First Scuba Set-up

[Dochueb]

Hi all.


I'm REAL new to diving (i.e. - in the midst of my PADI Open Water Certification)...but am looking at equipment from various sources and trying to figure out what to buy. Obviously, it'll be a little while (if ever) before I'm thinking about anything but recreational diving -- so I'm looking for a good basic starter package that will do what I need it to do without bankrupting me.

So, the incredibly open-ended and impossible-to-answer questions is:

What should I buy? (and I'd appreciate it if everyone would agree...)


Just to throw this out for argument's sake...here's what I'm looking at now (and it'll likely change by the time I look at my next web site).


BCD - Cressi Sub J 107
Regulator - Dacor Viper America
Octo - Dacor Viper Tech Octo
Computer - Dacor Darwin Console w/ compass

Thanks in advance for the input...

DocHueb

 

[Dive-aholic]

There are a lot of choices out there and no one will agree on what you should buy. Probably the best thing for you to do is go to some LDSs (local dive shops) and try the gear in the water (especially the bc and reg). You want to make sure they fit well and breathe well. There are also different types of bc's - back inflate, jacket; different types of regs - underarm hose, overarm hose, etc.

Finally, read all the suggestions, and hope they don't agree, that way you will have a long list of different gear to check out.

Have fun diving!

 

[Island Hoppa]

Hi all.


I'm REAL new to diving (i.e. - in the midst of my PADI Open Water Certification)...but am looking at equipment from various sources and trying to figure out what to buy. Obviously, it'll be a little while (if ever) before I'm thinking about anything but recreational diving -- so I'm looking for a good basic starter package that will do what I need it to do without bankrupting me.

So, the incredibly open-ended and impossible-to-answer questions is:

What should I buy? (and I'd appreciate it if everyone would agree...)


Just to throw this out for argument's sake...here's what I'm looking at now (and it'll likely change by the time I look at my next web site).


BCD - Cressi Sub J 107
Regulator - Dacor Viper America
Octo - Dacor Viper Tech Octo
Computer - Dacor Darwin Console w/ compass

Thanks in advance for the input...

DocHueb

hey man,
welcome to the diving community im sure youll love it! anyway, dont be so fast to jump into dive gear. before you buy anything test it first to make sure you like it. especially your bc. you dont ever want to make the mistake of buying a bc that you have not ever tried on i have made that mistake when i started. buying gear also solely lies on what kind of diving you will be doing? cold water, warm water, depth, etc. all these things make a huge difference in gear. dont be cheap either when you buy dive gear. i stress this to alot of people because they rush into buying cheap sh** that is damaged in a year or two and they have to buy new. i think the equipment choices you have made are so so. you are dealing with life support devices so when buying good gear, malfunctions will most likely not happen. the stuff you chose should be a so so start. remember to get a dive computer also. i like the aeris atmos 2 because it is so easy to use and its relatively inexpensive. my advice to you is to save up and buy good stuff that will last. scubapro, zeagle, atomic, and aeris are great names to buy from. also i would try out a standard jacket type bc (prob what your using now in training) verses a back inflate. try them both and pick what you like. i meet alot of people that buy jacket type bc then try back inflate and end up selling their jacket and buying back inflate. find out what you like. dont let people in this post try to persuade you to buy a bp/w (back plate and wing) setup. i dont think you need something of that sort this early in your dive career. you probably dont know what it is either so dont worry with it. just try out everything you can and pick what fits you the best. oh yeah for additional help and for purchasing i would definately call LARRY at scubatoys.com he not only has the best prices (better than leisurepro) but he offers unbeatable customer service and top notch warranties. dont let his prices on his web site fool you. he will beat any price. GOOD LUCK!!

 

[scubamax]

When I was in this same boat a year ago looking for new stuff I asked a lot of people and did a lot of searches on this board. Yes, you will get a lot of opinions on what is the best, and a lot of people will tell you that their brand of whichever of equipement is the best....

An interesting question to ask is not what brand to get, but which brand(s) to AVOID. I asked 2 different people, at different times which brand of regulator to avoid (since most major brands are going to serve the needs of a beginning rec diver)...and both said the brand to avoid was DACOR. Problems with to many parts, failure points, and quite hard to get the parts in a lot of places, poor support from manufacturer and such.

So when it comes to the regulator, get something that breathes easy for you and is going to be easy to service where you live and dive.

Depending where you live there can be a robust market for used stuff which can save you a lot of money. Please, if you buy a used reg and/or BC make sure that you get them serviced before you hit the open water. I have seen on more than one occassion someone's reg free flowing or inflator having a mind of its own where the products were recently purchased used from someone...don't count on the owner's mainentance of the kit being up to date...and after you get anything serviced try it out in confined water (like a pool) to make sure it was properly done.

Have fun!
Scubamax

Scubamax

 

[steve2281]

Lot of good regs out there. Search the board and see what other folks are using. While you are searching, do a search for "Dacor"; some folks (including myself) will never buy from dacor. I'm sure there are others who are happy with their dacor regs; just hope they can get service parts in a couple of years. IMHO, I love my Apeks which is one of the best regs on the market for about the same money as the dacor set-up. good luck. steve

 

[Al Mialkovsky]

I have a Dacor Reg which I'm not using any longer. Since Mares took over it has been harder than all getout to get parts for it. It needs a rebuild and I wonder if or when they will send the correct parts and quit aruging about what parts I need.

I use an Aqua-Lung Legend LX for most of my diving and love it. It's a very easy breather and works in very very cold water 100% of the time. I'd look into that.

 

[Humuhumunukunukuapua'a]

I just put together my first rig. To save money, try checking LDS's for sales of rental gear. That's a great way to get a good regulator setup, mask, fins, snorkel, or just about any piece of gear. Shops usually rent good, rugged, if not top-end gear, and they usually retire it after a year or less.

For new BCD's and wetsuits, check out Triple-L at www.triple-l.biz Inexpensive BCDs and wetsuits.

For darn near anything at the best deal around, call Larry at scubatoys. He just cut me a fantastic deal on a couple of computers, and he's a very knowledgable, friendly guy. If you see a price at LeisurePro or anywhere, Larry can meet or beat the deal.

Good luck!

Gregg

 

[Amphibious]

Skip the Dacor, cheap garbage. The Aqualung producks are very good, but if you can aford it try and get an Apeks reg. I'll recomend a Suunto computer and a A BP&W setup for some manufacture. if I could do it all over again that's the system I'd go with.

 

[SeaHound]

I would not buy anything at this point.

In my opinion the basic gear up to 20 dives should be nothing but a mask, snorkel and fins. I just did my 15th dive today and besides my knife and a weight belt which someone GIFTED to me, thats all the gear I own. My not owning gear has enabled me to try different types of rented stuff, so now when there is a debate on Back Inflation VS Jacket style BCs, I have some idea what they are talking about as I have used both.

Secondly, I had this guy in my PADI class who got certified and ordered equipment worth over a 1000 $ cuz now he was a "DIVER". After 7 dives he discovered SKY DIVING so now he wants to sell the same gear to me for 700 $ so he could spend that money jumping from planes!!! Unfortunately thats not th gear I would like to own so he is looking for some one else to sell it to.

I think first 20 dives should just be about enjoying different types of gear and mastering the basics. Once you buy something then thats all you would be restricted to for a LOOOOONG time

 

[siltmonkey]

For sound, objective advice based on common sense, logical and rational thought, check out this link:

http://www.bitz.fsnet.co.uk

It could save you time and money

r