gear i'm looking at buying...what do you think

[firedogut]

my new set up and the prices i am going to pay

Aeris Atmos 1 Console with compass 229.95
Viper America 159.95
Dacor Viper Octo 74.95
Zeagle Escape BCD 286.95

All of which is being bought at LDS (not in my city but do have stores) all are dealers. (i checked with dacor and zeagle)

what do you think? if you don't like it just don't say "IT sucks!!!" explain why you think it sucks. that is the only way we can tell if you know what you are talking about or just telling BS.

 

[ScubaRon]

Let me predict what this board will tell you:
- no console: must be wrist
- Apeks!
- Apeks!
- backplate and wings
Just trying to save you some time:biggrin:.

As for my personal opinion: console and BC are fine. I would consider a different brand reg, e.g. Aqualung Titan or Sherwood Maximus.
ScubaRon

 

[firedogut]

LOL......


About the regs, why? I've heard that the viper breathes wet and is hard to hit the button but when i used it i had no troubles. any other reason. The Viper is a $440.00 reg is most LDS.. I like the price i'm going to pay

 

[jonnythan]

So it looks like you were shopping at Diver's Supply.

First, I wouldn't buy a console. Well, I might buy the console if I think it'll save me money on the guages, but I'd rip it apart, put the computer on my wrist, and leave just the SPG attached to the hose. It's nice that way.

As for the regulator, it won't kill you I suppose, though the Vipers are known for having weak and hard to push purges across the board. Rodale's seems to like it... though some people on SB says it sucks for cold water.. which makes sense since the first stage has no anti-freeze provisions from what I can tell.

I'm generally against the generic "octo" most companies sell. They're usually pretty hard to breathe and more likely to freeze up since most don't have heat exchangers and the like on them.

As for the BC, it's better than many. One of my buddies has the Escape and it seems pretty nifty to me. It might not have enough lift for cold water diving.

Bottom line is most of this stuff is decent enough to keep you alive unless you're going to be diving cold water.

Where do you live?

 

[TwoBitTxn]

If the majority of reviews on the viper say it breaths wet and its hard to hit the button, the reviews are probably talking about at depth.

Regs will breath differently at 60' than they will on the surface.

My Scubapro is 10 years old and still breaths fine. My wifes Mares (Same maker as Dacor) is 5 and has less than 40 dives on it and its ready for the trash bin. It gets extremely difficult to breath at 60'.

TwoBit

 

[jonnythan]

The board like Apeks for many reasons. They won't freeze, they're a very bombproof design, the second stages can be disassembled underwater, the first stages are completely sealed and have great hose routing for doubles, the first stages are readily available (as are the second stages), they have great performance across the entire product line, they have adjustments that acutally work well, and they're pretty much gimmick-free. Most regs in the Apeks line are well suited to absolutely any kind of diving you may ever do, and they're inexpensive to boot.

Many here also advocate backplates and wings because they know better. Nothing will come close to a backplate in terms of streamlining, stability, support, trim, or functionality.

Many here advocate wrist mounting your depth gauge/timer/computer and slinging the SPG off your left side because it's also much better. Having your current depth and time right there on your wrist is invaluable, and encourages you to monitor it more closely than if it were dragging off your stomach. It's quicker and more convenient. You also don't have a big honkin drag-creating piece of rubber hanging a couple of feet below you.

 

[wreckchick]

Well, I had a console, hated it, tore it apart, but that's a personal decision. I would look closely at the BC you're planning to get and try to figure out where you're going to attach it. Is the Atmos1 the non-nitrox version? If so I'd think about what kind of diving you're planning on doing, you might end up saving some time and money if you go with a nitrox compatible computer from the beginning. I have the Atmos2 and it's a fine computer, no complaints.

Now, for the regs... I got turned off of the Vipers when I saw one literally fall apart in the pool during my OW class. Apeks are highly regared by many and the one time I dove one it was nice. I have Scubapro regs, Mk16/S550 to be precise, and I just love it.

I've not seen that BC so I have no opinion, I'll leave that to others.

Good luck with your gear purchases!

Rachel

P.S. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that as of a couple years ago Mares and Dacor were independent companies and Mares acquired Dacor so the product lines were not manufactured by the same company 5 years ago.

 

[firedogut]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that as of a couple years ago Mares and Dacor were independent companies and Mares acquired Dacor so the product lines were not manufactured by the same company 5 years ago.

Yes in 1998 Mares acquired Dacor. Dacor has been around for 50 years. Mares will more then likley keep Dacor a different line, a small line maybe but still a line. If you have taking bussiness calsses or been in the field you know its not good to buy a company just to shut it down if it has a fan base. Dacor has many loyal users. Maybe in 5 years it will be Mares/Dacor instead of Mares, and Dacor. Some of Mares design will show up in dacor parts and same holds true the other way around. They do have 2 different design and R&D teams. Its like when BP took on Moblie or Siemens acquired westinghouse.

No i'm not buying from diver-supply. from a shop in dallas.....scubatoys


also i like the computer on my console. I'm asking about the computer it self. I don't know if i will get in nitrox or not. If i do, it might be 3-4 years, i'll buy a new computer and give this one to my wife who will has no plans for nitrox

i've talked to divers who use the viper and they love it. when you clear it you do have to tilt you head a little because it is a side vet. you have to do this on most side vents.


No about the BC......the escape is a lot like the ranger just a smaller one. it packs much better then the ranger.

i know that every one like their gear better then someone's elses. don't just say well i would have picked brand x instead of brand y.

I like the viper beacuse there is no up or down which is great for buddy breathing.

ok i've talked to much so far....know its time to read more

 

[ElectricZombie]

my new set up and the prices i am going to pay
Aeris Atmos 1 Console with compass 229.95
Viper America 159.95
Dacor Viper Octo 74.95
Zeagle Escape BCD 286.95

Consoles are a bad idea and are useless. They are bulky and create drag that you don't need. They also hid problems with the hose. (nicks, etc) You should have a bottom timer on your right wrist and a compass on your left wrist. You only need a pressure gauge coming off the high pressure hose; no boot on the guage.

Dacor does not have such a great reputation and isn't regarded very highly. I would suggest something from ScubaPro or Apeks as both of these manufacturers make the best regs around.

You certainly don't want the Zeagle BC. It's bulky, poorly designed, ill-fitting, has numerous failure points, not streamlined and simply does not perform well. As suggested earlier, look into a backplate and wing setup from Halcyon. The BP&Wing setup is the complete opposite of the Zeagle you mentioned. It will last forever and will outperform any other BC you care to name. It will also save you a ton of money because with a BP/Wing, you have everything you need for current and future diving plans.

 

[jonnythan]

You certainly don't want the Zeagle BC. It's bulky, poorly designed, ill-fitting, has numerous failure points, not streamlined and simply does not perform well.

Wow. You just completely made that up. Impressive.