Buying gear and need advice

[dkatchalov]

You're right, any moron could put it together. Putting a car together "aint" rocket science either, but I'll get mine fixed at the dealership so it doesn't blow up. It's all about safety here. I'd much rather put my life in the hands of an LDS who can show me how to assemble it, than screwing around with it myself.



Putting together your own BC as a brand new diver could put you at risk more than help you understand your buoyancy. Again just an opinion from the opposing side.

Hey STB. It all depends on one's comfort level.

I am comfortable with doing stuff with my hands & I did a lot (and I mean a lot) of research on the net, LDS, SB, GUE materials, etc. when I was putting my rig together on how to do it properly. By the end of it all, I was comfortable that I had a good, safe, rig.

Before I did any serious OW dives, I jumped under the pier and tested everything.

At the end of the process, I learnt a lot more about my safety and buoyancy than I would have if I got the LDS to assemble it for me. No matter how hard you look and how much someone explains something to you, the best way you learn & understand is by getting your own hands dirty. Once again, this is my experience & this was within my comfort level. YMMV.

 

[dkatchalov]

Also STB, let's try and remain objective & rational here and avoid comparing putting together a bp/w vs. putting together a car. This is one of the worst, most inappropriate and inaccurate analogies I've ever seen. I think anyone understands the levels of complexity are not even in the same ballpark. Let's try and be accurate here and not mislead new divers into thinking that setting up a bp/w rig is like assembling a car.

 

[shotthebreeze]

Also, I'm sorry STB, but comparing putting together a bp/w vs. putting together a car is one of the worst, most inappropriate and inaccurate analogies I've ever seen. I think anyone understands the levels of complexity are not even in the same ballpark. Let's try and be accurate here and not mislead new divers into thinking that setting up a bp/w rig is like assembling a car.

Yes, my analogy was most inappropriate because you don't agree. Please reprimand me. The initial thread clearly states that he wants an Oceanic Excursion, so his mind is clearly made up. Someone responded get a BP/W. I followed up that statement saying that I dislike the fact that everyone wants to force the idea onto those who are looking for simple solutions. It is also not a good investment for beginning divers because they're not diving deco or doubles immediately and there are more important things to focus on. Safety is an issue here, so don't try to avoid it. It might not be as complex as a car, but I still consider my BC and the rest of my kit as a life sustaining system. Again, its my opinion. I'm done arguing with you, so go strap your BP/W on and chill out for me, mate.

 

[dkatchalov]

One more thing - please list the ways in which putting together a bp/w yourself could put you at greater risk than having an LDS do it for you.

Assuming you are well versed in exactly what components you need (i.e. you've done your research properly, which everyone should do regardless of what they dive or who assembles it for them), I don't see how putting together a bp/w is risky. Thread the harness through the plate, thread the buckles. Use book screws or cable ties to keep the wing in place if not using an STA. Adjust until comfortable. Time consuming? Yes. Risky? Not in my opinion.

 

[dkatchalov]

Let's agree to disagree. We both have our opinions and I think we will both stick to them. I'm not here to change anyone's views.

In any case the OP should have plenty of additional information in this thread now to help them with current/future purchasing decisions.

 

[Bwatsnyc]

Thanks for all the great info, didn't mean to start an argument though.

 

[Lucy's Diver]

You will always start an argument on this board when suggesting anything other than a BP/W is the way to go. Everyone thinks their stuff is the best. I have the need to dive a bunch of different buoyancy systems (including none at all) for work and a couple different for recreational diving. There's a reason the vast majority of new divers, and I'd say the vast majority of divers period, use off the shelf BCs. If you want to add more task loading and learning curve to your initial diving learning experience go ahead.

 

[Lucy's Diver]

Please explain this statement & provide examples. I think you are completely wrong.


I did not see anyone in this thread suggest buying "one thing that works for all levels of diving". A BP/W is easier to upgrade to cold water, doubles, deco diving than a poodle jacket. It is also easier to travel with (more compact & lighter assuming you use an AL plate).

Using a bp/w from the start allows the new diver to get used to using the roughly the same equipment he/she will be using if they choose to progress to tech/deco/cave diving. This means that the learning curve during tech/deco/cave training is less steep and the diver is already used to the gear and can therefore focus on other aspects of the training rather than feverishly trying to learn how to select, buy, assemble, adjust and dive a bp/w.

In addition to the above, a bp/w has some clear advantages over a poodle jacket. These advantages are the same whether you are doing 60ft warm water reef dives or 130ft cold water wreck dives. These advantages are numerous and have been discussed 1,000,000 times before in this thread & on SB in general, so I won't go into them here.

I did provide an example, you missed it. OW certification is not the time to add the additional learning curve you admit exists (see below "select, buy, assemble, adjust and dive a bp/w"). Any BP/W is going to be more negative than virtually any off the shelf BC. A new diver should have ditchable weight, you might not get to that with a BP/W.

I disagree that a BP/W is advantageous over a off the shelf BC (which you have a cute name for, though one that at best inaccurately describes all BCs). There is a highly vocal minority on the internet who advocates a BP/W for basic singles recreational diving done by people who will only do basic singles recreational diving. In that context, I've seen it once and its a disaster. So - either go with the keyboard majority or the diving majority.

 

[Colliam7]

Some time this week I'll buy my bc leaning towards the Oceanic Excursion.

The Excursion is a good piece of equipment - back-inflate, weight-integrated, comfortable. Suggest you at least consider getting a crotch strap with it (it is 'optional'). I started with a Ranger and found that adding the CS was beneficial.

Thanks for all the great info, didn't mean to start an argument though.

You didn't. This kind of discussion is part of the value of SB. You can get lots of opinions and, in some cases, useful information that forms the bases of some of those opinions.

 

[BDSC]

First of all congratulations to Bwatsnyc on getting certified! Diving is probably the only hobby or pastime that once I got into it, I have never given it up and that was 17 years ago.

A few words from me on equipment since that is what you wanted to know about. I tried numerous brands of equipment when I was first certified and eventually settled on mostly Scubapro stuff. It's certainly not the cheapest equipment but I think it is very well made and it has one of the best reputations in the industry. And like people always say, you get what you pay for. I especially like their BC's and regulators.

The BC I use is their "Classic" and the reason I like it is because it is a "jacket style" BC. Probably and old fashion style to some people but I have dove many styles of BC's over the years and have always remained loyal to this BC. I have even had 4 dive friends who have had the back inflated style BC switch over to this BC once they borrowed mine and dove it a couple of dives. So it's something you may want to consider or just check out. I also like the fact it has the AIR II which becomes your octopus and cuts down on one hose in your set-up. Of course several companies now offer something like the AIR II on their BC's, but Scubapro perfected it.

As far as regulators go, Scubapro usually places right at the top or close to it when their regs are tested against the competition. Just check out past scubalab reviews on regs and you'll see what I mean. Of course the Atomics brand is the top of the line of all regulators but then you are really talking about putting out some jack.

When it comes to fins, masks, & wetsuits, there are soooooooo many choices. Just buy what fits you best and still functions well. I will tell you to check out the fullfoot Mares Avanti Superchannel fin. It rated the #1 fin against 17 or 18 other fins last year and it can be had for about $50 at Leisurepro. I mean it beat out even the $150 to $200 fins. I don't have a pair but will in about a week.

Finally I have a Sherwood Wisdom AI computer and love it. It's my 4th computer over the years and will probably be my last if it never gives out on me. I even like it better than my Cobra. Here's the great part about this. Sherwood has now come out with the Wisdom II, so the original Wisdom with a QD and compass can be had for less than $500 and there seems to be very little difference in the two. Now that is a real bargin! Trust me. I have even thought about buying a second one just to keep in reserve.

So there you have my take on what I think is great equipment. But I really don't think you can go wrong with most of the equipment on the market today. If there was a company out there making real junk, it would go quickly out of business.

Good luck with your diving and with your equipment selection.

Ashley