Equipment?

[amh38]

Hello,

My mom and I got our certification about a year ago and have been diving on and off for about one year. We have been to florida, hawaii etc. We constantly use the equipment given by the dive boat or whoever we dive with. We would really like to own our own equipment but do not want to spend an outrageous amount for it. Is there like a package for beginners out there made by a VERY VERY VERY treliable company. (Thats one other thing I fogot to mention, we want EXTREMELY safe and reliable equipment.) IF there is not a package then maybe just a reliable computer and regulator? We kinda want a computer in this package so that way if we become rusty on our dive tables and what not, we won't hurt ourselves.

 

[Skyjunky]

What's your budget?

 

[amh38]

MY budget is whatever. Thats not soo important to me but I wwant it RELATIVELY cheap. Becuase I don't relaly know how much I'm even looking at o I don't want to say a stupid number.

 

[divinginn]

i would get a regulator first,rather than depend on rentals,who knows the service history or care taken,if on a budget try scuba board classifieds or ebay. get a brand you can get serviced localy.
scuba pro or us divers might be a good choice

 

[The Kraken]

Check in with Scubatoys.com or Divers-supply.com.

Good reputable gear at great savings.

the K

 

[The Chairman]

I would also suggest www.ScubaToys.com or www.DiversDirect.com. They both support the board here and have my full appreciation.

 

[OE2X]

1.Regulators/ pressure guage/computer
2.Wetsuit
3. BCD

 

[The Kraken]

1: Exposure suit
2: BC
3: Regs

D for OE2x's benefit)

the K

 

[divinginn]

look up scuba toys,they have a wide variety of regs and equipt,one of there package deals might be a good start,cant beat their prices

 

[spectrum]

amh38,

Congratulations to you and your mom, diving is a great way to enjoy time together. Just don't let her learn the hand signs for nagging.

First to reliability, almost anything you buy new will be reliable. You can spend a little more for a regulator that will let you dive in cold water or that has extra adjustments that can let you fine tune your breathing on the fly. From what you say those features are things you can easily live without. My wife and I happen to dive Sherwood Blizzards, the Oaasis is the warm water cousin and it's a very no nonsense regulator. You have probably been divng some Sherwoods since the cost, reliability and servicability make them the darling of the rental industry. If you go with the Sherwood line do not get the Brutt, it is unbalanced and that's a trade-off you don't need to live with. If you do live in cold water territory consider a cold water model so you will be enabled to make any local dive you want, IMO it's a shame to only dive on trips, but I don't know your local oportunities either.

If you go with a internet merchant's package make sure you have local dealer that will service the items.

As for the computer your post makes me want to suggest you spend more time drilling tables with mom during dry spells. However it sounds like most of your diving is while traveling and this may mean repetetive diving. This is the sort of diving that demands a computer. Scubatoys has some great prices on the Atmos2 computer and I'm sure you can get that with your SPG and compass in a nice friendly unit for an attractive price. This what my wife and I just got though we transplanted the SPG and compass from an older console. Be sure to get a nitrox capable model just in case. As vacation divers you will probably go that route eventually.

When you get to your BC getting a non weight integrated model can save you some money. For warm water diving your weight needs won't be great and a belt will serve you just fine. Look at something like an Aqualung WAVE. I used one of those on a certification dive as well as some pool sessions and I liked it enough. A buddy rented one for a while and was also pleased, even while diving with "cold water" weights on her belt.

Somewhere in here you need some rubber. A warm water wetsuit, booties and gloves are probably one of the smaller bundles price wise. Think about what these are costing as rentals if you do not already have those.

If it were me....
Exposure protection
then BC
Then regulator & instruments
If the computer is too big of a bite get a console that will accept a desirable computer but buy it with and depth gauge and with dive tables for a while longer. Renting a wrist computer for dive intensive trips is also a bridging strategy.

Have fun,
Pete