Future-proof gear for newcomer
- Thread starter Kizzmansky
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Yes, if you are positive that you are going Tek.
Yes, you can buy a Scubapro Galileo Sol. Trimix is a Free up-grade!
Your reg. can be O2 cleaned when you are ready. Go w/ Scubapro A700, S600 or G260 paired w/ a MK17 ( cold H2O ) or MK25.
Simple Scubapro! Buy the Best and you won't have to buy twice.
chrpai
Contributor
Be careful who you listen to. A BP/W is not just for tech diving. And it doesn't make sense to spend $1000 on a dive computer for a free upgrade to trimix that you might not ever need. $250 is a better value and you can use it as a backup or sell it when the time comes.
Not a sales pitch... just 13 years of experience as a diver knowing how to avoid bad sales pitches speaking.
Not a sales pitch... just 13 years of experience as a diver knowing how to avoid bad sales pitches speaking.
Other Scubapro combinations to consider (rebuilt, updated) might be a Mk 5 or Mk 10 first stage with a 156 second and a 109 safety second. It's what I dive, and I can dive pretty much anything I want. Simple, beautiful, utterly reliable, and tuneable down to near zero effort. Diving in water less than 40F over freezing air temps? Mk 15 or Mk 17 first stage.
Keep everything sleek and simple. This is not chess; don't try to plan three moves ahead.
Keep everything sleek and simple. This is not chess; don't try to plan three moves ahead.
Do you ever have anything to add to a discussion other than "buy Scubapro gear, it's the best"?
Seriously, dude... It's tiresome.
chrpai
Contributor
I take it I'm supposed to kiss your ring and give you $1000 while I do it, right?
13 years is enough to know how things work... I don't need 27 years of the same year of experience.
1. It would be a good idea to get a bp/w for a single tank at the moment. Recommendation would be to get a one piece harness (OPH as it's commonly referred to). Once you move to a twinset, then all you need to switch out is the wing and you're good to go (plus add another first stage). Other brands to look at include: HOG, DSS, Halcyon, I believe dive right in scuba has their own brand of bp/w as well. I have a mixture of gear. My backplate is dive rite, twinset wing is halcyon, single wing is hog, and my harness is webbing I bought off the interwebs and put the hardware on myself.
2. Computer: simple bottom timer or something you can put into gauge mode (ex.: suunto vyper). Most of the technical and cave divers I know plan their dives using a decompression planning software.
3. Regulator: You can always have it O2 serviced when needed. You don't need the most expensive regs on the market. Most have the same internals. The more expensive, the more bling generally. Although some do have breathing adjustment knobs. I know on an Apeks ATX 40, you can install your own adjustment knob if you're inclined (there's a very good video on youtube showing you how). I use an ATX 40 and a HOG as my second stages and 2x apeks ds4 as my first stages. my stage regs are hog d1 and a hog second.
As a brand new diver, I wouldn't rush into doing cave and wreck penetrations. it takes a high level of skill to get there (anyone can go into a cave, it's skill that will get you out). I would look into taking gue fundamentals or an intro to tech course with tdi or iantd.
eelnoraa
Contributor
Start with future proof training. You want to learn the skill that you can use later. Not something you have to unlearn and/or relearn later. So find a good instructor is the most important.
For equipments, start with bp/w, brand doesn't matter for now, just avoid marketing gimmicks. Skip that shoulder pull dump, wight integrated, comfort harness, duo purpose wing. Get a plate based on your ballast requirement, a wing that fits your lift requirement.
For computer, skip AI. A simple computer with air and nitrox modes with gauge mode capability. Nice display is good if budget allowed. No need for integrated compass or heart rate monitor or any of those gimmick crap.
for reg, avoid go air2 route, also avoid compact Octo. Get regular Octo, better the same as your primary. As for brand, I always think something you can get local support is important especially for beginners. If you go down tech/cave route, you will be buying quite a few more regulators. Your first reg will most likely remain as your single tank travel reg, so pick a brand that get world wide support is also a good idea. I think scubapro, Apeks, aqualung are good choices. Atomic is good too. Oceanic, hollis, aeris, maybe not.
For equipments, start with bp/w, brand doesn't matter for now, just avoid marketing gimmicks. Skip that shoulder pull dump, wight integrated, comfort harness, duo purpose wing. Get a plate based on your ballast requirement, a wing that fits your lift requirement.
For computer, skip AI. A simple computer with air and nitrox modes with gauge mode capability. Nice display is good if budget allowed. No need for integrated compass or heart rate monitor or any of those gimmick crap.
for reg, avoid go air2 route, also avoid compact Octo. Get regular Octo, better the same as your primary. As for brand, I always think something you can get local support is important especially for beginners. If you go down tech/cave route, you will be buying quite a few more regulators. Your first reg will most likely remain as your single tank travel reg, so pick a brand that get world wide support is also a good idea. I think scubapro, Apeks, aqualung are good choices. Atomic is good too. Oceanic, hollis, aeris, maybe not.
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