Looking at BC's and regs for trip, relatively new diver, thoughts?

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Do you think that the online stores are charity?

BurhanMuntasser, Thanks for all the info
and NO I don't think LDS are charity nor am I looking for it!

I would prefer to work with the small business owner than the larger discount or internet store even if it costs me more.

Some LDS I have encountered are great reputable shops with wonderful folks who are concerned about selling you what you need to ensure you are comfortable and safe.

Some are far from it, the closest one to me is far from it.

Thats all


They are the top two brands worldwide. I prefer the SP BC's more in my experience in our dive school. They seem to fit better and last a lot longer.

This is probably the most suitable BC for you:
http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/bcs/products/glide-x.aspx

This one is very durable and gives you the option for adding weight integration pockets:
http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/bcs/products/x-one.aspx


For regulators, my pick will be one of these three with the first one as top pick and best value:

http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/regulators/products/mk21s560.aspx

http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/regulators/products/mk11s560.aspx

http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/regulators/products/mk11s360.aspx

For dive computers (I'd buy the computers before anything else), one of these two:

The i300 is probably the best value
i300 Dive Computer - Aqua Lung US - Personal Aquatic Equipment for Recreational and Professional Use

http://www.scubapro.com/en-US/USA/instruments/computers/products/aladin-sport-matrix.aspx
 
I'd like to make two points.

1 Many online suppliers are small business owners.
2 I'm still looking for the LDS that offers good advice and great customer service. I have found that only from select online retailers so far and that is because it is easier to find them. If I lived in a popular dive area it might be different.
 
I'd like to make two points.

1 Many online suppliers are small business owners.
2 I'm still looking for the LDS that offers good advice and great customer service. I have found that only from select online retailers so far and that is because it is easier to find them. If I lived in a popular dive area it might be different.

yup, Cave Adventurers, Dive Right in Scuba, Northeast Scuba Supply, all small business LDS's. Dive Gear Express is still a small business, just not an LDS.

The closest LDS to me that hits all of those points is Cave Adventurers. There are three that I know of in the Carolinas that will take care of you. Two of the three are primarily recreational shops which means they end up being more like a really good car dealership. @Lake Hickory Scuba is one, but you have to have the understanding that they are heavily involved with Mares so the gear selection will be biased towards them. Nothing wrong with that as long as Mares is what you're looking for, but from what I hear the advice, service, etc. is really good. Gypsy Divers is in Raleigh with a bias towards Scubapro. They also own Air Tech Scuba which is the best service shop I have ever seen. Third is NADCO which is a bit more tech oriented, but I haven't had the opportunity to get in there recently to see what they have in stock.
 
Hi @Murphy in NC

There's a lot of good scuba equipment out there. If you're relatively sure you and your son will continue to dive, I would recommend buying good equipment that you will be happy with for for quite a while, rather than going for something you might want to replace in the short term.

I still occasionally dive a Scubapro MK5/R109 I bought in 1972. A MK10/G250 is on my pony, my primary is a MK25/S600. My Knighthawk is 11 1/2 years old, nearly 1200 dives, starting to show some wear and tear and will need to be replaced someday. I'm a very lucky man, have been diving with my son for 20 years and with my wife and daughter for 15. The downstairs room of my house in Florida looks a lot like the rental section of a dive shop.

Do your research, take folks like @tbone1004 up on their offer to help show you around. Everyone has their favorites, you may get as many recommendations on SB as there are respondents, and most are probably just fine.

Best of luck in your choices and good diving. You'll love Grand Cayman.

Craig
 
...Dive Gear Express is still a small business, just not an LDS...

Dive Gear Express is an interesting place, somewhat like a LDS. You can email, phone, or Skype with a Customer Care Team Member, I have found them very responsive. You can order online and pick up at their facility in Pompano Beach. You can go to the facility, discuss options with an associate, place your order on one of their computers, and take it home with you. I have picked up purchases there on several occasions as well as having things shipped to me. I have dived with 3 DGX employees out of Boynton Beach, one, on several occasions. They know and dive the equipment they sell.
 
I'd also recommend Scuba John's Dive shop in Leesville South Carolina. He does a lot of training, sells good gear, and won't try to talk you into gear just to improve his bottom line. John is a tech diver and instructor.
Scuba John's Dive Shop
 
I'd also recommend Scuba John's Dive shop in Leesville South Carolina. He does a lot of training, sells good gear, and won't try to talk you into gear just to improve his bottom line. John is a tech diver and instructor.
Scuba John's Dive Shop

thanks for the heads up! He's WAY out of the way, but next time I'm in Cola I'll try to swing south
 
Based on what the OP has said about the weights, I would steer you away from Aqua Lung jacket BCs. In my experience working with the jacket style in the rental fleet, those weights are the easiest to accidentally dump (lose). I like Scubapro's - you get a resounding click and it is a purposeful event to lose a weight with the male/female clip vs. Aqua Lung's slide and lock system which I really do not like. Also, I would avoid the i3 inflation mechanism in their BCs. Convenient that you can dump air in any position, but a pain to service and I have seen it get caught on things and accidentally get inflated/deflated even from bumping on boats.

I was keen on getting a diaphragm first stage reg and went with Aqua Lung. Free parts for life with annual inspections or service was a nice perk and with Scubapro, you had to buy the BC, reg set, and computer to get that.

I hope this helps - keep us posted on what you end up with!
 

Back
Top Bottom