Looking for new equipment...

[Sunesis]

Hello to the Scuba Board readers. I got certified many years ago and drifted away from the sport. I dove again for the first time in years last year and had a blast. Then went diving in Cozumel over the summer. I'm hooked again. Equipment has gone through a lot of changes. I'm overwhelmed by the choices. Would anyone like to suggest an economical weight integrated BC. Also, what brands should I focus on for regulator and wetsuit. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[GotAir]

to the Scuba Board!
I cant give any good advice on equipment. its safe to say there's an Ocean of choice's out there. I'm glad to hear that the O'l habit came back!!!

Mike

 

[fgray1]

The diving styles has changed. So you don't waste money and time. you should dicide what kind of diving you might want to do in the future. IE. Wreck, tec, cavern, cave, rec, deep, shallow, Buy equiptment that can be used for all if you think you might want to try one or all of them. Knowing this will same you lots of money later. I'm speaking from experiance.
Good luck in your choices.
Fred

 

[Bob3]

Yep, type & style of diving will dictate gear choice, as there is no ideal configuration that's "best" for everything. Besides you can never have too much dive gear, right?
This board is a good place to root around for ideas though.
After your selection has narrowed down, check the classifieds here, there is a growing pile of dive goodies being offered & I don't know of anyone here that'd stick someone with a lump of trash.

 

[Sunesis]

Thanks for the thoughts. I live in Charleston, SC and will dive the artificial reefs (open water wrecks). No cave diving. I don't anticipate going deeper than about 80 feet. I guess a lot of it depends on my budget.

 

[DandyDon]

Thanks for the thoughts. I live in Charleston, SC and will dive the artificial reefs (open water wrecks). No cave diving. I don't anticipate going deeper than about 80 feet. I guess a lot of it depends on my budget.

Welcome to SB. Put us in your Favorites and check in often.

Have you dived any "artificial reefs (open water wrecks)" no "deeper than about 80 feet"...?? GotAir and I were up there in October, doing the WWI & II wrecks to 115 fsw, and I've been to 130 fsw there on 28% EANx.

Fgray1 had a good question, except that anyone who asks for "Economical" suggestions is thereby self limiting himself to Recreational Diving, I'd think. But then, the Great American Motto these days is "Whatdaya Got That's Cheap?" Gawd, but do I hear that everday?!

But that's enough for now. Why not do a lot of reading in the various equipemtn forums, narrow down your questions, and for best results - ask about specific BCs in the BC forum, specific Regs in the Regulator fourm, etc.

good luck, don

 

[Sunesis]

DandyDon,
I've not had opportunity to dive them yet, since I'm just getting back into this; but here are a few under or close to 80':

Charleston Sixty Reef
LORAN C-45415.8/60490.8
GPS-32 33.147/079 40.249
1 buoy marks reef bearing 145°/12.5 nm from Charleston Harbor south jetty.

Reef Buoy 32 33.147/079 40.249
240' Barge 32 33.345/079 40.299
Concrete Reef Balls 32 33.251/079 40.451
Missiles 32 33.079/079 40.233
Steel Pup Tents 32 33.148/079 40.396
Steel Pup Tents 32 33.117/079 40.403
Steel Pup Tents 32 33.100/079 40.415
Missile Sleeve 32 33.317/079 40.399
Ballast Cans 32 33.150/079 40.275
Army APCs 32 33.143/079 40.086
Army APCs 32 33.165/079 40.055

Water depth 60'.

Capers Reef (R-8)
LORAN C-45438.2/60370.4
GPS-32 44.990/079 34.517
1 state buoy and Coast Guard buoy "R-8" mark reef, bearing 090°/12.2 nm from offshore end of Charleston jetties

Coast Guard Buoy R8 32 44.411/079 34.342
Concrete Reef Balls 32 44.380/079 34.536
Concrete Reef Balls 32 44.381/079 34.534
90' Tug 32 44.539/079 34.345
Unknown Barge 32 44.405/079 34.507
Caisson 32 44.422/079 34.545
56' Landing Craft 32 44.528/079 34.559
56' Landing Craft 32 44.527/079 34.541
150' Deck Barge 32 44.965/079 34.484
Pipes and Cubes 32 44.935/079 34.557
120' Deck Barge 32 45.087/079 34.486

Water depth 20-45'.
Charleston Nearshore Reef
LORAN C-45480.9/60479.9
GPS-32 42.625/079 45.661
1 buoy marks reef, bearing 120°/2.5 nm from Charleston Harbor north jetty.

Barge 32 42.567/079 45.603
Barge 32 42.655/079 45.626
Barge 32 42.630/079 45.735
Concrete 32 42.536/079 45.610
Ballast Cans 32 42.637/079 45.576
Missile Motor Cradles 32 42.590/079 45.700
105' Barge 32 42.571/079 45.608

Water depth 30'.


Y-73 Reef
LORAN C-45317.4/60316.1
GPS-32 32.459/079 18.993

Consists of a 180' ex-US Army coastal tanker, three 90' tugboats and 225 steel reef units.

180' Tanker (Y-73) 32 32.459/079 18.993
90' Tug (Helen) 32 32.589/079 19.244
90' Tug (Tanda 9) 32 32.595/079 19.343
90' Tug (Kimberly) 32 32.636/079 19.504
Steel Pup Tents 32 32.708/079 19.346
Steel Pup Tents 32 32.715/079 19.331

Water depth 95'.