First BC

[TTT]

Ok here is my question, and I am sure it has been asked before and I apoligize if it has. I live on the coast of B.C. and I recently was certified. Right now all I want to do is dive, I don't need anything fancy as long as it is safe. MOney is an issue as I am a college student. I am really interested in getting a Halcyon backplate/wing set up. but i don't quite have the $$$. My LDS can set me up with everything I need (not including dry suit) for about $800 bucks (canadian) This includes low end seaquest regs/octo/1st stage as well as a Wave BC...which is not that great.

My question for you people is that is it worth waiting a few months (3-5) to go for the Halcyon. Keep in mind how badly I just want to dive..I know you know how I feel. For the mean Time I will be renting a dry suit..but I will be buying one down the road.

Thank you!

cheers

Tommy

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

Dive a few months in rental gear and save some money/pay off the suit. A bp/wing is not required to dive, if you're recently cert diver you'll enjoy it more in a drysuit, even if you've got an innertube for buoyancy control.

You'll be much more comfortable trying out different gear configurations in a drysuit this winter, than diving all your own mid-to-low end gear at these "end of season special" prices. If you're LDS doesn't stock what you want to try out or won't hook you up with one to dive, find a new LDS.

 

[ScottyK]

When you consider how much gear costs, and how long it lasts, my advice would be to wait and buy the gear you really want.

The fact that most of the time you'll be saving up will be wintertime is cool too. Do some research while it's snowing
and get your Halcyon system in the spring.

Scott

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

ScottyK once bubbled...
Do some research while it's snowing

But that's when we get the best viz...

 

[ScottyK]

brrrr...... Not on the east coast. If winter diving is good on the west coast as far up as Canada, I gotta get me a vacation cabin in your neighborhood

 

[iscuba]

Better buy that cabin! The viz doubles or triples in the winter from Washington all the way up to Alaska. Our diving season begins in late October and starts getting crappy in May.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

PM Scubasonic, I'm sure he'd be happy to sell you a place...

 

[TTT]

Thanks everyone for your promt replys.

You all have some really good points. BUt yeah Wonter definitly has the best VIZ..even now it is starting to get better then it has. I went for a night dive last night (my ifrst one) and it was amazing.

So you guys think I should get the dry suit first?

I don't really want to spend money on renting gear now as I would rather put that money (about $80 canadian each dive) towards buying gear.

How long would I expect the Halcyon backplate/wing set up to last? Would the cheaper jacket BC last as long?

I plan to try out the Wing set up..I have to talk to my LDS about that..I hope that they will let me try it before I buy

I just really want to Dive...ahhhhh..We have just moved on to waterfront property, and I have acces to a boat..so it is killing me not being able to dive.

Thanks for all your help guys!

Cheers

Tommy

 

[TTT]

We have a cabin on Nelson island....up near powell river, which is on the sunshine coast. Haven't had a chance to dive up there yet but I have heard it is great.

Maybe one day we will be able to get togther up there for a little dive vaction

Good Times!

cheers

Tommy

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

TTT once bubbled...

How long would I expect the Halcyon backplate/wing set up to last? Would the cheaper jacket BC last as long?

I plan to try out the Wing set up..I have to talk to my LDS about that..I hope that they will let me try it before I buy

1) Why the fixation on a BP/wing from such a new diver? Are you planning your tech courses already? If you really want a backplate (and I'm loathe to reccommend them to relatively new divers) check into buying a plate. You can get them for 100 bucks or so, strap some 2" webbing to it and you're diving. Why this fixation on Halcyon, or any complete BP setup. Wings can be had for 50-100 bucks or so if you shop around. Even when you go GUE they'll still accept you in a FredT/DR/Abyss bp. They don't "reccommend brands," or so I keep hearing.

2) Any thing you buy from your LDS should be able to be demo'd before you lay down the cash. If they haven't caught on to that you need a new LDS bro.