Hammerhead
Contributor
Ladies and Gents,
I had an epiphany when I woke up this morning. The diving Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) that I have been suffering from for the last ten years has gone. At this moment, I dont want or need any more new stuff.
Basically I went through a mental inventory of what I have and realized that I couldnt really be happier with what Ive got.
I know youll read on numerous threads Ive got a [insert name of reg / BCD / fins / light etc] and I LOVE it!!! that sort of thing annoys me as theres no rationale or comparative experience drawn upon in making the decision..
Think about it if I gave you my original TUSA BCD (still in operation BTW after 11 years), it did the job and you enjoyed the diving, then if you had no other experience, youd LOVE it and say its good. Try out about 20+ different types and gravitate to a wing and then your opinion would probably change. At least Id hope so
Ive been really lucky in having good friends and instructors, who helped me try out most of the best stuff on the market before buying and gave freely of their time and experience to help me make up my mind about what really is the best for me.
Bear in mind that I only dive tropical at the moment, and mostly recreational at that.
So what have I got that I actually use (not including my vintage stuff thats collecting)?
Mask no brand name that I can remember. Im not keen on the fluorescent green, but Ive never found a better fit = Larry happy
Wetsuit IST shortie Farmer John. I prefer to dive in shorts alone (water temp permitting), but this makes a hell of a difference for the night dives. No sleeves also improves my tan = Larry happy
Back Plate and Wing Halcyon through and through, Pioneer w/ 27 lbs lift. Forget the rows about some of their employees / reps, this remains a sturdy, simple and streamlined piece of kit = Larry very, very happy
Booties Some Hong Kong brand (no name) ankle-high zip-ups. Fit well, dont chafe and easy to walk in back on shore for any length of time. Comfy booties are much underestimated in my book! = Larry happy
Fins finally ditched my blades in favour of Scubapro Jets after trying a loaner pair out last weekend. Add spring straps for ease of donning = Larry very happy
Regs Apeks ATX200 pimary w/ ATX50 secondary & Apeks gauge. Cost me a fair chunk of change, but this was the best Ive tried. In some pretty challenging currents, theyre reliable and dry, and again I tried a lot of others before deciding = Larry delighted
Computer Uwatec Nitrox Pro, cheap wrist mounted and very simple. Robust as well = Larry happy
Redundant depth gauge (OK, just one piece of old gear) 1950-60s AMF Swimaster oil filled gauge bought for $20 off ebay. West German made, they still dont make em better now. Wrist-mounted, at nearly 190 fsw its still within 1ft of my computer = Larry smug at getting a good deal
Reels Old Dive Rite 150ft for redundant, delrin, Slavo 150ft finger spool primary (good deal from Jag fish). A reels a reel they both work, but the delrin one especially is compact, simple and light = Larry happy
SMBs 2 nos bought from Techasia. Work nicely & no signs of wear after 3 years = Larry happy
Back-up light Frogman LED bought by Spoon (on offer another good deal). Fits neatly onto the rig, v. compact and still packs a punch for light power = Larry very happy
Primary light Salvo 21w 4.5amp HID canister. Forget the whole H is going to take down Salvo, and what happens to your after-sale service? crap. If H bankrupts Salvo, theyll acquire the business and service Salvos existing lights if they have any sense at all, good business and good PR (which they could use). Anyway, this light is the dogs ******** and will change how I dive nights and photograph (using wide beam!) = Larry ecstatic
Camera Olympus 8080 w/ housing. Im getting to grips with this and macros working nicely Ill post this weekend = Larry happy, but Larry himself needs to improve!
Knife no name titanium w/ sheath on BP webbing. Small, sharp and extremely lightweight, fits well in overall gear config = Larry happy
Gloves rarely used, but 2mm ISTs with Kevlar a good fit and thin enough to manage camera controls = Larry happy
Bag aged Scubapro beast that could comfortably accommodate at least two bodies (when hacked-up, of course). Ive had this 6-7 years and have treated it like ****. Still intact and Im not even close to killing it = Larry happy
Next year I go Trimix and will need a doubles wing and all the extra redundant regs etc, but I dont need them now. And buying a Gavins just plain silly.
Any comments?
I had an epiphany when I woke up this morning. The diving Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) that I have been suffering from for the last ten years has gone. At this moment, I dont want or need any more new stuff.
Basically I went through a mental inventory of what I have and realized that I couldnt really be happier with what Ive got.
I know youll read on numerous threads Ive got a [insert name of reg / BCD / fins / light etc] and I LOVE it!!! that sort of thing annoys me as theres no rationale or comparative experience drawn upon in making the decision..
Think about it if I gave you my original TUSA BCD (still in operation BTW after 11 years), it did the job and you enjoyed the diving, then if you had no other experience, youd LOVE it and say its good. Try out about 20+ different types and gravitate to a wing and then your opinion would probably change. At least Id hope so
Ive been really lucky in having good friends and instructors, who helped me try out most of the best stuff on the market before buying and gave freely of their time and experience to help me make up my mind about what really is the best for me.
Bear in mind that I only dive tropical at the moment, and mostly recreational at that.
So what have I got that I actually use (not including my vintage stuff thats collecting)?
Mask no brand name that I can remember. Im not keen on the fluorescent green, but Ive never found a better fit = Larry happy
Wetsuit IST shortie Farmer John. I prefer to dive in shorts alone (water temp permitting), but this makes a hell of a difference for the night dives. No sleeves also improves my tan = Larry happy
Back Plate and Wing Halcyon through and through, Pioneer w/ 27 lbs lift. Forget the rows about some of their employees / reps, this remains a sturdy, simple and streamlined piece of kit = Larry very, very happy
Booties Some Hong Kong brand (no name) ankle-high zip-ups. Fit well, dont chafe and easy to walk in back on shore for any length of time. Comfy booties are much underestimated in my book! = Larry happy
Fins finally ditched my blades in favour of Scubapro Jets after trying a loaner pair out last weekend. Add spring straps for ease of donning = Larry very happy
Regs Apeks ATX200 pimary w/ ATX50 secondary & Apeks gauge. Cost me a fair chunk of change, but this was the best Ive tried. In some pretty challenging currents, theyre reliable and dry, and again I tried a lot of others before deciding = Larry delighted
Computer Uwatec Nitrox Pro, cheap wrist mounted and very simple. Robust as well = Larry happy
Redundant depth gauge (OK, just one piece of old gear) 1950-60s AMF Swimaster oil filled gauge bought for $20 off ebay. West German made, they still dont make em better now. Wrist-mounted, at nearly 190 fsw its still within 1ft of my computer = Larry smug at getting a good deal
Reels Old Dive Rite 150ft for redundant, delrin, Slavo 150ft finger spool primary (good deal from Jag fish). A reels a reel they both work, but the delrin one especially is compact, simple and light = Larry happy
SMBs 2 nos bought from Techasia. Work nicely & no signs of wear after 3 years = Larry happy
Back-up light Frogman LED bought by Spoon (on offer another good deal). Fits neatly onto the rig, v. compact and still packs a punch for light power = Larry very happy
Primary light Salvo 21w 4.5amp HID canister. Forget the whole H is going to take down Salvo, and what happens to your after-sale service? crap. If H bankrupts Salvo, theyll acquire the business and service Salvos existing lights if they have any sense at all, good business and good PR (which they could use). Anyway, this light is the dogs ******** and will change how I dive nights and photograph (using wide beam!) = Larry ecstatic
Camera Olympus 8080 w/ housing. Im getting to grips with this and macros working nicely Ill post this weekend = Larry happy, but Larry himself needs to improve!
Knife no name titanium w/ sheath on BP webbing. Small, sharp and extremely lightweight, fits well in overall gear config = Larry happy
Gloves rarely used, but 2mm ISTs with Kevlar a good fit and thin enough to manage camera controls = Larry happy
Bag aged Scubapro beast that could comfortably accommodate at least two bodies (when hacked-up, of course). Ive had this 6-7 years and have treated it like ****. Still intact and Im not even close to killing it = Larry happy
Next year I go Trimix and will need a doubles wing and all the extra redundant regs etc, but I dont need them now. And buying a Gavins just plain silly.
Any comments?
