Gear Questions for a new diver

[Greeny]

Hi there,

A month or so ago i posted a few questions to do with the best times to learn to dive etc etc, but now to the present..

In February next year i'll begin my Ocean Diver course with BSAC and they have told me to start looking into buying some of my own gear, namely Reg, BCD, Drysuit, mask fins etc..

Now i'm just looking for some advice on some items that either have caught my attention or have been recommended to me and i would just like you know your opinions on them!

I have all the required money saved up and have about £200 for a BCD, and about £150 for a Regulator, but i can stretch if needs be..

Now the items in question..

BCDs - Cressi Sub Safety 116 - £199
http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=81147 - Thoughts?

Cressi Sub Aquapro SR - £185
http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=81131

Regulator - Scuba Pro Mk2 + R290 - £135
http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=74859

Regulator has a choice of International A Clamp and DIN 300 [Help!? :06: ]

If these are complete rubbish then if you could recommend different items that'll be great..

Any and all help is appreciated, gear will mainly be used in local quarry and then the lovely and warm british seas when i've enough experience, hopefully i've allocated enoguh money for each item as I'm only 15 so its pretty hard for me to get money although parents said they'll help a little...

Thanks
Alex

 

[m3830431]

You started something here. Anyway I have no idea of the prices in Great Britain.

But since you are their have you looked at Apeks. More features for the same or less price of Scuba pro

http://www.simplyscuba.com/SearchResults.aspx?Loopback=1&Department=5552

As for the Cressi BCD's I like the S 111 R. Hybrid design and ditchable weights

 

[String]

As you havent dived at all yet etc a few issues.

ID seriously considering going on ebay UK and getting a buddy commando BC on there - the things are bullet proof, there are loads of them around and fairly cheap. Cressis and other BCs tend to be more "warm water" orientated, some are fairly flimsy by comparison and in other ways not great for cold water diving. If you do insist on buying new, simplyscuba are probably one of the more expensive retailers.
As you're in the UK and will be diving with a lot of lead, avoid integrated weights like the plague. Very few jackets are actually secure with the amount of lead most people need here and its incredibly bulky in a BC.
Again given your age and growth potential id say definately look for a second hand BC as they tend to have very poor resale value when sold on. For a strong starter jacket thats suited for UK conditions and tough enough for the conditions the Buddy second hand ones are great.

The Dive show is in the NEC next weekend - good deals and a good chance to look around.
2 good online retailers for kit price wise in the UK are Kent Diving and Go-Dive (google them - im not sure im allowed to place links in here) and will certainly be cheaper than who you found.

As for regs, id recommend Apeks and most definately a DIN connection not A-clamp.

Drysuit will be by far your most expensive purchase but one of the most important as well.

 

[joanna05]

I am a very newbie but I have discussed BC's and Reg's with my instructor and for a decent BC I think you would be looking at £350.00 and the same for Reg's, you don't say if you are Male or Female. Do you live anywhere near Burntwood, that used to be my old stamping ground

Joanna

 

[O2BBubbleFree]

Make sure you can get the regs serviced locally, or are comfortable with mailing them off.

I can't imagine not having service in your area, but you should be sure.

 

[Greeny]

Thanks for all the replies,

I have actually dove twice before on sort of "try-dives" on holiday, thats what got me hooked..

I have been watching ebay pretty closely so i'll keep an eye out..

Thanks for the weight info string didnt know that and will keep it in mind and will also look at the websites you said.. may also be going to the NEC show, we'll see..

Yes Joanna i live near Burntwood and its also the BSAC club i'm signed up for and will be doing my pool dives in Burntwood..

As for servicing, one of the club memebers used to own a dive shop and so services all of the club members gear

Thanks to all who posted so far, any other help is appreciated

 

[String]

Someone mentioned reg servicing - Nearly everywhere will do Apeks regs or if sent off they'll do them within 1 working week. You wont get better service from anywhere really

 

[jumbo]

Ocean diver course-

Just curios did you say that you are taking an ocean diver course? Who offers something like that, I would like to know the difference between the ocean diver course and a standard open water course.

The Scuba pro regs would be a great choice.


JUMBO

 

[String]

ocean diver is the BSAC standard/first level course.

20m max depth,no deco etc

http://www.bsac.org/technical/dtp/lsocean.htm

 

[String]

I have actually dove twice before on sort of "try-dives" on holiday, thats what got me hooked..

Yeah those things are evil. I did one of those...The day later i did another one. Then came home and signed up to learn in the next class intake.

Its a slippery slope....