Kind input appreciated on gear list

[Sirelroka]

So, I've been obesssing over what gear to get for, well, for too long. Every time I go into a dive shop to chat about what I might want I'm told that isn't what I want or 'cleverly' steered in another direction (do they really think I don't see what they are doing?). The problem is that none of them explain why very well. Economic reasons probably, but it comes off as "you clearly aren't smart enough to comprehend this so just trust me on what you need." I find this off putting and less than helpful. I am a confirmed science nerd who needs to know why. Thus I would like to appeal to the great and glorious minds of ScubaBoard! (flattery helps right?)

*gulp* This is what I think I want;

BC: Ideally, I like the fit of the Zena far and away, but due to availability the Diva
Regulator: Titan LX
Alternate: Octo
Compy: Vytek - Wrist with Deep Sea Supply Boot
Compass: SK7 - Wrist with Deep Sea Supply Boot
Wetsuit: for the love of all that is good in this world, please let me find one that fits

So, in order to prepare to defend my choices or change them if need be, does anyone out there have comments about what the shop is likely to try to talk me out of/in to and why? I realize that you cannot intuit what the dive shop peeps are thinking, but having dealt with shops of your own and used this gear I thought you might have some constructive input. I appreciate any assistance from any/every one.

Thank you!

 

[joe rock]

*gulp* This is what I think I want;

BC: Ideally, I like the fit of the Zena far and away, but due to availability the Diva
Regulator: Titan LX
Alternate: Octo
Compy: Vytek - Wrist with Deep Sea Supply Boot
Compass: SK7 - Wrist with Deep Sea Supply Boot
Wetsuit: for the love of all that is good in this world, please let me find one that fits

Sounds like you've given quite a bit of thought to your choices. Don't know what type of diving you plan on doing - so I'll assume this matches your intended uses. You're choosing good solid equipment. As your post implies, you'll get many opinions but the equipment is good. I can't comment on the Diva but the Titan LX, Vytek and SK7 are good choices. Solid equipment you'll be happy with and that will serve you well in almost any diving environment. Good luck with your purchases.

 

[spectrum]

Either of those BCS are fine and get good enough press around here. My wife has the Seaquest DivaLX and that gets good words too. It has a mini wing that does most or all of the lift during the dive but has side cells for when she pumps it topside.

Same with the TitanLX,plenty of good words about those, especially as long as you aren't planning cold water dives (<40F) Get the alternate second stage from the same brand or splurge for another Titan second.

Without even looking up your computer(your list has no spg or depth gauge) I would say that I have no intention of relying only on electronics for my depth and pressure info. I would certainly save the cost and complexity of air integration and hang an SPG from your first stage. As far as the computer being your only depth indicator its your choice. At least your depth will be that of your buddy's on ascent. Since you want your computer and compass as wrist mounts this would suggest a 2 gauge console to me. Something could go on a retractor.

Since your profile indicates a very new diver I wouldn't even get the computer yet. Tables and analog intruments will build a good foundation.

Wetsuit? If you can't be fit off the rack then go custom. It's all about fit. I suggest a full suit appropriate for the waters you will be diving in. Layer as needed with a hooded vest.

You should be reading enough here to understand the pros and cons and to be able to defend your selections. Don't buy until you can do that. The gear forums are your friend.

Pete

 

[Sirelroka]

your list has no spg or depth gauge
Pete

Sorry about the forgetfullness, I had typed out a whole nice post and it got eaten by the evil compy demons.

I will have a console with spg on it (not going wireless, thanks). I will be diving here in the Fort Lauderdale area hopefully year round. Let me know what else I forgot.

 

[Tacticaltj]

Wetsuit-Go custom fit all the way. They're really not that expensive and fit like a glove. You'll be comfortable and warm AND will stay with diving because of it. Type custom wetsuits in a google search. I use aquaflite (aquaflite.com) and love it. I dive Southern Calif and use a fullsuit with a jacket/hood both in 5mm.

Computer- Absolutely yes. I've been certified since 1975 and used to dive the tables. Once computers came on board the world changed forever for divers. They're safer, fool(er) proof and better than tables AND make diving fun and easy again. I use air integration and have never had a problem. And for those who advocate not relying on computers, well, I hope they don't fly.

Regulator-Your choice is great!

BC-I use a SQ Balance and like it alot. It's trust worthy, easy to use and safe. Most BC made today are. The diva is great also.

Here's the problem your encountering. All LDS push what they supply. Therefore, they tend to push you in a gear choice based on thier stock and sometimes not whats best for you. Keep asking around and when you make a decision ask your LDS to get it for you. If they won't, look somewhere else, yes, even online.

 

[halocline]

Sounds like you know what you're doing to me! The reg will be fine, maybe don't get the cheapo "low profile" octo but another titan as someone suggested. Have you dove with the BC you're intending to buy? When you say fit, are you talking about in the store, like you would try on a backpack? Unfortunately, that tells you little about how it performs in the water, as the load is basically reversed (it's pulling up on you rather than pushing down) and you're hopefully spending most of the dive horizontal. You're probably best off waiting on any BC purchase until you've actually dove with the gear you're intending to buy, or something very similar. BC style and fit (in the water!) have a huge impact on how your diving feels. You might want to investigate the backplate/wing option; at least you can read all about it from any number of zealots on the BC forum. BP/wing is a very comfortable way to dive for most people who try them.

To me, hoseless air integrated computers are pretty pricey for minimal benefit; you say you're not going wireless but that's what the vytec is, right? Why don't you consider saving a few hundred bucks, if that's important to you, and get a gekko? I have an atmos 2, and I kind of wish I had bought a gekko for the same price...but, to be honest, I don't think the computer matters that much for single tank rec diving, which is all I do. What you need to know and be able to EASILY see on the display is depth, elapsed dive time, ascent rate, and NDL. (although the more experience you get, the less you'll probably be concerned with NDL if you're diving good profiles) All the computers out there give you that info; just make sure it's easy to see on one screen and pick the level of conservatism you want, understanding that despite what anyone tells you, for single tank recreational depth diving, a more conservative computer does NOT mean you're safer from DCS. Dive profiles and lots of other factors are more important than computer algorithm.

Have fun getting your gear!

 

[Sirelroka]

Have you dove with the BC you're intending to buy? When you say fit, are you talking about in the store, like you would try on a backpack?
Unfortunately, that tells you little about how it performs in the water.

Thank you! That's what I totally thought as well. The dive shop I used to deal with before I moved would let you demo anything in reach and when you rented from them they put you in top-o'-the-line gear, but when I started asking down here every dive shop I went into looked at me like I was insane and said something to the effect of we don't do that. Not one of them seemed open to the idea of renting/demo-ing (is that a word... well it is now) what you were thinking about buying. At first I thought to myself I will just go find another dive shop, but I've been to more than I can count and still none of them seem to do demos. With so much riding on the fit and comfort (not to mention the cost) I am uncomfortable buying before using, but I was coming to the conclusion that it was a lost cause. Also it took me 5 or 6 shops before I found one that carried anything but AquaLung. I had to ask on the board to find one that carried the Zena.

So in short the Diva is the only BC I've ever used in the water and that was up in Michigan through my old dive shop. I would love to try out different options, but can anyone tell me how?

 

[DolphinScuba]

The reg, computer, compass choices all seem great. The deep sea supply boots are awsome, you should be very happy with those, as far as the BC the diva is a very comfortable bc, also take a look at the libra, it is the female verson of the balance. As far as pool demo, you will be hard pressed to get a shop to let you demo gear, but I know aqualung has a cust. sat. program that will permit you to exchange for other aqualung gear. Not perfect, but benificial.

 

[midwayman]

dont get a custom wetsuit untill you look at a company like BARE. They make something like 15 sizes. Short and tall variants of sizes xs-xl IIRC.

 

[Vayu]

I second the bare nomination. I just recieved a 5/4mm today in the medium-large-tall and it fit almost perfectly. Scubatoys has these on sale for a phenomenal price and will send you a new one if it doesn't fit and you don't use it and you let them know beforehand.

-V