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

[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

 

[GreenDiverDown]

What exactly do you mean by "Purist"?

It sounds like you are planning on setting up a no frills DIR rig? If so, then you can't go wrong with the Agir... no frills, nothing fancy... just a top quality rig that is DIR right from the get go. It uses an STA - a plus in my book - and is a horseshoe, inner bladder, outer shell design. The attention to detail is beyond compare.

If you prefer an oval bladder and you want to stick with what you can get local, then the OMS is very nice, too. You can set it up with little modifiication to be DIR. Its outer shell is very simlar to the Agir... well made and very thick. Some have said that the corrugated hose is too long but the ones I've seen have been just right. You can use it STA-less but I think you'll like it better with a STA.

 

[JeffG]

What exactly do you mean by "Purist"?

Purist is the name of the Deep Outdoors BC

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/buoyancy_compensators/backplate_buoyancy_systems/3/

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Purist is the name of the Deep Outdoors BC

http://www.scubadiving.com/gear/buoyancy_compensators/backplate_buoyancy_systems/3/

Oh... I don't like it... it sounds wierd.

 

[xiSkiGuy]

Actually, the DeepOutdoors Purist is just their SS Back Plate pre-rigged with a Hog harness. The wing is seperate. DO Makes very nice, well finished BPs. I don't like ther wings quite as much, however.

www.deepoutdoors.com