Equipment Help

[oojacoboo]

I have just started a class at my university with the LDC. I need some help in picking out my equipment. I have about 2 weeks until I need to have it all. I don't want to buy from my LDC because I know I can get better equipment off of the net for a better price. I am completely new to diving and don't even know what I need really. I will be diving in somewhat warm waters so I guess I don't need a suit, but I don't know really. I need someone to point me in the right direction and help me with the decision process of getting all of my equipment. I want nice equipment but I don't want to spend a fortune, as I do not know how often I would dive or, even if I will like it. I am assuming so, but I don' want to spend too much. Any help that you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Jacob

 

[Skyjunky]

Just start out with the basics. Shop around. Mask, fins, snorkle, booties, weight belt. Rent the rest until you know if you'll like it.

 

[lee08]

I guess the best place to start is trying to figure out how much money you want to spend and then decide if you want to get everything at once. Don't go cheap!! If you get into the sport like most the people here on the board have you will end up spending a lot more money upgrading to what you should have got in the first place. Why are you buying equipment before you even start the class?

 

[RICHinNC]

lee08 brings up a good point. You should need NOTHING other than mask fins and snorkel for your class. If they are making you buy a whole rig...from them....go take your lessons somewhere else.

Also...you might want to rethink your idea of cheaper is better when it comes to life support gear. Im not a rich person either but you want to be able to talk to a face when it comes to getting your regs and other life support gear serviced. And, not all gear sold on the internet comes with a factory warrantee. Be very careful or you could end up buying the same gear twice.

rich....
ps...where are you that lds's are called ldc ??

 

[scubapro50]

BE CAREFUL !!!! Buying equipment (new or used) is like buying a used car. There are some great deals out there but there is also a lot of junk. Being a "newbie" to the sport don't buy any used equipment off ebay ..... you don't know what you're getting into. Many companies have gone out of business or they don't make parts for their older stuff. Most important ..... on the web you don't know if the stuff will work or fit. Look closely at the seller .... alot of new stuff is being sold and needs to be shipped from overseas. Example is Scubapro ... a lot of the stuff being sold is counterfit and the company will have nothing to do with it. Scubapro does not sell to resellers on the web. Those people often have "Gray Market" stuff purchase in voliation on Scubapro policy. Another thing ..... a lot of the smaller scuba companys are hard to find parts for. I have mostly Scubapro and Dacor stuff and have never had a problem getting parts or service. Mares is also a good company that you will find alot of places and so is Aqualung. Keep this in mind when you start shopping .... god luck and good diving ...Dan

 

[padrediver]

I have just started a class at my university with the LDC. I need some help in picking out my equipment. I have about 2 weeks until I need to have it all. I don't want to buy from my LDC because I know I can get better equipment off of the net for a better price. I am completely new to diving and don't even know what I need really. I will be diving in somewhat warm waters so I guess I don't need a suit, but I don't know really. I need someone to point me in the right direction and help me with the decision process of getting all of my equipment. I want nice equipment but I don't want to spend a fortune, as I do not know how often I would dive or, even if I will like it. I am assuming so, but I don' want to spend too much. Any help that you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Jacob[/QUOTE

Just a quick "ditto" to everything said so far.
Especially don't skimp on main regulator, BC or tanks.
Aqua-lung, Dacor. Mares and Scubapro have all
been around for forty/fifty years for a reason.
(Far fewer dead divers with their equipment!)
Scubapro is great stuff (usually) but I.ve always thought
it was overated....just my opinion...I've owned and dived
it but Aqua lung (U.S.Divers Aqua Lung when I started)(it's always been a susidiary of Air Liquide/France)was always
as good as any and far better than most.(the U.S. Navy
1st choice)I've owned several products from each of the above manufacturers with no complaints except that
Scubapro used to ship regulators with the intermediate pressure set high, while USD Aqua Lung set theirs lower, and then SP claimed their regulators breathed easier....well of course...they did...and had a slight "free flow" problem also.When I set my Calypso II reg to normal 150 psi from factory 130 psi, it breathed better than the MKII SP,
and "developed" a slight free flow problem..hmm.
(This was entirely safe and acceptable BTW.)
You shouln't need more than mask, open heel fins, boots and snorkle for an intro course...you can go cheap at first on those and use them for backup in later years.
Used top brand gear that's been checked out by a competent tech can be an excellent value as Scuba diving has always had a high drop out/drop back in rate. I'm just dropping back in again for the FOURTH time in 38 years, I've sold perfectly safe top brand gear I paid top dollar for, for peanuts to college kids THREE times in the past. Some of it is thirty years pld and still out there diving!

 

[oojacoboo]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I am the type of person that always likes to have my own gear. But, from what I gather from you, I should just rent the gear from the LDS (I thought LDC - Local Dive Center). So, I would need open heeled fins, boots, mask, and snorkle. Is there anything else? Am I going to be cold at 30-60 feet? Should I get a suit? Is there anything else that I could need? I appreciate all the help.

Cheers,
Jacob

 

[Damselfish]

LDS=local dive shop
As far as suits, define "somewhat warm" - you don't say where you are so it's hard to say.

 

[ae3753]

So, I would need open heeled fins, boots, mask, and snorkle. Is there anything else?

I would rent these as well. I don't think that you should buy anything in OW. There's so many choices out there and if you pick too early, you'll most likely regret a purchase.

Fins - so many choices, just take a look at the discussions on the board to see the variety of opinions on what to buy and what to avoid. Your best best is to try a bunch out and then buy the one you like. This can be an expensive purchase (over $100 for some fins), so it's best try a variety before making a purchase and then a re-purchase later on.

Boots - a lot of choices here as well. One thing to consider is that you should try your boot and fin together as a combo. Some boots have thicker soles/more padding and may not fit certain fins as well (or they can fit better). The important thing is to try them together, cause you don't want to end up getting boots and fins that don't work well together. If you can't try them together, you can post to scubaboard and perhaps someone will have the set-up you're interested in and is in your size.

Masks - this is probably the one thing that I can see buying for OW. A properly fitted mask will make your diving significantly more enjoyable. Not all masks are made the same so you must try them on before you buy.

Snorkel - this is only used in OW training. Some boats trips may require you to have them, but for the most part these are never used ever again after OW. Unless you're snorkelling too. . .

Am I going to be cold at 30-60 feet? Should I get a suit?

Where are you at and what's the water temperature? But again, I would rent this too.

But for inexpensive wetsuits that are well made, check out Triple-L. I dive their 5 mil and am really happy. I also have a 3 mil Henderson Hyperstretch, and while the Henderson is a nicer suit, it's also 6 times the price!

 

[murphdivers286]

Also make a post on the Introduction and Greets Forum.

Here is a direct link.--------->[red]Introduction and Greets[/red]