when I've asked any of the local shops about warranties on the BP/W setups I'm looking at (Probably all OMS, maybe a AquaLung Apeks harness with an OMS wing) they just kind of stare blankly at me and say something to the effect of "well, it's covered until you walk out of the shop with it"

I love to support my local shops and all, but looking at the dreaded LeisurePro I can save almost 300$ (not quite half) if I but the BP/W hardware there. I figure I can assemble and fit it to myself easy enough, and there's no particular maintenance or adjustments I'll need to rely on them for...

Anyone have any good reasons why ordering the BP/W online is bad? Something I'm missing?

Also, I haven't much into it yet, but most dive computers seem to be similar in that there's not really any warranty or service deals, but as a more complex device I'm more hesitant to trust the unknown online stores.

Also, for the kind of hardware I'm looking at, it'd be a two week mail order from my LDS for the gear anyway, actually longer than an online store.

Have you researched the threads here regarding the Deep Sea Supply (DSS) BP/W setups? The company is located in Pasadena, CA and has excellent support of it's products. I went with one of their BP/W's after reading info here and couldn't be happier.
(I also own a Halcyon BP/W, which is a Florida company, and I will purchase DSS products in the future even though I live only 2 hours from Halcyon)

The owner, Tobin, is also a regular here on ScubaBoard (cool hardware52).

Brent

I started my thread 5 minutes ago and you guys both beat me but we all said essentially the same thing! Hmm, we must be right, eh?

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

We have had some issues that customers brought things back, but not much. Webbing being rubbed against BP and shredding(covered under warranty), Different Inflator head needed(warranty) but whether you buy from Online or your store, the Manufacturer will stand behind their product assuming you buy it from one of their retailers. ALot will cover it regardless. To me, its always good to support local, we help fit people all the time before and after their purchase as they "tweak" the fitting....but we are also an online dealer that does this same warranty stuff over the phone for customers or provides that same over the phone service on tweaking the fitting....so really it just depends on where you buy it and if your comfortable that they will be there for you AFTER the sale....whether online or local You dont want to buy from someone that never answers their emails or shrugs shoulders and says once you walk out, your warranty is gone!

Goodluck and le us know if you need any help

 

[scarefaceDM]

BP/Wing harness....reputable online dealer or LDS...should stand by any warranty. A computer. Well there are many to choose from. Look at the ones where you can change the battery. the ones that have to be sent in are a pain to deal with. Long delays at times.

Get yourself a Nitrox/Air computer. Down the road you may or may not get Nitrox certified but if you do..you will have the right computer. Also look at PUCK style computer with a bungie mount system. Simple and easy to adjust and fix if needed. DSS has the puck mounts and work great.

Also some computers have digital compasses. These are also a plus when you are around steel wrecks...you never know when you would need to navigate back to your start point if there is no line or the vis has been reduced to nothing. Things to look at.

 

[miketsp]

..snip..

Also some computers have digital compasses. These are also a plus when you are around steel wrecks...you never know when you would need to navigate back to your start point if there is no line or the vis has been reduced to nothing. Things to look at.

Without wanting to divert the thread, am I reading something into your post that you didn't mean?
Are you trying to imply that a digital compass will work under conditions where your normal analog compass won't? Like close to wreck with a mass of steel?
A digital compass is just as affected as an analog one by any anomaly in the lines of force around the hull. In fact it actually has a disadvantage in that you won't notice any additional distortion caused by altered dip if you're above the steel mass resulting in a vector change to the true reading. With a normal compass you will see the tilt change and realise that the compass is being affected.
Or did you just mean that any compass is better than no compass?

 

[scarefaceDM]

ooo...nice...missing a few lines of text...my bad....Having a digital compass built into your computer is a nice extra to have. Some folks tend to not bring a compass on a dive..so yes any compass is a good compass.... as long as it points in the direction you want to go...lolll

Without wanting to divert the thread, am I reading something into your post that you didn't mean?
Are you trying to imply that a digital compass will work under conditions where your normal analog compass won't? Like close to wreck with a mass of steel?
A digital compass is just as affected as an analog one by any anomaly in the lines of force around the hull. In fact it actually has a disadvantage in that you won't notice any additional distortion caused by altered dip if you're above the steel mass resulting in a vector change to the true reading. With a normal compass you will see the tilt change and realise that the compass is being affected.
Or did you just mean that any compass is better than no compass?