Hello, new member resuming scuba diving after a long absence

[Gauornever]

I see what you did there!


And more seriously, welcome! Vis has been great lately. Saturday at Alki I could see ripples on the surface at 55', but not 60'.

As a lover of puns and dad jokes, I am embarrassed to say that was unintended.

 

[Boarderguy]

@Gauornever are you south sound, Seattle, or north sound? I'm diving on average once a week at Redondo or in Tacoma and can show you some different lights. Most LDS have Big Blue and Sola available and they are stupid expensive for a "new" diver. Yes, Big Blue are fantastic, but they aren't needed for rec dives when there is more important gear to buy.

 

[Krabby Padi]

I'm one of those suckers who got talked into buying a Sola 1200 by my LDS when I first started diving. It's a quality light, but in hindsight I could've met my needs for both daytime and nighttime diving in the PNW at much lower cost. I almost never use the Sola in flood mode -- it's impossible to signal and you end up blinding the critters and other divers. Maybe flood mode is useful for photography? Also, the Sola has a sealed internal battery that can only be charged by plugging into an outlet, meaning you can't swap out batteries in between dives.

 

[Gauornever]

@Gauornever are you south sound, Seattle, or north sound? I'm diving on average once a week at Redondo or in Tacoma and can show you some different lights. Most LDS have Big Blue and Sola available and they are stupid expensive for a "new" diver. Yes, Big Blue are fantastic, but they aren't needed for rec dives when there is more important gear to buy.

North Seattle. Have only dove at Cove 1 and 2, and Mukilteo so far. I already ordered the S20 based on your rec and other online recs LOL. Unfortunately probably not going to be able to Dive for a few weeks now as we have upcoming conflicts. Maybe DM you in April if we can get down that way? Thanks.