Eric's F1 computer is a sweet rig - we ran into each other at DEMA - former WR holder in CB when he hit 82 meters in the Cold Canadian waters near Vancouver. 2-3 years ago I believe.
Sam - I consider a speargun outside of the typical core gear for freediving - yeah - you can spend alot on guns and have seen too many freedivers spend money unneccessarily.
I use to freedive with a guy up here in Oregon whom I called "The Great White Hunter" - he would knock 'em dead with a cheapo pole spear - That is what I consider minimalist - and we always had nummy fish taco's after the fact.
Just as anything else - one can go to extremes - but if you price out a decent outfit - you'll find that freediving is much less expensive in relation to scuba.
Example Freedive equipment list from DiveINN:
- Cressi Minima Mask - $25.03
- Sporasub Samourai Snorkel - $11.36
- Cressi Gara 3000HF Fins - $91.45
- Cressi World Competition 7MM freedive suit - $180.75
- Cressi Socks Metallite 5MM socks - $15.14
- Cressi Gloves 5 MM Ultrastretch Gloves- $20.82
- Cressi Elastic Belt Inox Buckle - $20.56
All total: $356.11 (Less shipping)
This is a very respectable setup - I would dive this in a heartbeat and I would recommend it to anyone asking me for advice on freedive equipment.
You can't touch a decent quality scuba wetsuit for this amount of money these days - and that being one not created for a rental dept - Sure, you can add a Suunto D3 or whatever, but still comes in less than a lower end reg setup with a dive computer.
Add a rubbermaid tote or a dive bag - and a few weights as needed - this is still way under what the entry fee is for scuba - and this is all gear that the diver owns - not renting.
And freediving provides better skills in the water than scuba alone does - if you are a competent freediver - scuba is cake.
And to all who think diving to 100' is something to attain - reality is, it's 100 feet - unless you have a reason to be there - the diving is as good typically at 10-15 meters as compared to 30+ meters. And you'll get longer bottom times at the shallower depths.
