How many people are happy....

[MechDiver]

I'm sure they're fine for most recreational diving, but I do some deco from time to time, and I want to be sure my gear isn't going to spaz out on me.

I'll second that. I've got quite a few dives with an AI computer, but once I got more serious about the dives, the simplicity of the SPG, along with using multiple gases, made the AI much less useful.

The big thing with AI is if it works, its nice, if it doesn't, you sit out some dives because you have no backup means to monitor air. If I were still using one, I would have an SPG in the kit for backup.

MD

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

If I were still using one, I would have an SPG in the kit for backup.

If I were to use one I would have a spare SPG on the first stage.

CD

 

[MSilvia]

If I were to use one I would have a spare SPG on the first stage.

If I had a SPG on the first stage, I wouldn't need one!

 

[MikeFerrara]

If I had a SPG on the first stage, I wouldn't need one!

that's how I always figured it...

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

that's how I always figured it...

There you go!

 

[MechDiver]

Okay, then if you had an AI AND an SPG, you wouldn't need a first stage

This is like ring around the rosey.

 

[MechDiver]

If I were to use one I would have a spare SPG on the first stage.

CD

Nope, too anal for rec stuff.

MD

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

I just don't like them, I've accompanied two buddies to the surface because when the thing lost sync it lost everything. No depth or time readings either. I remember Bob(NWGD) had an issue too, don't remember if his was AI or not.

This is the wireless ones of course, which other kind can you wear on your wrist? :10:

 

[Mrs Mares]

I purchased all my kit when I was at the pool stage, I figured that it would be useful to get to know my own gear whilst in the pool rather than in open water. I bought everything from my mask right through to my dry suit. The only thing I made a mistake on buying, and had to replace was my mask( I went for pretty colour rather than fit) and my fins.( Again, went for look rather than performance)
The main thing is to buy the best that you can afford, especially with regs and bcd

 

[Cards90]

I never have rented equipment and am very happy with what I have. I talked with other divers before I purchased, biggest thing they told me was to get the itergrated BC, and make sure you get the AIR 2 or simular instead of Octopus, and Ballanced 1st stage. I am glad I talked to them.

... who have bought equipment without extensive renting? I have been looking at regs and bcs and found some specs that I liked. I then checked the reviews and found that the ones I liked are near top of the line units that received good reviews. I am very tempted to go ahead and 'take the plunge' so I can use my own stuff for the rest of my classes. I know that the best advice is to rent a bunch of different stuff before you buy, but how much risk is it to buy good equipment and learn to be happy with it? Like most people, I have a budget to work with and if I spend a good portion of that budget renting, I may not have enough for really good equipment. Is this making any sense?