Good Starter Equipment

[mrmonk7663]

Hello everyone. I'm new to this whole game and need some help. I am looking to start recreational diving soon. I will be doing both Salt and Fresh Water (not sure if this makes a difference) Anyway, I know not a whole lot about SCUBA. I am getting certified with in the next 2 weeks and will continue taking advanced classes and other stuff as time and money permits. What I would like are some suggestions on some good quality gear on a budget for recreational diving. I have seen many combos on ebay from $400-$550 for BC, Reg w/ octopus, gauges, etc, but then again at my local dive shop they quoted me $2000 for the same stuff. I need to know some quality combos and companies. If possible I would like to keep it under $600 (excluding mask/fins/snorkel/wetsuit) and cheaper if possible. Also, suggestions on snorkels/masks/fins/wetsuits/boots/hoods would be greatly appreciated. I thank you all for your help and for taking time to help me.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[RICHinNC]

Mike...

First of all ...welcome to the world of diving. Second of all, get out now...it isnt a cheap hobby. It is in fact one of the more expensive hobbies. And ask yourself, do you want to be a hundred feet under water with the cheapest gear you can find??

Having said that....you will find there are tons of threads on here to research on gear. A number of members.....myself included.....would recommend a back plate and wing set up. Others would recommend a vest style. In that path.... go take a look at www.northeastscubasupply.com .... they sell DiveRite gear...fully warranteed and you can get a full bp and wing set up for $449 if the sale is still on. If it isnt, call the guys and ask them for the sale deal. Odds are you will get it.

I would recommend however, that you beg and borrow as many different kinds of bcds that you can and try them out in a POOL to see which you like the most. One thing you will learn is the dive industry is very controlled. You go into a shop and they only carry one...maybe two brands. These brands will prevent them from carrying any other brand. So if they have brand A and brand B.....and you want brand E bcd.... forget it....you have to go somewhere else.

You should be able to get set up with bcd and regs and gauges for around $1500 or just a little more. I really dont think $500 is realistic. Im sure that will get a comment or two on here...just my 2 cents.

Personally, I would not buy any life support gear from Ebay. But that is just me.

You should be in for some interesting responces....good luck...feel free to pm me....and have fun.
rich

 

[mrmonk7663]

I think I"ll stay. Diving may be expensive, but try building mustangs if you want to spend some money Point is i'm used to spending money for quality, but I am also used to getting the best deal I can for that same quality. If I can get the exact same thing from a different supplier for $100's cheaper than I will, all else being equal. I never said I wanted to buy crap, I said I wanted quality at an affordable price. If it can be done, that's great, if not, then so be it. I have a feeling it can be done though. I'm curious to see the responses myself. I searched a bit and noticed this kind of topic seems to start flame wars almost...not sure why but that's what I noticed. Hopefully this time it won't happen and we can have some good informative posts. This might work better and get more informative responses. Forget about price. What I would like to know is what is some good equipment for a starter/recreational diver like myself? Something along the middle road perhaps. Let's not worry about price, just brand and or models of equipment. LIke Rich said, it is my life that we are talking about Thanks for the response Rich, I appreciate it. Hopefully more will follow.

PS I was looking at the Oceanic Omega-and the Oceanic Gamma- regulators...any opinions on these? Thanks.

 

[Dave in PA]

Mike,

I chose to give my business to my LDS for my gear. My buddy did the same thing. His computer was giving him fits, so he took it back. They checked it out, called the factory in California, and handed him a new one. My other buddy got a 'great' deal on brand XYZ gear and now found out that nobody in the area services that brand.

I have found that most of the time, you get what you pay for. I have found that most people who bought the cheapest gear they could find ended up buying gear again. You will have to decide for yourself which way you want to go.

 

[gfisher4792]

Welcome Mike,

and I'll just throw these opinions to you: rent/borrow different styles of BCs (as there are, in general, jacket (stab), backinflate and Backplate/Wing (BP/W). Each has their own characteristics, so find which style works best for you.

As for other recommendations, I can only give what I have done myself. I like the BP/W (streamlining, less bulk), my Scubapro G250 and my Mares X-Vision mask. For masks, I would recommend a low volume type (do a search on the board), as they are easier to clear and give a much bigger range of vision. But above all, fit is most important. Get that from an LDS.

Don't use a snorkel, but am thinking of getting a folding type to keep in a pocket.

Fins: I lean towards non-splits (lots of opinions on that). Mares Quattros seem to be very good, or Jet Fins.

Hood, gloves and boots, I like my Henderson Hyperstretch, as they fit very well and keep me warm.

Hope this helps some.

 

[cornfed]

Point is i'm used to spending money for quality, but I am also used to getting the best deal I can for that same quality.

For some reason this is a heated topic, but you need to look at the whole package. Many regulator makers offer a lifetime warrantee that covers parts but only if you buy them from an authorized dealer, aka your local LDS. Since you need to get your regs serviced every year this can add up. Many shops offer "rent to own" type programs. The money you spend on rentals will be credited towards purchasing that same equipement new. This gives you a chance to try different things without "wasting" money on rentals.

Also, I've found that it pays to be nice to dive shops. Sure I spent a little more on my regs but the shop always seems to find an extra spot on the boat for me or they get any service I need turned around much quicker than other shops. The owner is big into photography and took a couple hours to go over a used camera I bought with me. Another shop let me use the owners personal tanks one weekend. The dive industry can be goofy at times but I've found that supporting my local shop(s) has benefited me. Even if it cost me a few extra bucks I always seem to get it back somehow.

 

[Avalanche]

Mike,
(my .02 cents) When I first started shopping for gear, i didn't have a relationship with any LDS. Because of that, I felt like I wasn't going to be given the best deal. (right or wrong, that was my perception at the time). By talking to friends I decided on some of the brands and styles that I liked and bought my first few pieces of gear online (reg, spg, bcd, fins)...looking for the best possible price. As time went on, I developed a great relationship with an LDS and have been given great prices on a lot of stuff, like a computer, lights, classes, etc. The relationship came about by taking a few of the classes that they offered. I realized that my original perception was right. You'll get some very good deals from an LDS if you develop a relationship with the management. I'm not sure if this was the best approach, but in the end it worked out for me. Not only do I have great gear, but I've met some great people that work at my local dive store and have a blast diving with them any chance i get.

 

[mrmonk7663]

Thanks guys. I want to emphasize I am not looking for brand xyz gear at cheap prices, Im just looking for quality gear at the best price I can get. I'm gonna go back to my local dive shop and talk to them about some stuff and see what kind of prices they will give to me. That quote of $2000 perhaps included things i'm not taking into consideration right now. I have lots of time before I purchase anything as I am going to take everyone's recomendations and rent equipment first and get a better feel before jumping in and possibly wasting money on the wrong thing. Perhaps my lds will give me a good deal if I give them some numbers of other dealers. If not, I could probally drive an extra 30 miles and talk to the plethora of other shops here in Houston. Anyone have any good shop recomendations in Houston? Only shop I have been to thus far is in Humble. Thanks again everyone for all of the replies.

Mike

 

[RICHinNC]

Hang in there monk...diving is fun....and it is one heck of a learning process...in gear and technique as well.

Do look around at different shops....and dont feel obligated to buy from the one yuou take your dive lessons from. Buy what you want ...what feels right for you....and take everything you read here with a grain of salt.
And,,,,,let me know if you ever head to NC....will take you NC wreck diving....but you need your AOW first....
later...rich

 

[mrmonk7663]

Rich, will do. If I ever make it up to NC I will let you know. I love a good road trip My OW cert starts the 26th of this month so i'm psyched. Thanks everyone.

Mike