if you could only pick one...

[dibato]

Hey everyone! just a question to see what people think. as a new diver if you could only buy one piece of scuba gear (other than the basic mask,fins,weights,wetsuit,etc) what would it be? any recommendations for your favorite brands?

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Hey everyone! just a question to see what people think. as a new diver if you could only buy one piece of scuba gear (other than the basic mask,fins,weights,wetsuit,etc) what would it be? any recommendations for your favorite brands?

BCD ... it's much easier to get the hang of buoyancy control when you're using your own BCD every dive ... assuming you got one that fits you properly.

Yes, I have a favorite brand ...

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[alcina]

wow, this is a broad question!

Where do you dive? How much you dive? What are your interests? What is your budget? what gear have you used already? what piece of equipment do you personally feel would make you the most comfortable if you had your own and didn't have to hire it?

 

[texdiveguy]

Hey everyone! just a question to see what people think. as a new diver if you could only buy one piece of scuba gear (other than the basic mask,fins,weights,wetsuit,etc) what would it be? any recommendations for your favorite brands?

I would look at getting into your own BCD. Many good brands on the market....my persl. favorite because of their selection and quality is Zeagle made in Florida.

 

[dibato]

wow, this is a broad question!

Where do you dive? How much you dive? What are your interests? What is your budget? what gear have you used already? what piece of equipment do you personally feel would make you the most comfortable if you had your own and didn't have to hire it?

well i am a beginner with a college student budget (which is why i can only pick one). i live in florida and will probably stick to the springs at least while i am still trying to gain more experience, but also want to do ocean dives as well. nothing to spectacular...you could throw me in a swimming pool and i would still have fun ^_^

 

[vfox]

:slick: Can my answer be: "a Maui residence"?

 

[Illini_Fan]

I'll give you another newbie's viewpoint; BCD. I had rented jacket-styles for a couple of different dives, but once I tried a back-inflate and then spent time diving in it, I found that my trim and bouyance improved bit-by-bit with each dive. Obviously some of that is just gaining experience. However, the ability to use intergrated weights with the same setup (or tweek as necessary), the ability to clip my regs, lights, etc.. in the same spot each time was one less set of things I needed to concentrate on during the dive. There is enough stuff for us newbies to process that if you can reduce the variation associated with switching BCDs each dive, I think it will allow you to concentrate on all of the other stuff.

 

[trucker girl]

My first post-cert dive was in Fla and scared the bejeesus out of me and the gear into me! I was unfamiliar with my rented octopus setup and my BC. I was used to a console that included a compass and the rental didn't have it. And being comfortable with your BC is kind of important for bouyancy control... So- I'm saying it's a toss up b/w BC and octo. Both are expensive (unless, like me, you buy from the used rental gear at your LDS! In which case they're just pricey!).

 

[Tigerman]

Ill gang up with the ones saying BCD...
If you already have a BCD and the other stuff you mentioned, Id go regulators i guess..
Fortunately never had to make the choice..

 

[JackSpearo]

I would look at getting into your own BCD. Many good brands on the market....my persl. favorite because of their selection and quality is Zeagle made in Florida.

ummm not any more really...China and Florida...

I'd pick an Atomic T2 reg...