Gear advice for a Newbie

[djanni]

snip... DO NOT BUY ATOMIC, those stupid panels WILL FALL OUT ...snip

Seems I've seen you mention that before. I think it was just a case of bad luck for you.

My wife and I have had our Atomic's about 5 years [the yellow ones] and have about 250 or so dives on them and they're just fine. After reading your comment in a prior post, I inspected the panels. They're solid as a rock.

The Apollo's are fine too. I tried a pair for a dive. I think the Atomic's have more of a tactical feel to them.

I like the Atomic mask too. Prior to the Atomic, my OM mask had a purge and I still sort of miss it.

 

[meesier42]

Seems I've seen you mention that before. I think it was just a case of bad luck for you.

My wife and I have had our Atomic's about 5 years [the yellow ones] and have about 250 or so dives on them and they're just fine. After reading your comment in a prior post, I inspected the panels. They're solid as a rock.

The Apollo's are fine too. I tried a pair for a dive. I think the Atomic's have more of a tactical feel to them.

I like the Atomic mask too. Prior to the Atomic, my OM mask had a purge and I still sort of miss it.

I wish it were just me, but I found many many people who have had that problem, 50 dives a year is pretty minimal use, might explain yours lasting longer. Mine got over 200 dives in 13 months, meaning they were always wet and exposed to the world. I saw about a dozen pairs fail that way out there in Hawaii.