I Need help!

[run2cuffs]

Well I have not been on here in a very long time. Since last I was on I have dove in Japan and had a blast. I now need all the input I can get from everyone. I am getting married in June and since I meet my future wife through diving I want to get here set up. She is new to diving and has no equipment at all. I myself have made a few dives in ten years but not as many as I wanted to. I also have no really versatile gear. Gear I am using is way out of date. So here is what I need. I am by no means in a situation to drop a bundle of money in these dark days; but want to get a two good set ups for us. Does anyone have any ideas? Our next really big dive is in Eleuthera for the honeymoon.

 

[ScubaSteve]

This may not be what you are looking to hear, but my suggestion is to spend some time diving different equipment (even if it is in pools) to get a feel for what you like and are most comfortable with. Then, if you cannot buy everything, I would personally get a complete reg set and BC (or BP&W) before going any other way. But, are you looking for a complete top to bottom outfitting?

 

[run2cuffs]

I know I liked the scubapro set up I dove in Japan. I have dove Sherwood and liked it also. My vintage U.S. Diver Conshelf 21 is out of date even though it passes every test and has been a very reliable setup. I am looking for BC, Reg (1st and 2nd), Oct, and guages.

 

[ScubaSteve]

Have you ever dove BP&W? I would suggest seeing if there is anywhere locally that you can try one out. From all accounts, most divers that try them, never want to go back to a Jacket. I believe there is nothing wrong with a jacket style BC for most divers if that is what they are comfortable with, but it is a good idea to try everything out that you can.

I have a Dacor Sport regulator set with a Suunto computer. I am assuming you are only looking for a guage console rather than a computer (due to cost)? I would look at your local shops and see what they have available for regs so that you know it will be serviced....that will also give you an idea of cost.

 

[run2cuffs]

I agree with you on the cost. That is a big part of the decision. As far as that goes do you know much about MARES equipment? I heard from one shop owner that they are good but the company stops supporting the equipment after a few years.
When you say BP&W what do you mean? I think you are refering to to a back plate set up like the styles for more tek diving. If I am right I have looked at those but not dove one yet. I like the idea since I want to get into cavern dives.

 

[diver 85]

I know I liked the scubapro set up I dove in Japan. I have dove Sherwood and liked it also. My vintage U.S. Diver Conshelf 21 is out of date even though it passes every test and has been a very reliable setup. I am looking for BC, Reg (1st and 2nd), Oct, and guages.

Always remember----never fix it if it isn't broken......I used my 1st BC for over 20 years, 1st mask for over 10(2nd one for over 10), 1st set of fins for over 20, and still using my 1st skins from ~ 1990.....Now, I have other skins, new fins(~ 2 years old--2 pair in fact), several BCs, still using my SP G200/Mk10, console with analog SPG & compass from ~ 1998...get the picture???....Sometimes it all depends how 'pretty' you want to look UW----if it gets you home without making a side trip to the hospital, it's probably still 'good'.....

 

[ScubaSteve]

Yes I am referring to Back Plate & Wing but it is not just for Tech anymore . Many people use it and believe it helps with their trim and other things.....real or not the style seems to make many happy. PLUS, it is a piece of equipment that can grow with you. But, in the end it is what makes you feel good and safe underwater.

As for Mares, I have heard some really good things and some not so good things. Mares is not a bad manufacturer. Really, I think it depends on what type of diving you are going to be doing and what "feels right" to you. The servioce aspect I cannot comment but I do know somebody who got shafted twice on a Mares computer (he did not go back for a third attempt) but that might have been the dealer and not Mares.

 

[Jorgy]

Last year we dove with ScubaShack Maui they rotate their rental gear frequently and I think it is great simple easy to dive system, my wife and children all agreed......

They sell each setup for $450 and can ship it stateside for $30, considering that Leisure Pro sells the following:

Gekko 2 gauge consol for $325
Titan regulator for $205
Seaquest Pro QD+ with SureLock weight system for $375

Add the Airsource estimated at $150 and you get a $1055 total and that's a mail order price from arguably the cheapest on-line source........

I would round out the package with the following LP items:

Aqualung Mythos Mask for $38
ScubaPro Twin-Jets for $125
Henderson 3mm Titanium Hyperstretch wetsuit $308 (they have the Titanium Hyperstretch Aqua Suede 3mm for only $245, but I have never used it)
Deep Sea 5 mm booties for $30
XS Scuba Surface Marker Buoy for $64
Storm Whistle for $8
Princton Tec 95 Lumen LED Torrent light for $60

So for a grand total of $1113 per person and you would be one styling well equiped diver........

If I were starting over again, I know exactly what I would do.......

And I would have saved a ton of money.........

Hope this helps.........M

From the ScubaShack website:

Top of the Line Gear For Sale!
Scuba Shack prides itself in the fact that we use the best possible dive gear available on our dive charters and we replace it often. We sell the complete set of gear to our favorite customers far below MSRP - call 808-891-0500 for pricing!

- Seaquest Pro QD+ Weight Integrated BC w/Airsource alternate air system installed
- Aqualung Titan Regulator
- Suunto Gauge Console with Gekko Computer

Please give us a call TOLL FREE today at 877 213 4488 for the best price on the BEST gear you'll ever see!

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

a BP/W is a backplate and wing. its a simple metal plate with a harness where you add the buoyancy wing of your choice based on your needs.

For example the same harness and plate can be used to configure single tanks, single tanks with a pony bottle, double tanks, small double tanks, heavy steel double tanks, and allows for easy attachment of stage/deco/ or slung pony bottles.

it is NOT a tech only item. I dive a BP/W for all my diving accept sidemount diving (thats a whole other animal) . there is much good information on scubaboard, the deco stop, and cave divers forums about the various BP/W setups.

plates come in a variety of versions like stainless steel, aluminum, kydex, and even a soft plate design.

Generally speaking unless you are really small or really big then you need only look a a standard backplate. 2 manufactures (deep sea supply, and FredT) make plates in other sizes. That means all you need to do is adjust the webbing if you buy a used rig or swap out with someone for some reason.

The metal plates take weight off the weight belt and generally make proper trim easier to obtain.

BP/W's are highly modular and right now there are some spectacular deals. Cave Adventures, North east scuba supply, and scubatoys all have package deals on dive rite BP/W systems for under $400. if you go used you can beat that a little. I built mine for $475 each +/-

You can spend way more but you dont need to, its a metal plate afterall.

you need these components to make the system work, you can go above and beyond this but its not necessary and as the Hogarthian divers or DIR folks will tell you, not only is it not necessary but its not recommended to go beyond this list:

-1 backplate (SS, Ali, plastic, [*soft-transpac style])
-1 single tank adapter, unless your diving double tanks. if you buy a plate from deep sea supply you wont need this part.
-1 harness composed of about 15 feet of 2 inch weight belt webbing. this is 1 piece besides the crotch strap.
-2 tank straps
-6 or 8 2" D-rings (I have 8, hog calls for 6 I think).
-2 belt slides more than the number of D-rings you get
-1 wing, there are all sorts of posts about the size of the wing you need but most people I have seen have something in the 25-35lb lift range for single tanks and something in the 45-60lb range for double tanks. I use my 32lb wing for all single tank configurations and for double aluminum 80's

its a simple piece of kit, is highly rugged, and highly modifiable. it will grow with your needs and holds resale value very well.

brands like:

OMS
DSS
Halcyon
Zeagle
Dive Rite
Salvo
FredT
Oxycheq
Hollis
Edge/HOG
Golem gear

all produce plates or wings and many make both.

For regulators I would recommend a sealed diaphragm reg for cold water use and my preference is the scubapro mk17 first stage. if you only dive warm water the scubapro mk25 is a good option. if your on a budget the scubapro mk2+ is a great option. either way I say go DIN on your first stages and buy a Yoke adapter so you can use any tanks anywhere. For second stages I use only scubapro S600's and wont use anything else.

If your wife is big into pink gear use the search function on here and you will find a recent post where I supplied links to every piece of kit in pink.

T

 

[TMet]

I would go BP/W as well. If you travel a lot you can find Kydex back plates for less then 100 with webbing. It will cut ~5lbs off your bag weight. When carrying gear on a plane every lb counts. I will agree with the above posts and say go with a SS plate for your home kit. I started with a jacket BC and it has never seen water since I started diving BP/W. When looking at the BP/W setup it looks uncomfortable just being a piece of thick webbing and a piece of metal. But there is no comparison in my opinion with comfort in and out of water. The BP/W is far more comfortable.

I have a set of Mk25s and S600s as well. If money is an issue you can save a little by going with a 190 or 250V 2nd stage as a backup. You will end up turning down the flow on your backup S600 significantly to avoid it free flowing (at least I do). This is very easy to do since it is a fully adjustable reg, but a backup just needs to get you to the surface. The 250Vs are great regs as well for primarys. I notice little difference between them and my S600s. I second the DIN 1st stages as well. It will save you headaches. More then once I have had one problem or another where having a yoke 1st stage would have forced me to call a dive or rent gear.
HTH