Frankenstein Gear Set-up

[Green Hand]

Does anyone have their dive rig set-up using DIR / GUE and/or Hogarthian principles without actually diving a bp/wings? Does it work for their buddies? Is the reg.
set-up best kept to DIR/GUE, Hogarthian diving?

OK I know I am playing with fire - but I am genuinely interested in some of the principles of these dive styles gear requirements because they make a lot of sense.

The principles I particularly like are:

-A long hose on the primary 2nd stage and a short hose on the back-up 2nd stage positioned under your chin with bungee cord [makes fantstic sense no matter what you dive].

-Only a SPG monitoring gas pressure. Computer on right arm and compass on left.

-Everything earns it place [is always in its place] and is directly related to 'second nature' survival of you and your buddy.

I am a recreational open water diver [temperate and warm] and at this point I reaslistically don't see myself having the time, or dedication to dive caves. I would like to think that in years to come I may do some technical diver training to see some wrecks and deeper reefs. So at the moment serious primary and back-up lights and their positioning on my rig are not an issue.

At the moment I am thinking about establishing good dive principlas [including my gear set-up] and the raves about BP/wings ring in my ears, but also being realistic about the amount of cost involved versus the time I am able to put into my diving [and my present dive experience and training] - but lots of people on this site scream the benefits and sense of BP/wings and DIR / Hogarthian diving principles [please don't debate the two principles here I know they can be very divisive].

Whilst I like the principles my friends don't dive DIR / Hogarthian so I don' fullfil one of the main DIR tennents [only dive with other DIR divers].

If cost was no object I would just customize a bp/wings rig [$$$$], or buy a Halcyon Eclipse MC system [start at AUD$1955 / US$1500], or a Dive Rite TransPac rig [start at AUD$1200 / US$900]. I could buy both on the web but I am probably still buying a Porsche to just drive to church on Sunday [if you get my analogy]

My question is: would the following allow me to set-up a rig with some of the desired principles I have outlined [ie minimalist gear set-up / buddy safety etc] whilst managing costs in the medium term, or am I fooling myself and establishing a Frankenstein rig:

-Zeagle Brigade BC [rear inflate, Scuba Toys US$399.95 / AUD$533.27]

-Mares V16 / Proton XL reg.

-DIR single tank hose kit

-Brass SPG

-Dive computer / depth guage right arm

-Compass left arm

-Tusa Imprex Tri-Ex fins / Mares X-Vision mask [US$9.95 semi-dry snorkel] / Knife / Alert marker / whistle / signal mirror / Back-up torch / Primary torch [night dives]

The main issue is the BCD. My thoughts are that the rear inflate of the Zeagle is a cleaner rig than a BCD like a Seaquest Pro QD+ [or am I just fooling myself].

The second issue is - if I aren't diving DIR / Hogarthian should I stay away from setting up my regs using their principles

I have closely followed comments from people like Rick Murchison [who obviously know more about diving than my little toe ever will] and I know I am trying to create a hybrid system - when really I should be using the best system for the particular dive and situation.

Money, money, money!!!

Any thoughts???

 

[spectrum]

Do a search for DIR-E (Essentials) From what I remember it deals with bringing the DIR priciples to divers in jacket BCDs. It's a new offering so there may not be too much going on it yet.

Pete

 

[MarcG]

A BP/W rig won't run you all that much more than the Zeagle Brigade. You have to decide what is best for you. You could get a DSS single tank rig for $445 with the hog harness if you truly want a BP/W. That's not much more than the brigade. The difference will certainly be lost in the mix if you need to purchase all your gear. $45 is just noise.

DSS single tank rig:
http://www.deepseasupply.com/page12.html

BTW, with a long hose setup you won't be using a snorkel. It catches on the long hose when deploying it.

 

[Green Hand]

I'm pretty sure I am going to go BP/wings - having done a bit more investigation.

I can get a good set-up from a supplier in Melbourne for around AUD$750. About the same as buying a BCD, or BP/wings from a US supplier for US$450.00 once you add our 5% duty, 10% GST and shipping costs.

More importantly, I want to dive a BP/wings.

 

[dbulmer]

Green Hand,
Go for the DIR rig - reason it's very comfortable and is suited to all types of diving.
Look at the following site www.bitz.fsnet.co.uk.

Essentially you can save yourself a shed load of dosh by buying stuff that you can add to in modular fashion as your diving experience broadens. If you go BP/W try to find someone local who can help you set it up - once it's setup correctly the first time it becomes very easy to maintain - if I can do it anyone can

DIR divers dive with people they consider safe or without dangerous attitudes - at the tech level they become more choosy because of the nature of the dives they are doing and so the skill factor/attitude/team awareness become even more vital and it's usually divers who have been trained by GUE that have the same skillsets. BTW that does not exclude non-DIR people - it's just at the tech level they want to be diving with people they know and trust because of the extra demands placed on the diving team (they need to be team oriented with the same outlook on the dives, similar planning skills, same attitude to deco, gear configuration ie they don't want any unexpected surprises on demanding dives)

I'm not DIR but dive with some DIR people - the reality of diving with DIR chaps is often very different to what you hear about on the internet.

 

[TheRedHead]

The main issue is the BCD. My thoughts are that the rear inflate of the Zeagle is a cleaner rig than a BCD like a Seaquest Pro QD+ [or am I just fooling myself].

The Brigade is a back inflate and the Seaquest is a jacket and the Seaquest will be bulkier. I own a Brigade, a Transpac and the Dive Rite SS backplate and deluxe harness. The Brigade is bulkier than a backplate and harness because of the cumberbund and the weight systems and pockets. You have quite a bit of bulk going around the waist and the pockets are sewn over the weight system. Your sides and chest are uncluttered. I found the Brigade to be very comfortable. When I first started using it, I often unzipped the weight pockets instead of the pockets as the zippers are parallel to each other. The Zeagle bladder has a tendancy to trap an air bubble which requires tilting your body to make the left shoulder the highest point while keeping your finger depressed on the deflator button.

The backplate takes a lot of getting used to and is not as easy to don and doff. The weight pockets on the Dive Rite cost about $100, but I don't wear much weight so I use XS Scuba pockets at $3.95 each. You can buy other pockets to suit your needs including a thigh pocket which is more in line with orthodox DIR. The Dive Rite Venture wing is easier to empty than the Zeagle wing. You have a lot of options with the Dive Rite plate and harness and the Transpac. All of the Transpac parts except the harness can be used with the backplate so you can switch back and forth. You can start out with a Transpac and later migrate to the backplate, which is what I did.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Does anyone have their dive rig set-up using DIR / GUE and/or Hogarthian principles without actually diving a bp/wings? Does it work for their buddies? Is the reg.
set-up best kept to DIR/GUE, Hogarthian diving?

... etc ...

Any thoughts???

Sure ... stop worrying about gear. In real life, DIR is so much more than that.

If you're not interested in going full-out DIR, the gear won't much matter anyway. Worry instead about the principles around which the gear is designed to function ... good buddy skills, proper dive planning, excellent buoyancy control ... that sort of thing.

There's nothing inherently "DIR" about any of that stuff ... it's what any diver with aspirations of competence should be striving for. And it's perfectly achievable in just about any gear you can purchase.

Diving is way more about attitude and skills than it is about gear ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[D_B]

I think that was well said

DB

 

[Ishie]

"or a Dive Rite TransPac rig [start at AUD$1200 / US$900]."

?????!!!!!!!!!!!?

Ay caramba; I don't think so! I dive a TransPac, and switched to the back sort-of plate set up from an antiquated ScubaPro to reduce the squeeze on my chest and sides. With the small size weight pockets, the harness, the Venture wing, which I could have (AND SHOULD HAVE) upgraded for nearly the same price, and the pretty sport cummerbund, it still only set me back about $515 US. A bit high for a "BC", but certainly no 900$! And this was from my LDS. I considered the set up a bit of a ripoff when I saw it elsewhere for 750, but 900???

 

[JohnL]

Whether you are going with a true Hogarthian set up or not, there is allot to be gained by simplifying and streamlining your gear. I moved my compass to my wrist as it is allot easier for me to keep it level and follow a course. I have a wrist mount computer so I took the depth guage and boot off of my spg. I just re-rigged my hoses so my backup is on a bungie and my primary is on the longer hose (not a LONG hose though) after doing air share drills again this weekend.

I still have an older jacket BC that works fine. For a while I was convinced my trim would be better in a back inflate or backplate but it got allot better with practice. Sure, if you are in the market get a plate and wing, but if you already have a bc I would keep it and practice with it. I have used a back inflate and while I think it was easier to stay face down it wasn't enough of a difference to lay out the cash that could be spent on training or air fills.