First time buyer, need help with equipment

[DiveTyme]

I agree pretty much with frankenmuth tom. Skip the tank for now and upgrade to a dive computer. I do like a console. I agree with ft on the drag issue, but I like to put my BC on and jump in.

 

[H2Andy]

I would forget about the tank, and rent them for a while.

absolutely.

unless, of course, you will be diving
mostly in innacessible regions where you'll have to bring in your own
air as there are no dive shops in the premises. in that case, you'll
need more than one tank (more like three or four) (dozen).

most charters/dive locations will gladly rent you a tank or three.

i would say rent for a while.

Forget the console, and take the money from it and the tank and upgrade to a good quality computer...

yup.... excellent advise. i would, however, buy a console-mounted
computer, so that my gauges would be: computer, air supply, compass.

that's just me because that is what I got used to. i like looking at one
place and seeing all the info I need.

 

[rickdog81]

What's your experience? Where do you dive? How often do you dive?

Do you already own an exposure suit (+gloves & hood)?

Most LDS have 0 interest in education. Their sole purpose is to sell you gear (and preferrably what they have in stock).

I have never been on a dive. I am taking a course at UC Berkeley. I will be diving in Monterey and Carmel, California. My course will consist of 7 pool dives and 14 ocean dives on 7 different days. I considered renting but my instructor advised me that with all those dives the cost would eventually run up in the hundreds and in the end I would have no equipment to show for it. So he recommended buying gear. I don't own any of the cold water neoprene yet. He did not recommend particular brands or models (except a halcyon BC which is out of my price range) or gear so I am basically on my own. I have called a few dive shops in my area (most prices were too high for my college student budget) but Steele's scuba in berkeley had the best package price on the items I listed above and they will give me 10% off because I am a Berkeley student. Alot people recommended that I get a computer but is it really necessary? It seems like more of an expensive luxury when I can calculate things in my head using my wrist watch and gauges.

One last thing, how do I know what a good regulator will feel like? Any other input?

 

[rickdog81]

I If you're curious about price, I'd go check out the prices at LeisurePro.com and compare. But, IMHO always go with a LDS (within reason).

- PolsVoice.

I checked out the scuba package prices at leisure pro. There are some packages more expensive than the one that I saw at the local dive shop and there were some more expensive. I am just not sure whether the less expensive ones have worse/better regulator, octo, and bcd. Do you think any of the packages on there are better than the one I descrbed for the same price or lower?

How important is the BC? Should I be spending more on a better BC I was looking at the OMS IQ BackPack & Single Bladder 35 Lb. Lift. Is it worth it to pay an extra $200 for that BC over the Aeris sprt BC that is supposed to be a good BC at an economical price.

 

[rickdog81]

How much lift do I need from a BC. I weigh 170 and will be diving in cold water.

 

[Arnaud]

I have never been on a dive. I am taking a course at CU Berkeley. I will be diving in Monterey and Carmel, California. My course will consist of 7 pool dives and 14 ocean dives on 7 different days. I considered renting but my instructor advised me that with all those dives the cost would eventually run up in the hundreds and in the end I would have no equipment to show for it. So he recommended buying gear. I don't own any of the cold water neoprene yet. He did not recommend particular brands or models (except a halcyon BC which is out of my price range) or gear so I am basically on my own. I have called a few dive shops in my area (most prices were too high for my college student budget) but Steele's scuba in berkeley had the best package price on the items I listed above and they will give me 10% off because I am a Berkeley student. Alot people recommended that I get a computer but is it really necessary? It seems like more of an expensive luxury when I can calculate things in my head using my wrist watch and gauges.

One last thing, how do I know what a good regulator will feel like? Any other input?

Your instructor is probably right. LDS around here usually charge about $40 per day for a full package...

If you want to maximize your $, you probably should consider an online retailer or Ebay (used gear).

The one item I would buy from a retailer is the wetsuit because you want a good fit.

Now, you may want to think twice about this. Scuba diving isn't a cheap sport. Good gear is expensive. However, if you have access to some good shore diving, you will only have the cost of filling your tank as a recurrent cost (plus the yearly maintenance). But you've never dove. Are you sure you're going to like it? It may be wise to rent for a few times, at least until you hit the ocean and take it from there.

The other question is: how cheap do you want to be? Because if you like this sport, you're going to want the good stuff and the good stuff may cost you more than $750. A good solution would be not to buy everything and keep renting a little longer some of your gear.

 

[Arnaud]

Rick, it's going to be hard for you to understand what could be a good BC or a good reg if you have never been underwater. You'll find plenty of explanations on the board but you're going to need some basics before hand. Don't panic, don't rush and keep your money for now. I would not advise you get the Aeris, nor the OMS, though I'm sure you'll find plenty of people advising otherwise... Wait till you see how you feel in 50° water before spending a grand or more.

 

[rickdog81]

I was checking out leisurepro.com and it seems like I can get a better deal buying gear seperately than the package at my local scuba shop. From the regs, octos, gauges/comps, and bc's available on that site, can you recommend a package or particular item? I am trying to stay between 700-800 for the lifesupport equipment because I still need to buy neoprene, and snorkeling gear.

 

[Tractor Tom]

...I really shopped for all of my equipment. I guess my thought was to buy the best regulators that I could afford, and to get equipment that could be repaired most anywhere and that had plenty of parts available.

A lot of my other equipment I shopped for bargains. I got my Aeris Pro computer used at the dive shop for a couple hundred dollars in a console with a pressure gauge and compass (which I later took apart and put the compass and computer on my wrists). I bought my first BC on eBay (new, from an on-line dive shop) but quickly went to a backplate rig (bought used on eBay). Then I sold the Jacket BC on eBay and recovered some of my expense. I got my Backplate Wing from Bob3 here on the Scubaboard, same as my Viking Drysuit, both for a very good price (don't be afraid to make an offer!). Weights and weight belt were purchased used from an old diver I know. Wet gloves were purchased on eBay, as were my fins and my divelight, all new, but from on-line shops. I got my Warm water shorty wetsuit at the local dive shop, marked down to half price. My mask (and prescription lenses) and snorkle were purchased at the local dive shop at a premium price, but work very well. Tanks were all purchased at the local dive shop, but at very competitive prrices (actually I traded a bunch of pumpkins for the last one, but that is another story....).

There are lots of good NEW equipments available on eBay, but I intentionally purchased my regs from my local dive shop, so they would not grouse about servicing them. Indeed, when I was diving one of the local lakes when the regs were new while the guys from the dive shop were there with a class and the second stage started to bleed air around the seat, the fellow from the shop 'tuned' it up, in the back of his truck for free.

My drysuit undies are from Softwear, here on the web, and very good for the price, with excellent service. I would encourage you to consider a drysuit for diving in California as the water stays quite cold year-round. You just don't get as cold in a drysuit and it allows you to do multiple dives in a day, when you probably won't in a wetsuit.

More of my opinions now that we know a bit more about you and where you intend to dive. Take them with a grain of salt.

Good luck with the training! Learn to dive safely and you have a hobby that can last you the rest of your life....

 

[TKOS]

The most important first purchase, IMO, is a well fitting wetsuit, hood, gloves and snorkeling package. There is nothing worse than being cold in an ill fitting wetsuit while your face is getting squeezed by a crappy, leaking mask.

I was lucky that a former instructor was getting out of diving and sold me his gear for a reasonable price. I was also lucky that he was the same size as me and everything fit perfectly.

I assume that you will be given gear for at least the pool classes. So that will be a reg and BC. Since it will be rental gear it will be used and slightly worn. That, IMO, isn't a bad thing. You will quickly learn whether you can deal with that type of reg. I didn't like the way mine forced me to really push to get the air out of the reg. It made breathing and the class hard for me. My Sherwood that I eneded up buying allows for more natural breathing and I am very happy with it.