Gear for IDC in Thailand

[Tiptopperoo]

Hi all, I am heading to Thailand to do my Rescue Diver to IDC in March of this year so I have been speccing out a gear setup from Scubatoys. Just wondering what people think of my selections.

BCD: Zeagle Brigade $400US
Regs: Mares Abyss 22 $450US
Octo: Mares Proton Octo $80US
Computer: Mares Nemo Excel $525US
Console: Tusa SCA-330T Compact Analog Gauge with Compass $150US
Fins: Mares Plana Avanti Quattro + spare strap $90US

Wetsuit I will buy there once I have checked out the water!

Total = $1694US I then get 10% off for being a member of the forums, and I haven't even got them to do me a package price yet which I'm sure will be even better.

Anyone got some suggestions? (or am I missing anything?)

Cheers
Dave

 

[Arizona]

Dave,

You know my opinion already You got a winner. Let me know what you think about the Nemo. I am thinking of going Nemo over the Suunto D6. The compass feature looks good, but my Suunto wrist mount compass seems to work just fine. I already dive with a Mares Airlab for the past 90 or so dives. I think the Nemo uses the same algorithm. Can anyone verify that?

As you dive more and more you will begin to customize further, but you picked out a great kit IMO.

Arizona

 

[CODMAN]

Arizona, I believe the new Mares computers (like My M2) use a modified RGBM algorythm with a deep stop to help prevent microbubble formation. the older computers didn't have this feature I believe. Small difference though...

 

[Arizona]

You probably thought about it, but just in case make sure you get it in metric.

 

[Tiptopperoo]

You probably thought about it, but just in case make sure you get it in metric.

Ummm I would have to say no I haven't thought about it...get what in metric?

 

[wunat]

Ummm I would have to say no I haven't thought about it...get what in metric?

I guess he's referring to the gauge..............

In Thailand, we use metric units.

Where are you planning to do your IDC?

 

[Arizona]

Yup, bar and depth in meters. With analog gauges this will be an issue. Scuba Toys may very well carry it, but most of their gear sold in the US would be imperial. I would get a confirmation before sending the order in.

You convinced me to buy the Nemo. Now I may sell my trusty Airlab and just get a Tusa pressure gauge with compass. If they have it in metric I will get it. Their prices are pretty good.

Except for BCD we will have very similar kits. I bought the Mares icon. I am not that familiar with Zeagle.

Arizona

 

[uncleavi]

I'm an IDCS here in Alaska and that looks like a nice set up.
Get the Encyclopedia of Recreational Diving and really learn all about the Physics and Physiology and I reccomend buying all versions of the recreational dive planner and maybe even taking the Multilevel spec as that will really help with the wheel. The more prepared you are the better you will do.
Good Luck!

 

[Hank49]

You also need a cutting tool (knife) and a signalling device (balloon, whistle, light) I believe for the IDC.

 

[Tiptopperoo]

Thanks again guys.

Arizona: Oh yeah the gauges! I am trying to find something compact! You reckon the TUSA goes ok? I had someone on the Oz forum say they were cumbersome, but from the measurements, they seem pretty small. Do you think a compass is best wrist mount or in the console? (wrist comp and compass?)

Gonna double check on the Zeagle also, could get away with a travel BCD, but I will ask Larry all this before the go ahead.

Knife etc yeah I will grab those, always wanted an excuse to buy a cool knife! Does anyone know if you can take these on a plane (in the hold luggage section not carry-on of course!)

Uncleavi: I think all that stuff comes with my IDC package, would that be abnormal? Usually you have to buy those things extra?

Cheers
Dave