Intro to Tech diving equipment recomendations

[bostontechdiver]

I'm just startng my intro to tech course and I'm looking for opinions on a good pair of tech regulators and a canister light. The instructor recommended Apek XTX50 with a DS4 DIN first stage. This seems to be the defacto standard for intro to tech divers. For dive lights, I am torn between Big Blue and Light Monkey.

 

[FoxHound]

i love my apex, super easy to service and very rugged......that being said, if you are buying new i'd have a serious look at hog regulators.


as far as canister lights go, you can't beat the service that light monkey provides it is TOPS!

 

[decompression]

The apeks regs are the gold standard, also HOG regs are pretty solid and more economical. When you pull the trigger, just make sure you've really thought about where/what kind of diving you'll be doing, as well as parts and servicing. As far as lights go, I've had canisters for years but the new lights that are Canisterless have caught my eye, like the new halcyon and solas. Lights are another case of have a very good look at what you need to avoid wasting big bucks!

 

[mathauck0814]

Apex is a popular reg, especially if your instructor happens to be a dealer ;-)

The Hollis regs and the Hog regs are every bit as good at a much more competitive price.

I'm a big fan of the light monkey canisters.

 

[j2s]

i love my apex, super easy to service and very rugged......that being said, if you are buying new i'd have a serious look at hog regulators.


as far as canister lights go, you can't beat the service that light monkey provides it is TOPS!

Ditto, I've got two xtra DS4's [1st stage only]......I've transitioned over to HOG and don't need/use them any more.....

 

[DevonDiver]

A light isn't necessary for the Intro-To-Tech, so I'd suggest deferring that purchase until later on. To be honest, I don't think any kit should be purchased prior to enrolling on a full tech course.

The main benefit of the intro/familiarization courses is to get a better idea of the nature and demands of the activity - so it's a vehicle for learning more about the kit you need...to test, trial and learn about different options, compared with different goals within technical diving.

Pre-empting that introduction, by getting your kit in advance, seems to defeat a main purpose.

Won't your instructor supply what is needed for the intro course? He should, IMHO.

 

[GrimSleeper]

I'd tend to agree with Andy, while also +1-ing for Light Monkey if you are buying a light you'll go on into full tech with. I was given a Sola to try out, only got the thing in the water once and then it failed (on dry land). The internal electronics are way too complicated to even think about fixing it. My LM can, on the other hand, I've flooded twice (user stupidity both times), LM have supplied the dealer with the relevant bits, I've rebuilt the light (the fact that I can do that tells you it's simple, I'm no rocket scientist...), it's still doing plenty of dives past 200 feet.

 

[ucfdiver]

I'm just startng my intro to tech course and I'm looking for opinions on a good pair of tech regulators and a canister light. The instructor recommended Apek XTX50 with a DS4 DIN first stage. This seems to be the defacto standard for intro to tech divers. For dive lights, I am torn between Big Blue and Light Monkey.

Around here Scubapro MK25/G250 seems to be the most common combination, but we do still see quite a few Apex. I don't think you'll regret buying either.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

You can go with HOG for regs and the light. But I also agree that holding off on the light is a wise idea unless you are absolutely sure you will go the tech route. A HOG 21watt HID from me with a goodman handle will run you about $1250 with shipping in the US. regs for doubles complete about $600.00. Do you even have doubles yet? Or an H valve to use the doubles regs? If not I would go for the regs, and spend that other $1250 or so on doubles and a stage bottle with it's own dedicated reg before buying the light. As much as I'd like a sale of a can light since I do not sell tanks I would not advise you to buy it over them. Most of your entry level tech dives, unless you are doing cave, will likely be in a zone where most any decent handheld light will work for now.


Sent from my DRoID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[TSandM]

I'll differ from some of the above . . . if you have the means, buy the light. Until I got my heating vest, my Salvo 21W light was the most loved and prized piece of dive equipment I have. Even on our recent trip to MX, where we dove in shallow, largely sunlit water, I found more critters and appreciated more color for having that light to shine into shady places and holes. Light Monkey is Salvo's successor, and I have nothing but the highest praise for the products, and for the absolutely incredible customer service you get from LM on the rare occasions when you need their help.

Regs? Everybody has their favorites. We're using HOGs, because servicing the ScubaPros was ridiculously expensive.