Confused with what my LDS is directing me towards?

[runsongas]

Short answer, you can't. EU regulations on scuba cylinders and US DOT regulations aren't 100% compatible, so once the hydro on those Euro-pee-on tanks is up, they are through, as 'muricans won't hydro them [ask me how I know]. Hear they make great wind chimes though.

well you could get your own compressor and fill them yourself

 

[boulderjohn]

well you could get your own compressor and fill them yourself

Right--that's the best way to spend the money you saved on your initial purchase.

 

[Silty Sam]

And for heaven’s sake, do NOT get the i3 thingy. It’s not needed. You can get the same BC without it.

How many dives do you have with an i3 BC?

 

[EireDiver606]

Short answer, you can't. EU regulations on scuba cylinders and US DOT regulations aren't 100% compatible, so once the hydro on those Euro-pee-on tanks is up, they are through, as 'muricans won't hydro them [ask me how I know]. Hear they make great wind chimes though.

More for me so!

 

[runsongas]

Right--that's the best way to spend the money you saved on your initial purchase.

not saying it is a good option, but it is an option

 

[Dogbowl]

After foreign exchange, import duties, shipping and brokerage fees, a Canadian is often better off purchasing all their gear locally, even if at first glance our prices seem higher than our US counterparts'.

Canadian online retailers are also another option to avoid all those extra fees.

 

[EireDiver606]

get the xtx40 or higher for octo since you are in canada, a bit more freeze resistant than the xtx20. and if you want to stick to gear from the shop, apeks sells a decent 30lb wing and steel plate. but it will come at a premium price.

ditch the console since you are getting a dive computer. d4i wouldn't be my first choice, but since you already bought it, it will work.

i would look into a cheaper dive rite bpw or piece one together from a vdh wing/dgx plate instead, some deep 6 or hog regs, and then use the savings towards a drysuit. that will make the biggest difference for your diving in ontario.

Apeks is a very good company but for how much it will cost you guys over there, I wouldn’t buy their wings, buy their regs, not the wings.

 

[Geobound]

Wow where to begin with all the great information provided here?

I'm sure I will have missed a direct or indirect reply to a comment, but it's only because I'm new so don't hold it against me. LOL.....

I should say that I trust my DS enough to have got my certification through them, and to know that as a "student" of theirs, that there is extra service that comes along with it that a walk in off the street won't likely get. I've also been around long enough to know that loyalty only goes so far in business, and at a certain point the pendulum swings back in their favour.

There are a few Mares packages that I've seen lately, but here is the comparable priced package.....

Fushion 52X, Abyss 22X or Abyss 52X reg, Prestige octo, 3 gauge console, Dragon BCD

or for about $1600.00 CDN I can go with this Mares package.

Quantum SLS BCD, Abyss 22 reg, prestige octo, 3 gauge console, Puck Pro dive computer.

What I'm seeing in the SP and the AP packages is that they are offering lifetime parts on their regs (providing I follow proper service intervals), whereas that doesn't appear to be given on the other brands........or from other dealers?

So I guess the thing to consider since this has got into a bit of a price game, is just how much do parts cost when servicing? I realize that I will still have to pay shop rates (discounted as a student and purchased equipment from their shop), but the parts at least will be free? If we are only talking $2 or $3 dollar parts then it's not worth it.........although I suspect that the parts are a considerable amount more than a few dollars?

I did mention that I had picked up a D4i Novo along with the transmitter for a killer deal (oaky I didn't mention the transmitter or the killer deal just the computer), but it was suggested that it wasn't the best choice? Just curious......but why?

I do plan on getting a wrist compass, so I suppose the brass SPG would be the only other thing required.......correct?

My experience with other DS's that I have been into hasn't been that great. It appears to me that if you aren't ready to pull out your CC on the spot to make a purchase, they don't seem willing to part with their time or knowledge.

Sure they will give you about 30 seconds or so of lip service, but generally point you to the internet to learn whatever it is that you want. Okay I get it time is money, but I've been into the shops in off peak time and they have typically just been shooting the crap with their mates about their last dive trip.

I can navigate the web quite well so sourcing information now days isn't that difficult either, but the personal interactions as the questions come up is what these shops appear to not want to give. As I leave the store I make a mental note of the day and time, and scratch them off my list of places to do followup business with.

At some point I will send an email to advise them of my service and why I opted not to purchase from them, but with internet shopping being so easily done from the comfort of your home whilst sitting in your underwear.........you'd think they would be a bit more attentive? Sorry a bit of a rant there. LOL.....

There is a scuba shop out of the UK that has a billion videos online and if it weren't such a hassle to order from them, they would be my go to spot. Their videos are super helpful, and their pricing seems to be great.

Anyway it appears that after getting some great information from you folks, I have a bit more reading to do.

Thanks again for your time and help.

 

[Marie13]

How many dives do you have with an i3 BC?

Regular dive buddy has one. That’s enough.

I didn’t know about the hose kinking problem but the thick glove issue is another strike against it. Two other issues:

-The thing is non-standard equipment. Each time you have a new dive buddy you’re going to have to go over it with them. There’s also a hose coiled under a strap on the shoulder to oral inflate BC. The whole thing isn’t going to be muscle memory in an emergency except for the i3 owner.

-If the little lever breaks, you’re SOL until you can get it fixed. AL only sells parts to dealers (shops), so it’s not like you can get a spare and carry it with you, unlike a standard corrugated inflator hose assembly. It’s bad enough if the thing breaks when you’re diving locally. If you’re on a trip, what are the changes you’ll be able to get it fixed quickly? Do AL dealers keep extras of the lever in stock? I don’t know.

The whole thing is a gimmick that’s not needed. BCs without it seem to be about USD $100 cheaper. Save that money and spend it on something else.

 

[EireDiver606]

There is a scuba shop out of the UK that has a billion videos online and if it weren't such a hassle to order from them, they would be my go to spot. Their videos are super helpful, and their pricing seems to be great.

Simply Scuba is good.

If your looking to take your diving further though, DIR Direct is the best that I’ve found or Aquanauts.