Getting Gear

[SangP]

mainediver8169,

Are you diving around Maine or do you travel some place warmer?

The things I would get in order.

1. Exposure suit either a dry or wet depending upon where you go.
2. BCD, I prefer a back inflate or a bp/w
3. Regulator, I really love the Apeks or Aqualung legends or the scubapro mk17/g250v
4. Computer like a Uwatec tech 2 g
5. Compass n the rest of the bit & pieces.

I went through quite a painful process of buy, try & sell before settling on the my current setup.

SangP

 

[DaveLA310]

I am new to diving and at the Sport Chalet sale I bought a Sherwood SR-1 Regulator. It is supposed to be very good and able to handle both Air and Nitrox. When I read the manual, there is a "WARNING" that states:

"The SR1 is manufactured for use with standard air or enriched air nitrox (EAN) with an oxygen component not to exceed 40% at a maximum preassure of 3500 psi (240 bar). If the regulator is used with standard air at any time it will no longer be sutable for use with nitrox unless it is reconditioned for nitrox use by a dealer or other expert trained in the proper cleaning methods. Redonditioning involves cleaning to remove residual hydrocarbons that may have been introduced through exposure to standard air. Failure to properly clean the regulator may increase the rise of fire when used with nitrox. Such risk could result in death or serious injury."

It is the bold and underlined part I have a question about. Does this mean that each time I switch from nitrox back to air, I have to have it serviced? Is this a warning for all regulators...I have never seen this? Any ideas?

Thanks
Dave

 

[lavachickie]

Don't spend to much time fretting over what is the absolute best you can buy right now. This is your first set. If you love diving, regardless of how broke you think you are, it won't be your last.

Walk into your LDS (or find one nearby you like and trust) and get their basic gear kit from one of the big names with a decent warranty. Along with that purchase, if the shop is good, will come a lot of questions answered through phone calls or hours spent hanging around the shop. That's priceless and something no online retailer can match. You'll find diving buddies, learn all the local gossip, info about the best local sites and pick up priceless gems of advice and info if you can spend some time there.

Then, use the hell out of that gear. Take care of it, but know that the more you use it, the closer you are to realizing you've outgrown it, and that one day you'll wake up and realize that you NEED something different, and you'll know exactly why.

Then, that well loved and well used first [insert kit part here] will be retired to your backup or loaner chest, both of which are very important when gathering with other divers. =-)

I second the advice to get the exposure suit first, especially if you are diving colder waters. Nothing sucks more than being all ready to go out for a weekend of diving with friends but have to back out because the rental pool got sucked dry by a bunch of students at the LDS!

 

[Bubbletrubble]

@DaveLA310: Dave, out of respect to the originator of this discussion, please start a new thread and the ScubaBoard community will be happy to weigh in on your question. Congrats on the new scuba gear purchase...

@mainediver8169: I really like Fisheater's suggestion to join a local dive club in order to expand your circle of dive buddies. I'm often able to try out new gear from my buddy (or even a friend of a friend) before purchasing anything. Moreover, the opinions of local experienced divers can help you identify specific gear features that would be most appropriate for your local dive conditions. They could also help you steer clear of over-paying for gear or purchasing stuff you don't really need.

 

[Scuba.com]

That is pretty much what Sherwood is saying. It's a basic liability type thing where they are doing their best to cover their fanny.

Technically that statement is or has been a standard policy from all the scuba manufacturers over the years when it comes to enriched air. Some make it more noteable than others.

As for the gear, I've never been a believer of "most expensive is best". I believe in doing a bit of research and getting the best gear for your intended use. Often you'll find the gear that is best suited for you isn't the gear the shop you are dealing with might be steering you towards. Would I like to sell you a Zeagle Ranger LTD, Oceanic FDX10 and maybe an Oceanic Pro Plus 2 or Sherwood Wisdom 2 computer? Sure thing. I do sell gear for a living after all. But with a bit of discussion we might find the Oceanic CDX5/GT3, a modular computer console and maybe a Zeagle Stiletto or Sherwood Avid bcd would be far more appropriate and save you a lot of money just as an example.

Don't let yourself get sucked into the excitement of it all. Getting new gear is fun and is exciting but it's also something you should be able to use happily for many years with no regrets.

 

[svnipp]

Two years ago I saw an ad on Craigslist for a complete set of scuba gear in my size, for a price of about half what it would sell for new. I called, then went to the guy's house and looked over the gear, and it was all like new and only had 5 dives on it.

Then the guy told me he was a Marine and was getting shipped to Iraq in two weeks.

I gave him what he paid for it.

You rock! Good to know that there are good people like you out there.

 

[Dyno Bill]

I would think 30 cents on a dollar would be closer to what you will pay for used so long as your not wanting the newest style tech gear or something like that.