Did I Get "Salesman'd" or Are These Decent Base Gear Picks?

[SubNeo]

Atomic is good if you can afford it. Since you can, you should be good for regs. Zeagle's Stilleto is a less bulky choice for rec divers.

I bought a Z3 and a Z2 octo last year. I'm super happy with it, they breathe like on the surface even at 70ft down. I do not regret the cost at all whatsoever, I certed with Mares and Zeagle and both were not good at all. I was sucking air hard out of the Mares even after the shop mucked around with it.

 

[SubNeo]

Thanks guys for all the comments and advice, I do appreciate it greatly

 

[Belzelbub]

The Zeagle octo I certified with was hot garbage

Any reg can be tuned to hot garbage. Modern Zeagle regs are made in the same factory as the Atomics, and even include some Atomic updates. My FH7/Z and my younger daughter’s Onyx included the Atomic upgrades. My older daughter’s DS-V/ZX had the upgrades added a few years ago.

Don’t judge a regulator by performance of a shop rental/ class set.

I use both Atomic and Zeagle regs regularly. Both breathe exceptionally well. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either brand.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Luckily, I've got Atomic and the shop down south I plan to "swap bases to" sells Zeagle and Atomic on their website. I know they all do those "brand deals" where they are contracted (however it works) to only sell x, y, and z brand stuff.

The reason they pick one or two brands is because they get what’s called aggregate pricing deals.
The more of one brand they sell (aggregate sales of their entire line) the better wholesale prices they get. If they are an authorized dealer then more than likely they are held to strict MSRP policy where they can’t deeply discount the product. With some of the brands they allow 10% max discount and this brings their markup to 100%. Without it you’re paying 110%.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

I find myself getting a bit winded after doing 1k ft swims to reef sites off a beach.

I couldn't help think of this meme i stole from a friend when I read this. Be warned, you are not done buying dive gear. Not by a long shot!

 

[johndiver999]

I'm at the gym working on my core, legs and upper chest often. That being said, I'm not 100% sure if the leg work I do actually hits the fin muscles.

Don't kid yourself, it helps. If you want a challenging exercise that targets "fin" muscles.... although it is a little hard on the low back... Lay on back, raise feet 6 inches or a little more. point your toes, keep legs straight and then do a swimmers flutter kick. Miserable but effective.

 

[Alaskan Scuba Dude]

I believe in my heart that your LDS has seen you coming a mile away and has acted swiftly in reimbursing him/herself of your innocence.

 

[Gandalf-the-Diver]

I would think most people that dive a lot aren't diving what they started out with.

Most, but not all. Careful research, buy once, cry once philosophy. I purchased everything I needed before my OW even started. Almost 300 dives in, and pretty much the only difference in my kit between when I started and now, the 13cu pony I used for my 1st dives, has been replaced by a 30cu pony.

 

[rob.mwpropane]

Most, but not all. Careful research, buy once, cry once philosophy. I purchased everything I needed before my OW even started. Almost 300 dives in, and pretty much the only difference in my kit between when I started and now, the 13cu pony I used for my 1st dives, has been replaced by a 30cu pony.

That's a good deal.. I didn't do too bad either. I started with a hand me down jacket bc and some hand me down gear. That turned into drysuit and doubles and bp/w, but I really didn't spend anything on the 1st round of gear. My kids still use that stuff.

I 100% think best thing to do is dive what you have and know where you're going before buying more crap. I have gone through some fins finding the right ones, but that's about it.

 

[Gandalf-the-Diver]

I have gone through some fins finding the right ones, but that's about it.

I was lucky with fins ... my 1st good pr, I purchased in the 70s, while doing snorkling classes. Some Jet fins ... I hated them. Then I found a pr of, "new tech" Power Plana fins. Big clear ones with incredible thrust. This was in the early 80s. Fast forward to current times. When I walked into my LDS to sign up for scuba classes, the Hollis yellow tip F1 Bat fins caught my eye, instantly. Love these fins.