Equipment For new divers

[Moraus]

G'day, I am a new diver and got my open Water at the start of June 08. So now i am looking at equipment. So im wondering what is best suited to a beginner at diving. I plan to make about 1 dive a month or say twice a month through the summer peroid. I have done some research and found some Oceanic Gear with Computer etc. Below is the package.

Probe LX BCD Or BCD Excursion
Oceanic Pro Plus 2
Oceanic Delta 4 DVT Regulator w/ FDX 10 First Stage and Swivel Second Stage
Oceanic Alpha 8 Standard Octopus

But this is the first one i found and torn as i am always comparing other packages to this one. So just looking at some direction or even experiances. With the Current value of the US$ i am looking at Sites online as i can save about $1000.00.

Any help or comments would be great.. looking forward to getting out there and Dive.

Cheers

James

 

[fisherdvm]

1 tank dive a month, or 1 dive trip a month? If it is just one day a month, you might be better off renting your equipment from a reputable LDS.

For some reason, one local LDS keep on renting the same broken BCD with the stuck inflator to the students. I've seen that BCD shown up on 1 OW dive and 2 confined water dives already. Funny how people don't fix stuff once they're told that it is broken.

Learn how to test all your rented equipments well. Check to see that the BCD doesn't leak, that the power inflator isn't stuck. Ask for a tank to hook up your gears, and do all the testings before you walk out. Basically, check and see that the regs breath fine, shut the valve off and make sure a good vacumn is formed that the seals in the regs are not broken, check the purge valves, check the bcd pull dumps, inflate maximally and check for leaks both with the power inflator and manually.

Perhaps just buy one piece of equipment at a time. Perhaps the regs first, then the BCD later. There is no rush if you are just doing 1 day a month.

 

[Underwater Ogre]

I agree with fisher. Take some time in the water before you drop a load of cash. get a feel for what you like and dislike. Too many times...myself included...people jump whole hog in to a sport without seeing what works for them before the purchase. If you have friends that dive, see if you can try out some of their gear, rent from different shops to see what different product lines have to offer. Don't fall for the song and dance sales people and buy a package because it is all the same brand. A company might build a really fine regulator that works for you, but their BCs might not fit or have what you want. Try not to do..."its good enough". Get what works well.
Good luck and welcome to the darkside...:14:
O

 

[sixgears]

From a fellow beginner ...

If you must buy equipment right now (besides the personal stuff such as mask, fin, snorkel - maybe even a wetsuit) a regulator would be my first choice to buy. I don't know how the rental equipment is maintained in your part of the world nor do I want to take a chance and experience a malfunction from said equipment. That's not to say that all personal equipment is impervious to malfunctions but it makes me feel better to know that my "own" equipment has been tested by me and that I know the nuances of my equipment.

Once you get used to your own stuff you can pretty much determine if there's something wrong with it instead of worrying that someone else might have missed something or never reported a problem to begin with.

 

[UncleJoes]

That is the exact same package my dad dives with. I personally went with the hoseless AI.

That is something you may want to consider. As the others have said, weigh your options but based on our economy, price hikes are just around the corner.

Make sure if you buy online that you can find a local shop to service the gear. shipping costs add up if you have to ship your reg back to the dealer to get the proper parts put in it.

 

[malvarez2]

Let me add a different view on this. I too am a new diver (OW - Sept 07). I'm excited to be diving, but decided not to rush into the equipment purchases until I establish that this is a long term hobby for me, and not just a vacation option.

First I bought a wet suit. 3mm which can be used for scuba, snorkel, or any other water sport that might need some protection and warmth (November).

Next was a BC (December). OK...now that is some commitment to the hobby, but I still don't have any real maintenance costs. I mean who really gets their BC maintained yearly? I got weights at the same time.

Next was an Air2 (March). Here is real commitment. Now I have a service item, but I got an Atomic which keeps that down to every 2 years.

I'm still holding off on the Reg and Tank which I rent. I see these as high maintenance cost items, and I have a good LDS that rents good stuff. I'm sure I'll eventually bite the bullet, but not yet.

I did pick up a Vytec on EBay which I got on a whim, but the rental gear has back-up SPG and depth gauges which work fine. A computer is nice to have for dive logging, and better control of your dive profiles, but I really don't need it yet.

I also like buying pieces separately as it lets me give business to my LDS when they are competitive, and still do the research for the best items and prices. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Moraus]

Cheers thanks all for quick responses. i see there are pros and cons to buying or renting as there would be with any sport or equipment that has a large out lay.. I say that i would dive about once a month yet if i go away on holiday and there is a dive shop there i could see my self doing a dive every day. Its funny 2 years ago i was snorkeling in Fiji and Loved it. Only problem is i sould stay under the water long enough. Thaught i better that the Diving ticket. This month i got it and after 4 ocean dive i thaught they same thing i did witht he snorkeling and thats i wish i could stay down there for longer. After the 1st dive i was hooked and its something i want to really get into and involved. The down point is its winter over here at the moement. Im looking for equipment hat has agents or a dealer network in Australia so any problems would be covered.
Uncle Joes how did your dad find the package. Yeah the Hoseless AI isnt something i have looked into. Thanks all for comments. Bed time over here.

 

[fisherdvm]

I remember a woman who walked into our local dive shop about 1 year ago, and wanted her regulator checked. She bought it brand new, and never dove it, right after an OW class. Now she wants to get back into diving again, and want a refresher class.

Now she has to get her reg serviced.... and it was never doved. Funny how some folks plunk $500 - 2000 into a sport that they never have the time or desire to continue in.

 

[mig_diver]

IMO that is a very good set up. Oceanic packages are on sale at the moment as well. My dad and brother use Oceanic gear and they love it. I think you'd be very happy with the package.