equipment

[JillGadget]

I have recently become certified and have about 6 dives under my belt. I am getting ready to purchase BC/Reg/consol etc. After trying on ALL womens BC I absolute LOVE the fit of Seaquest Diva... no brainer. It does, however, take more brains to figure out the reg and consol/computer. I dont need elaborate but dont want to skimp either. One dealer tells me Aqua Lung pricey and Oceanic is better deal; the other tells me the opposite. (both dealers carry both products) I am looking at Suundo computer for consol as well. I am in a sea of mumbo-jumbo confusion and thought some of you experienced divers could lend a hand. I will primarily be diving in the "tropical warm waters" but plan on lobster diving in our cold water off the Jersey coast in the summer only. Im going for the Advanced course in Jan and want my own equipment for continuity of learning. Hope y'all can help. Thanks

 

[girldiverllc]

Both AquaLung and Oceanic are reputable manufacturers. And for your warm water dives, any reg from either would work. However, for diving off the Jersey shore, I would buy a reg designed for cold water diving. This may be a bit of overkill if you only use it in the summer, but if you get seriously addicted to scuba, then I'd hate to see you sit out dives in the chilly months just because the reg isn't up to the cold.

Regulators designed for cold water are often either environmentally sealed or use a special 'heat sink' that uses the cold water to 'warm' the 1st stage which limits the formation of ice. And then after making your selection, be sure to have the regulator serviced regularly, to help prevent any freeflows.

And I applaud you for going to your local dive shop to look at the equipment. For the computer, Suunto is a good name. Play with one in the shop, trying out the different features and making sure that you can navigate through the screens easily.

Happy Diving!

 

[plot]

The Auqaulung ATX50 and Legend are both sealed and ready to go for cold water diving. Stay away from the Auqualung Titan.

I have a Suunto Vyper and love it. Very simple to use, jump in the water and it turns on, does everything for you, etc. only has 3 buttons, and you don't have to use any of those 3 buttons unless you really want too. Plus, their website has training video's if you want to know more about the different functions and whatever it has.

If you want an air integrated computer, well, I havn't heard many positive reviews of the Suunto Cobra, so you might want to check out oceanic computers for that.

 

[Charlie59]

For your question on regulators I would ask the vendors if they service the regs and see what they have to say about durability and problems with each regulator. The people I know with the most experience would suggest the Aqualung but both brands are likely good.

As for Suunto, I have several of their computers including the Cobra and I would not hesitate to recommend the Cobra as your first computer.

Opinions are like rear-ends, everyone has one and they usually stink, so buyer beware.

 

[Stu S.]

Welcome to diving! On computers: Three of us went drift diving at Jupiter last Sunday. We dove the same profile, and each use a different computer. Ending the second dive the results were:

Aeris Atmos 2 = 40 min bottom time remaining

Cressi Archemedes 2 = 11 min. bottom time remaining

Suunto Gekko = no time remaining, 5 min deco stop required.

So you see the differences in computers can be significant. These are all nice, easy to use units that look rather similar. You may wish to do your homework and find the right one for you.

 

[underboats]

Jill, Just remember to shop around and on the web. Huge price differences for what you are looking at buying. Good luck and welcome under.

 

[plot]

Jill, Just remember to shop around and on the web. Huge price differences for what you are looking at buying. Good luck and welcome under.

I would recommend buying your regulator at a brick and morter store that can service it. As for where you buy everything else... well, thats up to you. I do know one person who's computer has flooded and was happy it was under warranty and the LDS took care of it for him, which is something you have to watch with online stores.

Supporting your LDS is always a good choice, becuase without one, you wouldn't be able to try on different BC's and what have you. I try to balance out my online and LDS purchases for this reason. Customer service IS worth SOMETHING...

 

[Meng_Tze]

Dont confuse 'cold water' with COLD WATER. Env. sealed for cold water generally means waters with a temperature below 10 degrees C (50F). If you can get a good reg for less, dont bother with 'cold water regs'. Of course if you find a good deal and plan to dive that cold... go for it. Aqualung has a very good reputation.

As for computers: think of what you possibly would do diving in say, two-three years. If you are going to do Nitrox, maybe it would make sense to get a Nitrox ready computer.

What I do advise is to get a computer that has user changeable batteries, it would be a shame to not have the use of your computer for weeks while they replace your battery. Also if you are on a dive trip and the battery runs out... just replace. Think of download features of dive profiles, how many hours of logs does it hold. Ease of reading the computer.

But as with any technology, the moment you use one computer, you find others and there will be new developments. If you are into gear/technology.... get a cheaper one now and keep upgrading.

 

[FuzzyMelton]

Now I am a novice, getting certified this weekend, last dive tomorrow, so take my advice for what its worth.

I bought the Sherwood Wisdom (same as the Atmos AI). The reason I got this, over the Atmos 2(which comes highly recommended from everyone) was because it is very easy to read. It is super simple to read and operate. 2 Buttons and holds 50 dives. I would recommend it to anyone.

The difference between it and the Atmos Ai is basically the layout, the Wisdom is vertical and the Atomos is horizontal. I would have preferred the Atmos, but I got a great deal from the LDS on the Wisdom and went with that.

Stay with the LDS, especially for the new initial purchase. They will be there to support and answer questions and help you figure it out. They have been invaluable to me these past few weeks.

Good luck, Fuzzy

 

[spectrum]

Jill.

You are teasing the need for a cold water reglator so for where you live and the dives you may make by all means make sure you have a cold water rated rig. Either of the brands you are courting are fine. Price and local service are important.

While I hope that you will be an active local diver you do have significant tropical intentions so worldwide service at resorts is very important to you. I think (may be wrong here) Aqualung may have an edge over Oceanic. If anyone locally is doing Sherwood then a Blizzard would put you golden for service virtually anywhere and cold water.

Computer.... Be sure it is nitrox capable. Air integrated is not at all needed and wireless even less so. Save you money. Console or wrist? Your choice, I like console many here will preach wrist. Make sure you get something with numbers big enough to read easilly in murky water or dim light.

Congratulation on your certification and remember to dive often.

Pete