Entry Level BC and Console

[scubadude010]

I'm about to do my OW Cert and I would like to know what a good entry level BC and Console would be. Thanks!

 

[DCDivenut]

I'm about to do my OW Cert and I would like to know what a good entry level BC and Console would be. Thanks!

There are a lot of options out there. Rather than focus on a particular model the best advice I can give you is...

1. Buy gear that is a step above where you are now. For example, do not buy a air only computer since you will want to do nitrox later. That does not mean you need to buy a computer capable of calculating mixed gas, though...

2. When it comes to BC's there are 3 ways you can go... jacket, back inflation and backplate with wings. Each has advatages and disadvantages and a search here will yield you reading material for days... figure out what kind of diving you want to do 2-3 years from now and the best BC you can afford that will do that. Do not be put off by "tech" or "tech-rec" but beware marketing gimmicks that many manuf have to try to boost sales of "new" lines.

3. Console - There is a lot of debate between console and wrist mounted but since you asked about consoles I think a good entry one is Genesis ReAct Nitrox. I just switched from one of these to an air integrated Wisdom but that may be beyond entry level. Again there are a lot of options out there and the only way you will truly know is to try out options on your own whenever possible in an actual diving scenarios.

4. Where do you get it? I don't know where you are located and what your LDS options are but there is also a big debate about online (LP for example) and your LDS. Online dealers do not ALWAYS offer the same warranties that an LDS does but their prices are usually significantly lower. What you decide to do is up to you, but my advice would be that non maintenance intensive items (I consider a basic BC one of them, fins, masks etc) might be best bought online to save money but regs, computers etc are best bought at the LDS.

5. If you are just getting certified try renting some different things first or at least using them in the pool. An example, I do not like wrist mounted computers. I read everywhere that they were the best way to go, so I bought one. Tried it, hated it, just personal preference I guess.... so I put it in a console and liked that setup much better..

6. Know that what works and what you like know will change as your diving skills (hopefully) increase. Don't be upset if the gear you buy this week will be "crap" and HAVE to be replaced a year from now...

Hope these non answers help

 

[scubadude010]

Thanks for the advice! It should help some.

 

[theskull]

This question would best be asked and discussed in a dive shop, where examples and pricing of all the various options are readily available. Hopefully, you have 2 or 3 or more local dive shops to visit so you can compare their answers and prices and personalities. Remember, you are not just gathering info, you are also interviewing the people with whom you may be spending significant amounts of money and may also be taking training and going on dive trips with them. If one of your visits "turns you off" and you were not speaking with the owner or manager of the shop, you may consider making a second trip to the shop when that person is in--it is not uncommon for dive shops to be manned a significant part of the time by part-timers who are not too interested in you and not too qualified to guide your purchase.

If these visits don't confuse you enough (smile), then make another post here on SB naming your top 3 choices for each piece of gear and asking opinions.

Eventually though, you will have to trust someone. It will be best if that someone is a local shop or local diver who can visit with you often, dive with you often, and help you use your gear on your first several dives to make sure it is fitted and configured properly. You list your location as "United States"! If you will be more specific you may find some local divers from this board who would be willing to meet you and dive with you. There is no substitute for diving with and hanging with divers who are better divers than you--and it is best if they are doing the kind of diving you wish to do and exhibiting the kind of safety consciousness you wish to follow.

Good luck, and happy diving (safe)!
theskull

 

[scubadude010]

Thanks for the info, Skull. There are four shops that I can go to to purchase gear, and two of them are PADI, which I'm gonna be using for my OW Cert. I've already gone to one of them twice already. However, I think that I'm going to be buying my gear online. Thanks!

 

[theskull]

Good luck (sincere, not sarcastic).

theskull