DIR Setup (DO Purist, DSS, OMS, Agir) [DIR]

[ThierryA]

Hi,

I'm going to start my first tech course and am looking for a BP/W setup to replace my Scubapro Knighthawk. The course will be TDI, but my instructor just finished the GUE DIRF and Tech 1 classes and is very enthusiastic about their outlook. No one actually teaches GUE classes here in Israel. Also the types of BP/Wings systems available are limited.

The dive shop/importer that is giving the best customer service is selling Scubapro and Deep Outdoors. My main question is what people thing of their Purist Hogarthian setup and of their wings. I could get a decent deal (for Israel) on the Purist ($270) and ($400) for a bladder. I know that these prices are a bit more expensive than in the US but with the local VAT and import costs, this is pretty descent.

The other companies available here (and more expensive) are Agir which is just starting to get imported by a diving instructor, OMS from a pretty reliable dive shop, and Dive Rite from a less so. Halcyon, DSS, FredT, etc. would all need to be imported from the states.

My main questing is what people think of the Deep Outdoors Purist setup and if not recommending it, what else should I do. For regs, I will probably go with an extra pair of Scubapro Mk25/S600's.

Thanks,
Thierry

 

[kidspot]

Here's a link to the purist

http://www.deepoutdoors.com/purist.htm

I assume the bladder it comes with is the Element? http://www.deepoutdoors.com/element.htm 34#lift single tank rig -
or the ballistic/black fusion double wing 55#lift
http://www.deepoutdoors.com/ballistic.htm

Just posting the info so others can take a look at it for you - from first glance it looks like a nice simple design - basic hog harness and wings with a reasonable amount of lift.

Hope someone who has tried one can give you more info.

Aloha, Tim

 

[GreenDiverDown]

As I said in the indentical thread that you posted in the BC forum, if you plan to buy local go for the Agir or the OMS.

Here is a thread about the Agir wing. It includes some pics. I referred to the Agir single as a 32# lift in that thread because that is what mine measured out to be... but it is the Blackbird 36... the only single wing that Agir makes.

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=122799

 

[ThierryA]

Why would you prefer the Agir over the DO? What are its advantages?

As someone with no experience with such a setup, they both look like pretty straightforward hog designs.

T.

 

[MonkSeal]

I assume the bladder it comes with is the Element? http://www.deepoutdoors.com/element.htm 34#lift single tank rig -
or the ballistic/black fusion double wing 55#lift
http://www.deepoutdoors.com/ballistic.htm

Element:
- it seems that corrugated hose is too long
- "Rapid Exhaust Valve" - if it's pull dump valve then it's not DIR

Ballistic:
- where is the rear dump?
- "Patented Internal Compression System" - I don't believe that this is DIR
- "Rapid Exhaust Valve" - same as above

 

[AaronR103]

The dive shop we used for the last class I was involved with rented DO BCs to the students. I'm not sure if it's the same model you are looking at, but I was not impressed. The dump valves didn't work all that well, and they seemed rather flimsy. If I recall correctly more than one student had to go through some pretty interesting contortions to let air out of the BC.

A

 

[xiSkiGuy]

I like the DO Purist BP and harness. DO makes some of the nicest, most well finished BPs I've seen. Their wings do not impress me as much. If I were in your situation, I would mix the DO Purist BP with the Agir 36 or OMS 32 wings (singles) or if you are using doubles the Agir 50 wing or the OMS Larry Green Signature Series.