Hello everyone. I'm a newbie retiree and diver. I live in a remote area of Utah without any LDS support. So I needed to purchase everything for local reservoir diving as well as a yearly salt water dive somewhere. I got a lot of help from this forum and I talked to other family members who are certified. I also talked to a lot of dive shops in the state that cater to the typical diving here. So I wanted to give you my equipment list with the intent that it might be useful for someone else:
Mask: Mares Essence
Fins: Mares Avanti Quattro
Regs: Deep 6 Signature DIR package
BC: Sub-gravity Paragon package (aluminum BP and 30lb wing)
Exposure: Henderson Thermo 5 mm jumpsuit
Henderson Thermo 5/3 hooded vest
DC: Shearwater Peregrine (tried Atmos M2, but sent it back)
BFK: Mako Spearguns Ti Knife
Signal: HOG 3' and 6' DSMB w/belt-mount pocket
Compass: DGX Tech
Light: Orcatorch D550
Most of these items, to me, represent maximum value and functionality for the money. The mask and fins (Mares) were purchased at the shop where I certified. Can you guess which brand they push?
Other bits of kit I basically settled on because I was tired of looking and none of the choices really stood out. Whew! After setting myself up for mountain biking last year and then diving this year, I need to pursue less expensive hobbies. But I'm pretty excited to get in the water in the next couple of weeks!!
Mask: Mares Essence
Fins: Mares Avanti Quattro
Regs: Deep 6 Signature DIR package
BC: Sub-gravity Paragon package (aluminum BP and 30lb wing)
Exposure: Henderson Thermo 5 mm jumpsuit
Henderson Thermo 5/3 hooded vest
DC: Shearwater Peregrine (tried Atmos M2, but sent it back)
BFK: Mako Spearguns Ti Knife
Signal: HOG 3' and 6' DSMB w/belt-mount pocket
Compass: DGX Tech
Light: Orcatorch D550
Most of these items, to me, represent maximum value and functionality for the money. The mask and fins (Mares) were purchased at the shop where I certified. Can you guess which brand they push?
Other bits of kit I basically settled on because I was tired of looking and none of the choices really stood out. Whew! After setting myself up for mountain biking last year and then diving this year, I need to pursue less expensive hobbies. But I'm pretty excited to get in the water in the next couple of weeks!!
