Hello from Chicago

[CD_in_Chitown]

Get a good singles rig, bp & wing, regulators with the DIR hose lengths if you like (Some places may order custom hoses with the reg I've usually been billed for the hoses in addition to the reg). Get certified and get some diving in, that setup should be fine for cold or warm water. Exposure protection is the big expense, up here a 7mm wetsuit is usually the minimum (You'll get by with 3 or 5 in the quarry in high summer). If you're going to do a lot of local diving a drysuit is a good investment.

Another option is renting the gear for the class, trying it out in traditional rec configuration and then follow up with a Fundies class. GUE doesn't teach OW and some OW instructors may not want to teach you in an Hogarthian/DIR configuration. Of course I'm sure some would, PM Jepuskar I believe he would.

 

[ppo2_diver]

some OW instructors may not want to teach you in an Hogarthian/DIR configuration. Of course I'm sure some would, PM Jepuskar I believe he would.

I would!!!

 

[DandyDon]

Howdy and welcome to SB!

Have fun on your training and alll.

Good to have you here. Click here to PM me if I can help you get started in our various forums.

:bandit_2: don

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

I would!!!

There you go, there are good ones out there.

 

[www.scubamazing.com]

welcome to ScubaBoard. And to a great new addicition. I know how you feel and trust me, there are only about 3 things in the world that are better to be addicted to than scuba. (maybe we should start a thread discussing what these are)

 

[JohnnyStep]

Thanks for the offer, Duane, but I'm already signed up and paid up for all my OW cert classes and dives. Does CUE offer a fundies class? I think I'd like to do that not long after OW certification.

 

[ppo2_diver]

I would recommend getting about 20 dives or so after you get certified before taking the fundies class. That way you will be more comfortable in the water. We don't offer a fundies class as we are not GUE instructors. But, I can strongly recommend two really excellent GUE instructors out of the Detriot area, Brando and Scot. They are the only GUE instructors in the mid-west. Mike Kane (out of CA) also comes to the area and offers classes. I believe there is a fundies class in Milwaukee at the end of June that Mike has going. I don't know if it is full or not. The fundies class I'm taking at Gilboa is already full.

 

[JohnnyStep]

Yeah, June would be too soon for sure. I'll be lucky if I have a handful of dives in before then. I definately don't want to rush, but I do want to keep learning at an appropriate pace.

I've heard Brando and Scot mentioned in a DIR thread, too, so I will definately get in touch with them when the time's right. OOC, are they on SB?

The trick for me will be gearing up with DIR equipment before taking the fundies class. After my confined water portion is completed next week, I will jump into JJ's DIR book and the Dress for Success as well. As others have mentioned, I don't want to have to buy a bunch of gear twice.

 

[Captain CaveMan]

Welcome fellow Chicago land scuba diver, I live in New Lenox and go diving when ever I can. Im diving the DUE/ HOG setup and really like it. I hope to see you at the Q. some time soon and hopefully on the lake too.
Chris. Captain Caveman

Dont go and buy every thing the LDS has to offer you with there gagits. Take you time and try things out and see if they work for you.

 

[scububa]

Just relate the experience you have in computers and skiing. There is not one computer that is perfect for all jobs. Imagine being excited after writing your first Basic program and then trying to figure out the best computer for embedded avionics control. You aren't going to cross country, slalom and downhill on the same gear.

I am not too far ahead of where you are, myself. I fretted over the intial purchases, too. If you are going to dive in different environments it seems the regs and the computer are the most portable (another SW analogy) and the computer will eventually fall by the way side.

Exposure suits will probably effect the fins (size). BP wings, steel tanks may be too much for some wetsuit setups. An AL backplate will perhaps not be enough for drysuit. Pick good stuff for what you will mostly dive for the next three years and you will be happy and some it will carry forward.

There, that is the first strong advice I've offered on the board. Hope it helps.